The Big Fins

08/08/2026

Meet….Paul Cook the Drummer

Paul was born in Canada into a musical driven Family. Paul’s father played trombone, trumpet and guitar with some heavyweights in the big band jazz era throughout the UK in the late 50’s and 60’s.
Paul’s first musical performance was at school. A drummer was required for a military style march for school assembly. Paul was volunteered by a girl who said she had seen him play drums (she hadn't lol! she lied). It tuned out just by chance I could do the theme song to Hogans Heros. I used to play the drums on my leg when the show came on everyday
Paul loves anything by Led Zepplin, Deep Purple and Bad Company. As he got older, he became more interested in Australian Bands mainly because he could see them live.
Paul has played in many original bands. His first band that got airplay was The Quiet life, a Sydney Band. They recorded at studio 301 and made it on to 2JJ daily playlist. Paul played Blues Bros Shows, cover bands etc
Paul’s most memorable concerts are, Pink Floyd, Led Zepplin, The Beatles and Phil Collins.
Paul’s first experience in a band, was a cover band that played Slade and Status Quo songs.
Previous bands that Paul has played with include, Blues Bros show, Beatnix and Shame on You. He has also played live gigs with Kevin Borich Express , Stevie Wright and Zac Brown.
Paul filled in as drummer for the Big Fins around 2017 and became a permanent member around 2018. He left around 2020 and did just over 300 gigs with Prime Suspex, a covers band. He then rejoined the Big Fins again in 2023
Paul said highlight gigs to date with Big Fins was definitely Australia Day 2025 and the last NYE concert on the water in Tuncurry 2019 where the crowd was estimated to be around 5000 plus.
Paul’s favourite thing about playing locally is “the close relationships you have with the audiences and the travel time is so short, 4 of my local gigs are 6 minutes from home :-)”
Paul considers The Big Fins members to be a family who love, appreciate and support each other, “playing with these guys feel like home.”
He said a bucket list item for the Fins would probably be a Rural tour of the big clubs, “which we would be awesome at and very well received , people just love a band with a 3-piece horn section.”

31/07/2026

Meet….Greg (Fas) Wilcox - Lead guitarist/vocalist, music lover.

Greg is originally from Curl Curl in Sydney and at different times resided in the western suburbs, inner city and on the Central Coast of New South Wales.
Greg’s interest in music and performing in general was sparked at an early age by his mother who would listen to everything from Patsy Cline’s country to Oscar Peterson’s unbelievable jazz/blues piano and singers like Lena Horne, Ella Fitzgerald and Nat King Cole. Greg was encouraged to join the school choir in late primary school and was in those school choirs every year until leaving high school. “Of course at about age 11 the Beatles came to Australia and pretty much changed the music world for us. My father gave me a better guitar than the one I had and so I started to play a lot more.”
Greg was encouraged early on to take part in any school productions and managed to jag the part of “Dodger” in Oliver “the best tunes I thought, and even the Mikado, not so sure about that effort. In any event my mother was right, I enjoyed it and even had a brief acting stint, in a couple of productions with a community drama group.”
Greg attended a number of gigs as a youngster, the first live band being Chain, prior to Matt Taylor being a member “and from memory Phil Manning and the crew did a few Traffic covers.” Greg was hooked on live bands from then on and still is. The most impressive artists he’s seen as far as performance and production goes are Prince and Sade.
“On leaving school I commenced mis-spending my youth and went surfing, ultimately settling in Forster while the music took a temporary back seat.” In the early eighties Greg was introduced to a couple of local guys who had a duo going and thy got together to see how it might work. It was a lot of fun and it had been a while since he’d been able to sing with people who knew what was up. The 3 part harmonies and some interesting material re-ignited Greg’s interest. ‘Little Dramas’ was formed and they did a lot of work on the mid-north coast and ultimately as either a 3 piece or duo, plus a lot of work in Newcastle.
Greg’s musical influences, apart from those early ones, include the Beatles of course and guitarists like Larry Carlton, Elliott Randall and Eric Clapton. “There are probably too may others to mention. My music preferences are generally more about the tunes than the artists. A good song is a good song whoever wrote it.”
Having over the last 40 years played with a number of cover bands including the Lounge Lizards, Chester Drorze and the Lowboys and the Loco Brothers, Greg said playing with the Big Fins continues to inspire him. “The dynamics afforded by the brass section and general level of enthusiasm of the other members, all great people by the way, make it a pleasure to keep learning and exploring what seems to be an endless catalogue of potential material. Let’s go.”

