So Neale, how long have you been playing and how many bands have you been in before Weathered Rock?
After Voyeur I had several years off then a drummer friend coaxed me into having a go with a band called Mingos Locker. I loved it, playing upto date chart music and they had and still have a very popular following with some fantastic memorable gigs particularly when doing the Maryport blues circuit.
And what are your musical influences?
My musical influences stem back to first hearing the classic stuff from Status QUO - favourite songs are Caroline & Down Down. Since playing bass however I really like some of the 70's funk bass groves (sorry) but all becomes clear again when an AC/DC riff strikes up. The modern band of the moment must be Muse.
How does it feel being the first newbie the band has had, taking over from a founding member?
How long have you been playing/singing and how many bands have you been in before Weathered Rock?
My first Band came about when I joined the 2nd Cleator Moor Scouts and the Late and Greats Tommy Stewart and Jerry Dixon put me straight into the band playing side drum and before long I was in the front row! In those days ‘Short pants were the order of the day and it used to get cold around the Cenotaph. Apart from real cold days at Remembrance parades I’ve got superb memories of the band leading off many Carnivals and playing at Fetes, Galas etc.
Then my Dad made a life changing decision when he stopped me buying a moped and gladly gave me money for my first drum kit. It wasn’t very long before I was practising with my first band and suddenly a working ‘Beat-group’ came for me just after I started my apprenticeship at Sellafield. They were called ‘The Phlok’. Great days for me, we played up as far as
After the Phlok I joined a trio called ‘Treble Chance’ with Joe Peckford and Clarke Mossop which led onto a very successful duo with Joe, a great singer. Can you imagine drums and one guitar with no backing or tapes, but thoroughly enjoyable. I messed about in other things and then got into ‘Dance Band mode’ at the Cumbria Ballroom with the Bob Foley band. Great fun but serious stuff because rigid tempos were necessary to play the likes of Foxtrots, Quicksteps, waltzes, as well as regimental dances such as the Pride of Erin’. We also mixed it with a bit of pop stuff.
Sometimes six nights a week we were there and I never knew what function it was until I got there. Great lads and musicians who became friends like Bob, Brian Hodgson, Brian Rudd and the immaculate Joe Brown who incidentally was the young brother of one of my Reds Heroes, the Legendary Bobby Brown.
After that I joined the Leslie James Duo to make a trio. I met Jimmy McLean and John Leslie when their duo often played at the
Laura (Joe’s sister) was the singer with Bill Neesham and Brian Rudd making up the five piece. We had a great following around the Workington area. That must have lasted a couple of years or so until I asked them for a month off because I was planning a European Championship trip to
Then it was a Rock band called ‘Reactor’ with the Legendary guitarist Barry Dunnery, excellent Bass player Mike Bird, Keith Kane (Rhythm), Keyboards/trumpet Frazer Hogg, and singer John Maudling. From what I can remember we played decent stuff including the likes of Steely Dan, and Joe Walsh –probably drank too much in that band, but ….great!
When Reactor was through I started doing residential work beginning at the Labour Club at Mirehouse playing with the fabled Organist Dave Beattie. An experience I will never forget. After Dave left, a band was formed there with a whole host of musicians turning up week after week. Then I was asked to play at the Cleator Moor Working Mens Club when the drummer (John) of the famous
John and I became great friends and drinking partners until he left to join Violinski after he had penned his ‘Clogdance’ teaming up with his mate, violinist Mick Kominski of ELO fame (who frequently came to see John at the Moor). Murial Wilkinson joined us on the keyboards and we remained like this until Jimmy and Murial left to form a duo. I managed to get David Taylor on Keyboard and took on the duties as ‘compere’. I used to recruit different people in to play with us for periods like Tom Tyson, Dave Proud, John Maudling, Don McKay and Bobby Cullen amongst others. Dave Taylor was a fantastic keyboard player and a brilliant trombonist to boot. We had a great few years until he got a job in the band on the QE2. The rascal used to send me postcards from all over the world.
Then Muriel came back to join me and we stayed together until the Club changed format and it was time for the residents to go.
