Top Yorkshire Covers Band - REAL PUB ENTERTAINMENT!!

Monday, May 30, 2005

CHEERS TO EVERYONE AT THE ROSCOE
-
JUST A LINE TO THANK EVERYONE WHO CAME DOWN TO THE
ROSCOE AND FOR MAKING IT A TOP NIGHT
ONE OF THE BEST WE HAVE HAD DOWN THERE
AND A BIG , BIG SHOUT OUT TO WILKSEY THE MIGHTY DYNAMO
WHO SEEMED TO ENJOY THE GIG AS MUCH AS WE ENJOYED
PLAYING WITH HIM (OOER MISSIS!!!)
-
HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL AT THE KEYS SAT 11th FOR WHAT IS
GOING TO BE A VERY SPECIAL NIGHT

Dave and Paul at ric rac studios while recording the Happy Salad demo.
Also US4 with Phil guesting on guitar - The eventual Erics line up. Posted by Hello

Friday, May 27, 2005

SONGS WOT WE DO
( in no particular order at all )


WHO - WON’T GET FOOLED AGAIN
JAM - GOING UNDERGROUND
STEREOPHONICS - DAKOTA
RAZORLIGHT - AMERICA
QUEEN - TIE YOUR MOTHER DOWN
AUTOMATIC - MONSTER
THE DARKNESS - I BELIEVE IN A THING CALLED LOVE
NENA/GOLDFINGER - 99 RED BALLOONS
SEX PISTOLS - GOD SAVE THE QUEEN
FOO FIGHTERS - TIMES LIKE THESE
GREEN DAY - AMERICAN IDIOT
U 2 - VERTIGO
U2 - DESIRE
U2 - ONE
UNDERTONES - TEENAGE KICKS
BUZZCOCKS - EVER FALLEN IN LOVE
OSMONDS - CRAZY HORSES
KAISER CHIEFS - I PREDICT A RIOT
CLASH - I FOUGHT THE LAW
BOWLING 4 SOUP - GIRL ALL THE BAD GUYS WANT
LEVELLERS - HOPE STREET
PINK FLOYD - ANOTHER BRICK IN THE WALL
FEEDER - BUCK ROGERS
BEAUTIFUL SOUTH - OLD RED EYES
AC/DC - ROSIE
BUGGLES - VIDEO KILLED THE RADIO STAR
MOTORHEAD - ACE OF SPADES
FOO FIGHTERS - LEARN TO FLY
PINK FLOYD - WISH YOU WERE HERE
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN - BORN TO RUN
GREEN DAY - BASKET CASE
BLINK 182 - ALL THE SMALL THINGS
OASIS - LIVE FOREVER
ADAM AND THE ANTS - ANT MUSIC
MANICS - MOTORCYCLE EMPTYNESS
TEARS 4 FEARS/ERICS - MAD WORLD
GOOD CHARLOTTE - GIRLS AND BOYS
DON HENLEY/ATARIS - BOYS OF SUMMER
BLACK CROWES/OTIS - HARD TO HANDLE
DAVID BOWIE - ZIGGY STARDUST
KINKS - YOU REALLY GOT ME
THUNDERCLAP … - SOMETHING IN THE AIR
OASIS - SOME MIGHT SAY
STEREOPHONICS - LOCAL BOY IN A PHOTOGRAPH
WHO - SUMMERTIME BLUES
MONKEES - I’M A BELIEVER
OASIS - ROLL WITH IT
PULP - COMMON PEOPLE
DAVID BOWIE - HEROES
JAM - TUBESTATION
BLACK SABBATH - PARANOID
ELVIS - LATEST FLAME
TOM JONES - IT’S NOT UNUSUAL
SMITHS - ASK
PROCLAMERS - FIVE HUNDRED MILES
GIGALO

IF YOU’VE GOT ANY IDEAS FOR SONGS
YOU THINK WE COULD DO JUST GET IN TOUCH
,
TXT DAVE ON 07956290815
.
OR LEAVE A COMMENT @
www.myspace.com/theericsrock

Sunday, May 22, 2005

Posted by Hello

PAUL'S BIOG
Apologies for spelling, missing persons or events, offence etc.

