A LISKEARD family have beaten the lockdown blues by forming a live band.

The Zalick family – Zoe, Pete and their daughters Ellie, 17, and Melissa, 14 – have performed live online for friends and family each day for the last six weeks.

‘We start rehearsing at 2.30pm and perform live at 3pm no matter what happens,’ said Zoe. ‘Then we choose and start to learn the song for the next day.

‘We work on new or tricky parts on our own, and this might take a few days, but we always have a song ready for the next day.’

Between them, the four play lead, bass and rhythm guitar, ukulele, drum kit and cahon – and they take it in turns to be the lead and backing singers.

So far the Zalicks’ online gigs have featured songs by Fleetwood Mac, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, the Stereophonics, and ZZ Top, and a special version of Pack up Your Troubles on VE Day.

They’re particularly proud of a version of The Beatles’ Here Comes the Sun, which Melissa led on - and the Power of Love, which they all had to learn after it was requested by a friend.

The family has had to get used to the pressure of a live performance with no edits or retakes.

‘The girls choose at least one song a week each and the rest are requests from the audience,’ said Zoe.

‘Pete and myself have been performing for 30 years so we know a lot of songs already but we mostly like to learn new ones because it keeps things fresh and varied,’ said Zoe. With both parents teachers of music, it might not come as a surprise that Ellie and Melissa are musical, but it’s the first time that the family has ever come together as a band.

‘Both girls could already sing and play the guitar. Pete and myself have taught them since they were young and have always encouraged them to perform, despite the fact that they are both quite naturally quiet and reserved,’ Zoe explained.

‘Melissa has learned bass guitar completely from scratch since we started playing online.

‘I am immensely proud of the girls’ achievements and their persistence over what has turned out to be a hugely extended period.

‘I think that they are beginning to feel the thrill of live performance, and I hope that they will want to continue to as a band when social distancing is over.

‘Our friends and family write us nice comments but nothing beats cheering, dancing, clapping, laughing and being able to touch other people again. And we have enough songs for a full-length gig now!’

To watch the Zalick family band play live each weekday, just look for Zoe Zalick on Facebook or YouTube or zalick music on Instagram.

All their songs can be listened back on the Facebook page.