Biog
I’m a pretty lucky guy,but as they say; luck is when preparation and opportunity meet, right?
I earn my living from music and have done for some time now. My parents played all kinds of music around the house when I was a kid; military marching band, orchestral, jazz, pop, metal…. You name it. I didn’t really know the difference between the genres and I see that as a big bonus.
After learning to play the trumpet and playing in various wind bands, orchestras and jazz bands, I realised that one of the biggest reasons I enjoyed playing music was the team effort, the feeling of being a tiny part one big thing. The sound of the band as a whole, really. It’s a great buzz!
When I was 14, I realised that the drummers in the bands were having a lot more fun then I was. I decided it was time to have a bit of that myself. I heard of a band that needed a drummer for a gig. It was in 3 weeks and I had no drums or no clue how to play them, but in those 3 weeks, I scraped a kit together, learned as much as I could. I’ve never been without a gig since.
I’ve worked really hard since then, studying, working, practicing, gigging… I’ve recorded sessions for Zane Lowe, Giles Peterson and Annie Mack at the world famous Maide Vale studios, played live on BBC TV and radio for Lily Allen and Tom Robinson, toured around the UK (with Mr Hudson, Groove Armada and Doves) and played some of the biggest venues, including sell out nights at Brixton Academy, Manchester Apollo, Lincoln Engine Shed, Brighton International Arena etc and . I’ve had an interview in Drummer Magazine (see the Press page) and have since joined the magazine as the Technical Editor, editing the tuition section and writing my own column. In 2008 I played at the Remo Drummer Night, raising money for the Teenage Cancer Trust and was lucky enough to play alongside my teacher, mentor and friend Steve White, Red Hot Chili Pepper Chad Smith, Über drummer Jo Jo Mayer, super session player Neal Wilkinson and fellow Bristol gig swapper, Kasabians Ian Matthews, among a load of other drumming legends (see the video/ audio page for the video from the night). I’ve been lucky enough to work with Geoff Barrow from Portishead, a man who twisted my own concepts of how to record drums and also members of Robert Plants band – The Strange Sensation, Massive Attack, Portishead, Cast and Groove Armada.
In Sept 2008 I started in another direction as Head of Drums at Bristol’s British Institute of Modern Music – www.bimm.co.uk -. I love teaching and I really enjoy the opportunity to help and assist, as well as pass on knowledge to help other determined musicians achieve their goal, the same way I have. The team at BIMM Bristol is amazing and teaching alongside Jason Bowld (Pitchshifter/ This is Menace) and killer jazz player Mark Whitlam is both an honour and a pleasure.
My main gig is with Malakai – www.myspace.com/malakaibristol – I have never been in such a challenging and enjoyable musical endeavor. These guys are my best friends in the world and I love playing with these guys more then anything else in the world. I have had so many amazing experiences since joining the band in August 2007.
I’m also working on a project started by guitarist Skin when he left the band Cast. It was put on hold when he joined Robert Plants band, but has since started recording and writing again at his studio in the depths of North Wales. It’s great fun working with my good mate and favorite bass player Billy Fuller, Skin on guitar and John Baggot on keys. The band has a pretty good track record having not only worked with Plant but also Massive Attack, Cast, Portishead, Malakai and loads of others. The project is being overseen and produced by legend John Leckie, so it’s not only good fun, but it’s shaping up to be pretty great sounding too!!
So, I have a few things on the go, I love playing and I’m always up for a new challenge. In 2008 I took up the role as Technical Editor for Drummer magazine, overseeing all things tuition oriented and writing my own column each month – It’s a nice constant – I could be working on a deadline at home with my son on my knee, in a studio making a cuppa or sat in a dressing room waiting for a stage call…!
Anything honest and heartfelt gets my juices going!! I’ve always been proud to endorse the following companies and I’d like to thank them very much indeed for their support – Mapex drums, Paiste cymbals, Vic Firth sticks, Remo drum heads, Baskey accessories, Beyer Dynamic microphones, Protection Racket luggage and Hardcase… er, hard cases.. !!