After intense therapy I managed to conquer the embarrassment
of the school musicals, ( I was young I needed the money ), and
it wasn't until I reached the ripe old age of 17 that I met a certain
Gary Howe, ( Four Worried Men ), and John our drummer, and we formed
a rock band.
After a few years of messing about and getting nowhere
we teamed up with a great guitarist, Colin Bruce, ( Tadpole Pie ),
and our band Goldfish was born. Eventually the band ran it's course.
Colin left to become a dad and Gary joined South Shields second best rock
band, Four Worried Men, ( only kidding lads ). John and
I decided to stay together and find a new bass player and guitarist.
As if by magic Dean and Vinny appeared. Dean and I
knew each other already. We went to Mowbray Road School together. Dean
and Vinny had been in bands together for a long time and they were looking
for a Drummer and Vocalist. A meeting was arranged and over a few beers
at The Voyager pub we thrashed out a plan and Smackwater Jack emerged
from the womb. It was January 2000.
The next three months or so were spent rehearsing material.
I was finding it difficult at first. Dean and Vinny had a heavier taste
in music to me. This suited John down to the ground. I found myself singing
Van Halen and AC/DC, instead of Robbie Williams and
Bryan Adams. Eventually my voice adapted and took on a harder edge
that had never been there before.
Nowadays, even covering the likes of Aerosmith
and Bon Jovi has become less painful to the throat. Playing
in the band is a great laugh, John's drumming is as solid as ever. Dean
and Vinny are two very accomplished guitarists and along with their backing
vocals it gives the band a great sound.
Thanks for listening to my inane drivel. Keep coming
to the gigs, it wouldn't be the same playing to an empty room. You make
a happy man very old ! Cheers
Darren
|