Like A Rolling Stone

Music. The Universal Voice

2010-09-09T19:36:00.000-07:00

Music is probably the most influential entity in the world. It exists in every part of the globe. It has been in existence since time immemorial. It may be considered as old as history, music has evolved through time that passes. This has been the result of continuous patronage of the audience. So how was this patronage to music really made possible? Why do people love music so much?

Depending on personality, generation, sexual orientation, culture and manner of reaction, our inclination to music varies. Either we love to sing, write a song or play music instruments, we are music fanatics. It is an interesting fact to know why we love it so much. There are a lot of factors that led us to like every aspect of music. Here are the most popular reasons why we do.

When people are so burnt out with work or other activities that have become a routine, we cling to entertainment for relief. Some people have made sports their favorite past time while some have spent hundreds of hours reading books of different types. These examples of entertainment require additional effort to do. This fact made music the unbeatable hobby. Listening to music, in particular, requires no effort to enjoy its benefits.

Numerous medical studies have shown that music can be a powerful tool to prevent and cure different illnesses. It is believed to have an element that gets into the body to do the work. Because most people believe that music heals, there have been some courses focusing on medical treatments using music. With the exception of medical facts, you can attest that music has the power to provide inner healing. No matter how we feel for the day, there is always a song appropriate on every kind of situation.

In some part of the world, music has been used as an element of the society to encourage patriotism and unity of the land. Thus, music has been used as a strong hold of bonding such as marriage and fraternity. Most people believe that music can lead the way to attain unity of any kind.

Music has also been considered as an expression of our personality. It is said that we are the music that we listen to. With so many genres, or the type of music, we have made different classification of the people who listen to what music. From soft music to loud music, we have made association of groups of people to the music they often listen to. For instance, if you are a mellow person then you can probably be associated with smooth jazz or pop.

The most popular reason which we would all agree is that music is a precious thing which comes free. Although not absolutely free if it pertains to concerts or CD, music can be produced and heard by just anyone in the planet. If you happen to catch me singing while walking on the street and you enjoyed my music, you got entertained for free.

Get your copy of "Mean Business" for only $5 using the codeword thistle
<a href="http://bobfindlay.bandcamp.com/album/mean-business">Snake Eyes by Bob Findlay</a>

Classic Rock Is Still Alive

2010-08-31T18:38:00.000-07:00

People will travel far and wide to see their favorite bands. Some even go as far as following their favorite musical act all around the country to see them live over and over and over again. Live music and seeing live bands is definitely an experience that everyone should have at least once in their life - it's certainly a huge rush. Some bands are so well known for their live performances and concerts that its nearly impossible to get tickets - they sell out within mere seconds! Hundreds, even thousands of people attend these concerts and they can sell out several nights in a row. Concert tickets can get expensive, especially for premium seating that is close to the actual acts - but it's very much well worth it to the fans.

So, who are the best live bands to see? They're often classic, very popular musical acts who have been around for quite a long time. They have a large following, and make sure to deliver to their biggest, truest fans.

For the most part, it seems that some of the greatest live bands are mostly rock n' roll bands - they tend to have a large following, and really want to impress their fans and give them their moneys worth. Unfortunately, some of these live bands are no longer together - whether it's due to deaths of members, since many of them are "classic" rock bands from past decades, or due to break ups. So who are some of the greatest live bands - bands that are no longer together include rock classics and greats like The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, The Who, Pink Floyd, Queen, The Beatles, Guns n' Roses, Van Halen, Cream, KISS and the Clash. These bands had a huge amount of energy when they played live, and made sure to give their all to their audience. They really translated their passion for music when they played live, showing their fans that they were genuine with their love for music. To this day, fans can listen to their live music with live albums, and live concert DVDs - this really gives new generations of fans feel like they were there when these bands and performers were in their heyday. It's great to be able to share live music with new fans, even though these bands are no longer around.

There are other bands that are also known for being great when they play live. Lucky for audiences all over the world, these bands are still together and play today. Tickets can get pricey, but they are obviously well worth it to their new generations of fans. So who are these bands? They include groups like AC/DC, Radiohead, Rage Against the Machine and Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band. These are all bands that are still together, performing music and touring all over the world for adoring crowds of thousands. It's definitely worth trying to get a ticket if they come to a city near you - you never know when they might stop touring, and you won't want to miss an experience like that.