Born : 4th August 1959 in Worksop

Bands:
Exodus 1973 to 1976
Arc Rouge 1976 to 1979
Last Orders 1980
The Resistance 1980 to 1981
Proposition 31 1981 to 1984
3 Millions 1982 to 1986
Eclipse 1985
4 Millions 1986 to 1995
Happy Salad (can’t remember dates – see Phils biog!!)
US 4 1995 to 1997
The Object (of ridicule) 2002 to 2003
The Erics 2004 to the present


Favourite Drummers: Keith Moon, Topper Headon, Terry Chimes, Dolphin Taylor (TRB), Mighty Max Wienberg.

Favourite artists: Springsteen, The Who, The Clash, Deacon Blue, Martyn Joseph, Tom Robinson (and TRB), Be Bop Deluxe.

Favourite Rock moments: Saw Keith Moon play at the top of his game at a gig in 1976. Springsteen at Roundhay Park and Bramall lane (this second gig I saw with Sam (more on this later). The Clash at Rock against Racism gig in London (later featured in Rude Boy film). Meeting my Hero Terry Chimes (Tory Crimes) of The Clash, lending him some sticks, using his kit and chatting with him after supporting Generation X in Sheffield.

Best gig: Supporting Dumpy’s Rusty Nuts at the Duchess. In a glimpse of things to come, the bikers loved us (The 4 Millions) and we blew Dumpy from the stage!! (no mean feat as he is/was a fat bastard!!). This is closely followed by a recent gig at The New Roscoe where The Erics played one of the best sets I have ever been involved with, pure rock, tight as fuck and a great band vibe – priceless!

Worst gig: At a wedding in a golf club somewhere in Lancashire. I swore at the audience, fell out with my brother, fell out with the band and sulked for hours after making a grovelling apology to all. What a prat!



Brief History:
When I sat down in a physics lab at Morley Grammar School on a wet break time in 1973, I had little idea what was about to happen. Paul Bakes, who was a bass player (because his dad bought him one!) asked us if we would be in the band he was forming. Pointing at each of us in turn he announced that Jeff Long was to be guitarist, Dave Nassur the singer and I was to be the drummer. Exodus was formed, no gear (apart from the bass), no talent, and no gigs. However three months later, after my Dad bought me a drum kit for £25 and we had converted all spare cash into cheap amps and guitars etc. I think I remember Jeff having a cab with two oval ex-radiogram speakers mounted in an old drawer turned sideways. The PA was any amp and speakers not being used for something else. The mics were little plastics ones which came free with the cassette recorders of the time. We hit the stage for the first time at the school 2nd Year Disco. My rock career had started. In truth it was a disastrous gig. I couldn’t even lay down a 4/4 beat back then, but we had all caught the bug.

650+ gigs later it still feels as great it did then (and I’ve just about mastered the 4/4).

Jeff Long left to join the army so Exodus was no more. As we all left school Dave, Paul and myself joined forces with the then Morley rock legend that was John Mills. John became the driving force behind the Be Bop Deluxe influenced Arc Rouge. Shortly after this Dave bell was added on guitar. Writing and playing our own stuff, recording a demo (called Aeropilots I think?) and generally playing more gigs than we deserved, I quickly got my act together on the drums when John threatened me with the sack after a crap rehearsal. At the time I remember a great rivalry between us and another local band called Mandarin Rat. Russ Sowden, who later became a close mate and colleague, was a prime mover in that outfit. The rivalry was so intense that John came round to my house and chinned me, because he had found out that Russ and I had been drinking and chatting in the local pub the night before…. I was a traitor…..Lovely lad John……shame we lost touch. NOT. Dave Nassur, the singer, eventually moved to New Zealand. Amazingly I have recently had contact with him through email, it was great to make contact agin after 25 years!!

It’s strange really John Mills had been a huge influences on me from 14 to 20, but in the end he turned out to be just the kind of person you should avoid been in a band with! That’s not to say that he was not a mate though, just a crap band member.

To be honest Arc Rouge was my musical apprenticeship and I am grateful that I learned how important unity of purpose and hard work are in keeping any band together long term.

