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 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.
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| 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
Major influences have been Ritchie Blackmore, Eric Clapton, David Gilmour, Peter Green, Mark Knopfler, Snowy White and Gary Moore. On bass I've been inspired by Phil Lynott, Roger Glover and 'Duck' Dunn.
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.
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perfect alibi
Feb 2010 - I just landed the gig fronting this well-established Pink Floyd tribute band based in Southampton.
We're already well into rehearsals and I'm due to start gigging with them from April.
More on this exciting news shortly.
[ website | facebook ]
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katie and alan
Jan 2010 - I recently started gigging and recording with Katie Ellen.
I'm loving this new direction and really inspired by Katie's voice, ethos and energy.
Our first visit to the studio resulted in a stripped-down acoustic version of 'Hallelujah' [ video ].
More recording planned for early March.
[ facebook ]
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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 on bass and Ashley Cutler on keys.
[ facebook ]
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