Rip - ProfilesArchive

About Me

I'm a science fiction novelist with a serious rock 'n' roll obsession, determined to make a living by creating things that people can enjoy.I've got two main passions - playing guitar and writing. I first became obsessed with the goal of seeing my stories in print way back in primary school and I've been on that quest ever since. I swore that this would be the year that I started to make money from my writing and so far I'm on track to do just that. My stories are mainly science fiction and I've currently completed the first draft of my first novel, which should be finally finished very soon. After that, I've got other projects lined up afterwards, which include more novels set in the same universe as the first, and a graphic novel, which may well form a trilogy. I still want to make an album where I play all the instruments myself and write all the songs myself. I've definitely got enough to keep me busy for a while.I created a MySpace page earlier this year to promote my books as they're released and to keep potential fans up to date with the latest developments. You can find it in my Top Friends under Andrew Van Vleck.My obsession with the guitar came much later. I first picked it up in 2002 and I've been hooked ever since. My first instrument was actually the keyboard back in 1990, but that was only because I could make weird noises with it. I wasn't interested in being the next Chopin, or anything. Or indeed, about playing anything vaguely musical. I haven't touched a keyboard since 1993, but I'm looking to get seriously into playing the instrument soon.
After trying to put together a band, I co-founded Image Of A Girl in late 2005 with the exceptionally talented Ash Victoria. Right now I'm taking a break from pursuing music as a career and concentrating on writing, but I'm still enjoying my rock 'n' roll. I'm hoping to compose and perform music for TV in the near future, as well as the aforementioned album. In terms of work, I'm currently looking for work as a proofreader because it'd suit me completely.
I've also been interested in spiritualism for some time, but now having been turned onto the work of David Icke by Ash I'm taking this interest further, and looking at the world, and the nature of reality, anew. Having just met my first girlfriend, Emma, recently, I'm also experiencing true love for the first time...at least since I discovered rock & roll. Thanks to everyone who adds me and lets me add them!

My Interests

Clothes, Cooking, GUITARS, Leather Jackets, Martial Arts, Motorbikes, Muscle Cars, MUSIC, Numerology, Rugby League, Science Fiction, Speedway, Spiritualism and WRITING.Basically, anything that involves being creative.

I'd like to meet:

Publishers, other novelists and sci-fi fans! Also anyone who likes to talk music.

Music:

1. Classic Rock2. Modern Rock3. Just about everything else (I'm listening to soul right now...)Favourite artist right now: JOE BONAMASSA

Movies:

24 Hour Party People, 300, Equilibrium, Kill Bill I & II, Serenity and The Matrix.

Television:

Air Crash Investigation, Masterchef, Mind Body & Kick Ass Moves, Mythbusters, The Apprentice and Top Gear.

Books:

Tales From The Time Loop by David Icke, Think And Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, Chopper by Mark Brandon Read and Alvin Hall's Your Money Or Your Life.

Heroes:

David Icke, Napoleon Hill, Paul McKenna, Tony Wilson and Vini Reilly.
My favourite songwriters: Alice Cooper, Andy Cairns, Ash Victoria, Bob Dylan, Brian Setzer, Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, Felix Pappalardi, Joe Satriani, Noel Gallagher, Paul Weller, Phil Lynott, Rory Gallagher, Steve Harley and Vini Reilly.
My favourite singers: Andy Cairns, Andy McKee, Anthony Kiedis, Ash Victoria, Bonnie Raitt, Brian Setzer, Christina Scabbia, Corey Taylor, Eddie Vedder, Elvis Costello, Jem, Lemmy, Leslie West, Michael Stipe, Paul Weller, Phil Anselmo, Rob Halford, Russell Hastings and Sarah Cracknell.
My favourite guitarists: Ace Frehley, Andy Cairns, Bill Nelson, Brian Setzer, Captain Sensible, Chris Vinnecombe, Dimebag Darrell, Eddie Van Halen, Eric Clapton, Gary Moore, Hank Marvin, Jeff Healey, Jerry Cantrell, Jimmy Page, Joe Bonamassa, JOE SATRIANI, John Frusciante, Johnny Marr, Kirk Hammett, Kurt Cobain, Leslie West, Mark Knopfler, Mike McCready, Noel Gallagher, Paul Kossoff, Paul Weller, Peter Buck, Phil Campbell, Ron Asheton, Ronnie Montrose, Rory Gallagher, Slash, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Tony Iommi, Vini Reilly and the Young brothers of AC/DC.
My favourite bassists: Bruce Foxton, Bruce Thomas, Flea, Geezer Butler, John Entwistle, John Paul Jones, Mark Epstein, Nathan East, Phil Lynott, Russell Leetch and Tim Bogert.
My favourite drummers: Alex Van Halen, Bruce Mitchell, Carmine Appice, Chad Smith, Corky Laing, Dave Grohl, Joey Jordinson, Lars Ulrich, Matt Sorum, Mikkey Dee, Rat Scabies and Vinnie Paul.

My Blog

LOVECHILD ALERT!

As I sit here, munching away at my supper (crispbreads with Dairylea Lite and salami that tastes lahvely but smells like one of my socks that's been festering in my laundry basket for the past two wee...
Posted by Rip on Tue, 05 Jun 2007 02:48:00 PST

"I hate my body" Part 1

You know what I see too much of? Supermodels (perfectly able-bodied) in interviews going "OMG I hate my legs, they're sooooooooo bendy etc..." You know what I haven't seen yet? A wheelchair-...
Posted by Rip on Sun, 03 Jun 2007 01:48:00 PST

Get well soon Ash

Unfortunately Ash has contracted a stomach bug so we will be unable to make rehearsal tomorrow. The session will have to wait until next week instead. It sounds as if it's the sa...
Posted by Rip on Sun, 06 May 2007 07:21:00 PST

First rehearsal tomorrow

Tomorrow, Ash and I are heading into Manchester for our first rehearsal in six months. We've highlighted six songs in particular to work on, and it's especially exciting for me as I'll get to he...
Posted by Rip on Sat, 05 May 2007 11:56:00 PST

Progress

Well, Ash and I have made some major progress over the past two weeks. I'm writing melodies faster than ever before - not anywhere near as quickly as Ash, mind you - but I'm going pretty damn we...
Posted by Rip on Fri, 20 Apr 2007 02:35:00 PST

The recent Virginia tragedy and the 2nd Amendment

First of all, my condolences to everybody who lost somebody in that awful massacre. Inevitably, there have been calls to change the Second Amendment - which allows Amercian citizens to bear arms ...
Posted by Rip on Wed, 18 Apr 2007 09:48:00 PST

On the outside looking in

A lot of the time I feel as though I'm on the outside looking in and I don't know whether to laugh or cry. I see a mass of people wandering past me every day, faces glued to the newspaper or televisio...
Posted by Rip on Thu, 12 Apr 2007 04:10:00 PST

Happy Easter y'all!

Whether or not you're a Christian, I wish you a happy Easter. I hope you received more chocolate eggs than I did (none). Peace! -Rip XXX ...
Posted by Rip on Sun, 08 Apr 2007 07:03:00 PST

Songwriting progress

I reckon getting my new guitar was just the shot in the arm I needed. Not only had I three new melodies for Ash to listen to yesterday, I also came up with another chord sequence yesterday after...
Posted by Rip on Sun, 08 Apr 2007 06:58:00 PST

New guitar

I treated myself to a new acoustic yesterday, £39 from Chase Music on Manchester's Oldham Street. I reckon it's just what I needed, as I've already written three melodies on it, for Ash's delect...
Posted by Rip on Fri, 06 Apr 2007 12:42:00 PST