SOME things are just too good to be true, but it is definitely true that the newest addition to the Kross Kolor Records Krew, ‘Keep Your Day Job’, is a riveting Guyanese Punk Rock musical duo based in Georgetown but making waves far and wide, and being recognized among Guyana’s most talented musicians.‘Keep Your Day Job’ currently comprises Gavin Mendonca and Ryan Roberts. The third member, Clifton Garraway (bass/percussion/vocals), migrated in 2011 to pursue studies in Canada.

‘Keep Your Day Job’ was founded by Ryan Roberts and Clifton Garraway, two childhood friends who grew up together in primary and secondary school (Marian Academy). They both shared an interest in music from their early teenage years (Clifton’s mom was the music teacher at Marian Academy), and together decided to start a band.
However, neither of them knew to play any instrument, and Clifton was the only one with any knowledge of music theory, but the desire to be musicians is what ignited the flame. They both acquired guitars and taught themselves to play using videos and tabs on the Internet.

In early 2010, the duo had met the third member of the band, Gavin, while studying at the University of Guyana. Gavin had just recently gotten a guitar of his own, but just like the other two, he did not know how to play at first, so he also later taught himself.
After proposing the idea of joining the band, the three aspirants met for their very first session together, and immediately began composing original material which, after two weeks, landed them their first gig at Queen’s College Movie Night.

Their performance was a disaster, but it was the beginning of a bright future for the three young men. Throughout the course of 2010, KYDJ persevered with writing original songs, including ‘Hope!’, ‘Ocean Air’, ‘Sorrow’ and ‘Leaving Home’, among others.

They also began playing out more often, performing at Marian Academy during lunch hours, and at UG and at friends’ house parties, and they even managed to get to perform at Sidewalk Café for a ‘Walter Rodney Memorial Show’.

The band was also featured in its first media article in issue five of the Apsara Magazine and Youth Expressions 2012. Thus things began looking up for the band.

Ryan and Gavin decided to use their initiative to go hunting for gigs and they immediately found results. They held their first rock show as a duo at the Sidewalk Café. It was “very last minute”, but it turned out to be quite successful. The show featured local rock veteran Brutas, and because of the huge support they gained, another show was held, and this was an even greater success!

As they continued in their quest, a demo performance was sent to Kross Kolor, and immediately the company signaled its interest. KYDJ was later invited to Suriname to perform at an event called ‘Unkies Rock The Guianas’, which also featured two bands from French Guiana and Suriname.

KYDJ has since continued progressing. They have hosted two successful events thus far for 2013, and have performed at many other events, including the recently held Jamzone Summer Break Night Of Jazz, Food and Fashion and ‘Local Palooza 2013’, a show held in Trinidad and featuring eleven of Trinidad’s best bands.

Gavin is currently in his second year studying Chemistry at the University of Guyana, while Ryan focuses just about all of his energies towards the band.
They are currently half way through recording their first full length studio album, which will be produced by Kross Kolor Records.

Most people tend to say that, in Guyana, music must not be a first option, it could only be a hobby; and, to survive, one must get a day job. This is the reason for the band’s name – Keep Your Day Job! Their motto, however, is: ‘Music is our lives, and we will live our lives to the fullest’.

KEEP YOUR DAY JOB!
Written By Alex Wayne