IN music, there are those who have lived the life and those who just dream about it. Bowral’s Doc O’Toole, (48), has lived it.
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He first picked up a guitar at the age of 14, started singing at age seven and has never looked back.
And while music might be his passion, he also has a taste for the thespian trade, after being offered a role as an extra in Bikie Wars: Brothers in Arms.
While he didn’t take up the offer, he then secured an extra part in Channel 9’s Underbelly Badness. But to call the man a musician or an actor only reveals part of Doc’s story.
He is also a painter/decorator, singer, vocal teacher, airbrush artist, has helped mentor people through difficult times, and he might even pass on a bit of philosophy if you’re willing to listen.
“There are two things I live by: respect and honour,” he said.
“Everything I do and all my songs are drawn on life experience. I’ve lived a colourful life. I’ve done a lot. I embrace life and have a go at everything.
Nothing stops me. Nothing is impossible. If the creative door is locked, I will go through the creative window.”
After being involved with about 20 different rock bands in the past 30 years, including as part-owner of the successful Rock Show Australia, Doc is excited about his latest creation, The Red Dragon Band.
The band has been more than five years in the making and Doc feels like he’s scored a coup by securing the services of Guitar Central Mittagong’s Phill Morris to help write tracks for the debut album and play in the band itself.
“I have this rare guitar and took it over to guitar central, a Peavey Vandenberg signature edition, to be serviced and Phil asked to play it.
“He sat down and played an Yngwie Malmsteen and a Steve Vai song and blew me out. That was it; it then took me 12 months to get him as a guitarist.
We’ve now got half a dozen songs on the way with more in the pipeline.
“I feel 2013 could be the year. I’ve never doubted that the band will be a success but hopefully it’s this year. We have a lot of loyal people behind the scene who support us and the band.
“I’ve had offers from Brazil for a mini tour. My main aim is to get to the LA-Vegas rock circuit. America would be the dream place to perform.”
Doc has a positive outlook for the future but it hasn’t always been smooth sailing for the man known as The Rock Doctor.
He once spent about six months living on the streets in Sydney after hitting tough times.
“I’ve lived a hard life. I’ve lived as they say in rock n’ roll, ‘among the mud, the blood and the beer’, and I stand amongst the best of them,” he said.
“I’ve definitely paid my dues to rock n roll a few times over, I’ve earned my rock n’ roll stripes.
“With what I do in life, everything’s just following suit. Now I’m getting into acting.
“I love acting and being on stage for 30 years as a musician really made it easy.
“On stage you’re a performer. You’re not the same person off-stage.
“I was a bikie in Underbelly Badness in the funeral scene which was filmed at Rookwood cemetery. I didn’t say anything, I just looked menacing.
“The following Monday, I also had a screen test for a speaking part in Underbelly Badness.
“I’ve been to a few of those funerals so for me it was a situation I’d had experience with.” To help pay the bills, Doc has been working as a painter/decorator for the 13 years he has lived in the Highlands.
“Like with painting, I prefer to do a1920’s home than a new house. At the moment I’m helping breath life back into this 90-year-old home.
“It’s given me the freedom to do everything else I want to do in life.”
Doc expects The Red Dragon Band to be out there performing by mid year.
![Doc has been involved with about 20 different rock bands in the past 30 years. Photo by David Alexander Doc has been involved with about 20 different rock bands in the past 30 years. Photo by David Alexander](/images/transform/v1/resize/frm/storypad-5KuvS37emzbaPy9XbUJavA/63f6355a-800b-4e35-9e5e-e6d0aac0274e.jpg/w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
![Painting has given Doc the freedom to do everything else he wants to do in life. Photo supplied Painting has given Doc the freedom to do everything else he wants to do in life. Photo supplied](/images/transform/v1/resize/frm/storypad-5KuvS37emzbaPy9XbUJavA/bddb2da7-4493-483b-8b87-c1c2d88b7c8c.jpg/w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
![Doc was an extra in Channel 9’s Underbelly Badness. Photo by David Alexander Doc was an extra in Channel 9’s Underbelly Badness. Photo by David Alexander](/images/transform/v1/resize/frm/storypad-5KuvS37emzbaPy9XbUJavA/050f596a-fe5f-4c76-a04b-adc6ba937344.jpg/w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)