Don
(History)
IT ALL STARTED SO VERY LONG AGO, FOR THOSE OLD ENOUGH TO REMEMBER, YOU COULD TAKE A LOOK THROUGH THE ROUND, SQUARE OR ARCHED WINDOW.
1979 MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE AWAKENED A STRANGE URGE TO PLAY GUITAR. BUT JIM COULD’NT FIX IT FOR ME…
I BOUGHT… AN OLD JUMBO ACCOUSTIC WITH AN ALTITUDINOUS ACTION, (A REAL FINGER SHREDDER)
A CHORD BOOK, SOME SHADOWS RECORDS, AND RETIRED TO MY BEDROOM FOR 2 YEARS.
THEN IN THE AUTUMNAL EQUINOX OF 1981 I JOINED AXIS AS RHYTHM PLAYER FOR TWO YEARS.
THEN FREEWHEELIN. (POP COVERS BAND)
CAPONE (PRONOUNCED CAPOWNE) NOT CAP 1, OR CAPEON (ROCK AND POP)
TWILIGHT ZONE (POP COVERS)
TALISMAN (JAZZ FUNK POP ROCK)
PRISM (POP & ROCK COVERS)
EXPRESSION (60s 70s 80s COVERS)
RETIRED NEW YEARS EVE OF 1992 FOR ALMOST 13 YEARS.
GOT A PHONE CALL FROM EXPRESSION BASS MAN IAN PEARSON NOV 2005 SAYING YOU’VE GOT TO COME DOWN TO THE GREAT NORTHERN AT LANGLEY MILL THERE’S A REALLY GOOD JAM SESSION HAPPENS ON A THURSDAY NIGHT, THE BAND WERE, AND STILL ARE FAR CANAL.
http://www.farcanal.net/ WHOM I JOINED IN 2006 WHEN ALAN CLIFFORD EMIGRATED TO NEW ZEALAND. THE JAM SESSION SADLY ENDED JAN 3rd 2008.
EARLIER 2006 WHILE TALKING TO A MATE, WHO’S BAND WAS ABOUT TO LOSE THEIR SINGER.
I BLURTED OUT “I’LL HAVE A GO IF YOU WANT”, WENT UP TO MEET BOTH RUSS AND SIMON, AND FIREWIRE WAS BORN….
THE REST AS THEY SAY…
GEAR
CARLSBRO 150 PRO
DIGITECH RP50
KORG AX1500G
GIBSON SG
TANGLEWOOD AVIATOR
IBANEZ RG350DX
Sime
History
My Dad always wanted me to have a guitar or a drum kit for xmas, i wanted bikes, bows and arrows and fishing tackle. Then i slowly began to realise that girls couldn't be arsed how many of your friends you could jump on a Raleigh Grifter and that they weren't impressed by maggots or groundbait either. I also noticed that they did seem to like boys with guitars and i thought hey Dad maybe your not so daft after all.
Ha ha......then when i borrowed an acoustic guitar from a schoolfriend for the night and when he heard me attempting to tune it he announced "you will never be able to play that whilst i have an hole in my arse"....cheers Dad....
Thinking it might look rather funny to see him in a severely constipated state and not wanting to remain a virgin for ever i resolved to prove him wrong. Anyway.......as usual he was right and i was wrong and he srill goes to the toilet to this day.................i lost my virginity to the girl who worked in the fishing tackle shop in repayment for mending her puncture.
My first performance was in Chesterfield town centre on a Xmas market day, busking with my friend Mark Bennett ( later to find fame with The Geeks and The Electric Fartknockers ). We played Shadows tunes to drunken fools who did silly dances slapped their thighs and each across the face and gave us lots of money. I was hooked and thought it might be a good idea to become a rock star.
Learned the introduction to Stairway to Heaven and Smoke on the Water and decided i was ready to join a band.