Get "Mean Business" for ONLY $5 (AUD) by entering the codeword thistle
<a href="http://bobfindlay.bandcamp.com/album/mean-business">Snake Eyes by Bob Findlay</a>

Do We Really Need An iPad?

2010-07-11T01:06:00.000-07:00

Apple launched the iPad Tablet Computer with great fanfare at the start of 2010. Despite all of its functions I really don't know that I need nor want one.

First of all let's look at the features of the new iPad tablet. It allows you to browse the internet using Apple's Safari browser. It allows you to create documents, spreadsheets and presentations using Apple's iWork 2010 Office Software (which is currently used on Macs). It has an eReader, allowing you to read books on the iPad, and Apple have launched the iBooks store which allows you to buy eBooks directly from Apple for your iPad. It allows you to watch videos, and play games. And you should be able to read newspapers on it as well - the New York Times has already developed an app to allow their newspaper to be downloaded to the iPad.

Essentially Apple have made a single all-purpose one stop tablet computer in a handy size that is portable. Whether you should buy one depends on what your own needs are.

Book readers were disappointed to learn that the iPad did not use the iInk technology that is incorporated in the Amazon Kindle and Sony Digital reader. (iInk technology is kind to the eyes and allows you to read for hours without strain). However, Apple pointed out that their device was backlit and allowed you to read in bed. If you are a book-lover who only wants an eBook reader you might want to try the Sony Digital reader or Amazon's 6" Kindle, both of which are cheaper than the iPad (because both only read books and don't have the other functions of the iPad).

If you are a business person who spends a lot of time travelling, an iPad might be ideal for you. It will allow you to create documents, contact your office via the internet and read newspapers such as the Financial Times, all on the go, on a single tablet. And the size of the iPad (9.7" screen and weighing 1.5 pounds) makes it less cumbersome to carry than a portable laptop. The iPad doesn't have a USB port - but Apple sell dongles that attach to the iPad which do have ports and which you can use to transfer documents to and from your PC.

Gamers might also be interested in the iPad - but note that Sony are also releasing the Sony Dash, which allows you to play games, listen to music, watch video and browse the internet, and is cheaper than the iPad (because it doesn't have the eReader functions or the office functions). However, if you are a gamer who also wants to be able to write essays, do work and surf the net, then the iPad is a better solution.

If you simply like gadgets and want a handy sized tablet computer to use while in the garden or while lying on the sofa, then the iPad is a must-have. It's simply the most advanced tablet device on the market right now. Apple have released a software developers kit so that software houses can develop apps for the iPad. As with the iPhone, it is the apps that will make or break the device, and it is likely that the quality and breath of the apps mean that you should go ahead and buy the Apple iPad tablet.

Get your 50% discount for "Mean Business" by using the codeword: thistle

<a href="http://bobfindlay.bandcamp.com/album/mean-business">Snake Eyes by Bob Findlay</a>

Latest Album "Mean Business" Released

2010-06-14T19:28:00.000-07:00

Due to the overwhelming response to my last album, "Redemption," and equally overwhelming requests for another album, I have released my new album, "Mean Business."
I have opted for Bandcamp for several reasons.

For the listener, they are able to listen to entire albums before opting to make a purchase. They also have the option of what sound file format they wish to download. Music downloads are a seamless affair and PayPal is one of the numerous payment options.

For the online musician, Bandcamp offers the most musical and artistic flexibility amidst an astonishing amount of online music sites. The musician can upload their sound files in mp3, aiff or WAV format. The time difference between uploading the sound file formats is minimal. Individual song file uploads can be done over whatever time-frame the musician decides and remain hidden until the day of release.

Song player widgets are available in four sizes with customizable colours. These song players fit pretty-well anywhere online. The song player at the end of this entry is my personal favourite.

To my mind, the biggest advantage with Bandcamp is the musician having the option to provide discount voucher codes for albums. During the checkout process, simply enter the provided 'codeword' to view exactly what discount applies. At this point you are under no obligation to purchase. I've never been one to under-utilise bonuses for my fans so I do offer substantial discounts.

