Just Good Music

MOST Australians know him as the boy-next-door from reality television's Big Brother who went on to land a lead role on Aussie soap opera Neighbours . But when BLAIR McDONOUGH appears in Newcastle this weekend he will be tackling a whole new audience when he performs with his band F TH AVENUE . Comprising Blair on bass with his brothers RYAN MCDONOUGH on drums and GAVIN MCDONOUGH on lead vocals alongside MICHAEL LAVISH on guitar, F th Avenue play a hybrid of rock and funk. The band formed 18 months ago and not surprisingly it has faced criticism that it is cashing in on McDonough's fame. But the band said that was not the case F th Avenue is just here to make good music, not change the world. ``It doesn't have to change your l e, but it's got to move you,'' Gavin McDonough said. ``There's also got to be a great deal of truth in it, because punters aren't stupid. ``They can tell when you're serving them platitudes just because it sounds cool, or because it rhymes.'' When F th Avenue makes its debut in Newcastle at SYDNEY JUNCTION HOTEL on Sunday, the quartet will be supported by Novocastrian melodic rockers SUPERSONIC . F th Avenue said punters could expect to hear catchy tunes that will leave them with a smile on their face. ``Music that says something to you about who you are, and makes you question things about yourself and things around you that's really the sum of it. Doors open at 8.30pm Entry is free.