Bands
Black Diamond
In After Fore
Mister Meaner
Jacob’s Ladder
Swallow aka The Wishing Chair
Woody Woody was a little different; a six piece writing, recording and performing original material. Runners up in Derbyshire Times Band of The Year and winners of Mansfield Battle of the Bands. We did two studio mini CD’s/ Made in Hong Kong and… well in typical well organised Woody fashion… we split before the 2nd was officially named. Too many experiences to list but the memory of being very stoned in the back of a Luton van completely cocooned by amps, speakers and such-like still haunts my dreams. There is also a rather good live recording - Woody Live at The Boardwalk. Influences Spirit, Beatles, Who, Pink Floyd, Bob Dylan, Psychedelic Furs, ZZ Top, Zeppelin, Jon Strong, Neil Young. Guitars Like all of them, but only ever played Fender Strats, Yamaha SA and SG Series. Currently using a Yamaha SA2200 and a Yamaha APX10 electro-acoustic. Also occasionally use the “Flying Bee”; a luthier made SG style electric that caught my eye on eBay cos it has loads of mother of pearl inlays of bees!!! Don’t ask. You really don’t want to know!!! Sold my SA2200 and replaced it with an El Maya, a thru neck Japanese solid body from the late 70s early 80s........it is gorgeous to play and sounds great to my ears at least. Thanks to Cat Bradley from Experience Guitars of Nottingham for restoring it for me, new Seymour Duncans pickups installed and a total refret done for me. A superb job and thoroughly recommend their workmanship. contact them on 0115 958 7403 or xperienceguitars@gmail.com April 16th 2010 new addition to the collection, finally got the guitar I have always wanted aYamaha SG3000s. It weighs a ton but plays like a dream, black sparkle.....mother of pearl binding oooooooh it's nice. Top 10 favourite tunes of all time That was extremely difficult and only reflects how I felt at the moment I wrote it... obviously changes all the time.
Russ
History
Played in bands since the early 1980's, playing with various bands and different line ups. These include:
- Guilt - Rock originals
- Trick or Treat - Rock cover clubs
- Black Diamond - Club Band
- In after Fore - Club covers & Originals
- Jacobs Ladder - Club covers
- Wishing chair - Club covers
All of the club bands were mostly rock based - from the Sweet to Status Quo, Queen, Led Zepplin, Dire Straits and Rolling Stones.
Equipment
Have used the same drum kit for the last twenty years (I know, I don't look like I could have had one for twenty years), Pearl export Chrome finish with a newish snare (two years), A Mapex Black Panther - Maple, symbols are Paiste, Zildjian, Sabian.
Have purchased a nice shiney new drum kit, Mapex Pro M. Its blue and nice with chrome that shines, all the fittings work, it came with cases and everything. Its good. I like it. Oh yeah it sounds well too.
Some fave songs include...
- Prophet's Song - Queen
- Battle of Evermore - Led Zep
- Paper Sun - Def Lep
- Crazy Diamond - Pink Floyd
- Moth to a Flame - Thunder
- Wonderous Stories - YES
And there ya go. That hurt - having to think! Come and have a look at us play (not just with instruments), and hope you enjoy it!
Jim
History or is it His story?
Started playing guitar at the age of 12, all my mums fault really.
Was given a transistor radio as a present for passing the 11 plus, that really dates me doesn't it.
Used to listen to Radio Luxembourg, totally changed my life.
Was told "you'll never stick to it" but 46 years later!
Played guitar in a school band purely because I had a guitar and amp nothing to do with ability.Got addicted to the rush of performing so still hanging in there.
Became a bass player by default when the bass player in the band I was in became ill and left the band. Started out on the road at 17 doing covers but as we developed the band got selective and only did the stuff that no one else touched. I have played most genres of music over the last 40 years in a variety of bands as listed.
Bands
Chris Slack and the Coalmen Don’t laugh, we were cool
Reign. Covers
Savannah.6 piece harmony band
Dance School. Name says it all
Airborne.Rock covers band
The John Carter Band. Obscure covers band
The Radiators. Rock covers
Timebox. Classic rock covers
My first major influences were the Stones and the Beatles, also I have a great love of harmonies both vocal and instrumental so I listened to the Beach Boys, Everley Brothers and the Byrds. This was before I developed an interest in Rock music in the late 60’s when I took an interest in Jimi Hendrix, Deep Purple Budgie, King Crimson, Led Zeppelin,Wisbone Ash and Yes to name but a few.
Influences
The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Beach Boys, Led Zeppelin, The Who, Yes, Chicago(Transit Authority), The Clash, Ian Dury, Steely Dan.
Recently have been appreciating Lost Prophets, Killers, Paramore,Kings of Leon,
Foo Fighters, Audioslave.
Gear
Ampeg SVT 3 pro amps and 4 x 10 enclosures. Wal Pro Custom, Warwick Thumb and Musicman Stingray all 5 String basses.T C multi effects unit