24/07/2026

Meet…Gabby Putland - Saxophonist and back up vocals

Gabby grew up in Taree, overlooking the stunning Manning River, farmlands and mountains. Being the youngest of 4 sisters, the family home was always alive with the sound of music. Gabby’s dad, Wilbur, continually practiced his trombone as he played in numerous local bands, including the Taree RSL Resident Band for many years. “He loved to sing, at church, he could always be heard above the congregation singing the harmony part”.
Gabby and two of her sisters, learnt to play the piano. Her sister Amanda was the stand-out. Amanda studied piano through to her L Mus A (Licentiate in Music, Australia) and was constantly practicing the piano - Beethoven and Mozart were a constant in their home. Gabby’s sisters and their dad spent many hours gathered around the piano (and in the kitchen washing up) singing along to the musical scores of Annie Get Your Gun, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Sound of Music and South Pacific. Oh, “and I can’t forget ABBA!”
Gabby became involved in the band scene in the late 70’s, early 80’s. While living in Sydney. She remembers every Thursday night pawing over the Gig Guide to see what Band was playing where: Cold Chisel, The Divinyls, Hunter & Collectors, Midnight Oil, INXS, Eurogliders, The Cochroaches and The Radiators at venues like The Astra, The Bondi Lifesaver, Selina’s, the Stage Door Tavern and Surry Hills Hotel….. “It was an amazing time. I guess that’s why I enjoy playing Pub Rock with the Fins so much, it brings back the fun memories of that period.”
When Gabby first moved to Sydney, she spent every spare moment promoting a local Taree band (“The Trouble Boys”) to pubs, booking agents and radio stations, trying to help them get a “Break” into the Sydney music scene. The band didn’t get a break but Gabby did, her hobby turned into a job offer with JO’K Entertainment, working with Ross Mitchell, Johhny’s Manager and daughter Vicky. Following that Gabby worked with PolyGram records as PA to the State Manger and Promotions Managers. “It was a dream come true for me, working in the music industry, booking and promoting bands in Sydney.”
My most memorable live concerts back then were David Bowie, Elton John, Dire Straits, ACDC, Michael Jackson and Madonna.
Gabby didn’t pick up the Saxophone until the mid-90’s. Her sons were taught to play brass instruments by her dad, and they were all playing in the Great Lakes Band, which Dad (Wilbur) was directing at the time. It was then that Gabby taught herself how to play the saxophone and joined the band, playing in both the Great Lakes Jazz and Concert Band at countless community events.
“Dad was, without question, my greatest inspiration and I’m so thankful to have been able to share his love of brass music. We played together until he was in his 90’s.” It was during that time that Gabby met Lenny, the Big Fins trumpet player – he used to come along to play with the Great Lakes Band.
Lenny approached Gabby about 12 years ago as The Fins were looking for a sax player. “That was the beginning of my wonderful time with The Big Fins.”
The highlight gigs with the Big Fins for Gabby are the one’s when the band gels, the brass is tight, the mix is good and the crowd goes off. “I love the dancing and seeing people singing along and enjoying themselves. That’s usually when The Fins are at their best!”
“The Big Fins have had line-up changes over the years and every new player brings something new to the Band. Some of the guys have played professionally and some of us haven’t, it doesn’t seem to matter. We just work together and enjoy it when the music comes together. I really appreciate their talent, commitment and friendship and always look forward to Wednesday night rehearsal for some more fun and playing music together.”

