MyGen
Profile GeneratorAndy Watts hails from the North of England, was reared in Dublin, but now lives in the capital. Andy first shot to fame in 1996 after he was invited to audition for John Squire’s (ex-Stone Roses) upcoming pop phenomenon, The Seahorses.
After a lengthy hunt for a drummer, Squire, insistent on a sticksman who
was also capable of providing harmonious backing vocals (mimicking ex-band mate Reni’s envied dual abilities) chose Andy, as it turns out that
he was the only man for the job.
The band’s debut single, ‘Love Is The Law’, entered the UK singles chart at the no3 spot, their debut (and only) LP ‘Do It Yourself’ followed suit, entering the album charts at no2 in May 1997. Blinded By the Sun followed which reached no7, plus Love Me and Leave Me which peaked at no11.
After the band fell apart in 1999, Andy took some time out to recharge
his batteries, put down his sticks, pick up his guitar before unveiling Mozer,
in which he was the front man/songwriter and 2nd guitarist. Mozer produced two fine singles, ‘Believe’ and ‘By My Side’ and enjoyed various radio appearances. Giving an interview to BBC6 Music in 2003, Andy played
a solo acoustic version of ‘Mr Good News’ (a sign of things to come),
but it was not to be for Mozer as they sadly split by the end of that year.
Watts then decided it was the right time to launch his solo career, to control the direction and strip-back the sound to a more basic form, which for him felt right. Concentrating on soul searching melody and heart felt honest lyrics Andy played a few small dates in the summer of 2004 before playing his first proper acoustic gig at the intimate Ivy House in October 2004, accompanied by his friend Roger Goslyn who plays trumpet, trombone, flute and accordion, when not performing with Van Morrison, Ray Charles and Jools Holland.
On the strength of Andy’s performance he secured two sold out support
slots with popular Australian group The John Butler Trio (at The Academy 3, Manchester and Shepherds Bush Empire, London, in November 2004). Andy then followed this performing at 3 benefits gigs at The Marquee Club in early 2005 in the wake of the Indian Ocean Tsunami disaster and played a number of dates throughout the year, debuting new songs at nearly every show and launching
a 6-track CD of his latest recordings.
In October 2005 Andy unveiled his stylish solo website (www.andy wattsmusic.co.uk) giving online support to his steadily building fan base, offering a number of a strictly limited edition CD’s; which flew out of the office. The opening of the site coincided with Andy’s commission to write a brand new song, ‘Rhapsody Of Light’ by an independent producer, Alan Hall responsible for creating a documentary for BBC Radio 4, celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the Queen classic anthem, ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’.
The programme aired on 29th October and provoked more critical acclaim and growing interest in the songwriters sparkling yet understated musicianship.
Nearly all the work Andy has created over the last two years has been produced at home in his attic studio where he continues to remain prolific.