The Resistance and Proposition 31 (Russ, Tony Gill, Sam, Dave Nassur for part of it) turned out to be our response to Punk and New wave. Undoubtedly influenced by The Clash, The Tom Robinson Band and The ‘angular’ bands that Sam loved so much, we were very serious about the writing and recording that we did. Tony is/was a highly skilled bass player; he and I gelled well and over the years became a more than useful rhythm unit. Russ was awesome as usual and Sam made excellent contributions to the song writing, but did have a reputation for putting in annoying ‘widdely’ bits over and over again. He has overcome this habit now; instead he practices them at high volume before the start of any gig!! However because of Sam’s previous work in a top semi-pro club band, he did introduce us to a more professional approach to live work, showing us how to structure a set and the importance of relating to an audience properly. Sam and I still disagree about these things now at Erics gigs, but that is just a reflection of how important these issues are for us. Take note young pretenders.

During this period we supported some ‘well known’ acts including Billy Idol (Generation X), Splogness Abounds (2 pints of lager and a packet of crisps please) who featured Captain Sensible on bass, and we took part in the legendary Sheep dog trials (new band nights) at the F Club in what is now the club underneath Break for the Border in Leeds. We wanted to make it big on the back of the New Wave, which launched so many new bands at the time, but in retrospect I think that none of us would really have had the guts to go to London and take the big risks required.

However it was always the live buzz that really set us apart. I think we were searching for a way of performing our stuff that combined entertainment and delivery of a ‘message’. This from that time on, became the single most important aim of my musical career. Sam has summed up this period so well in his biog that really all I need to say is that when I feel a bit guilty about playing covers now, I know that back then we worked so very hard to give it go with our own stuff. Crazy Days.

Should say at this point that I first met Dave and Phil when I was working as a Science technician at West Leeds (boys) High School. Dave was part of a group of lads who used to walk around in RAF great coats. It looked like a scene from The Great Escape or Colditz when they met at break. We got talking at the parties we used to have after School productions and became good mates when he shared a house with my sister Helen and her boyfriend. Not a ménage et trois I hasten to add. At least I don’t think it was………..!?! Phil also got involved in school productions, he was a tall twat even back then. He went off to music college and I didn’t really get to know him as a musician until after I saw him and Dave playing in Monogy/stuff or somesuchlike.

Any way on with the bands, I cant leave out Eclipse. Eclipse……….Jesus!! Well, Eclipse was basically The Three Millions with Girls!! I still don’t know what the fuck we thought we were doing. I will spare many blushes by simply saying that there was a lot more interest shown (by the Three Millions) in the three female members of the ‘band’ than there was in the music. Hence a set list including Careless Whisper, Against All Odds and some song by Hazel O’Connor. The girls were Jill Minter, Belinda Burrow and a girl who played the piano (I think Sam might remember her name. Tee hee!!).


The Three/Four Millions was born out of some long chats Sam and I used to have on evenings when I was baby sitting my kids. We covered every conceivable issue, not always agreeing, but a fairly left wing line emerged which in time became the founding principles of the band. Music, Politics and Insanity was the motto. This was proudly emblazoned in red on our yellow t-shirts.

As Three became Four, John Hiley joined on guitar (later to be replaced by Russ Sowden) and Dave became the sound engineer. The band was very popular, the message and the performance seemed to appeal to a wide range of people and the gigs just kept coming in.

During this time, Sam, Steve (my brother who played bass in the Millions) and I went to see Bruce Springsteen and the E street band at Bramall Lane in Sheffield. This gig changed everything, at least that’s the way I see it . On the day it was pissing it down with rain, Bruce played a blistering first set to the assembled 35000. It was good but something was missing. As he left the stage, between the two sets he traditionally plays, Bruce said “we’ll be back in 20 to lay some serious rock n roll on ya!”. He was as good as his word. Nearly 2 hours of it, virtually no gaps between the songs, everyone in the stadium dancing (even the police!). He mixed his own crowd pleasers with rock classics. This was the way to do it. Rock music as celebration, entertainment, value for money and something to remember. I don’t remember the brilliance of the singing or the solos or the technicality of the drumming, it was just the best gig I had ever been to! We lapped it up. This was the way to do business with an audience and its how WE have tried to do it ever since.

