My first band CHAIN REACTION was formed in the autumn of 1980, think I joined for a bet, we really were beginners but what we had was a great local following and more importantly tremendous dedication, we wrote our own songs very heavy Sabbath kind of vibe and in no time at all we had press, a demo, gigs, even a bus, the line up that mattered was DEREK HODD vocals ANDY TALBOT guitar BRIAN BAZELEY bass DAVE OWEN drums later to be joined by CHRISTINE HAWKEN on keyboards. Over a period of 2 years we ruled the scene in Cornwall, we even headlined the CORNWALL COLISEUM, a 3000 capacity venue, plus a 2 week tour of the midlands. By this time Andy out of the blue quit, this turned out to be the end of CR Mk 1.But I carried on heading for oxford joining another band, which eventually would become CHAIN REACTION mk2. Again rehearsals and new original material and life lines to record companies. After a couple of demos a line change or two, we found our selves on stage at the marquee in London supporting BUDGIE. The gig was sold out, the band went down a storm the next day EMI and JET records were in contact with the band. The line was at this point myself, JOHN RIGG guitar MIKE HOLE bass, ROBBI SERRANO DRUMS (from Detroit). Two more supports this time PHIL LYNOTT’s new band GRAND SLAM, 1 at Oxford Apollo the other at the Derngate centre Northampton. This was a great period for the band but again the line up changed. Soon Mk 4 was born a new drummer 2nd lead guitar and bass guitar ANDY YATES -ADY ELLIS - NICK BOURNE respectfully, short lived but the best line up awesome live, after this period 1more demo gigs around the country MIGHTY CR was done. 20 years later it looks like the material written over that period may be released, watch this space!!!
At the tail end of 1987 I joined or should I say auditioned for midlands metal band CLOVEN HOOF but the band was in disarray only LEE PAYNE the bass player and founder was left, so he was starting again with a new line up again rehearsals new material which would become DOMINATOR. We soon signed a deal with fm revolver records then we waited and waited, a record producer came to see us re-hearse he had just produced the new MOTORHEAD album, well he wanted a lot of reward for minimal input. I stood up for the band, the next day I was no longer part of proceedings thank god! Today the Hoof are back on the march and they deserve a major breakthrough after all this time, I wish them well.Back home in Cornwall 1988 I joined ready made band PANIK ATTAK led by Blackmore fuelled guitarist JON COX also IVAN WELLINGTON on bass later joined by DAVE OWEN ex CHAIN REACTION on drums, we recorded a 3 track demo at sawmills studio, next came wait for it line up changes, which I’m going to go quickly past, new drummers TIM EVANS JIM LOVELESS TIM HAYWOOD (RIP) followed, we set up our own little label JDI records and released a 3 track ep on vinyl. Also recorded a live concert (LIVE IN WINDSOR) now available on DVD the band soon after split with a still a lot to say and a lot of unsold singles? JON and MY SELF are currently checking out some of our material for re-lease, watch this space !I remember my 1st conversation with Jake (Lin) Tremayne the conversation was just hilarious. He had written a great deal of songs and was trying to get his band CHAIN LIGHTNING a new singer. I went for the audition and joined the band immediately Jake and I hit it off and became really good friends. He was a fantastic guitar player in the style of the SCORPIONS. After a few rehearsals we did a gig at the Academy in Plymouth which was recorded which would become CHAIN LIGHTNING Live Up and Rising this was recorded in 1991.Next came a CL demo recorded July 1992 featuring 5 songs written by Jake and myself. Our music was of the Classic rock style and by this time the grunge invasion had begun. so as you can imagine things went on hold for 15 yrs but now were back in touch and will be riding the lightning once again, re-recording the classics and some new stuff. Watch this space.!!A couple of cover bands FRAGGLE ROCK a live acoustic combo featuring SIMON SPRING MARTIN PHILIPS & MOLE great fun great musicians Jovi eat your heart out, also ZEN all covers, GnR, SKID ROW etc a lot of fun too!The last few years I've re-united with GRAHAM BATH we go right back to the beginning only he was on the other team so to speak, we occasionally play in 2 bands together CANZ a covers band and MR CROWLEY you guessed it an OZZY tribute with us on those gigs are STEVE HOPGOOD drums who GRAHAM played with in PERSIAN RISK and PAUL DIANNO’s BATTLEZONE, SEAN LOVE on bass and PAUL JENNINGS on keyboards THIS IS AN EXPERIENCE LIVE!!!! GRAHAM is one of my best friends and a world class guitarist. Just like having OZZY and SABBATH in your venue.Today I’m Mr Soloist I’m out at weekends singing all the classic songs I grew up with I'm still a ROCKER and the music I love is the greatest of all, as RONNIE JAMES DIO sang “LONG LIVE ROCK AND ROLLâ€
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