When and where were you born?

I was born Christmas Eve 1964 in Holbeach, Lincolnshire. So I put a spanner in my families Xmas Festivities that year. Holbeach is in the Fens so I am a carrot cruncher and will explain why my Veggie diet consists of twigs & leaves.

How old were you when you learnt to play an instrument and who inspired you?

Didn’t get my first bass until I was 19. It was a short scale Satellite and was the crème de la crème of shit basses. It broke the bank at £48 and dented my giro for a few weeks. I eventually sold it back to the shop for £6. He really didn’t want it back. If I’m honest I’d say "Alternative Ulster" was a huge inspiration to want to play in a band. That song still does it for me to this day. So blame SLF for me playing in the Damned.

Was learning the bass guitar your first choice?

I wanted to learn drums as this one guy at school could really play and he attracted all the girls. But then you get all sweaty and smell and it seemed like hard work so I didn’t pursue it further. I was quite proficient at Xylophones & Glockenspiels but it didn’t work in punk bands. The astronomer Patrick Moore is awesome at the Xylophone. I love the bass and never wanted to be a guitar hero. It seems every young kid today wants the glory and adulation of being a guitar god.

What bass guitars are you playing, which is your favourite and why?

I’ve got 3 ESP’s, 1 Rickenbacker, 1 Ibanez & 2 Aria Pros. My ESP is amazing to play, I love the action and sound of it. Not often I find a perfect bass and it pretty much is the one. My Ibanez has been with me for 17 years and I can never part with that. It’s worn and battered but still performs when asked.

When was your first time live on stage and how was it?

August ‘84 in a small club in Peterborough. It was pretty good actually. Not the disaster as most peoples first efforts are. It was a diy gig arranged by myself and a small punk collective. I was the singer/bassist in that one and I do have it on tape somewhere. Maybe I should dig it out just to remind myself what a bad singer I am. I think the show ended in violence as most of those 80`s ones did. Senseless idiots just ruined that scene we had just like it did all over the country at that time.

In how many bands have you played till present time? And which did you enjoy the most?

I think it’s 11. Schutzhaft, The Uprising, Monks Of Science, Frame Of Mind, English Dogs, Crack Babies, Paedophile Priests, Heads Apart, Foxy, Swinging Lulus, Damned. They were all great for different reasons. The Monks had some great releases, the Dogs tours were so much fun, Foxy are a band from California and their tours were eventful with never a dull moment, and the Damned is THE DAMNED. The Swinging Lulus have just formed and will release something before the end of 2005. Wakey from the Dogs has resumed his singing career and we're having fun with this project already.

When did you hear the first time of the Damned?

I’ve followed them since 77. They were always inventive and always will be. That’s why we all love ‘em so much. A band, that has endured time because they always added that extra level to their songs. MGE & BLACK ALBUM are 2 of the finest albums ever recorded. I’ve never grown sick of them and to now get the chance to play that stuff is fantastic. I knew all the songs anyway, so fitting in was never gonna be a problem. I’ve actually recorded some versions of Damned songs in other bands way back in the past. Bootleg anyone?

Which are your 5 favourite Damned songs?

Has to be Love Song, History Of The World, Dr Jekyll, Disco Man, Sanctum Sanctorum (and I also love The Portrait).

Which Damned song do you most enjoy playing live?

I enjoyed playing Magic Potion and Absinthe last year. But History Of The World is also a fave.

Which Damned song would you not prefer to play live?

Eloise, although once you get your teeth into it I always manage to enjoy it.

Which 5 songs are your all time favourites?

That’s tough with a collection like mine. But trying off the top of my head I’ll say:

1. Love Will Tear Us Apart (or Atmosphere) -Joy Division
2. Who Wants The World - Stranglers
3. Johnny’s Got A Problem - D.I
4. Say It Isn’t True - Agent Orange
5. In A Rhyme - No Fun At All

Which are your 5 favourite bands?

I could name 5 great LA hardcore bands from the 80`s. Too tough a question. STRANGLERS will be in there, I love the GO GO'S, the DICKIES definitely, DOA (from Canada) & METALLICA .

