THE BIT IN THE MIDDLE.....
Wilderness years and learning curves
My tenure at Rotherham College had ended. Prior to going there I had a pretty low opinion of my talent and ability. The Popular Music course teachers encouraged, supported and pushed me to be better. They fostered the belief that I was better than I thought I was, this was something I'd not really experienced that much. Apart from "Fatha" not many people really encouraged me with my music. I once suggested to my peer group that setting up a dedicated practice room building could be a cool idea. Everyone said it would never catch on. The loudest naysayer ended up working in one that opened a few years later!
Anyhow, Pineapple Pete had spoken and I rolled on to Uni to study for my BA (Hons). This was a fertile, educational and creative time. I had recently switched to playing 7 string Guitar pretty much exclusively, and this caught the attention of a couple of fellow metal heads. Mike and John Paley were not only twins but a power house of Drums and Bass. Originally from the Highlands, they had moved to Huddersfield and the made their way onto the same Degree course as me. As part of our performance related studies, we were placed into randomly generated bands and a randomly selected song to cover. I was in Band 6 and Mike (Drums) and I were the only guys in that 5 piece. We covered Limp Bizkit's "Take a look around". I found myself singing and Playing guitar. It must have impressed the Paley powerhouse enough for them to draft me into their latest project.
Aside from that, I was a busy kitty cat.
As a more mature and versatile student, I did a lot of work with vocal students and depping for MIA guitarists. I also ended up teaching a TaeKwon-Do class on campus!
TWISTEYE
Our first recording
Twisteye was born at Uni. The Paley Powerhouse had previously been in a band with Paul Fortescue, by his own admission. He wasn't a good guitar player. He wanted to be a front man and he was obliged. We were all capable musicians and songwriters so our first EP came together quickly, as did a strong set of original music that we gigged at any venue with a pulse that liked the heavy groove we were putting down. We played multiple venues in and around Yorkshire and found a faithful following around Leeds and Huddersfield. The rush of performing live was boosted by having a moshing throng a hundred or so strong singing songs that we had written. We were heavy, energetic, moody and professionally polished. We played a few festivals. supported a couple of signed bands and got a bit of label interest. We returned to the studio and produced our second CD. For me, this demonstrated what we were capable of. The album was a group effort, with songs and riffs that were contributed and built for the greater good of the project. I'm extremely proud of what we achieved. But........
It went pear shaped. Not our old friend "artistic differences" but more personal ones. Paul had stuff he had to reconcile and we couldn't seem to move on. It had been a good run, around 4 and a bit years. Two CD's and a lot of shows! I can't complain really.   Paul went on to front a few other bands including Kerrang! favourites "Shaped By Fate". Mike and John went through a few other original bands, became teachers and now gig with a successful function band. I became a parent!
TWISTEYE
Into the wilderness........
I'd gained a decent grade Degree. I'd got a full time job and become a responsible adult. Twisteye had gone over the rainbow notation staff and the "Stealth Bomber" had been replaced by a more family friendly rig. I had officialy become a parent and caught my son as he was born in my bathroom! I thought I was done, I genuinely think I didn't touch a guitar for the best part of a year.