Trying to describe The Four Millions thing is difficult, all I can say is that we still bump in to people for the first time now, who fondly remember the band. Crusher was recognised at a rugby match in Wigan as “t’singer int’ t’four millions” and I was recognised (twice) at Glastonbury by people from Oswaldtwistle (See! Sam said we were legends there!)
When Russ started work at the Halifax bank a few years back, on first meeting his boss the guy began bowing saying “we’re not worthy, its one of the bloody Four Millions”.

Although we were getting lots of gigs, sometimes playing three times a week, we eventually stopped rehearsing and as Sam has said things went a bit stale. The Four Millions slowly fizzled out and US4 was formed. It was wonderful to start a rhythm section with Dave we seemed to ‘click’ very quickly. Dave has a real enthusiasm for being in a band and this rubs of on me. In the years I was out of touch with the band I really missed his friendship. Anyway,the band was good and again we played some great gigs, but it was always a compromise for Sam musically, as he didn’t have the support on guitar that he needed (especially after playing with the likes of Russ!). However it is important to say that the root cause of Sam and I falling out was not musical or about the band. We are both very strong personalities and things were said and done which left no way back and bridges burned. In the end perhaps we needed some time apart?

But not the years it turned out to be!

Whilst all the above was happening Dave and I had also joined a band called Happy Salad. Phil was the main songwriter although we all contributed in terms of the arrangements and I even wrote some lyrics! This was where Dave and I cemented our musical understanding, we seemed to have a feel for the right stabs and syncopation to keep the rhythm solid but interesting. Neither of us are great muso’s but together we are a force to be reckoned with. Also Happy Salad increased my respect for Phil as a musician and performer, he was a bit quieter and thoughtful than I was used to, but he certainly knows how to rock and despite the bands weaknesses, we all learned a lot and had some good gigs.


During the time I was semi-retired from the Leeds covers band music scene, I played in a fly by the seat of your pants, under rehearsed unit called Object of Ridicule. Well we were! The band had me, Alex Kershaw from US4 and Neil Corbet (amazingly a relative of the Sooty Show Corbets!!) on bass. We played some gigs and I sank lower and lower behind my kit. I suppose at least it kept me vaguely in touch with live music but the only one with any real enthusiasm was Neil. He’s a great bloke and is now playing in a real band, good luck to him!

So as I have said, I had no contact with The Erics over a number of years (5+ I think?). During this time I had been wrestling with a number of personal issues which needed to be dealt with. Then out of the blue, in November 2003, Ruth and I received an Invitation to Dave and Linda’s 10th wedding anniversary bash. We talked about going for hours and decided that we probably wouldn’t. Then we got a follow up email, it seemed like an honest attempt to start to put things right between us all, so we decided to go.

I had heard, through friends who knew the band, that Nick was leaving for New Zealand, but I had no idea when or what the band had arranged for when he went. As it turned out Dave and Linda welcomed us at the ‘do’ and immediately put us at our ease, Dave gave me a hug which nearly killed me. I realised than how much I had missed the big get! Then Sam came over and we chatted for a minute or so about what had been happening, then Sam said “Nick is leaving” I said “yeah I’ve heard”, he said “Know any good drummers” and of course, I said “ well there’s ME”. That was it we both smiled and knew right away that things would be ok.

Phil arrived later and seemed to be beaming as he welcomed me back to the fold. Nick was also pleased that his place was been taken by someone he knew and who would enable the band to carry on pretty much as it had been.

The rehearsals went well very well and most readers of this will know the rest. Loads of gigs, a noisier drummer, a rockier edge to the material etc etc. The issues which had led to me and Sam and Dave falling out were dealt with over a couple of pints in the New Inn, as Sam has said it all seems petty now, but I think our relationships are all the stronger for having been through what we have together.

The Erics is a great band to be in, spending time with your best mates doing something as enjoyable as live music is about as good as it gets. Playing again has given me a great boost and I am really grateful to the people who come out gig after gig to support us. In the end the bands future is down to you, We’ll keep playing as long as you keep turning up!

And Finally:

Music has been a huge influence on my life. I feel duty bound to pass on some of the wise words which I have heard through songs and at gigs over the years. So here goes.