"Mean Business," my new album release, contains 12 tracks that I have selected based purely on stats over the last 3 years. I rarely listen to my music after I have released it. Having said this, I did listen to my new album in its entirety I was surprised at how fresh it sounds. I was also quite taken by the fact that the stats used to compile my new album release produced an album with definite 'edge' to it.

I hope you feel the same. Feel free to check it out below.

The discount codeword for "Mean Business" is: thistle

<a href="http://bobfindlay.bandcamp.com/album/mean-business">Snake Eyes by Bob Findlay</a>

You're Invisible Now. You Have No Secrets To Conceal.

2010-05-24T00:16:00.000-07:00

After returning to Stanley on Tasmanias far North-West coast in April 2007 I very slowly began to get a grip on reality again. It was not an easy, quick or remotely pleasant experience. The blinding headaches, embarrassing tremors, pseudo-psychotic episodes and seizures did not suddenly vanish, as many claim that they do.

I also had some legal matters to address. The first was unpaid parking fines. I went to court on the matter and despite having no recollection of a single one, pleaded guilty. I also advised the magistrate that the outstanding fines would be paid within thirty minutes of me leaving the courtroom.

The second matter related to overdue and unpaid credit card debts. I used my credit card to finance my two bottle a day vodka habit for approximately five years. I sought the advice of my lawyer who advised me to save the cost of his fee and plead guilty as I had no credible defense. I turned up to court well-dressed but extremely drunk. My only recollection is slurring an apology. For the record, I am very close to having the debt paid-off.

The third matter was much more serious. Immediately prior to returning to Stanley, I had been arrested and charged for exceeding the legal limit on 'the morning after the night before,' so to speak.

With my poor record on such a matter I enlisted my lawyer. This turned out to be a wise move. I was certain that I would be going to jail....again. The magistrate did everything except send me to jail. I was justifiably dealt a hefty fine and my drivers license was suspended for four years. Additionally, I was not allowed out of the state for eighteen months. How this equates to exceeding the legal limit is beyond me but I was in no position to argue.

Shortly after dealing with these matters I launched myself into recording again and despite having quite a collection of older material to draw on, I found myself becoming quite fascinated by the internet in general. I was particularly fascinated by the fact that, although one can share music, stories and so forth with the world, the actual 'hit rate' was rather low....initially.

I had no idea what adsense was let alone how to 'drive' it. The first thing that I did do was to open a personal yahoo account. The time soon came for me to take the plunge and create a website. The initial version was actually created for me by a friend who has been indisposed for some time. My curiosity slowly got the better of me and I actually began to not only pick up tips on the whole affair but to become very intrigued by the statistical tools offered, particularly by google adsense.

Having a rather hyperactive mind I found myself applying adsense here, there and everywhere. I paid no attention to positioning, colour matching, keywords and so forth. A major error that I made was not appropriately naming adsense units for reasons of tracking.

Since my early dalliances I have altered my approach to adsense radically. No more blaring graphics which serve only to lead the reader away from my page. It was actually a bit of a joke between friends and I that perhaps I had started drinking again, such were the 'loudness' of my ads. When I do use google ads my one and only aim is to heighten the information potential of a page.

Over the last few weeks I have contacted a few friends for their honest opinion on particular pages that I have 'tweaked.' From there feedback I seem to be doing okay for someone who quite often pans the internet....and I haven't looked at my earnings for over a year.

After He Took From You Everything He Could Steal

2010-05-16T23:17:00.000-07:00

You may or may not have noticed that it has been some time since my last entry in this blog; a blog that has been quite painful to write in places. Fear not, dear reader. This entry addresses my activities after my lengthy battle with alcohol abuse (namely vodka) and realising that had I carried on I would have been dead within 6 months.

On returning to my parents house in Stanley on Tasmanias far North-West coast purely for safety reasons, things slowly began to change for the better....very slowly. No more unexplained bruises from bumping into doors at my former abode, no more broken noses and the accompanying blood stains on the carpet, no more seizures and no more week-long blackouts.

After a week or so back in Stanley two great things returned. I began phoning my children every night without suffering a full-blown anxiety attack. I also gave the prospect of recording again very serious consideration. So serious was my consideration of this was that I set up my studio again. I recorded my first three songs in many years in one day. I chose "Rocky Mountain Way," by Joe Walsh, "Lawyers Guns and Money," by Warren Zevon and "Everything Is Broken," by Bob Dylan. I chose these songs as they were songs that I had performed in the band some years back. I was still suffering from marked tremors, however, because I had performed them so much in the past I was almost doing them on 'auto-pilot.'

