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!

Found it quite hard going yesterday night in RockHits practise, pretty much due to myself playing quite a lot over the last few months. It’s been quite a test working 9:00-5:30 each day, then rushing off to a practise which demands quite a lot of energy, then to come home and get some sleep and repeat the process. Let alone fitting in the other things which I have to do in life. It’s all fun though and I wouldn’t exchange it for anything in the world.

This weekend is going to be pretty cool, I’ve got Richard, Andy & Ross all making a visit which is going contain vast amounts of Pro Evo, Guitar Hero, fast food and beer

Roll on the bank holiday!

Me & Ricardo in RockHits practise

A short notice gig up this Friday (number 22). The RockHits are doing a double headline with another covers band called Big Guns down at the Sheldon Marquee.

Not really much else to report on at the moment. Although I seem to have gotten a bug for retro gaming at the moment, so much so, that i’ve ordered the Rollercoaster Tycoon boxset, which includes the second and third versions with all of the expansion packs. :geek:

The one cool thing about the RockHits is that I’m playing songs and styles that I’m not all to familar with, which forces me to listen to new stuff. I’ve only recently discovered how good AC/DC actually are.

The gig is on the 25th July at the Sheldon Marquee if anyone is intrested to check it out.

I’ve also gone out and brought a couple of new albums, with one of them really impressing me, which is Antidotes by Foals.

Nothing else is really happening at the moment, although this RockHits preparation is keeping me thoroughly occupied. Mind you, Oklah has found a new place to sleep a night.

Oklah Sleeping?

The last couple of gigs (which were on the same day!) went really well, in particular the second gig supporting Rock Machine at the Sheldon Marquee. 18 gigs so far in 2008. June is set to be a quite month with only one gig booked with the RockHits.

I had a wonderful holiday in Cyprus. I was an amazing experience and going abroad for the first time. I was indeed quite anxious about flying for the first time, despite that I loved every minute of it. Cyprus it self was delightful and extremely warm! A week in the sun has done me a world of good!

The next gig for me is going to be the 20th June at the Sheldon Marquee with the RockHits. I’ve got the hunger for more gigs as I’ve got withdrawal!

Were into April already this year, it’s going at a rapid rate.

I’ve been thinking a lot the last couple of weeks regarding playing in bands and drumming in general. I’m pretty much deciding what I want to do and whether I can get the right people around me. I suppose stuff always pretty much will work out the way you want it too. Most of the thoughts have been accumulated through frustration more than anything. On thing is for sure, is that I am really enjoying playing as many gigs as possible. Nothing beats playing live to people in a band.

Work has been pretty mad, I’ve been working on a project for around 4/5 months and it will be pretty nice when I finish it, which hopefully isn’t to far off.

I’ve been looking into prospective purchases, I’d love to get my hands on one of those TAMA Hyperdrive drum kits along with a MAC of some sort, preferably a MAC Book or MAC mini. We shall see.

This weekend I am with Hampton Street playing at Flints on Saturday and The Newt on Sunday evening. Another weekend of gigs.

It’s March already and I’ve already got four gigs lined up with Hampton Street. It’s going to be a fun month.

I had to replace my Janus pedal this weekend, so I’ve lumped up cash to get myself an Iron Cobra. It’s a very nice pedal indeed!

Maybe see some of you at the gigs?