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Where do you live and where are you originally from?
From and still live in Consett County Durham – About 12 miles from Durham City
Do you work , full/part time/ self employed?
Full time – Purchasing analyst, been with the same company for 16 years.
Where do you make your music ? (e.g. studio/bedroom/separate room) and describe the surroundings ?
Understairs alcove, very small but big enough for my PC, chair and Korg X5 D keyboard hooked up to PC
When did you first really start getting into music, and what was the first single/album you ever bought with your own cash?
It was definitely a Jam album, either Setting Sons or Sound effects, geez…was it really that far back!
Who were your musical heroes when you were at school?
Had to be bands like the Jam, The Clash, Pistols, SLF and a little known band called The Radio Stars, they had some class singles out
What was the first gig you ever went to?
The Rezillos, Newcastle City Hall, 1978
What was the best gig you ever went to?
‘T’ in the park festival, 97 or 98…or it might have been 96, ok the old memory is a bit hazy, The Prodigy were headlining, you could feel the bass almost passing through you, it was loud….and bloody great!
What would you say were your main strengths musically?
I guess the melody’s I come up with are pretty notable
Looking around you, what would you say was the most encouraging aspects of the music industry at the moment?
Well it’s not all pre-moulded boy/girl bands like we had to endure a few years back, some good indie stuff out there
Which track that you have written/created/produced would you say is your best work (to date) ?
Possibly 4:28 or Behind My Eyes
What would you say most influences/inspires you to write a track, and what is your most regular process in creating a new track ?
Mostly I will pick up on something that is said, or from a movie, it’s difficult with an instrumental to give it a sense of meaning which is relative to the title, that is why I tend to drop in the odd sample now and again to give the track a bit of substance.
Who or what do you admire most in the current music industry ?
If anyone, it would be Paul Weller, loved the Jam, and he has consistently produced great stuff, oh and I think I should mention Vince Clarke, musically it was ‘Upstairs at Erics” that persuaded me I should buy a synth
Who or what do you have most contempt for in the current music industry ?
Contempt is a pretty strong word, …I don’t listen to a great deal of modern stuff, I mostly listen to unsigned stuff since joining, I leave the angst for other people
On Mp3unsigned, what would you change ?
Nothing, I’m pretty happy enough to go with the flow
Which artist on mp3unsigned do you most enjoy ?
MD-1 – Redshirt, (got both there cd’s) The Shed, Carol Sue, Bad Love Junkie, Smalllife, man there’s loads of great people on here…but we all know that!
Iif you were stranded (desert island disks style) and could only ever have 3 tracks to play, which would they be and why ?
Yazoo – Only You, first time I really heard this electronic style, just think it was a perfect ‘pop’ track
The Jam - ‘Strange Town’ just a great, great track…makes me think of good times.
The Clash – ‘White Man’ in Hammersmith Palais (see above)
Same question , but which 1 book and 1 movie ?
Don’t read…just don’t have the time.
Starman – Just a feel good film.
What track do you hate most in the world, and why ?
Anything by UB 40, There vocal sound just grates on me.
Throughout history, pick someone that you admire most, and tell us why ?
Superman….well he was real wasn’t he? And he did die a tragic death!!
If you had the time to learn a new instrument, what would it be, and why ?
Probably drums…always wanted to long before my keyboards & guitar, but when given the opportunity …I was rubbish and didn’t even like it…but I was young and feel it would be different now.
Who (where or what if needs be) would you say are your true musical influences ?
Punk/Electronic bands, 1978-1982
If Beethoven were alive today, which genre of music would he be making, and would he be a success?
Was he one of the Beatles? Don’t know.
Car or Bike?
Car at the moment, not had a bike for a few years…but don’t tell my ex wife, she thinks I still have one (in garage in bits)….sold that sucker after she left…shhh!
You are allowed to slap 1 politician, who you gonna slap?
All of them, line em’ up
How much of your day do you spend listening to, creating or thinking about music?
Up at 6:30 probably been dreaming about it, at work for 8, still thinking about it, leave at 4…yep still thinking about it, and then straight onto something to do with music when I get home until about 9….so pretty much most of the day.
When was the last time you sat in quiet, and gave yourself time to think?
Don’t know, pretty sure I would’t need to, I’m not like that.
What was your worst fashion disaster?
1983, glasses the size of dustbin lids…OH MY GOD! And bleached hair to boot
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