Shortly after this I sifted through the material that I had written over a 24 year period. I opted to begin recording those most familiar to me. I submitted a few to noisehead and ReverbNation and was absolutely astounded that anyone would listen to it, let alone enjoy it.

From here I made the common mistake of submitting to every site that I could find. The harsh reality, over a period of 12 months, saw me withdraw from several sites as I simply couldn't keep up. Inevitably it was suggested to me from several quarters to officially release my music for sale. My first port of call was iTunes. I consider this a mistake and will not be re-subscribing with them. I also distribute via Amazon.com as they provide the musician with greater visibility.

Mid-2009I began releasing material via Nimbit. Since then, however, I have been distributing via Bandcamp who provide real-time stats, have several widget sizes for almost any place on the internet and artists make 100% of royalties. Discount coupon codes can also be provided to fans. At time of writing I am in the midst of moving all of my commercial releases from my website www.scotsbob.com for the cheapest prices, easiest download and highest sound quality on the internet.

Quite amazing what one can do when sober, eh?....but it can't be done without support.

The discount code for the Bandcamp player below is: lusty

No Direction Home

2009-11-16T01:20:00.000-08:00

After having performed the acoustic circuit for approximately nine years my hatred of journalists combined with my alcohol abuse led me to the inevitable. I decided to quit.

This decision came to me in a state that only recovering alcoholics can relate to. It is a clinical term defined as 'drunken clarity.' This only occurs when one has been consuming large amounts of alcohol for an extended period and for whatever reason splurge out and drink even more. This leads to a fleeting moment of clarity where everything makes sense and is, infact, extremely logical.

I have had this occur twice in my life. This first time was after a gig approximately half an hour away. I consumed a bottle of vodka as I was being driven home. When I arrived home I discovered that I had three, not my customary two, bottles of vodka waiting for me on the kitchen bench.

I took all three bottles and sat them by my chair, alongside two packets of cigarettes and ashtray, put on the T.V. with the sound turned down and put on my CD player. I had no idea what CD was in there. It happened to be a Bob Dylan double-CD, one given to me the previous Xmas. As I was getting the vodka into me in my normal fashion, by the cup, the track "Blind Willie McTell" came on. It was well and truly daylight by this stage. I had three cigarettes and less than half a bottle left.

I rang for a taxi as I was incapable of walking the 4km round trip to get more booze and cigarettes. I returned home and Dylans "Blind Willie McTell" was still playing. I have no recollection of setting it to 'repeat' but I must have and was quite happy to listen to it, analysing it for the remainder of the day and wondering why on earth he decided not to put it on the album 'Infidels.' I was later to find out from a reliable source that it was the sound of his tapping foot.

As mid-day approached I was still listening to the track when the line "....this land is condemned...." hit me like lightening. It was at this precise moment that I knew within myself that my body, which at that time was approaching 40 years old, was no longer fit to put itself through the torture of withdrawing from alcohol and taking bucketloads of prescription medications to avoid the possible life threatening seizures every two-to-three weeks for the sake of $500.

Looking out of my window across the distant rolling hills I realised that this land IS condemned. I wasn't thinking of the rolling hills or, surprisingly, myself. I was referring to performing live.

I had my recording unit sitting, encased in an old glass-fronted record player cabinet. All the cables were plugged in with the exception of the guitar lead and power cable. Recording could commence whenever I was ready.

It would be quite some time before I would commence recording at home.....and it wouldn't be that home that I would re-commence recording in.

The Mystery Tramp

2009-11-09T01:26:00.000-08:00

After quitting the band I spent a few weeks re-working my original material. Because I had been playing them in every way, shape and form for years I initially found the most difficult thing to do was to decide what versions to do.

Again, because my name proceeded me I had no problem picking up work. I was actually receiving calls from venues and promoters before I put the word out. I also had several requests from reporters for interviews. This time I agreed to them all, on the grounds that they were conducted in my home. They were clambering over each other, which I found rather odd. It is Tasmania, after all.

