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Drums: Colin

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Past activities

A long, long time ago in a country far, far away was born a small, bald, endlessly loud and annoying Scottish child. 47 years and more later, this child remains bald, Scottish, endlessly loud and annoying, but maybe a bit bigger.

For my 3rd birthday a neighbour gave me a toy snare drum. Approximately 2 hours later, my parents gave it back.

Sometime in the late 80's I went to see a band at the Royal Standard, I forget who, but Tokyo Rose springs to mind. They were (and I mean no disrespect to Tokyo Rose or their following, if it was indeed them), completely garbage. On that day (actually at the gig itself) a guitarist friend and I decided to form a band. With an inability to play any instruments, a bit of a singing voice, but an ability to write words (sometimes in order), I bought a drum kit. According to some people, I can even play the damn thing!

After sodding about with a few bands, I co-founded Nothing But Trouble with a few guys in Luton. Two Glaswegians, a Geordie and a Maccam in a rock band in and around London! Aptly named, I think you'll find.

After 4 years playing the usual places and some record company interest, we decided to split up as we hated each other (although one of the guitarists is one of my best friends to this day, big up to Harry!)

Then I just stopped playing and concentrated on work and making money. Then I gave all the money away to women and just concentrated on working.

After I moved down to Kent, I rediscovered my love for hitting things as hard as humanly possible. After being sacked from a couple of bands for being TOO DAMN LOUD, I auditioned for this bunch of reprobates, who decided that TOO DAMN LOUD was just what they wanted before we went through another personnel change (or 2) and became the Hardtail we know and love.

My style of drumming can be summed up as... expensive. Things break on a regular basis. Cymbals warp and crack within seconds of being attached. Drumsticks break. Not an unusual occurrence you may think, but I use aluminium Ahead sticks, not puny bits of tree.

The band philosophy is simple and one I thoroughly endorse. Play songs by bands people know and love, but not the obvious ones. Play them well (you be the judge) and have a lot of fun doing it!

Equipment used

  • Mapex kit (22" bass drum, 12" and 14" toms)
  • Pearl brass 13" x 3" piccolo snare
  • Lots of cymbals in various makes - 20" ride, 15", 2 x 16" and 18" crash, 12" and 16" china, 10" splash. Told you... lots!
  • All mounted on a Pearl Icon rack
  • Tama Iron Cobra twin kicks
  • Tommy Lee Ahead sticks

Musical influences

  • John Henry Bonham and Neil Peart
  • Led Zeppelin, Queen, Floyd, SAHB, Rush and the other usual suspects
  • Most modern music sucks, but I highly recommend Muse, The Answer and Airbourne
  • Monty Python, Eddie Izzard, Douglas Adams and Robert Rankin have also played their part

Away from the drumkit

  • Comedy, music, wine, collecting art and, most importantly, K-L who is also my biggest influence