Neil Peart, Chris and Me.
Its almost a year now since the death of Rush drummer Neil Peart, and for those that know me, it hit me pretty hard. Having been such profound influence in getting me started in music, his sad demise had the side effect of re igniting some conversations with friends old and new; reminiscing on the genius of the professor on the drum kit. I . . .
The Hollow Men
It is 1987. I have just returned from a defining three month road trip around the United States and am preparing for my final year at University. My big distraction; music had not yet given me an excuse to drop out and it seemed silly to contemplate, so close to graduation. That said, a guy I knew from Jumbo Records called Choque was doing . . .
Flowers For Agatha
Inspired in part by the efforts of my dear friend Mr Peter Darnborough: I started to learn how to play the drums in September 1979. Pete, had a drum kit and was already playing gigs at parties around Horsforth. At one such party at the nearby Scotland Lane Estate, i got horribly drunk, staggered home and threw up everywhere. My dad promptly . . .
The Union Gospel
Shortly after moving to Seattle in 2014 i got the jones in my bones to play the drums again. I had Summerland on the calendar with Everclear and Souls Aslyum, otherwise i was left holding the baby. I think i knew one person here who played music, so i was wondering how exactly i was gonna do that. My friend and Spacehog bandmate Timo Ellis . . .
My Favorite Shows
10, Rose Tattoo, The Fforde Grene, Leeds, 1981
I was probably fifteen when Rose Tattoo rolled through Leeds in support of their brilliant debut 'Assault and Battery'. I sauntered out of my parents house, telling them i was going to hang out with my friends. I then applied a charcoal pencil to my top lip on one of the . . .
Whitticombe Faire
An introduction to the music business
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It was 1985 in Leeds, England. With a year to kill between high school and college, I answered an ad' in the Yorkshire Post: Something about drummer, touring and wages. Before going to the audition I remember being hopeful that it was a young band with a new record deal and the world at their feet. But underneath that was a sneaking . . .
My chat with Soul Asylums' Dave Pirner
Photos by Mike Popovich
I first met Dave Pirner in the mid nineties.I was introduced to him by our mutual friend, my then tour manager Lew Kiner. We were between Prevosts in a parking lot at an outdoor arena somewhere in the midwest. He was something of a big shot on the alt rock scene and i remember him being a lot nicer than he needed to be. I think his . . .