music performance - vocals, guitar, bass
Music's always been a major part of my life. I've been singing and playing guitar for years and started at school in Stranraer, Scotland. I'm never completely quite sure if I'm a singer who plays guitar or a guitarist who sings.
background
Over the years I've been in numerous rock/blues/general 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 bands 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 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
From my early teens, Deep Purple and Pink Floyd shaped my musical life along with a smattering of Thin Lizzy, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Bad Company . These days I listen to tons of really varied stuff (some WAY too cheesy to admit here) but I always end up back with the classics. Vocal influences have included Paul Rodgers, Ian Gillan, David Coverdale and Joe Cocker. On guitar, my influences include David Gilmour, Eric Clapton, Peter Green, Snowy White, Mark Knopfler, Gary Moore and the man whose playing inspired me to pick up the guitar in the first place ... Ritchie Blackmore.
equipment
Electric Guitars - My old and battered mongrel strat remains my first choice …. I got it in about 1979 and most parts have been replaced since then. It was originally natural but got resprayed black in the mid-90s partly as a homage to Eric Clapton's 'blackie'. The neck pickup's a Seymour Duncan vintage strat (bought in 1981), the bridge one is a DiMarzio vintage strat (bought in 1983) and the middle one is stock Fender from the 80s. The neck's a DiMarzio one with a 'V' profile. I have a few guitars including another Strat and an Ibanez Roadstar from the 80s but I'm rarely without the black one.
Acoustic Guitars - Martin OMCX1KE Acoustic – a recent addition. a lovely instrument. A close friend gave it the name Martha, which has stuck. I also have an Eko Ranger from the 70s that I use for practice/backup.
Amplifier - Blackstar HT-5 – I recently moved to Blackstar from nearly 30 years of using Marshall amps. This one's an all-valve amp with a deceptively miniscule power rating … but that means I can drive it hard at low volumes and get some great tone … and carry it with one hand!
Effects – hardly anything at the moment. The electric is straight into the amp and I have a phaser for some of the acoustic numbers.
|
|
perfect alibi
I joined the group this well-established Pink Floyd tribute band in Feb 2010.
Next gigs:-
Feb 19 - Bishopstoke
Mar 19 - Hazlitt
Mar 26 - The Brook
Recent gigs:-
Dec 11 - Haslemere
Nov 26 - The Brook, Southampton
Nov 13 - Southsea
Oct 9 - Mr Kyps, Poole
Jul 17 - The Brook, Southampton
Jul 24 - Southsea Carnival
[ website | facebook | FAQ
]
|
wheels of fire
A classic rock covers band with a strict no-rehearsals policy.
Together since 2007, gigs have been mainly round the Portsmouth area and we performed at the 2009 Gorport Festival.
I'm on vocals and guitar with sons Calum and Jay on guitar and drums. We're joined by Luke Turner or Joe Williams on bass and occasionally Ashley Cutler on keys.
[ facebook ]
|
|
