Bio
British singer/songwriter/musician – Breaking the boundaries in bass
Currently writing and recording my debut album ‘When The Night Comes’, due to be released in March 2013.
I first started getting into music at the age of 9 years old. My stepfather gave me a Stones, a Chuck Berry and some ACDC albums. My first band was called Alcatraz, a school band. We played at the local youth club as often as possible. I used to watch bands rehearsing in my stepfather’s house. Picked up my first bass guitar from Woolworths; I think it was £14.99, a Fender Jazz copy.
I was playing original songs, mostly punk-rock orientated. I guess my second band was the one that changed things for me; it was called Fairwarning. Played bass, did some backing vocals, and wrote most of the songs with the guitar player. Started gigging and playing in pubs around the north of England.
After that I was in a couple of bands, including the Richard Hagan Band. Felt like I was going through my Bob Dylan/Bruce Springsteen period. Stayed solo for the next 5 years or so, writing with various people. Did some publishing deals and kept on chasing the dream. Got tired of being on my own, missed being in a band, well the good bits anyway. Couldn’t get a record deal at the time. Singer/Songwriter solo artists were few and far between in those days. Spent a lot of time with older professionals writing, recording and gigging, such as Sad Cafe Boys and 10cc.
Then I did a European tour supporting Lloyd Cole and The Commotions. That was good experience! Threw a band together one day, went on tour the next. Met some great people on this journey. Then formed a band called Omkara, put a lot of time into this. The band members looked great and were all great players. We were well-received.
A few years later, I put together the first Earthwood band, which started with Steve Seagar and eventually became three with Charlotte Hada. Earthwood consisted of me on vocals, Steve on 12-string acoustic and Charlotte on percussion and vocals.
Probably the most successful band to date, Earthwood was more of a challenge for lots of reasons. It certainly was the hardest gigging band so far. We gigged everywhere we could, raw, loud and aggressively tribal. Picked the bass up for the odd song, but had to be a great front man for this to work well and press the buttons I wanted to reach. Cutting a lengthy, curvy, winding road short, Charlotte and Steve became an item, and it went all downhill from there.
In 1995, I reformed Earthwood as an electric 5-piece. This band was darker and a lot heavier than anything previous. Gigged hard, sometimes 8 gigs a week; really learnt my craft as a front man in this band. Rock was dead in the UK from a commercial point of view. Built a big following, worked hard, had sponsorships, equipment, guitars, and merchandise. Did lots of supports on the circuit, and had some great moments. The band split eventually and it ended about 5 years later.
Hair was down to my waist, shaved it off to the skin, felt like I was reborn. Home was a big warehouse near a river. Learnt to play the drums; it was good to get all those years of frustration out on the skins. I was previously in a suburban 3-bed semi, but it wasn't a very creative environment for me. Change is good.
Got out of my house, moved into a church, and all my creativity, hunger, passion and desire to stand on the mountain came back. Started to write again, and met Kye Jones. We worked hard together as two bass players, recording and rehearsing, and When The Night Comes was born. At that point, I began to explore different ways of playing the bass guitar, trying things I had never done before. Took the skin off my finger, but it was worth it.
I’m now working on my debut album ‘When The Night Comes’, due to be released in March 2013 and supported with a world tour.
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