17/07/2026

Meet…John Vaughan - Bass player

John was born in Eastlakes in the heart of South Sydney territory and attended a Marist Brother’s School in Randwick where sport and study took precedence over music and the arts.

At home the family had a piano; John’s mum had come from a large poor family but was a great accompanist to family singalongs. John believes she had few formal lessons. Neither John’s brother nor John showed an interest or aptitude in learning an instrument, but they both enjoyed singing although it was in his teens before he saw any big concerts. “One very vivid memory I have, was attending the eighteenth birthday party of a mate, and singing harmonies with the Allen Brothers who were friends of the birthday boy.” John remembers seeing Johnny Ray in concert, but the big impression on him was made when hesaw Bill Haley and the Comets at Sydney Stadium in 1957. After that, John remembers seeing Johnny O’Keeffe at a dive in Coogee, before he made it big, and John loved the harmonies of the Delltones.

The first records John bought were 45s of Rock Around the Clock and Heartbreak Hotel and a 33rpm of Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto which he bought when trying to impress a young woman who worked at the Russian Embassy.

John developed an interest in the guitar co-incidentally when, as a law student, he was then courting a lovely young Conservatorium of Music student named Leigh! He even had some classical guitar lessons and Flamenco, but his basis style was Church Strum. “During my student years and after, folk music and jazz took over our lives and I used to jam with mates at parties. We went to great dingy venues, such as El Rocco in the Cross, (young Judy Baily and many others) and The Troubadour a new wonderful folk and classical guitar venue: handmade pottery mugs, and candles in Chianti bottles (and Marion Henderson!)”

John saw Peter, Paul and Mary at the stadium and were heavily influenced by the folk scene and the protest movement with a young Bob Dylan, Kingston Trio, Joan Baez and others. In the following years John saw more classical music and opera productions than pop music and was blessed to sing in choral groups.

It was not until John’s late 30s, while running his own law practice, and helping raise three beautiful daughters, that he had an opportunity to join a band introduced by my mate Wal Campbell who played sax and clarinet and invited john, “with my 4 chords” to play every Thursday evening with his talented son, Bryce, young Adam Ponting, Bob Symington and Harley Longbottom, all of whom were experienced. Their first gig was a small Rotary gig “a disaster for me” but he loved the idea of playing in a band.

Shortly afterwards Paul Brennan and Rex Mooney, both experienced guitar rockers, came to town and joined them. They then had 3 guitarists so Paul kindly suggested John learn the bass. He also had to learn 80s songs. John had a wonderful teacher, Phil Lawson in Taree and within a couple of years they were playing at Clubs and on one occasion supported Galapagos Duck when they were up here.

At the time John was still playing regularly at Church with his dear mate Phil Guiney, who had the finest Irish tenor voice, together with Helen Kearney and Russell Edwards they began a small group and sang a few Aussie songs to mark the Bicentenary in 1988. This group then developed into Wallaby Stew, an Irish Australian bush band and they played together for some 20 years. Over that time, they ran successful bush dances over a wide area.

John also became involved, at the invitation of Father Danny, in teaching guitar to a bunch of unsuspecting kids from church. Some years later, John was invited by Ken, Grant and Len to form a group which became the Big Fins. For this opportunity John is very grateful. He is also glad to have had YouTube to learn most of the 80s music that had bypassed him. “Special mention to Paul Cook for helping to give me the groove. I am still on a learning curve.”

John is grateful for the company of all those mentioned, but the greatest influence on his musical development is his wife Leigh for her encouragement and criticism.

15/07/2026

5th September save the date!! We’ll be back ready to rock 🎸 🎷🪊🎺

10/07/2026

Meet…Sue (Susie) Breese - Vocals and percussion

Born in Sydney and raised in Forster from the age of five, Sue “Susie” Breese grew up surrounded by music and community. From an early age, singing, performing and shared family music-making became part of everyday life, laying the foundations for a lifelong love of entertaining.

