Captain Horizon has been motoring on at 110mph, ever since the debut performance at the Old Wharf at the end of January this year. To date we’ve just done 20 gigs and have another 20+ booked from September up to Christmas. August sees a gig free month whilst holidays and recording at Vale Studios takes place. It’s all really exciting stuff. I’ve been working really hard on the website to get our Captain’s Club membership system finished and ready in time for when we hit the road back in September. We’ve been also writing and recording a load of new song ideas, I think we’ve roughly got about 20-ish songs that are now in our catalog. I’m really enjoying the fact I get to play on the drum kit at every practise with our lockup facility.

Drumming wise I think i’m in quite good form at the moment, i’ll be picking up Virgil Donati’s new double bass drum book soon along with Benny Greb’s interesting DVD. I plan to try and dedicate some more study on the drums when I get these! I’ve still got my TD3, but it’s been a little neglected since the start of the year as I’ve been able to play on my kit when ever I’ve wanted too.

I’m also going to the Reading Festival this year (thanks to Nicky ), I’m really excited. I’ve eyed up a few bands I would like to see too.

The house has also inherited a new member. Me and sam adopted a kitten from the cats home in Birmingham. We’ve got a little tabby named ‘Toby’, he is now just three months old and pretty much sleeps! (Well he does when I’m home!).

I’ve also purchased an iPhone. I’ve not had it long, so I can’t really go into to much depth on how the device is yet, but I will do shortly.

I think that’s enough now. Time for some Pizza.

P.S. Tell me what you think of this theme?

SATURDAY 18TH APRIL WILL BE LAST GIG PLAYED AT THE CHESTNUT TREE.

THE NEW MANAGEMENT NO LONGER WISHES TO HOST LIVE MUSIC. I WILL THEREFORE BE CONCENTRATING ON THE BLACK HORSE.

I WOULD LIKE TO SAY A BIG THANK YOU TO YOU ALL FOR YOUR LOYAL CUSTOM OVER THE YEARS, AS WELL AS A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL THE BANDS THAT HAVE PLAYED FOR US.

ON A FINAL NOTE IT WOULD BE GREAT IF WE COULD MAKE THESE LAST GIGS A HELLUVA PARTY AND GO OUT WITH A BANG.

The Sheldon Marquee (or the Chestnut Tree as it always has been known) has been quite special place for me and live music. Once a place where my Dad and his family would spend endless evenings and it was really fitting that a further generation down the line was that I was there too. It’s always been the centre of attention for the community in Sheldon and the surrounding areas for a long time when the area was first built.

I remember when I was in my first band Final Redemption and having the opportunity to play at the place and I was excited and delighted a the opportunity to do so.

I also spent my 18th Birthday there, watching Dizzy Lizzy and how the place was starting to spring to life as a music venue. I managed to play a few more gigs with Final Redemption and a couple with FulBright and LegendX as cover, thanks to John & Daz from DNA and of course Kite.

Hampton Street played numorous amounts of times, along with the covers band the RockHits. I started to have a real affection to the place and considering I’d moved house and it was less that a 4 minute drive away.

My 24th Birthday in which I played three sets in one night, is something I won’t forget for quite some time.

After Saturday, I will miss the place. Not only as a musician who has performed there but as some one who has been very grateful to play and enjoy live music.

It’s a shame the current management don’t see the full potential of the place as a music venue for the future, considering places are closing left, right and centre, it’s the only place in the surrounding area that does so. Who knows, I might go down there for a curry. Yes.. A curry.. I mean.. Why?!

Thanks to Kite, Keith, John and Daz for their efforts and giving me the opportunity to play there.

I just wish my Grandad was around to have seen me play.

Long Live the Nuts.

This is just the beginning. I’m back.