Now the hardness of this life slowly grinds your dreams away
Makin’ a fools joke out of the promises we make
And what once seemed black and white turned to so many shades of grey
We lose ourselves in work to do and bills to pay
And its ride, ride, ride a and there ain’t much cover
Without you by my side, my blood brother.
(Bruce Springsteen)
(There’s no compromise too great to make to keep people you care about close)

Answer a stangers cry for help, love your brother as you love yourself
You only have to seek and you will find,
Forgive your enemy and drop that grudge’
Don’t judge others and you wont be judged,
Only knock and the door will open wide.
(Martyn Joseph)

I could do without this gig tonight, I’ve been working all f*****g day and I’m knackered!
(Sam)

“Three pints of stella and lime please, any one else want a beer?”
(Dave)

I don’t like to leave a gig with less than £40 in my pocket.
(Phil)

1-2-3-4 come on, keep up you bastards, this isn’t too fast!
(me)

That’s it,

PaulXX

Thursday, May 19, 2005

leeds bike show gig photo
The most knackered we have ever felt after a gig!
. Posted by Hello
.
a big thanx to everyone who turned up on sat 14th may to the 4th leeds bike show
and a special cheers to full tilt
(gave us a few ideas for covers)
i know we've said it before but we really do love playing these bike do's , and they just seem to be getting better
cheers again and see you all in august
.
.
**NEWS**
Phil is going on holiday after the CARLTON gig. So we will be joined by, good mate and part time Eric, DAVE WILKINSON (Wilks) at the NEW ROSCOE (3/06) and CROSS KEYS (11/06) see you there!!

Wednesday, May 18, 2005

NEXT GIG
-
THE CARLTON CASTLEFORD
THURS 26TH MAY
-
IF YOU'VE HAD IT WITH THURSDAY NIGHT TELLY AND FANCY A GHANGE
POP DOWN TO THE CARLTON AND HAVE A FEW BEVVIES WITH US
ITS A GOOD PUB WITH A GOOD CROWD (AND A LATE BAR)
WE HARDLY EVER PLAY MIDWEEK GIGS
SO IT WOULD BE NICE TO SEE YOU
PLUS PAUL WILL BE HIS SHOWING OFF HIS NEW KIT
-
it's on the pedestrian main street
which is ok to drive/park on at night
opposite a rather splendid keebab establishment
(mmmmmm.........keebab)

Monday, May 16, 2005

** GIG CHANGES **

Make sure to check the BIG GIG LIST as we have changed some dates and added some gigs!!

Big thanks to All at Gem bikers gig on Sat. What a night!!

Thursday, May 05, 2005

Posted by Hello


SAM'S BIOG - Prepare for the Truth!!

Born 7th May 1961 in Batley

Bands:
Aqua Vitae 1977 to 1980
National Average 1980 to 1981
Proposition 31 1981 to 1984
3 Millions 1982 to 1986
Eclipse 1985
4 Millions 1986 to 1995
US 4 1995 to 1997
The Flashing Blades 1999 to 2001
The Erics 1997 to the present


Favourite guitarists: Bill Nelson, Rory Gallagher, Dave Gilmour, Santana, Andy Partridge, Ritchie Blackmore.

Favourite artists: Springsteen, by a country mile, XTC, The Clash, The Smiths, Pink Floyd, The Who.

Favourite guitar moments: The solo in Adventures in a Yorkshire Landscape by Bill Nelson of Be Bop Deluxe, live version. Awesome… Gilmour on Shine on You Crazy Diamond, Nils Lofgren on Springsteens Youngstown on Live in NYC.

Best gig: Supporting the Wedding Present back in 1990ish, whilst with the 4 Millions. Went down a storm, whereas they had their gig ruined by drunken nazi’s. Dave Gedge was stupid enough to say “If you’re gonna hit anyone, hit me!” They duly obliged and laid him out! We drank all the wine and beer on their rider, and ate most of the food too. Shouldn’t have acted the stars and turned up late should they? They had to send out for more beer. Very miffed apparently!

Worst gig: 4 Millions in 1991, at a travellers festival on the moors above Hebden Bridge. It was down a track that was barely passable, we needed a push up a slope into the field where we were playing, and we were ably assisted by a gin soaked crusty woman who reeked and shouted obscenities. We then found out that the stage we were supposed to be playing on had been taken down and used as fire wood the night before and we had to play under an awning attached to a 1960’s ambulance. We were offered various substances, edible and otherwise, by people with very dirty hands. We turned them all down… I also counted 25 fucking mosquito bites, little bastards.