Sue attended both Forster High School and Taree High School, where an inspiring music teacher, Mr. Alexander, made a lasting impression by bringing fun, enthusiasm and creativity into the classroom. Around the ages of 11 and 12, she took piano lessons and participated in local eisteddfods, gaining valuable early performance experience. Although she gave up lessons sooner than she now wishes — a lifelong regret — music never left her life.

At home, Sue’s mother was a major musical influence. A talented pianist with a beautiful singing voice, she would learn the music of Sue’s duet partners to help her rehearse for local eisteddfods. Musical theatre favourites regularly filled the house, with family singalongs to albums from South Pacific, Oklahoma! and The Sound of Music becoming treasured memories.

Growing up in Forster, there was always music around the family home in Konda Place. With Sue’s two older sisters both marrying musicians, impromptu jam sessions downstairs became a regular part of family life.

Sue’s own early musical tastes leaned toward folk and singer-songwriters, particularly Carole King and James Taylor. The first cassette tape she bought with her own money was Silk Degrees by Boz Scaggs — still one of her all-time favourites. In a full-circle moment, the Big Fins now perform one of the songs from the album she loved as a teenager.

As a teenager, Sue enjoyed performing and spent Saturday nights singing at Bertie’s Pizza Bar in Taree alongside a guitarist friend who also introduced her to guitar playing. Her parents bought her first guitar — a beautiful Maton — an instrument she treasured for many years. She also stepped into the spotlight in her mid-teens, playing the lead role of Princess Eglantine in a Christmas pantomime.

Sue later met and married her husband, Gary — a born-and-bred Forster local — whose love of punk and alternative music opened the door to an entirely different musical world. While her tastes expanded, Sue never lost her love of dancing and fun, and still can’t resist a good disco or Motown tune when it comes on.

Music even played a role in Sue and Gary’s wedding story. When they married in 1986, their reception at Club Forster featured live music from none other than Greg Wilcox — now lead guitarist and vocalist with the Big Fins — and his musical partner at the time, Wayne, who has stepped in on bass for the band several times over the years. It was an early connection to the musicians who would one day become part of Sue’s own musical journey.

Over the years, Sue has enjoyed many memorable live concerts. Highlights include seeing INXS at Tuncurry Salvation Army Hall in the 1980s and, while living and working in France in 1989, watching The Cure perform at an ancient amphitheatre in Fréjus — an unforgettable setting for an unforgettable show.

Closer to home, the Hunter Valley has hosted many favourites, including James Taylor, Carole King, Rodriguez and The Chicks. Her first (and only) visit to the Byron Bay Bluesfest featured The Doobie Brothers as headliners and introduced her to the music of Zac Brown Band.

These days, Sue’s tastes lean more toward country and soul-infused contemporary artists, with favourites including Teddy Swims, Zac Brown Band and Luke Combs. Recently, Bruno Mars has had her toes tapping, and the Big Fins perform his hit Uptown Funk. The band is also currently working on a song by rising British artist Olivia Dean, adding another modern favourite to the setlist.

Today, as vocalist and percussionist with the Big Fins, Sue brings together decades of musical influences — from folk and musical theatre to Motown, disco, country and classic rock — along with an enduring love of performing, connection and having fun with an audience.

Finding My Place in The Big Fins
Sue’s journey with the Big Fins began in 2013 at a birthday party for trumpeter and band manager Lenny. Earlier that year, Sue and a friend had been invited to perform at an open mic gathering hosted by local friend Phil Coombes , with Ken Maytom accompanying them on guitar.

When Lenny’s birthday celebration came around, a casual one-off performance began to take shape. Lenny played trumpet, Ken took up guitar, Phil sat behind the drums, and invited vocalist Grant Moss and bassist John Vaughan joined in. What started as a fun birthday performance sparked something bigger, and the group decided to continue playing together. They called themselves The Big Fins, inspired by a picture of surfboard fins Ken had seen.

