Welcome!

Well, my musical background. I started playing drums when I was 12 years old (approx 1966) and things were very different then to now. The progressive rock music that I was to cut my teeth on, was in its infancy, so I was listening to the Beatles, Stones and stuff like that. Simple rock music but really new and exciting compared to Rock and Roll as we knew it then.

I joined my first band at 14,Mixed Blood a group of school friends and we just did the usual chart covers, but it was fun and good experience. Funny thing was, the whole band played through a Vox AC 30 which I believe had 4 inputs. Enough to run 2 guitars, bass and vocals into. Im sure we sounded great !!!! That lasted until I got to Putney college at the age of 17 and played with some guys there. By now the progressive stuff was coming to the fore for me. Bands like Deep Purple, Free, Led Zeppelin etc. By far my biggest influence was Simon Kirke, Frees drummer. His simple, straight forward, solid style showed me the way I wanted to go with my drumming. If I dare claim to have a style, I would be proud if anyone ever thought I played a bit like Simon! I was very lucky to have met Simon, and not only is he a genuinely nice guy, hes also a blindingly good guitarist!

Over the next few years, I went off, had a family and got into motorsport. Although I kept drumming. I wasnt gigging. Family, work and cars meant there was little time left for going out and playing. I even sold my kit at one stage, thinking that rallying was the only hobby I needed. Well this is fine, but motorsport is a bottomless money pit and by 1992 I began to realise this. Although it was huge fun and I thoroughly my years rallying, enough was enough and I sold my beloved MK2 Escort. More or less straight away I bought a used Premier APK kit and was back looking for a band again. This came up quite quickly as lots of the musician friends had kept in touch and On The Rocks was formed. A Basingstoke based covers band playing popular rock material, we found work readily available and gigged most weekends for a couple of years. Although there were several line up changes, we played as a mainly 5 piece but occasionally 7 or 8 depending on the gig, using extra guitarists, keyboard or sax if needed. Our biggest gig was a support slot for The Average White Band at The Anvil in Basingstoke, a 1500 seat venue of some repute. This felt like the big time after doing the usual pubs and clubs around the circuit.

Shortly after this, I was poached by a local guitarist, Gary Barton, to play in a blues covers band with guitar teacher and author Howard Johnstone. This was a very successful line up, and with bass player Alan Pino Parrett we enjoyed plying regular gigs up and down the country.

After 2 years with the band, it was time to move on and do my own thing, forming Hunter with talented guitarist Matt Edwards. Having depped for Matt in his band Dr.Rocket when his drummer retired, it was logical to go and do something together. Again, lots of fun and lots of gigs and lots of smoke filled pubs!!!! By now I had invested in several new kits, but had settled on a Yamaha stage custom kit fitted with decent Evans/Remo heads and had at last got the sounds I had been searching for. Then a Pearl, fully floating 14 x 6.5 snare drum turned up and that was it, set up sorted! Coupled to a full set of Zildjian A Custom cymbals thats more or less the set up I still use today. Not cheap, but reliable good sounding gear. Even now I still have people saying how good the kick and snare sound are!!!!

After Hunter, I played with most of the decent Basingstoke bands. Die Laughing, Dave Glover and Friends, Tommy Allen of Trafficker fame and even got to sit in for John Martyr in Odd Comment. That was great too cos I got to play with my old mate and brilliant guitarist Rocket Ron Green. I am sure I never got paid for that one!!!!!

Then came a move to Somerset and starting the search for a more local band rather than a 170 mile round trip to rehearse in Basingstoke. I have now found a good covers band called The Biscuit Mafia and am gigging locally with them. Back in the seta playing rock coves and some good originals at 54 !!! Woo hoo, life in the old dog yet! The saga continues.

So that's the drumming side.

During all of this, I have had a huge interest in guitar. Mainly electric, but latterly acoustic as well. I started my serious attempt at playing at the ripe old age of 35 and can now play to about intermediate standard. My role as manager of Modern Music in Basingstoke for 14 years allowed me access to many makes and models of guitar and I have built up a wealth of knowledge of product and history of probably the most popular instruments in the world today. I own several guitars, Jap Strat, Aria Artiste Custom, and very nice Indie acoustic and all of the usual amps and effects to suit. During my period at M.M, I also learned to set up and repair guitars and drums prior to my managerial role and still enjoy doing that to this day. Although I have never wanted to play guitar in a band, I do enjoy jamming with friends occasionally but feel more comfortable sitting at the back on the drums!!

Although I live in Somerset now, I still do lots of business in the Basingstoke and surrounding Hampshire area. Mainly guitar and drum repairs for some of my old client base from Modern Music days, but word goes around still and I frequently pick up new clients via word of mouth. The best possible form of advertising! I am able to collect and deliver from most locations in and around Basingstoke, but obviously try to get pick ups to coincide with deliveries in similar areas.

I always have, and still try to use only original parts where possible for repair work, or, failing that, only the best quality spares available. That way, you only do the job once and the customer has an instrument back to as near original spec as possible.

In the meantime come along and see me in my current band:

http://www.thebiscuitmafia.co.uk/

E-mail: tim@timsmusic.co.uk