Paul Taylor might tell you he’s just a bloke with a ukulele, a cheeky nickname for every bandmate and a soft spot for surf breaks. 

But don’t let the self-deprecating tone fool you. Behind the scenes of this riotously named band, The FUKERS (Freshwater Ukulele Recital Society), is a crew of seriously good musicians with a mission. 

On Saturday 24 May, they’ll raise the roof at Jamberoo School of Arts Hall, all in support of the Jamberoo Rural Fire Service.

And yes, they know what the name sounds like. That’s part of the charm.

“We've raised well over $150,000 for charities,” Taylor said. 

“But it's not just about fundraising. It's about music, mateship and making people smile.” 

Their four guiding values? Fun, friendship, finesse and, when those three align, fundraising.

This gig is a great example. Proceeds will go to the local RFS brigade, led by Captain Hannah McInerney and powered by a team of quietly heroic women and men who keep the valley safe. 

Taylor and the band were inspired to support them after local legend Amanda Large attended a FUKERS gig and asked “Can we do more?”.

The answer was yes, with enthusiasm.

Imagine a bunch of long-time mates, many who met in their school days or the surf at Manly, now armed with electric ukuleles, smooth harmonies and some of the best nicknames in the business. 

Jonny, resident artist, is the “Ace of Bass”, Mike “The King fUKEr” came up with the uke concept before it was cool and filmmaker Paul Clark “the director” (yes, You're the Voice, The Hardest Line and many more) adds professional polish and pitch-perfect vocals. 

Add to this the ukulele gravel voiced geniuses of Dave the “Duke of Uke” and the dulcet tones of their very own Fireman and big wave surfer “Smokin Tim Tango”.

Then there’s the real serious musos, Greg “Mayor of Snare” on drums, and Jeff the “Tzar of Guitar”, a guitar player whose solos can make jaws drop. 

“People come just to see Jeff,” Taylor added. “He’s as good as any guitarist Australia has ever produced.” 

Greg “the mayor” is an incredible musical talent with (to raised eyebrows) an array of the corniest one-liners.

They’re all held together by humour, heart, harmonies and a shared love of music and mischief.

Over the years, they’ve played gigs where the nativity scene featured a doll named Baby Cheeses, headlined Lord Howe Island through a cyclone and held raucous Christmas Eve concerts under names like Brown Trout and Santa’s Illegitimate Children. 

Their harmonies are tight, their stories even tighter and their fundraising track record speaks for itself.

 The important details

📍 Jamberoo School of Arts Hall

🗓️ Saturday 24th May

🕕 7 pm till late

🎤 Live music, singing and dancing

🍷 Food and drinks at bar prices

🎟️ $40 from Humanitix (see flyer for QR code)