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.

Tonight is gig number 30 of 2008 (still, because the last three/four gigs have been canceled), down at the Sheldon Marquee. It’s now re-open after it’s refurb. I’m looking forward to it, it’s been a while since I’ve played a gig (since October in-fact). That not to say I’ve not been playing.

Captain Horizon(formally ursaDomine – we’ve changed our name ) have been extremely busy writing and recording. We’ve currently got six tracks down. we’ve also about to sign on with management, so things should really start to gather pace soon, and quite quickly as well. It’s an exciting time at the moment.

The new job has been going well, I’ve settled in quite nicely and getting my hands dirty with some of the code. The driving isn’t to bad, it’s about an hour to an hour’n half each way, so pending on traffic.

I also went down to the Football Manager Live community day down in London and finally met RB. It was a decent day, with Sports Interactive and SEGA showing us the marketing plans/strategy and what to expect from Football Manager Live in 2009. I think it’s about time I got my subscription!

So, reflecting back on 2008, The RockHits formed in January and I have the sincere pleasure of playing with Ricardo Thompson. It’s been a joy to play with him and to have such an understanding between us when were playing reminds me of the times I have with Steve Vilder and KP. After a line up change and brief change of personal, Whitty, Paul and Sabbath joined us as Nikki, Luke and Andy Smith went of on other ventures. Things have been going relativly well since, but we shall have to wait to see what 2009 holds.

Hampton Street decided to call it a day in 2008. It was a good two and a half year run, but I was left reeling from what should have been. I suppose circumstances change and people move on, but it’s killer to think that this band DID have some real potential. Definitely the highlight was playing at the Barfly last summer to rave reviews.

The formation of Captain Horizon has been one of the best things this year. Meeting Josh and Alex and of course involving Whitty, with the foundations in place already is going to give us the ulimate platform to give it a real good go. The songs are awesome, the recordings are awesome and playing in this band is awesome.

The fishes! Birthday present from Sam and they’re still alive! It’s been great to have a pet, makes the house feel more like home. Still, the down side, someone needs to clean their poop!

Drumming wise this year I think I’ve improved a bit, no thanks to my new Roland TD-3 but also down to listening to alot of music and practising from my Virgil Donati play along book. I’ve started exploring independence and I’ve implemented some polyrhythms which can be heard on the Captain Horizon album preview. I still plan to work hard on these and it helps been in a new original band to be able to try out some new ideas. I’ve also been experimenting with mutating time in grooves (thanks to watching Mr. Donati!). This is the first year I’ve also been playing traditional grip. The more and more I’ve used it the stronger my right arm has got. I’ve also started to re-learn stuff right handed and taking the open handed approach. I can play simple stuff both ways now, it’s just trying to getting some of the more advanced concepts in there!

Well 2009 has much to offer. Lets go an get it

Phew. Ramble.

Well, Merry Christmas everyone!

Tonight is my 9th gig of 2008. Hampton Street are supporting Blaze Bayley at the Sheldon Marquee, with a good brothers I Hate You More. Really are looking forward to playing, the place should be packed and will be a cracking atmosphere.

We’ve also been asked by the Blaze Bayley Management to support them the following night somewhere in Stoke, which to be asked is a very honourable thing.

Work has been manic, which can be a good thing or a bad thing. I’ve been drumming like mad and probably not sleeping as much as I should, but hey, that’s rock and roll.

Next week I am playing on Tuesday at the sound bar with Hampton Street and Good Friday with the Rockhits.

I think its time to go back to the gym to keep my body up to the pace of the gigs!