When Sue’s performing partner decided not to continue, she asked the group if she could join as a backing vocalist and percussionist. The answer was an easy yes. At the time, Sue felt much of the confidence she had once enjoyed as a performer had faded, and being part of the band became an opportunity to rebuild that confidence in a supportive environment.

The first song she asked to sing lead on was Valerie. She loved the song, the band loved playing it, and audiences responded so warmly that it quickly became a staple of the setlist — one of those rare songs that has truly stood the test of time.

Before long, alongside singing duets with Grant Moss, Sue gradually built up a repertoire of lead vocals, helping ensure the band could seamlessly cover performances whenever Grant was unavailable. Over time, her role grew naturally, and so did her confidence.

More than a band, the Big Fins became a second family. While musicians have come and gone over the years, the sense of friendship and support has remained constant. During her husband Gary’s illness, Wednesday night band rehearsals became a much-needed source of respite and joy — a place where music helped carry her through difficult times. As Sue says, music truly does soothe the soul.

One of the things Sue loves most is performing throughout the local area and looking out to see familiar faces enjoying the music. She deeply appreciates the local venues that continue to support live music and keep booking the band. A particular favourite is the outdoor stage at Great Lakes Paddocks, with its relaxed atmosphere, happy crowd and afternoon setting — “not a late night,” as Sue happily points out.

The Big Fins have also had the opportunity to perform at community festivals including the Lakeside Festival, the Wingham Akoostic Festival and the Old Bar Beach Festival, giving the band the chance to connect with audiences and fellow local musicians alike.

Sue says what she values most about her bandmates is their incredible talent and the hard work each person contributes behind the scenes to keep the group going. She especially enjoys having Gabby in the band — another female presence and partner-in-crime when it comes to deciding on stage outfits and fashion choices.

As for a bucket-list Big Fins moment? Sue would love to see the current lineup supporting a major act at one of the Hunter Valley wineries she has enjoyed visiting as a music fan over the years. And as she says with a smile — who knows? The only way is up.

