About Me
The following account is true. Only the names, dates, places and salient facts have been changed to protect the innocent. The Kingston Triangle is a mysterious place, similar in legend to the more famous and altogether more impressive Bermuda one. Fewer things disappear in Kingston. In fact, one day a few years ago, a vagrant actually mysteriously materialised in the back of Ziggy Woodblum’s van. But that’s a tale for another time.
In the Kinsgston Triangle under the roof of Ziggy "Sludge" Woodblum, the nucleus of the Ariels was formed. Robert Swipe, Howesy and Stray Photon met for the first time. Later on, a drummer arrived. After that a drummer left. Subsequently, another drummer came and the band played one gig as The Dave, a longer stretch of gigs as Spike, playing songs written by Bob.
Heaps of gigs were played around the London area and these helped to raise enough money for a substantial transfer fee which brought in the famous Basra Basher from Iraq’s premier Rolling Stones tribute band. He replaced Steve “The Bald Hammer†who left after the traditional “change of heartâ€. The name 'The Ariels' was stumbled upon and over the years the boys developed a repertoire of originals, covers and tuneless meanderings which thrilled drinkers around the South West London area.
Meanwhile, life moved on. Marriages came and went, or came and stayed, or never came at all. Children arrived, sometimes actually while the band was playing (see marriages coming and wenting (sic)), and in traditional rock’n’roll fashion, toilet duck dependency was taken on and defeated. So now we’re left with a legacy of a collection of dittys recorded over about 10 years, a selection of which appears here, a lot of fond memories and some grim ones, and this marvellous myspace site.
Special thanks are due (in no particular order) to Istvanski, Jason, Mark Phelps, Steve Brown, V., A., K., S., the couple who named their car Abigail, Bob’s mum and dad, Alex and his missus, anyone who gave us a gig, anyone who stayed to the end of a gig, Ruptured Dog (esp. Doug), Steve Field, Fi, Hen and Jen, Dean, Queen of my dreams, Prettiest in Town, The one I love the most, Chris Alchin, James and Charles from Invisible Hands, The one who twirled, That poor little fascist, Survival Studios, RMS, Leo Fender, The Seattle Priory, Fullers Brewery, Jack Daniels, special thanks to all our new friends, esp. Cockstink, Jesus, Bagpuss and... (oh look for yourself) and last but not least, Charlie George.
God bless the Ariels and all who sail in her!
