David Brooks
‘Chattering Porch Thoughts’
Since rising to fame in the late 80s on ‘Hey Hey It's Saturday’, the front man and founder of the The Music Men, David Brooks (aka ‘Brooksy’) continues to entertain audiences as a corporate MC and comedy performer around Australia. In his rich and self-proclaimed whinging ‘Pommy’ accent, he continues to open each gig singing, "I am the music man, I come from down your way... what can you play?"
Brooksy proudly took the Australian Citizenship oath in 2002 and is a fully fledged legal Aussie, and being so Aussie now that, together with performer Steve Callahan, he continues to tickle the nations’ funny bones with zany humour, skits, songs and send-ups of entertainment icons, politicians, the Poms, Kiwis and even Collingwood’s golden jacket hero Joffa.
When Brooksy isn’t performing and encouraging audiences to sing along to his latest songs, he is a committed member of the Brighton Icebergers Club. Each day Brooksy braves Port Phillip Bay’s winter temperatures and swims in his bid to keep the title of being ‘out there’. I caught up with Brooksy on his mission to ‘stack on the pounds’ to help him stay in the water longer and overcome the onset of hypothermia in preparation for his upcoming 1.2km Icebergers swim.
Turning back the clock to 1988, how did the Music Men first form?
By getting together with a group of ‘like-minded’ ex-pats at social events. We appeared on ‘Red Faces’ for a bit of laugh. It turned out to be a 24 year laugh and we’re still milking it! If you think about it, we are Australia's oldest (and ugliest) longest running boy band, performing longer than The Wiggles. Being the front man, you took the brunt of the judge’s comments.
What comment stood out the most?
Cricketing legend Max Walker said, “I’d like to give them 10, but the bloke out the front is not a full bob so I will give them 9 and a half.”
You left England in 1981 to play Soccer on a 3 year contract in Australia, who did you play for?
In England I played for Bury FC from 1970-1975 and Barrow in 1976. In Melbourne I played for Ringwood, Box Hill, Richmond and Doncaster in 1980. I continued playing for Caulfield City from 1981-1995.
You are still a passionate sports enthusiast, what sports do you follow?
Cricket, especially when The Ashes are played here. I love the AFL, its players, shows and supporters. It’s a great game and I’ve met some incredible people through football including singing with the ‘Great’ Jim Stynes OAM. The Music Men performed during half time at the 2012 E.J. Whitten Legends Game.
You are a committed member of the Brighton Icebergers, swimming in freezing temperatures in the bay, what is an ‘Iceberger’ club?
It’s a group of hardened, crazy, fanatical cold water swimmers who enjoy the challenge of swimming in freezing cold water in Port Philip Bay off Brighton Pier and in Middle Brighton Baths. There are two Icebergers clubs in Melbourne - Royal Brighton Yacht Club Icebergers with 80 members and The Brighton Baths Icebergers with 50 members.
What is the history of the ‘Brighton Bath Icebergers?’
Brighton Baths were first built in 1881 as the English who just settled where terrified of sharks (and obviously bathing!) It has been destroyed twice by storms once in the 1930’s then in 1985 and was rebuilt due to the Mayor John Locco who was an Iceberger enthusiastic at the time.
Who is the longest serving member?
Doug Wier is the oldest Iceberger at 81 who still swims each day at 6am. He joined with his dad in 1934 at the Brighton Baths.
Why did you become an ‘Iceberger?’
I joined in 2010 and constantly question myself, why? This morning at 7am, it was dark and only 9.5 degrees. Why? Overall, it’s about conquering the fear before I jump in. When I’m in the freezing water, I immediately think about surviving and the steam room for the resurrection and the pure happiness that will follow. I experience many emotions in one hour.
Apart from the ever changing sea conditions, swells, currents, winds and avoiding stingrays, what other challenges do you face?
I swim with experts but I have written my Will four times as it’s strictly a ‘No Wetsuit Policy’. The group knows the weather patterns and plan each swim. The biggest challenge is avoiding hypothermia. I swim up to twice a day either at 7am, noon or 8pm. The water ranges in temperature in winter from 7 to 12 degrees and in summer up to 22 degrees.
After two years as an ‘Iceberger’, how long can you stay in the water for?
My body can take 25 minutes during winter before hyperthermia sets in. My feet and hands are numb when I come out.
Why are you trying to gain weight to swim the ‘Winter Pier To Pub’ over 1.2k in August?
My doctor believes I am underweight for swimming longer distances in cold water. I weigh 75kg which allows for 20 minutes in the water before hyperthermia sets in. I need to achieve 40 minutes in the water, so I met with a dietician to help me gain weight as body fat will retain heat.
What does your weight gain menu plan consist of?
Plenty of regular eating starting with organic porridge with raw honey, almonds and fresh fruit for breakfast. Twice a day I have protein drinks with coconut oil and banana flaxseed oil with organic milk. I am eating plenty of steaks, brown rice and vegetables. I’m also eating buckwheat pancakes with maple syrup four times a day and snacking on fruit, chicken, vegetables, healthy muffins and nuts.
I understand you’re filming a documentary with the movie trailer promoted on YouTube. Is about your Iceberging?
Yes, it’s titled ‘The Icebergers’. I have been filming for the past 18 months. It’s about Icebergers and my journey from Bury in England to Brighton and becoming an ‘Iceberger’. The documentary will highlight my journey of becoming an official ‘Iceberger’ – that is to complete a full winter and a long swim without a wetsuit. I am currently negotiating with the Dendy Theatre in Brighton and planning to release it later in the year.
What is your Porch Though of the Day?
“Try cold water swimming. It’s more than life itself!”