04/07/2026

Meet………Lenny Newman - Trumpeter, Band Manager and Lifelong Musician

Lenny was born in Geelong, Victoria, although he’s spent much of his life living and working in different parts of Australia.
Lenny’s musical journey began when he was ten years old. His father played trumpet in a local dance band. ”He wasn’t the world’s greatest trumpet player, but he certainly believed he was!” One day while he was at work, Lenny took his trumpet from its case and started making a few sounds. His dad arrived home unexpectedly, heard Lenny playing, and decided Lenny was already better than his dad was.
The very next thing he did was take Lenny for trumpet lessons. As it turned out, his dad never played again. Over the next ten years Lenny studied trumpet seriously, taking lessons and developing his skills.
Lenny’s early performances were mostly talent quests, with his mum and dad proudly cheering from the audience. Throughout high school years Lenny played in the Belmont High School Band. His music teacher was an excellent musician who encouraged Lenny to join him in the orchestra pits of many Geelong musical productions. Those experiences gave Lenny valuable exposure to live performance and ensemble playing.
At eighteen Lenny answered an advertisement seeking a trumpet player for a rock band. He joined a five-piece covers band called Beetroot. The sound was loud, rough and often chaotic—"I honestly had no idea what we were playing half the time!” Lenny’s dad secretly attended their first gig in a church hall and thought “I’d completely lost my mind. Thankfully we improved, eventually becoming a support act for the hugely popular emerging band, Daddy Cool, at various venues throughout Victoria.”
Lenny later joined Tapestry, a six-piece band featuring both saxophone and trumpet. They became a popular act along Victoria’s Surf Coast, performing music by Joe Cocker, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and many others. It was a classic rock-and-roll lifestyle, and at nineteen Lenny was the youngest member of a band full of seasoned musicians.
Lenny’s next move was to a talented five-piece outfit called Shifters, performing Average White Band material along with some excellent reggae music. Around this time, Lenny became friends with Victorian entertainer Denis Walter, and together they formed a wedding band that provided plenty of enjoyable performances, although musically it wasn’t particularly demanding.
The Geelong musical theatre scene was thriving throughout the 1970s, and Lenny regularly sat in with various bands and orchestras. It was also during this period that he discovered big band music. He joined a highly regarded Melbourne Musicians Union Big Band, where competition for positions was fierce and Lenny worked hard to earn and maintain his place.
Lenny’s greatest musical influences included Chicago, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Earth, Wind & Fire, and the horn-driven sound of Joe Cocker’s touring bands. When acclaimed Australian jazz musician Vince Jones left a band called Myrum Forum, Lenny was fortunate enough to take over his trumpet chair. Unfortunately, the band was already beginning to wind down and it folded soon afterwards.
In the mid-1980s Lenny moved to Alice Springs, where he found a vibrant and welcoming music scene. He joined the 24-piece Alice Springs Big Band, touring extensively throughout the Northern Territory. One of his most treasured memories is performing beneath the stars at Uluṟu for a major celebrity event. Alongside the big band, Lenny formed a traditional jazz group called Lenny and the Living Legends. For around five years they performed regularly throughout Central Australia. He also continued his involvement with musical theatre by playing in local orchestras for numerous productions. A particularly memorable opportunity came when Australian entertainer Colleen Hewett performed at the Australian Masters Games in Alice Springs. Lenny was invited to join a five-piece backing band. After only a brief rehearsal, they performed two successful shows. “The closing ceremony attracted around 5,000 people and remains one of the highlights of my career.”
Eventually Lenny’s professional career brought him and his family to beautiful Forster on the New South Wales coast. Like many musicians, balancing family and work commitments, Lenny stepped away from regular performing for almost twenty years while raising a family and focusing on his career.
Music eventually found its way back into Lenny’s life. He joined the Taree Concert Band and the Great Lakes Concert Band, rediscovering the joy of playing and performing. Not long afterwards, a friend invited Lenny to join a small social band called The Nobodys. Over time that group evolved into The Big Fins. Their first real outing was a performance at Lenny’s birthday celebration in 2013, and from that point the journey truly began. Through hard work, commitment and a shared passion for live music, The Big Fins have developed into a polished and highly entertaining eight-piece band featuring some outstanding musicians.
“The camaraderie within the group is one of its greatest strengths, and every member genuinely enjoys what we do.” Among many memorable performances, their New Year’s Eve show in Tuncurry stands out as a particular highlight. The band continue to challenge themselves with ambitious material, and audiences continue to respond enthusiastically. “Our support grows every year, and we remain passionate about entertaining people wherever we perform. Who knows? Perhaps one day someone influential will hear The Big Fins and open the door to even bigger opportunities. Until then, we’ll keep doing what we love—playing great music and enjoying the journey.”

02/07/2026

📣 THE BIG FINS – WINTER BREAK UPDATE 📣

Hello Big Fins friends!

While The Big Fins are taking a short holiday break and won’t be back performing until September, we have something special planned to keep you entertained.

🎶 Starting this week, we’ll be featuring a different Big Fins band member each week on our page. 🎶

Get to know the people behind the music through a series of short biographical stories, including:

⭐ How they got started in music
⭐ Their musical influences
⭐ Memorable performances and experiences
⭐ Fun facts and personal stories
⭐ Their role in The Big Fins

It’s a great opportunity to learn more about the musicians who make The Big Fins what they are.

Be sure to follow our page and check in each week for the next instalment in our “Meet The Big Fins” series.

Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to seeing you all again when we return to the stage in September!

🎷🎸🥁🎤

The Big Fins
Keeping the music flowing, even while we’re away! 🎶🐟

24/05/2026