Actually, it's because a) I have a Gibson Explorer guitar (you can see it in the sidebar), and b) I was once in a band called 'Explorers' (named after the guitar!), which played a few gigs consisting of cover versions of songs by Metallica, Judas Priest and the like in the Bedford area in the early 90s.
Explorers was originally a four-piece band, but our vocalist Jamie quit after a couple of gigs - I forget the exact circumstances. After that, I took over vocal duties as well as guitar, and we remained a three-piece. Mark Lawson was a constant on bass, and we alternated between two excellent drummers as their other commitments allowed (tarts!): Alan Brackley, and Chandi Hubert.
Here's a photo of us playing in Danny's Bar at 'Esquires' (which will be the subject of a whole other post!), with Al hitting the skins:
I can even tell what song we are playing from the chord shapes and poses! ('For Whom the Bell Tolls' by Metallica).
Although I'd never claim to be much of a vocalist or lead player (rhythym suits me just fine), the best thing about being a three piece was that we got more beer per head than larger bands. Danny always gave a box of Beck's (24 bottles) to the bar band, no matter how many members...do the math!
We didn't play many gigs, but we did have a great time. Someone* thought we were quite good, too!:
(*June 2009: I've since confirmed it was Karen Spicer)
The biggest gig we played was on the upstairs stage at Esquires (PA, monitors, lights and everything!), supporting local punk rockers 'The Tendons' on the night of their infamous 'pigs heads' gig.
This led to the now classic 'PIG SICK!' headline in the Bedford Citizen the next week. It's right up there with 'The Filth And the Fury':
If only I had the Citizen article as well.
If only I had the Citizen article as well.
UPDATE June 2009:
And now, courtesy of Tendons drummer Charly Codrington, here it is:
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