It all started several months ago with an ad in this paper.
Teo McNeil took out a classified in the paper, looking for talented, middle school-aged musicians to form a band with his 12-year-old son, Nico, an eighth grader at Oxford Middle School who has been playing the guitar since a young age.
That’s when 13-year-old Austin Purdy, a drummer and eighth grader at Scripps Middle School, responded. Soon after, ‘Harwood Drive? was born.
‘When I was about five, my mom and dad got me an electric guitar, a small one, and I’ve been playing since,? said Nico.
According to his parents, he always had a natural talent for the guitar and used to walk around strumming a plastic guitar when he was little. By the time he was in preschool, Nico could play ‘Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.?
Austin also displayed musical abilities when he was younger, but didn’t actually get started playing the drums until three years ago.
‘I told my dad I wanted to play drums and he had a friend that taught me for free,? Austin said.
Three years later, Austin was the first drummer that responded to the ad placed by the McNeils, and after the boys played together, it was their belief they got the best on the first try.
?(Nico and Austin) were in the room together for five minutes and then they just started playing a ZZ Top song,? Teo said. ‘They clicked right from the beginning.?
It was the first time that either boy had ever played with another musician, and soon they were up to playing 16 covers and four original songs, and the list keeps growing.
In fact, the group has been posting videos on YouTube (search Harwood Drive) for those that want to catch some of their music.
It’s not just online where the boys have been performing, but recently at a benefit held in Lake Orion for Problem Pregnancy Center. Later this month, they will perform at a benefit for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
‘For us to be doing what we’re doing at such a young age, it feels really good,? Nico said.
Austin added that performing is really exciting and as long as they are playing, they don’t really get nervous.
Both of the boys? fathers, McNeil and Ted Purdy, have been singing their whole lives and have been working with the boys on vocals. Nico sings lead vocals, while Austin does back-up.
And while the boys hope to get big, they know school, family and friends are important.
‘I don’t want anyone to think we are bad kids because we play rock music,? Nico said of their classic, southern rock sound.
The band, named after the road Nico lives on (because, according to them, it sounded cooler than the road Austin lives on), is still looking for a bass player to add to the group.
The boys said they are also available to be booked for parties and fundraising events. More information can be found online at the band’s website, HarwoodDrive.com, or by calling Teo at (248)672-0521.