Musical background: I’ve had a long-term split musical personality; one half indie strummer (current squeezes include Muse, BRMC, Mew, Interpol) and one half blues gurner (myriad affections include Freddie King, Albert Collins, SRV and Matt Schofield). I was finally starting to figure out how to glue my musical halves together only to discover that John Mayer had beaten me too it, with aplomb. And a handsome face. To allow me to be professionally bitter about this, I recently took some time out from more sober pursuits and polished my musical skills at The Bristol Institute of Modern Music, belatedly developing my musical passion a little more seriously, and expanding some horizons. I came away with a dollop of new confidence, silly facial hair and a wealth of inversions, extensions, alterations, super-impositions and substitutions to try out on unsuspecting audiences.

Musical influences: I’ve tipped my hat to most of the greats along the way. But with my Soulside hat on, there are only two gents who really matter: Steve ‘The Colonel’ Cropper and Nile Rodgers. I’ve tried to get under their skin in seeking to deliver authentic soul/funk grooves. Occasionally though, the beast comes out and its time to lean on the wah wah! Just occasionally.

Best moment in Soulside: I honestly love every time we play, in rehearsal or on stage. Its a rare joy to be able to play in such a slick and professional outfit, and I love the energy of this band. But so far, my favourite gig of all was probably the recent Bucks Farmers Ball at Aylesbury Civic Centre. Because of the wonderful, wonderful stage and acoustics (the best sound I’ve ever had from my kit), a great audience, having our own support act, and a brilliant all-round vibe. What more can a guitarist ask for? (Groupies?). Too bad that they have shut the Civic centre (as of today, in fact) and will soon tear it down. Like the London Astoria, all the best venues end up bull-dozed… :(

Gear: It will always start and end with the Fender Stratocaster. My workhorse is a particularly tasty ’62 Vintage Hot Rod Strat. She fights back a bit, and I like that. I have a few other axes to back up the Strat (not all at once!), including a Gibson ES-335 for a bit of meaty class, a Fender Telecaster for no-nonsense sizzle, and a Yamaha SGV800 for some retro silliness. I also am the proud-but-poor owner of a Two-Rock amplifier. Rarer than moon rocks and knee-wobbling tone, this unassuming wonder is one of the best tools a guitarist could ever hope to own, and the others will tell you that I have an unhealthy relationship with it, the liars.