So the onslaught began. Between two and four interviews a week at home with the obligatory photograph and an autograph for their son or daughter or whoever. I did take offence at one photographer who asked me if I would sit my cigarette in the ashtray so as it wouldn't be in the shot. I reminded him that he was in my house and if he didn't like it he could f*** off. The photograph was printed; cigarette and all.

When I did have a few gigs lined up it was chaos. I employed a good friend as a roadie and to keep people away from me. Gigs ranged from 100-seater restaurants, to 1,000+ venues to major festivals. Major festivals weren't so bad as I always insisted on going on stage last and there was quite a distance between myself and the audience.

The smaller venues were a bit more tricky. Escape plans had to be formulated as, paradoxically, I don't like talking to drunk people. I always did a straight 2-hour set as I find breaks distracting. I would arrive with minutes to spare and meet my roadie at the back of the venue where he escorted me onto the stage, handed me my guitar and off I went. We never had any problems with the 'in.'

The 'out' had to be more calculated. After I had finished playing I would immediately walk off stage and head for a pre-planned hiding spot within the venue. We would wait for anything up to an hour as some people would congregate at the back entrance. After they had gone, he would escort me to my car which was parked in an inconspicuous place some distance away.

After the breakup of my marriage in March 2002, I moved to an apartment not far from my children. My heavy drinking skyrocketed to two bottles of vodka every day. My phone was constantly off the hook which led to several promoters coming to visit me. Due to compromised renal function my appearance became very bloated. I took to wearing sunglasses constantly and only shaved when I remembered to. My desire to perform live, however, hadn't dwindled. I adapted.

Word of this soon got out as I became conspicuous by my absence. One sunny morning, whilst admiring the scenic views that I had I noticed an unfamiliar figure at the foot of my 50-metre driveway pointing a rather large camera towards my window. Being the best part of the way through my second bottle I walked out of my door and down the driveway. He must have taken about 50 snaps.

Being a functional alcoholic at this point I was able to coherently, diplomatically and legally point out that he was on private property. He was most apologetic and even gave me the roll of film. He then asked my permission to take a photograph. As I was wearing my normal attire and had my sunglasses on to cover my bloodshot eyes, I obliged. Big mistake.

The next day I received a phone call from a friend advising me to buy the daily newspaper. I rang for a taxi as I was unable to drive and bought a newspaper. There I was, bloated, green, unshaved and basically looking like the wreck of the Hesperance. This was my final dealings with that particular newspaper.....almost.

Every gig that I did from that point on I could spot a journalist. They were just waiting for me to make a mistake. I never did. When I had a gig on, I'd take prescription medication to prevent seizures from the DTs and stay sober for 3 weeks prior to the event.

The inevitable came when they called at my house and asked for an interview. I was in a good mood and told them what day and what time. They arrived 5 minutes early for the interview and were more than taken aback by what they saw. I was shaved, hair tied back, dressed in my Versace' suit an my lawyer was present. I entered the living room well and trully drunk. I deliberately swore so much during the interview that they'd be struggling to print anything. My lawyer also made it clear that any unsavoury comments pertaining to me would be met with legal action.

From that day on, that particular newspaper has never bothered me again.

In Your Prime

2009-11-07T16:14:00.000-08:00

The local following with the band that I had started with at the age of 16 continued to grow in number & loyalty, often to the point where the main entrance to venues would have to be closed an hour so prior to us going on stage.

We had no need for a manager at this stage as local contacts were trustworthy and were paying us, what at the time, were highly inflated prices. No-one was complaining and we wee adding four new songs a week to our repertoire which consisted mainly of The Rolling Stones, with some Ted Nugent, Lynyrd Skynyrd and AC/DC thrown in.

My career with this band came to a halt in September, 1986 when I began my nursing training. My only serious musical activities for the majority of this period was experimenting on different guitar techniques and writing songs. I found writing songs came rather easily to me. I had am mass of poetry that I had written from as far back as the age of 12 to draw on.

I had no sooner exhausted this songwriting avenue when, 3 months prior to completing my nursing training my brother asked if I was interested in joining a band that he had been with for approximately 2 years. I went and checked out the band on several occasions and was both bemused yet surprised. I was bemused by the fact that they were playing very middle-of-the-road material but surprised in that all 3 members sang. My brothers singing voice has a high range akin to that of Sting.