Brief History:
Started playing guitar in the summer of 1977, joined a band called Aqua Vitae with Tony Gill, Martin Edgerton and Steve Brown in Feb 78, and played my first gig in May of that year. I have never ever been as nervous since, absolutely bricked it I did. It didn’t help that I knocked the lights over just before I went on stage and spent the whole gig standing on broken glass! Steve was a great songwriter from the legendary Mandarin Rat. Steve, and Russ, later to be in two of my future bands, made me want to pick up a guitar. Anyway, we played a few school and pub gigs, got a reasonable following, and I learned to play, basically. That fizzled out when Tony left to join the Resistance, who later became Proposition 31, with Russ. I joined a club band called National Average, earned good money for a year, and learned an awful lot playing with good musicians. I’ve forgotten it all now of course…I turned down a chance of going pro in early 1981, wanting to write and do the punk thing with Proposition 31, but I never regretted playing second fiddle to the bingo and meat pies, it taught me a lot.

Propo 31 was ace, with me, Tony Gill, a fine bass player, Russ Sowden, who was my geetar hero!!, and a certain gobby twat called Paul Richardson. We wrote some great stuff, spiky, angular punk, like XTC and Bill Nelson’s Red Noise, but not quite as clever. We got some decent support spots, some great gigs, and recorded music that I am still very proud of. It wasn’t to last however, and it gradually fizzled out as we all got married and our priorities changed.

I got into politics in the early 80’s too, along with Paul, and was a member of the Labour Party for 12 years. Out of that came the 3 Millions, consisting of me, Paul and Steve, his brother, and named after the unemployment figures under the evil creature that was Thatcher. We were a ramshackle affair, with some good, some awful, and Steve’s legendary song writing prowess giving us such classics as Ronald Reagan, and Nancy Reagan (a truly moving tribute to a lovely woman who Steve took a shine to…). Suffice to say, he didn’t challenge Dylan or Springsteen, more of a political troubadour with a humorous edge!

Eclipse followed with the infamous Careless Whisper. Alright, alright, the Beatles did Yellow Submarine, we all make mistakes, ok????

Moving swiftly on, the 4 Millions followed when John Hiley, a truly top bloke, joined and we made it into a proper band. Our very own Dave also joined as sound engineer and chief piss artist, a role he has steadfastly carried out to this day. We played a variety of songs, but all at 400 mph, with the Richardson drums being the driving force. John left in 1988 to go to Uni, but Russ came into the band and gig wise things really took off. His “Angus Young on speed” stage presence also upped the anti, energy wise, and Paul raised his game yet again.

We had a fantastic time, initially playing political benefits, ranging from the Labour Party, SWP, Workers Revolutionary Party, various Unions, Anti Apartheid groups and basically anything that was against the vile monstrosity that was Thatcher. You figured that I don’t like her yet? It then took off and we played everywhere, supported the UK Subs, Little Chief, The Wedding Present and just loads of great gigs.

Though the Erics is certainly the better band, I have to say that the buzz we had in the first few years of the Mills was awesome, and the gigs at places like the Central, The Grove, The Duchess, Sweaty Betty’s in Harrogate, Leeds Uni, The Royal Park and so many others were usually corkers, with just ridiculous amounts of energy being poured into every one.

My single most praise for a venue has to be reserved for the Golden Cross in Oswaldtistle, truly the rock capital of the Northern Hemisphere! I can only think that the locals didn’t get out much, or there was some serious inbreeding, possibly with sheep, knowing the area, because we were legends there. I have signed autographs on more than one occasion, and have given my plectrums away to drooling punters who followed us over to gigs in Yorkshire. Seriously, they were an incredible bunch who made us feel like superstars. We sold over a 100 of our seminal, groundbreaking tape release, The Owl and The Glaring Bollocks, recorded live at Sheffield University Students Union in 1990, in one night. Magic.

