I had a good catch up today with an old school friend. Its hard to believe that nearly 20 years ago to the day, we were these spotty faced urchins who had just finished their exams. I will always remember my last exam, Business Studies, and couldnt wait for it to finish. That night a group of us headed off into town to the Roof gardens to celebrate. Little did I know 10 years later I would be sitting more exams, this time as a mature student at college. Those 20 years have certainly flown by. So much has happened over those years..some good and some bad memories.
So what was I doing 20 years ago. Well, I really had no idea what I wanted to do for a living. Deep down I knew it was going to be either music or art related. I was in my very first band, rehearsing in a tiny shed at the bottom of someones garden. Luckily theres no tape recordings of this band. I remember having to carry 2 keyboards, an amplifier, keyboard stand and other bits and pieces through Glouster Park to rehearsals and then carry them back, normally about 11 at night. I must have been mad!!! I was so much better when I moved onto guitar. Just the one guitar and amplifier. I still cant believe I used to do that. When we werent rehearsing we would be at the local pubs, watching bands play. Memories of the Roof Gardens...ahh the good old days. Then when things started getting a bit rough in there we used to goto either the Mirren Studio in the Towngate or off to the Castlemayne. Sometimes a hike to the Crown pub would be in order. I have no idea how we used to do it. I used to finish work at 5 and be home for 6. Have a quick shower and grab a bite to eat. We would all then meet up and head off to which ever pub had a band playing. After one or two pints (hmmm) we would walk home, often getting in around 1am. I'd then be up at 6:30-7am to be in work for 8...with no hang over and feeling fine.
Hopefully my guitar playing days arent over. I still have a small collection of guitars and basses. Maybe one day I will blow the cobwebs off them and give them another outing.

Please support one of my old school mates band - The Trees

I want this drummer for my band!!!!!

Please check out this video by one of my talented relatives.

After a busy weekend I set aside half a day to do some geneology. Its such an addictive hobby!!! I find it rewarding when you hit a brick wall then have to put in that bit of extra effort. Ive been very fortunate to have had help from Jonathan Brind who has spent over 20 years researching the Brinds family name. Today I visited the Essex Records Office in Chelmsford. If you are into family history, I would highly recommend a visit. Today I found pages and pages of new family history. Hopefully I will be able to tie up a few ends. Tomorrow I may possibly visit south London and see if I can find any more information. If you are interested in family history and are either looking to start out in it, or if you are stuck, please feel free to drop me an email.
This evening its back to designing the layout for the Basildon Arts Trail brochure. Im really proud to have been asked to design and produce this. I will also be having a think of what artwork I can produce for the BASFEST. If you have any ideas of iconic figures which would look good as artwork, let me know.

Ive been asked to produce a poster for X105s breakfast show 'Manksy In The Morning' .I origianlly produced a spoof poster but the station have now asked if they can use it. (Jono) Manksy appeared in a comedy horror called Black Sheep a few years ago. As New Zealand are renouned for the amount of sheep (I think the ratio is 20 sheep to one person...now thats greedy!!!), I thought Id play on it a little. The trailer for Black Sheep can be seen below.
Also today Im starting work on the layout for Basildon District Art Trails brochure as well as research various music locations in the UK, for a new series of artwork Im producing.

Kiwi Horror/ Comendy - Black Sheep