music performance - vocals, guitar, bass

aubitt studios, southampton - january 2010	photo: katie ellen

background

Over the years I've been in numerous rock/blues/general covers bands, playing venues from the tiniest pubs to large corporate events and open-air events. I lived in Jersey for 13 years and the main ones during my time there were The Scratch Band, Alibi and Wavelength although I'd regularly 'dep' for missing members in other bands. Shortly before leaving Jersey in 2002, I played the part of Judas in a 2 week run of the Rock Opera, 'Jesus Christ Superstar' at the Jersey Opera House.

photo studio, redhill - february 2010	photo: lee stapleton

In the mid-80s I gigged (on bass) around the south coast of England as the youngest member of 'Deaf Boy Hug and the Hearing Aids' ... I learned a lot from the guys (Nick Hug, Dave Gilson, Mark Andrews & Chris Hughes) about performance, working as a band, and the importance of listening! We were also fortunate enough to have occasional guest appearances in the line-up from John 'Rabbit' Bundrick and Spike Edney. Sadly, front man Nick Hug (tremendous singer, harmonica player and bass player) died of Leukaemia in 2006 and it was a privilege to be part of the Nick Hug Tribute set dedicated to him at the Gosport Festival that year.

I took a break from playing in 2002 until 2007 when I was inspired to start again by close friends and family. These days, as well as real gigs, you'll frequently find me socialising and playing on Thursdays at the Milton Barn in Portsmouth where I've met some incredibly talented people and valued friends.

influences

Vocally my influences are less obvious, but I'd cite heros as varied as Ian Gillan, Paul Rodgers, Phil Lynott, James Taylor, Roger Waters, Ian Anderson, Freddie Mercury, David Gilmour, Otis Redding, David Coverdale and Joe Cocker.