Geai does a 'Bad Boy Boogie'
STRATH Halladale rocker Geai Thompson may be on a "Stairway to Heaven" but still prefers taking the "Highway to Hell" with new stage appearances.
The home-schooled teenager has once more been proving his heavy metal credentials by playing at various gigs and festivals throughout the UK and raising money for a children's charity too.
Despite being only 13, Geai has shown he is much more than just a fan of veteran rockers AC/DC and has taken to the stage along with the musicians of tribute band Dirty DC.
The youngster made a guest appearance at the band's gig in Workington in April, and also played with the headlining band at Bonfest – a festival dedicated to the late Bon Scott who was lead singer of the original AC/DC line-up.
Geai said: "The experience I’ve been getting with Dirty DC has been amazing with the soundchecks and performing for audiences. It’s great actually playing in a band and I'm getting more comfortable each time.
"Those guys are fantastic. They make me laugh a lot too with their joking about."
He admits to having nerves before going on stage but, once up, he concentrates on playing and eventually feels "very relaxed and confident".
Geai is home-educated in Strath Halladale but used to go to Melvich primary. His mum, Theresa Thompson, said: “He has been into AC/DC since he was five – when the Iron Man 2 movie was released with the AC/DC soundtrack. He started playing guitar when he was eight years old.”
She added that her son has also been raising money for charity by busking in Thurso and Inverness. "He busked in the Eastgate Centre in Inverness for One Great Day to help raise money for children’s charities – Great Ormond Street and other local hospitals.
"His busking has come on nicely, with a bigger variety of songs, and a bit more showmanship. He has been asked to open the show at Monsterfest in November at The Ironworks venue in Inverness."
Geai says he hopes to do a music qualification in the future and was told he should find no problem in getting "a pretty high grade".
He added: “I cannot wait to form a band of my own and to have some friends with the same musical interests – rock ’n’ roll.”