With this being my first blog on the Secret Echoes website, I thought I’d give a short insight into my past bands and experiences.
Unlike a lot of my friends at school, I starting playing an instrument quite late on, so I missed out on the chances to have music lessons (although, it’s never too late to learn in all honesty!) and in a way I feel I missed out on the technical side a bit.
My first ever live performance came at a school disco where me and a couple of friends decided to perform a cover of Eagle Eyed Cherry’s “Save Tonight”. I was singing that evening and at that time, I had this amazing feeling flowing through my body. At the end of the song, the crowd cheered and I realised that this was a feeling and a reaction I loved. I think this was the point in my life where I realised I could entertain people.
I didn’t play any music for 2 years, until another school friend (Rory Milton) noticed one of my school folders covered in tipex of hundreds of punk bands such as Ten Foot Pole, Less Than Jake and Rancid (clearly I was going through my phase of adoring punk at this time). He asked me if I’d like to be in a band with him. Obviously, I jumped at the opportunity. And this was the birth of Minor Defect.
This was the first time I’d picked up a bass in my life. Slowly, Rory coached me through the basics and we spent many a night writing what we thought we pop/punk masterpieces. Me and Rory had know of each other since a very young age as our Dad’s were friends and we thought on several occasions if our partners had ever had experienced the joys of being in a band, thinking we could conquer the world??? Incidentally, they didn’t!!!!
Minor Defect has some pretty catchy songs but ultimately were let down by the lack of vocal talent through the singer. Despite this, we managed to get a support slot with one of the UKs most successful punk bands Capdown. To this day, playing with a signed band has been a big highlight in my life. We played an amazing show and at this point I learnt one thing – what I may have lacked in technical ability, I made up for in stage presence!!! I was flying around that stage, jumping of the drums, off the amps, even off Rory at one point.
Minor Defect came to a natural end as me and Rory started moving in a different directions. Once again, I was on the musical sidelines awaiting the opportunity to find a new band.
It was probably about 3 1/2 years later that I joined my next band called About The City. About The City was a very strong band. Two great guitar players in Jak Reeves and Mike Silvester (now drummer of Secret Echoes) and a phenomenal jazz drummer called Ross Ringham. My only problem About The City was the lack of communication between the band members. After a while everyone started pulling in different directions.
The point Jon made in his blog about starting a band regarding giving equal consideration and listening to others is so important and is something people didn’t seem to want to do in this band. With the political issues and with Mike breaking his arm, Jak and Sarah (the singer) started to go off on their own tangent. Once again, I was without a band.
Fast forward about 18 months and Secret Echoes began. I was over the moon with the line-up of this band as I’ve known Mike and Jon since school and also Jon’s been in bands with Nick before so already there seems to be a good chemistry.
Also, I’m once again out of my element regarding technical playing but I’m getting there!!!! Seriously, who writes riffs in 5/4!!! But when you see this band live, watch out for me. As mentioned before, what I may lack (in some peoples eyes) in technical ability, I’ll put on a damm good show!!!!
At the end of the day, I see being in a band as a way to release all the emotion I build up over time as I exert so much energy when I play. Playing live is one of the best feelings I’ve experienced and I cannot wait until Secret Echoes start gigging – it’s going to be amazing, I can guarantee it!!!