What kind of music do you listen to?

Mainly West Coast American Hardcore Punk. I’m a sucker for all-girl bands , decent black metal bands, 60`s psychedelic garage, all old school punk, Beethoven/Mozart when I’m in the mood, all the old 2 tone stuff, some SKA, 70`s glam, surf music & even a couple of Eurovision winners.

Is there any kind of music you can’t stand?

Oh yeah, I can’t stomach hip hop, rave, house, gangsta c-rap and all that 80`s spandex cock rock bollox. Maybe because I never had long hair and I couldn’t get into spandex but please.........what was that all about?

Tell us the story of how you got the opportunity to play with the Damned?

Well I’m sure most of you know I play with Pinch in the English Dogs. So I just got a call in January 2004 from him asking if I would consider helping out while Patricia took maternity leave. I think there was a shortlist for the vacancy but I was offered the job. Had to frantically learn 40 songs inside out for my first show in Italy which was on St Patrick's day. I think we had an hour rehearsal the day before just to see if I could hold my plectrum the right way!!!

How much weight have you put on since joining the Damned?

hahahahaha well when you get Pinch stay round your house and you drink beer all day and eat curries at night it doesn’t take long to expand to a Mr Creosote size. And that’s before the tours start. We decided half way through last year to exercise and run every morning. Are you serious? If you don’t get to bed before 7 am you’re beaten, before you begin. So we gave that up on the very first day!!! Pinch replaced sit ups for roll ups instead. Every knows being on the road is health damaging so it’s a case of balancing it all out. But who can say no to free beer?

What do you think about Suzie Lollipop?

Well I didn’t get to shag her and I used my cheesiest chat up lines. Constantly seen in men toilets all over the country claiming "I’m a lady you know". She smells and never changes her panties although they have been auctioned on e bay I hear for £1.50.

What was your best gig so far with the Damned and why?

The Whitby Goth fest was a great show for me. I think we played rather well and the crowd were awesome and obviously really love the band. Made for a memorable time, plus Captain turned 50 at midnight, so we stopped to drink champagne and toast the ol bugger. Plenty of people went home happy that night which was very pleasing. The Tokyo show was probably the best. A huge festival crowd, great sound on stage and just the general friendliness of the whole day. That was the day I got to play my ESP for the first time and I managed a whole set with not a bum note in earshot. Hahahaha Generally good shows consist of audience participation. If we know the crowd are enjoying it and giving it their all then it fuels the band to perform. A bit of banter goes a long way. I mean how many bands let someone have a go at one of their songs on stage? It's always been a special relationship between the Damned and their followers.

What was the worst gig and why?

Well the one I didn’t turn up for in May I would say. I nearly killed myself in my infamous car crash. I really cheated death that day and it’s changed my life since. I didn’t get a message to the band until mid day that I was hospitalized. So I was freaking out but it all worked out with Patricia strapping the bass back on and even bringing little Emily to her first show. Usually the worst shows are when the sound is terrible on stage. Always throws the band off and believe me it is not enjoyable, especially when people have paid their cash to see a decent performance. Sheffield sticks out and if you were there you would know that it was ended by Pinch’s freak out. You fight a losing battle and it sucks but I guess nothing is ever perfect. We can just blame it on The Curse Of The Damned.

Do you know anything yet if you will be for definite in the band?

I always get asked this and I always say that I don’t know. If Patricia wants to come back then she will. I think for the moment that motherhood is a very demanding time for her and Dave. Emily’s welfare must come before the band. I’m having an awesome time but if I have to leave then so be it. As long as the band continues to perform for many years to come then I’ll be happy. They’ve still got much to offer in these abysmal MTV
saturated times. Anyway, if you see me at the bar buy me a beer or take me out for a curry................and I’ll tell you All of the Damned’s secrets.

Watch out for the nuns though, they hurt!!

Many thanks to Sister of Darkness of Step Into The Night Website for permission to use this interview.