My formative years, (1979-onwards) were spent heavily involved in the London Mod scene, also the Scooter Rallies of the very early 80's to the present day. Still happily scootering on, on my 1961 Vespa GS150 VS5, and still dancing!!! Also, spent many a happy year playing drums to earn a crust from 1982 until 2001. Became, "the nearly man of rock", by leaving a succession of, as I thought, "going-nowhere-bands" just as, one by one, they all got signed, achieved huge fame and fortune and then all moved to L.A. Although did achieve moderate indie-label "success" with ace London popsters, and 80's cult-heroes, "The Dilemmas", (latterly, "The Helium Divers") in the late 80's, brushing shoulders with, "The Charlatans" (Who they? Ed.) and Medway giants, "The Prisoners" amongst others, along the way. I have the happiest and proudest memories of my time in The Dils, and only wish we hadn't been so bloody unlucky... What might have been... With the sad demise of The Dilemmas, starvation beckoned, so in order to eat, I found six other under-nourished "musicians", and formed the hugely successful Madness tribute band, One Step Behind in 1993, with an eye on world domination, (but mostly food shopping). I had a hugely enjoyable time, we did things, met people, and played places we never imagined we would, and I'm so glad to have been part of it. Before I knew it though, I realised I'd spent the most ridiculous 8 years of my life on the road. Unfortunately my imminent demise loomed if I'd stayed on tour any longer and I sadly and reluctantly left One Step in December 2001. I have to say though, that I had a brilliant time and I wouldn't change any of it. However, the Frankenstein-esque monster that is O.S.B. lives on in my absence and has reached even dizzier heights than any of us could have ever imagined when they recently played the BBC Proms In The Park to a crowd of 40,000! I now own a pipe, slippers and a collection of comfy cardigans, (not quite!) and work, extremely happily, in the tv and film biz as a sound recordist/ dubbing mixer. Although this still gives me occasional contact with the music side of things. I have been sound recordist for the Teenage Cancer Trust concerts for the last 4 years, with regulars; Roger Daltrey, Simon Townshend and Robert Plant, ably led by Bob Pridden, "The Who"'s legendary tour manager, and the infamous "Who" road crew.
Recently went freelance, and am currently working at several places, most notably, (and fulfilling a lifetime and childhood ambition), at Television Centre for the BBC.
Update, March 2008... I'm in "The Dilemmas" again! Brilliaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaant!!!!!
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