As I sat there watching them on these occasions I was formulating a plan as to which direction we would take after the lead singer was leaving to pursue his own gig. A meeting was set up between myself, my younger brother and the bass player. I laid my cards on the table and they jumped at it. A much grittier sound and image were the main two factors discussed and they paid off.

After a weeks rehearsal we were hot-to-trot. We put the word out and because my brother and I were involved we started off at lightening speed.

My brother and I took it in turns on lead vocals, depending on whos' voice suited which song the best. Musically and vocally we were a tight, punchy & hard unit. Because my brother & I had a solid reputation musically statewide, word spread quickly and securing work wasn't ever a problem. The only hurdle we faced was me. I was now working part-time as a State Registered Nurse. With the benefit of hindsight (which always gives one 20-20 vision), why I continued nursing was not a wise move.

We hired a lighting guy, trusted roadies, a sound engineer and a manager. The manager was hired under duress as I was managing the band but simply didn't have the time to continue it. We were later to regret the choice of manager and sound engineer.

Some months later we approached a mutual friend of ours who had never played in a band before to join us as our frontman. He was and still is a perfect gentleman and friend but appeared, to the public, as rough and ready, with a great gravelly blues/rock voice which was only matched by his harmonica playing. It gave us yet another point of distinction and we were soon the busiest band in the state, at one point performing 14 gigs in 13 days state-wide. We were also the band of choice amongst promoters as the support act for major interstate acts. We had also worked-up 12 hand-picked originals (we were doing all originals by this stage) ready to hit the recording studio.

This frenetic pace eventually started taking its' toll in several ways. Despite the fact that we were being payed outrageous sums of money, even more outrageous sums were left unaccounted for. I asked around a few venues where we had performed and the decision was made to sue the manager and obviously fire him.

On top of this came the 'hangers-on,' either offering us all sorts of chemicals or just basically intruding into our private lives. Certain members of the band fell for it and began behaving like rock stars. We now had very little time to rehearse fresh material and when we did the rehearsals were affected by the aforementioned chemicals. They just couldn't get it together. On stage became a grind and I was finding it difficult to be up-beat about the whole affair.

I never was one for going to post-gig parties, opting instead to get out & go home as soon as possible. Even then I'd get some reporter from the press turning up on a regular basis after a story. I found this rather odd as there wasn't really any story to tell. Had they gone to certain other members, goodness knows what they would have said had they been coherent enough.

It was at this point that I decided enough was enough. I wasn't enjoying it and hadn't been for many months. More importantly I couldn't see the situation being rescued.

I already had plans in place for some time as to what I was for doing musically after I had quit.

Dressed So Fine....

2009-11-02T18:47:00.000-08:00

Image via Wikipedia

By the time I had left High School and started College, I could wear whatever clothes that I wanted. So I did. Drainpipe jeans, winklepicker boots, masses of jewellery and the first of my four earrings. My hair by this stage was also getting rather long.

I received a call at home one night from a friend two years my senior saying that he was in a band that was looking for a guitarist and drummer. Instantly I agreed & my younger brother, a drummer, followed suit. I asked for them to send me a tape (CDs were only just on the market) of their material. This was followed by an awkward two second pause.

A few days later I was sent a tape, not of the band, but of the original bands who performed the tracks. My brother and I spent a few days working on the tracks, which seemed fairly straightforward. They remained straightforward until we turned up for our first rehearsal to find that they were playing the songs in different, easier, keys and no-one was sure as to who would be playing lead guitar. Twenty minutes later I was the lead guitarist.

Our weekly practises continued for approximately nine months. They were tight & well-organised. We rehearsed as we would present on stage, even though we had no gigs lined up.

Towards the end of my first year in College we finally landed two gigs. The first was on a Thursday night for a party at my former High School (where my younger brother was still a student) and the second was at the local recreation ground which is approximately 200 metres from where I'm sitting right now. Both gigs were a shoe-in.

We performed a one hour set for the High School students and were well received; hardly surprising as we were the first live band to perform there and the difference between a 16 year-old musician to a 14 or 15 year-old student is quite significant.

The second gig at the local recreation ground really started putting the wheels in motion. Before we started playing I had been speaking with quite a few locals who were friends of my parents. They were all curious as to who the band was. When I told them that my younger brother and I were part of it I could sense from their faces that they were keen for us to do well.

