bear318541 + Musician in Hastings, EN

SEEKING

ABOUT

AVAILABLE FOR DEPPING ON BASS, STICK BASS OR GUITAR AT SHORT NOTICE!!!

Since leaving Local Heroes in 2005 I have been playing electric double bass in Cut the Mustard with Martin Abrahams and Jon Ewen on drums. We have been playing since 2005 when we started a regular session in Porters in the Old Town, which we are still playing. We don’t rehearse we just find a good groove and go with it.

I also have depped often, on bass, stick bass or guitar, with many other musicians locally as and when asked. I am part of Hadyn Corrner’s ‘Pluto Flower Arranging Society’ playing electric guitar.

I have performed solo - which is totally different from any other experience I have had. I don’t consider myself as a solo artist but with a loop pedal along with others I give it a go. However, I prefer to work with other musicians.

I am open to any offers on guitar or bass even at very short notice. I prefer not to rehearse although I will if really necessary.

My bass style is solid and dependable and I work closely with the drummer or percussionist to find a solid groove. On guitar, either acoustic or electric, I am not really a solo guitar player so I tend to try to find a melodic rhythm part that adds to the overall song throughout. I use a lot of reverb, echo and swell with this. However, on occasion I will play a solo if the song requires it.

Screen name:

bear318541

Member since:

Nov 15 2016

Active over 1 month ago

Level of commitment:

Moderately Committed

Years playing music:

45

Gigs played:

Over 100

Available to gig:

1 night a week

Most available:

Nights

Influences

My original influences, apart from the obvious seventies choices, were Rory Gallagher and Wishbone Ash followed later by the guitar style of Andy Summers in the Police. A significant moment was when Arnold Bell, (who is from Belfast - also a cracking guitarist and a big influence!), introduced me to JJ Cale.

Acoustically a huge influence on my guitar playing is John Martyn, a real hero of mine. I cover a few of his songs but I have my own interpretation of them. I am also inspired by Ed Sheeran and James Bay as well as Eric Roche and John Gomm.

I played electric bass for a number of years with This Perfect Day on the northern rock circuit. I then played with another great inspiration for me - Craig Morrison - a more laid back musician I am never likely to meet but what a great player!

Then I moved back south and was the co founder of Millwood a traditional Irish acoustic band that I formed with Karen Tweed the accordion player. I was lucky enough to play with a collection of stunning musicians who played some beautiful tunes - even if it was just 'diddley' to me! We toured a little around the UK and over to Ireland.

This also ran alongside playing bass for the Geoff Sharkey band. Geoff is an incredibly versatile and capable musician who taught me a lot about on the spot improvisation! He taught me much about arrangements and songwriting.

My next major influence was Martin Abrahams who I met in 1987. He and I formed and wrote the arrangements for Local Heroes in Hastings who are still going strong. We started playing acoustically with two guitars, but soon moved to a more electric sound and I moved back to the electric bass. The 'kitchen sessions' with Martin were the most inspiring creativity I've ever experienced and are still going strong!

We became a full band in 2005 when Will Thomson (who pushed me further up to the dusty end of the guitar neck!) and a drummer. I mostly played bass although I did play a little guitar with them. Reluctantly I had to stop playing with them because of work. Local Heroes still remain my personal best collective musical achievement that I am most proud of. They are a great band!

Instrument experience:

Rhythm Guitar:

Expert

Acoustic Guitar:

Expert

Bass Guitar:

Expert

Upright bass:

Advanced

Lead Guitar:

Moderate

Background Singer:

Moderate

Mandolin:

Beginner

EQUIPMENT

Electric Stick Bass
Fender Telecaster
Takemine Electro Acoustic
Blue Sky reverb, Boss delay, Boss loop pedal

MUSIC