Drummer from The Screaming Jets is now an auctioneer

Newcastle band The Screaming Jets were a staple of Aussie pub rock through the ’80s, ’90s and noughties, supporting bands like The Angels and scoring spots in the triple J Hottest 100.  

But even rock stars sometimes want a change of pace, as did Craig “Rosie” Rosevear, who has entered the Real Estate of NSW’s Novice Auctioneer Competition in both Sydney and Newcastle initially to raise money for the McGrath Foundation.

“The McGrath Foundation is a charity I can relate to – I think it’s great the REINSW has teed me up with them” Rosevear says.

​Entrants auction off an item of their choice, and in this case its a VIP experience with the band – as well as some drum lessons.

Rosevear was the band’s drummer from 1993 to 2000, performing on their albums The Screaming Jets, and World Gone Crazy.

He hasn’t hung up the sticks permanently though – he’s also got his band Monsters of Rock and an ’80s cover group The Cassettes, and he runs a rock’n’roll school for children in Newcastle – Rosie’s School of Rock.

But he’s pretty serious about getting into auctioneering as a new career. 

He says it’s giving him the opportunity to combine his love of performing and his interest in real estate, something he’s held for quite a while.

“With my first royalty cheque I invested in property,” he says. “In Newcastle, I bought an investment property. When I came back from overseas the place has doubled in value.”

Rosevear believes auctioning property isn’t that different from playing music. “Especially the marketing campaign – it’s comparable to promoting a gig.”

“I like to call it rocktioneering,” Rosevear says. “I’ve always though of the auctioneer as street theatre – a form of performance.”

Plus, there’s getting dressed up to work on a Saturday – whether it be a suit or ripped jeans – and the enjoyment of playing to a crowd.

“I wasn’t expecting there to be such a camaraderie among the agents, even from different agencies.,” he says. “Among music it’s like that among bands.”

“If I had known it was like this, I would have done this 10 years ago.”

For those on the other side of the rock-star fence, winning the auction would give them the chance to hang out with the Screaming Jets, including attending a sound check and front-row at a gig.

“Even the after-show party,” Rosevear says.