By Bronwyn Hastings

Jam Sandwich, a spontaneous group of Horsham-based youth bands, has increased in popularity and will likely continue under the guidance of musician and teacher Tim Williams.

Enabled with a State Government Amplify program grant obtained by Horsham Rural City Council, the second round of sessions ended on Friday.

Youth services planning and engagement officer Larissa Riddell said grant funding could be used to plan, develop and deliver music, arts and cultural events.

“Jam Sandwich came about because we used to have a really strong youth music scene in Horsham,” she said.

“I think it’s really important for young people to be in this environment to be creative, to have mentors, to learn the tricks of the trade, so that’s how it sort of came along – we wanted to revamp the youth music scene in Horsham.

“This also gives young people the opportunity to speak to someone who has worked internationally with bands and is a professional musician.”

Williams has played with Unwritten Law, Area-7 and The Porkers. He has shared the stage with Smash Mouth, Everclear, Reel Big Fish and The Ramones, and has supported, worked as a guitar or drum technician or filled in as drummer for Spiderbait, Jebediah, Frenzal Rhomb, Regurgitator, Custard, Killing Heidi and Lee Kernaghan.

The sessions host youth aged about 10 to 25, where they cover songs before writing and recording their own in bands of about five musicians.

Year-nine Horsham student Jas Kenneison said the bands play to their own tastes.

“Essentially we just get together as a group and we play music – it can vary, we’ve played a lot of punk, punk rock, grungy – we work together to create,” she said.

“It’s a team effort, completely. People just rock up, you get together, you get to know each other, and the weeks go past, and you play music. 

“I like how it gives me more of an experience in musical opportunities, especially as I’m wanting to do VET music next year, I think it’s a good starting point.”

Year-seven Horsham student Violet Hardman said the sessions offered a different experience to other music classes.

“This is more of a collaborative effort – I think it’s a bit more realistic of an experience of what it’s like to be in a band,” she said.

“And the social aspect, I really enjoy, because you can get together with people you already know, but also people you wouldn’t have thought you would get along with.”

Year-10 Stawell student Henry McLean brings a unique talent to the sessions.

“I do screaming,” he said.

“It was 2024-ish and I decided I wanted to be like The Amity Affliction and bands like that, so I just walked down one of our paddocks and started making cow noises until it sounded like a metal scream. 

“It slowly progressed into proper screaming, and I’ve learned that I’m doing a thing called false cord screaming, which is meant to be kind of hard. 

“Apparently, what I do is exhale out of my diaphragm and close my vestibular folds. I don’t know what any of that means, but it’s pretty fun as well.” 

Henry, who aspires to be part of a deathcore band, said his father had seen Jam Sandwich sessions advertised.
“My dad was scrolling and came across it, and he recognised the name Tim Williams – he said Tim knew a lot about music. I came last year, and I really enjoyed it, so came up again this year,” he said.

“I don’t really know anyone at school that likes the same music as me.”

Ms Riddell said the last Jam Sandwich session was on Friday, but there were plans to continue.

“I think it’d be silly not to keep this a regular thing – numbers have increased, and hopefully, that’ll just keep snowballing,” she said.

“So we will be running another one at a date to be determined, and hopefully down the track, the bands will be performing paid gigs and such.” 

People can follow Horsham Youth for Jam Sandwich and other updates at www.facebook.com/youthinhorsham.

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