They're a little bit alternative, a little bit rockabilly
Fiona Brady
23Apr08
The band 3 Stripe Ave is starring in the second series of Australia's Got Talent.
THEY'RE called 3 Stripe Ave and they could be the next big thing.
The teenage trio Drummoyne brothers Ace (vocals/guitarist) and Cruise Schuldt (double-bass/vocals) and the Central Coast's Cameron Volkiene (drummer) are starring in the new series of Australia's Got Talent which starts on Tuesday.
The band has been together for two years and have built up a loyal following on the local club scene but couldn't resist the lure of the small screen.
"We thought it would be great to be on TV and get some exposure," Ace Schuldt said.
The 18-year-old describes the band's music as "alt-a-billy" a mixture of alternative rock and rockabilly.
"We think we're the only alt-a-billy band in the world at the moment," he said.
But while life in a band may seem glamourous, Ace Schuldt hasn't had it easy.
At 13, he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma and had to undergo two years of chemotherapy.
The Schuldt family had to move from their home in Ulladulla to Ronald McDonald House at Westmead.
"At the time I was pretty young and I didn't realise how serious it was," he said.
He's been in remission for the past three years and during that time he and the band have raised thousands of dollars for Ronald McDonald House and other cancer charities.
"It's good to give something back," he said.
He studies engineering at Sydney Uni while his younger brother Cruise, 17 and drummer Cameron, 16, are still at school.
They're planning a big party with family and friends to watch their TV debut on Tuesday.
The second series of Australia's Got Talent premieres next Tuesday at 7.30pm.