Possibly even finer was our night supporting the, wait for it, Bay City Rollers at Ripon College! Yup, you heard right, a beauty for the CV or what? The band and partners all bought tartan scarves and stood at the front swaying and singing, despite the indifference of the students, who were probably still in nappies when the Rollers had their 15 minutes of fame. Fantastic, despite the fact that Steve was ready to hit Eric for moaning about us taking too long to sound check, until he realised who he was! Bit of a temper, Steve, which got him a kicking at the Wedding Present gig above. He was put on security to calm things down, except he lost it and dived from the stage at some abusive Nazi. Unfortunately they all moved, leaving him to hit the floor hard, whereupon they proceeded to kick the shit out of him.

Nick, who was to be the drummer in The Erics, did the sound for us for 2 or 3 years, so the team was pretty much together for when the Erics formed. It ground to a halt in May 1995, having got a bit stale for a couple of years, but it cemented friendships that dated back to the 70’s. I first remember Paul’s unstinting loyalty as a friend when he watched me being beaten up in Morley Park in 1976. He put a sympathetic arm around my shoulder afterwards, perhaps missing the point that he could have jumped in and stopped it. Instead he watched from a safe distance! Heart warming…. Our friendship continued through the 80’s, he was my best man, I am godparent to his eldest daughter, and he introduced me to the joys of Springsteen and the Clash!

Anyway, US 4 was formed with Paul, Alex from drama, and Dave on bass. We had a great time, and played things at a decent pace, which was important, as both Paul and myself were no longer young men… Phil stood in a couple of times too, and I think we all looked at each other and thought, now if only this could be permanent…. Things went sour, and Paul and me had a major, major fall out in 1997, which in hindsight now seems trivial. However, at the time, there was bitterness, and we didn’t speak until November 2003. Daft bastards.

The Erics formed in September 1997, and it was clear that the band was different to The Mills. There was more musical quality with Nick’s backing vocals, and much more varied and contempary material. As a unit we all gelled quickly, and it was good to get to a point where we all instinctively knew what we were about to do. 50 gigs a year and lots of rehearsing brought us all close together, and the band atmosphere, for the most part, has been like a family. We played loads of different venues, had some awesome gigs, and just generally had a fantastic time!!

However, as we’ve said before, Nick’s propensity for sex with, ahem, more woolly creatures led him off to a land far away, and we can only say, cheers Nick, for everything! Great drummer and singer, and the hardest working guy we have ever met. Couldn’t take his beer though..;o)>


You know the rest, Paul returned in 2004, and we have regained not only a powerhouse of a drummer, but a really good mate too, who has added another element to the bands sound, i.e. even more noise! The spirit of the 4 Millions remains, we still have the love god Crusher on stage sometimes to make the ladies loins tingle, and Paul has lost none of his gob or his power that is accelerating my hearing loss! The energy that has been with us since the early days of the Mills is still the driving force behind why we do this, even in mine and Paul’s advancing years, and hopefully this chemistry transfers itself to an audience. I certainly hope so. We’ve certainly no intentions of growing old gracefully, though I can’t ever see us playing My Generation, a bit too much irony….. We’re trying to keep the material fresh, and the joy of playing live has never been stronger than it is at the moment. Long may it continue!!

Monday, May 02, 2005

NEW GIG ADDED

We will be playing a late afternoon gig at
The Crimea - Castleford
on Sunday 12th June.
We will be onstage for the first set at 4.30ish.

Some band members are bringing kids along (they can sit at the back with pop and crisps etc) - but if you decide to bring yours remember that we very loud!!

The revelations keep on coming heres DAVE's biog.

D.O.B - 14th December 1966 (good year for football , even better year for future curry house profits)
Musical training - I used to watch rockschool on bbc2
Most influential musician –PRINCE
Other favourites – Midnight Oil , Peter Gabriel, Tubes , Faith No More , Queen , Kiss , Marillion , Live , Chillis , Ben Folds , System Of A Down and more or less owt
i will basically listen to anything
Fave bassist – Gene Simmons of Kiss is the reason I wanted to play bass (that and the fact that I couldn’t be bothered to learn all those chordy things) but i do love tony levin who is best known for his work with peter gabriel
Worst gig – the final erics gig
Best gig – the next erics gig

History

Started playing bass in ‘82 in Bias (formally Black Night) with mates from school , playing our own stuff because we weren’t good enough to play anyone else’s. We wanted to be the next Heavy Pettin’ , unfortunately nobody had even heard of the first Heavy Pettin’ (have you?)
Played a few gigs at Haddon Hall Leeds and in Cas, recorded a demo and promptly disappeared off the face of Bramley , packed in playing bass in ‘83

