Driving force behind car parts music visits city

May 10 2008 by Vicky Anderson, Liverpool Daily Post

HEARING strange noises from your car is the last thing most people look forward to – until now.

This weekend, hundreds are expected to flock to Liverpool to hear just that.

An orchestra of instruments made from car parts is giving a series of free concerts at St George’s Hall over the weekend.

The unusual group features in the latest advertisement for the Ford Focus, and members came to Liverpool as part of a short national tour to show the public that it was not just televisual trickery and the musical instruments really do work.

The concerts, at 1.15pm and 5.15pm today and tomorrow, are free, with donations to the Teenage Cancer Trust optional.

An exhibition showcasing some of the instruments and the story of the project is open both days between 11am and 6pm.

Project co-ordinator Amy Lucas said: “The purpose of the tour was twofold – to raise awareness of the Teenage Cancer Trust, and also to let people know that these instruments actually work.

“People might see the ad and wonder if they are real, so we decided to go on tour so people can see for themselves.”

The scaled-down band, comprising guitar, flute, double bass, cello and drums all made from the parts of two Ford Focus vehicles, is performing a short set twice a day.

Liverpool is the last venue on the tour schedule after concerts in London and Glasgow.

Ms Lucas added: “We’ve tried in each place to make it as relevant to the people who live there as possible.

“Here, we had [Liverpool band] Amsterdam play at our launch party here and there is a Teenage Cancer Trust ward at Alder Hey hospital.”

Indie band Travis played with the group at one of their Glasgow appearances.

Drummer Nick Roberts said: “I study at the Academy of Contemporary Music and the opportunity to audition came out of my course.

“I’m used to playing kit, so I’m really out of my comfort zone playing car parts. It’s my first tour so it’s been really amazing.”

The instruments were devised by New Jersey musician Bill Milbrodt, who has been making music from car parts since 1994.

His right-hand man, Duke DeLuca, has been on tour with the orchestra to help out on the technical side.

He said: “This has been a very exciting project.

“There’s been a lot of interest – people ask a lot of questions, want to know if the instruments play, what they’re made out of.

“Last time I had seen them they were still being finished, so to see them playing together is really cool.”

vickyanderson