156718671

I'm a musician first and foremost, I also teach bass, drums and guitar. Still very active as a musician playing in The Subterraneans on our own and with Hazel O'Connor. Still trying to get another gig with a proper tour bus!! I was spoonfed a whole host of excellent music from an extremely early age and got the guitar playing bug at the age of 8! Played in a covers band at the age of 14 and various bands with mates until.................. My first proper gig was in 1983 at the age of 16. Just before I left school, Paul Weller had formed The Style Council and didn't have a bass player. I decided to write to him and enclosed a tape of me playing along with the first Style Council single. He replied to me in 2 weeks, I auditioned twice and was given the job. It lasted for 2 years, during which time it consisted of 2 UK tours, 3 European tours, tours in Japan and America, TV work and appearances and radio work and appearances.1985 - 1987 was spent working with my own band.In 1987 I joined The Truth playing bass & proceeded to do an American tour promoting their second album and hit single both entitled 'Weapons Of Love'. The promotional video was regularly on MTV. We supported Squeeze, Eddie Money, and headlined numerous club dates. In 1988 I played on The Truth’s 3rd album, 'Jump', followed by tour supports in the UK and US with The Hooters & T’Pau.Late in 1988 I toured with The Duel supporting Five Star playing in the biggest arenas in the UK after 3 days rehearsal!In 1990 I played on The Primitives last RCA studio album with producer Tony Phillips.In 1991 I completed the line-up of the reformed Badfinger for Bob Jackson, an original member. The gig lasted for around 2 years, as it ended I was asked by The Specials bass player, Horace Panter, to play guitar in SpecialBeat - an amalgam of The Specials & The Beat. I toured the US firstly with Steel Pulse, then with Sting on The Soul Cages tour. We also completed a lightening 6 date tour of Japan including some live TV, which was made into a live video.Between 1992 & 1994 I was writing and recording with singer songwriters Jim O'Neil, and Mike Roberts from King. I played guitar, bass and drums as well as singing lead & backing vocals on studio demos. We then formed a band to play the material live!Between 1994 & 1996 I played bass with Honeyboy Hickling & The DT’s, (Steve Marriots last band) touring the UK, Ireland & Europe.In 1996 I formed blues trio Box Of Blues with ex-Selecter guitarist Neol Davies & Specials bassman Horace Panter, this time filling in the drummers chair. We performed gigs, in-stores, & festivals in the UK & Ireland promoting own self-penned CD.In 1997 I started working at a music shop in Coventry.I have been playing with The Subterraneans since 2001; a Coventry band doing own material and covers gigs, playing to large audiences in big capacity pubs, colleges, corporate events, and private functions.In February 2000 I recorded 30 tracks in 6 days playing drums with Neol, Horace and other ex members of The Specials for two Trojan covers albums, commissioned by Trojan themselves.Summer 2001, I recorded 28 tracks playing guitar with reggae legend Lee Scratch Perry, his first studio work in 15 years.Played festivals & big gigs in the UK and Europe with 2Tone Collective, with ex-members of The Specials, Selecter, & The Beat.After teaching friends and acquaintances privately for some time, I decided to pursue teaching on a full time basis, and left the music shop after being there for 5 years. I worked at various schools in Coventry, teaching both bass and drums. After 1 year, I decided to teach independently. I was then approached by Mike Roberts (ex King)to work for him. As well as running 'Gigzone', a music project for secondary school students to experience playing, writing and recording, we wrote a 'Rock Bands In Schools' course to give individual players learning in school the experience of playing together in a band, working on all aspects of playing, practising, performing and recording.Following worldwide success and a Grammy Award for best reggae album with the first release from the Lee Scratch Perry sessions, (the second album containing the 14 remaining songs from the original session has also received worldwide acclaim) the studio band recorded a DVD of a gig for Trojan Records featuring new & classic Lee Scratch Perry material for worldwide release, the first DVD to be released from this classic label.Early 2004, The Subterraneans were approached by Hazel O’Connor to be her band for a DVD of a gig in Brighton (Released Jan 2005), and to perform at Glastonbury. The marriage of the band and the legendary punk icon has been amazingly successful; with 3 mini tours, live DVD, Glastonbury and other big UK festivals. We contributed to a track on Hazels last album with legendary producer, Martin Rushent.Did a session for Trojan to re-record an old Lee Scratch Perry classic called 'Return of Django' to be used on a Tax Credit commercial! I played everything including piano except Sax!Have done too many deps, sessions etc to list all!Feel free to contact me if you want me to session, dep, or join a band!