Approximately 15 minutes before we played, all other activities at the recreation ground halted, with a 5-minutely countdown to us going onstage. We were in a marquee out of sight of the crowd but we could tell from the noise and our names being called out that there was a rather large and expectant crowd.

When 'showtime' came we walked out from behind the screens and onto the stage to a huge roar. I didn't have time to turn around as my brother had counted us in. Off we went. When I turned around all I could see was a mass of people jumping and moving as one. I couldn't make out individual faces as I can't wear my glasses when playing (they slip off).

We played another on hour set and promptly headed off behind the screens. We could hear folks shouting for more but the organisers were on a tight schedule.

It was another 45 minutes before the band could make it the 200 metres back to my parents house. In all honesty, this is the only time that I have truly enjoyed such a thing.

It was also one of few major turning points in my life.

Once Upon A Time....

2009-10-18T01:42:00.000-07:00

This is a brief glimpse into how I came to be where I am musically. It's as close to 'me' as you'll get on the internet.

I was born in Kilmarnock, Scotland, home of Johnnie Walker Whiskey and raised in the town of Cumnock, approximately 45km south of Glasgow. As a kid I was never much one for going after the latest craze, mostly because I found the latest craze to be mundane at best and more often then not pointless. I'm still the same.

My most vivid memories as a kid in Scotland were football (soccer) and snow. The two were often combined. Cricket was viewed by the Scots as a toffee-nosed English sport. It wasn't until I emigrated to Tasmania with my family in 1979 that I realised a cricket ball was as hard as a rock and could cause serious damage.

Nonetheless it took some time for me to accept the sport as something other than a game for nancy-boy, toffee-nosed Englishmen. Once I did get around to playing cricket I rapidly became a rather accomplished batsman. My skill developed rapidly through abject fear of being hit by the red missile hurtling towards me at great speed.

I also took to Australian Rules Football rather quickly. Having played only football for the first 12 years of my life, 'playing to position' was second nature. From what I could see around me on the Aussie Rules ground, everyone just seemed to run mindlessly towards the ball, giving no thought to what might happen next. This led to me gaining countless possessions with minimal effort simply by reading the play, knowing where the ball would most likely end up and making my way to that point.

Being somewhat swift of foot at that age I was also able to avoid being smashed into the dirt by these looming cavemen who were easily side-stepped. I assume they didn't go much on this from a sprightly Scottish kid by the grunts aimed at me.

I played these sports for a few years purely for the sake of it. I felt no sense of real achievement or even satisfaction.

During these years I heard "Start Me Up" by The Rolling Stones. Instantly I was hooked by the sound. I can't recall the time-frame but it seemed a lifetime before I got my first electric guitar and an amplifier no bigger than 2 packs of cigarettes. Night after night, in the very room I'm sitting in now, I'd be straight in from school and away I'd go practising a certain part of "Start Me Up," "Brown Sugar" or "Jumping Jack Flash."

After what seemed yet another lifetime, I was able to play barre chords. I began listening to lots of blues musicians. Once I could play a 12-bar-blues, I thought I was set. Truth be told, I wasn't far from it.

So technically I learned to play the guitar the wrong way around. I could play any Mick Taylor or Ronnie Wood lead break that I'd heard without being able to play a proper chord. Once I had a handle on chords I began wondering how Keith Richards was able to play some of the things that he did. I discovered 'open-tuning.'

I was quite taken by this open-tuning as it allowed me to begin playing slide as well. Because I had learned to play lead parts first, I found playing slide quite easy as my technique for lead was quite tight. This was in direct couterpoint to my rythm and still is as I've listened to so much of Keith Richards rythm parts that are 'technically' out of synch but somehow fit and sound right. I doubt very much that, even today, I could play a straight rythm guitar. I wouldn't 'feel' fight.

During this time I payed no attention whatsoever to the radio. All that I can recall are a lot of bands with those horrific 'keyboard guitars' and electric drum-kits. It all just seemed wrong to me. There was no emotion whatsoever. Bands seemed more concerned about what they looked like. A lot of them still do.

For me, though, somewhere in the early '80s I found something that made me feel 'something.' Whatever it is I still don't know what that 'something' is. Maybe it's best that I don't. What I did know, however, is that I was going to keep doing it as I felt there was more that I could do.