About Me
Hi, I'm Paul Holdom, or Mr. Paul as I am affectionately known by my kid's mates, a father of two living with his family in Garageland (Dannemora, East Auckland for the geographically challenged)I am the self appointed Jack Black of Howick and have been playing in Rock Bands since intermediate school. The first rock album I bought was Deep Purple’s Fireball in 1971 and I was hooked. I spent my 16th year living 40 miles north of London and spent all my money on every rock show I could see – Black Sabbath at the Hammersmith Odeon and the Reading Rock Festival 1975 were two of the highlights.I formed Hamilton’s first punk band, Grey Rat, in the heady days of 1978 when I bought a bass guitar and later headed to Sydney where I formed the skins. We played in the pubs and clubs of the early 80’s punk new wave scene and had a total blast. Enough said.www.myspace.com/theskinspunkrockI moved back to London in 1981 and immersed myself in the music scene again, building up a business working for bands as a roadie, sound engineer, road manager and booking agent. Highlights included working The Kinks 1985 Come Dancing Tour, mixing the sound at the famous Marquee Club in Soho for the Hollywood Killers and assisting the Idle Flowers when they recorded their first single with Dave Tickell (Split Enz True Colours) in Abbey Road studios!Back home now for 20 years, I’m married to my teenage sweetheart, Catherine and it won’t surprise you that both our kids, Sam and Chelsea, play in bands. Out of my love for rock music has grown a passion for coaching student bands and giving them an opportunity to perform in a professionally run show. The result is the SomerROCKfest, a showcase for young and aspiring talent in East Auckland.In the twilight of what amounts to my music career, I’ve never enjoyed myself so much and get huge satisfaction from watching my kids perform and seeing the young bands I work with grow, mature and produce amazing music!Rock onTAPR