I knew Paul through school but not that well. (he was the scary beardy one who hung around with the guy who looked like David Bellamy) Got to know him better through parties at his house after school plays and stuff . Also where I used to see Phil (he dint talk a lot , think he was scared of me)
The first time I ever saw Sam he and Paul were playing in a band called Eclipse or summat at the Black Bull in East Ardsley. The only song Sam sang that night was Careless Whisper (yes the George Michael one) rock n fookin roll or what?
Shortly after this in the early to mid 80’s I started doing lights for the Four Millions which featured Paul and Sam ( plus Steve , Russ , John and Crusher), the Mills were all about playing the best songs around , getting a point across and having a good laugh
(Full description of Mills in Sam n Paul’s biogs) After sacking the sound man I took over and we had about 8 or 9 years of constant gigging , parties , suspect beards , weight gain/loss , dodgy knitted jumpers and really good times. Stood in on bass a couple of times but used to shit myself when we played.

In the middle of all this in ’89 I got a call from Phil to see if I wanted to play bass in Monody so after 6 years gathering dust I got the old bass out and started rehearsing. It was about five months practice , one demo , one gig spent hiding behind the P.A. and Monody disappeared off the face of Rawdon

Carried on sounding for the mills , Phil called me again in ’92 to join Happy Salad , Paul came in on drums and Nick did sound , this was probably one of the best things to happen to me in respect to my playing. Because 95% of the material was original stuff so I had to write/play proper bass lines. Plus recorded decent demo. Had a good couple of years with Salads (mostly hiding behind P.A.) and made a couple of good mates in Lynne (keyboards) and Nick.

Then US 4 got together in ’95? With me , Paul again , Sam , and a lad called Alex who we all knew from St Johns am dram and Nick mixing plus the odd (very) guest appearance from Crusher. We covered a lot of indie and rock stuff and had some really good gigs with a great fanbase and a great sound , and I stopped hiding behind the P.A.

Phil would sometimes stand in for Alex and after a while , ‘97ish , the Erics were born with me , Sam , Phil and Nick on drums and once again the odd spot with Crusher. The Erics went down well from the start playing a lot of the recent indie chart n rock stuff with plenty of classics and the odd daft one. It just kept getting better and better with us averaging 50 gigs a year. (Including more and more Biker do’s) We were a lot more vocal driven with plenty of vocal harmony and Nick singing a couple as well.
Now and again Phil could’nt do the odd gig so a good friend of all of ours called Mart would stand in .

Me Mart and Crusher formed a band together called Little Man ,a stripped down punky outfit , which ran while I was still in the erics. Little man were fookin ace with me on bass and vocals Crusher on guitar and vocals and Mart (the animal) on drums. We lasted a few gigs but folded.


Around this time Sam started to stand in on bass for The Flashing Blades , a well established rock covers band , and when the guitarist left sam took up his duties and I came in on bass. The band were me and Sam , Brian on vocals and the big ‘un Woody on drums (a great lad and a great mate). We played a shitload of gigs over the next couple of years while me and Sam carried on with the erics and had some really good times but in the end it just seemed to fizzle out.

Then it happened again and Little Man were reborn but this time Woody came in on drums and Mart played lead guitar. We learned a load of new stuff played a few gigs but folded again.

And while all this was going on The Erics were still gigging 50 times ayear and just going from strength to strength , after a while I began to sing a few lead vocals which opened us up to a few more songs. And just when everything was going great Nick left to live in New Zealand which was a total shitter , but it did mean that since ’04 Paul has been back where he belongs.(with his mates)
Since then the set has really changed with Phil now singing a couple and loads of new material. Also we have updated our P.A. and backline plus altered the lights to add to the show. And this is just the beginning!
All I can say about the Erics is that it is the best band I/we have ever been in. and on a good night we just know what each other are thinking/ gunna do. And you just don’t get that feeling very often in life, never mind in a bloody band! See you all soon.

Yours – Dave – the sexy one
Plus I would like to take this opportunity to thank my missus Linda who has driven me to hundreds of gigs

Free Guestmap from Bravenet.com Free Guestmap from Bravenet.com