Borstal Tears

Bio:

My first memory is of hearing "she loves you" when I was very young.Listening to Charlie Parker, Tubby Hayes & the four freshmen as I grew up. I can still see in my mind a fly poster for Radio Earth on a bus stop when I was 16 & wondering who they were. Punk arrived & that was it, before then it was Bowie & Steve Harley afterwards it was The Clash et al. In 1978 I saw the Human League support the Stranglers at the Top Rank in Sheffield & I knew that I had to be in a band. Started Station 4 who played about 3 times as a drumerless band (supporting Anti Pasti was a strange gig!) With a drummer we played a ten band festival at the Leadmill (I remember the drummer had 17 drums & couldn't keep the beat) & as we were on first we were scared stiff, the second band on were also scared ; their bass player played with his back to the audience & fell off the stage. That band was Pulp. Sheffield around the turn of the 1970's into the 80's had diverse bands & seeing them at a flourishing live scene 6 nights a week was the best time. ClockDVA, Stunt Kites, Comsats (who had been Radio Earth), Cabaret Voltaire, etc., plus my favourites back then & even better now Artery. I think it was during 1980 I was asked to join The Naughtiest Girl Was A Monitor I played a few gigs with them as a hired keyboard player ( The Limit Club in Sheffield, Cyprus Tavern in Manchester where we were locked in after the soundcheck, got legless & couldn't focus on the keys so heaven only knows what it sounded like??) Best gig with these guys was the Marquee on Wardour Street. Played some keyboards on this bands second single. After leaving NGWAM, I met up with a member of Station 4 & agreed to write songs & demo them without forming a gigging band. This resulted in literally 6 weeks & 1 demo recorded over at Cargo studios in Rochdale with serious record company interest & a demo deal with Phonogram. we were given recording expenses & another 6 weeks to write 2 "A" sides, we came up with 1 song Phonogram would consider releasing so au revoir to that! Various other groups over the next 6 years some good some indifferent, but great times. Highlights of this period, The Limit batt,le of the bands winning a heat in a band called Two Gun Kid. Recording keyboards on rock single by Sheffield band Nightrun who had Mel Gabbitas as the bass player (his brother Neil being in Two Gun Kid) . Playing benefit gig at Sheffield Uni with Atilla the stockbroker & the Mint Julips, the band I was in were a bit funky & in your face for this kind of event but what the hell. Called it a day in the late 80's. Just started again.

Member Since:

June 26, 2009

Members:

None , just the one i.e. me.

Influences:

I hate lists: so here goes Bill Nelson,Richard Hawley, The Clash, Luther Vandross, Steely Dan, Cabaret Voltaire, Jimmy Webb & anything that can lift your heart!

Sounds Like:

Just started working with this new music software after doing nothing for a decade so we'll give it a go & see how it evolves. Will attempt to put a new bit of music on every fortnight hope you like ? Enjoy.