A fantastic 12 years at the Club playing with great musicians. I loved it! …..and I’ve got a lot to thank the Club for’ because that’s where I met Nicola.
So that's forever and a lot of bands then!
What’s the best part of being in Weathered Rock?
The best thing about being in the band for me is that I’m able to play songs that I just have not had the chance to play before. The other pleasing thing is that the other band members are not just prepared to rehearse and put out a song….it has to be right!
What are your musical influences?
Influences are too many to mention, but through the times obviously the Beatles music got me. The first drummer I really tried to copy was Bobby Elliot of the Hollies, then many others got my attention including Steve Gadd’s drumming in ’50 ways to leave your lover’ and I’ve got to mention Billy Cobbham, John Bonham and Frank Hall.
What’s the best song that the band play?
Too many to mention. I love the Lizzy stuff, Guns n’ Roses, Wishing Well, …particularly like ‘You Shook Me’…….nah .. love playing loads.
What song that you haven’t done would you most like to and why?
Lido Shuffle.
If you could be or have been in one other band which one would it have been and why?
Probably the Hollies……or
What was your take on the studio?
Studio was Great!!! Tom’s real cool and an old mate of mine. Got to go back soon.
You seem to have gained quite a following – any message for the fans?
My only message to my adoring fans is……get the kettle on Nic’ and you two get to bed!
Finally, what's your ambition for the Band?
To keep on enjoying it!!!!! and keep on Rockin!
How long have you been playing/singing?
This is my first band so I guess it’s just over a year, although if singing in the car counts then it’s about 25 years!
How many bands have you been in before Weathered Rock?
None
What’s the best part of being in Weathered Rock?
Lots of things. I’ve been a music nut for 30 years and never thought I could ever be in a band so it’s a dream come true for me. I never thought I'd ever get the chance to do this. Add to that the fact that the other three are such great guys and musicians and it couldn’t be better. It’s also introduced me to other music and bands through the search for material. If I had to pick one thing though it would be the friendship of the rest of the band and their families.
What are your musical influences?
I own nearly 700 CD’s which range from Marvin Gaye, through the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and Thin Lizzy to Judas Priest, but most of my music is melodic rock and bands that most people haven’t heard of like Harem Scarem, Saga, Mecca, Tyketto, 91 Suite and TNT, but my favourite band is Journey.
What’s the best song that the band play?
Top of the World?? or maybe Still in Love With You
What song that you haven’t done would you most like to and why?
Xanadu by Rush because it’s an epic and very different to what we usually play
If you could be or have been in one other band which one would it have been and why?
The obvious answer is Journey because they mean so much to me but another would be Motley Crue for the full on rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle - by the way even though this interview is after Polks', he nicked that line from me!
What did you think about the studio experience?
Extremely rewarding. Much harder than I thought it would be, lots tougher than singing live but the end result is amazing. It also showed the class of the other three. Nearly all of the music was done in one take, especially the drums and the bass. Tom did such a good job on production and I can’t wait to get back and finish it off.
You seem to have gained quite a following – any message for the fans?
Yeah, thanks. There’s a core of about 10 people who come to most of the shows and they’re awesome – really appreciative and we get some great feedback that helps us to improve. If we didn’t get a good reaction we wouldn’t do it, the people at the gig’s make it for me
Dave, how long have you been playing and how many bands have you been in before Weathered Rock?
I started playing bass when I was fifteen and played in a band until I was eighteen. I picked it up again aged 42! So I suppose I've been playing either 28 years or 4 years depending on how you look at it. I was in one band previously, called Roadhog that I formed with some mates from school.
And where do your musical influences originate?
My favourite band is Led Zeppelin and I've spent a lot of time listening to how John Paul Jones went about his business. Phil Lynott's style also influenced me a lot and I still aspire to play like John Entwistle or Flea from the Chilli Peppers who is the best out there at the moment.
What for you is the best part of being in Weathered Rock?
Watching and listening to the other three members.
What do you think is the best song that the band play?
Has to be Still Got The blues, it's just quality.
And what song that you haven’t done would you most like to and why?
It's a waste of time me answering this one as I haven't made it through the panel with a suggestion yet! If they ever listened to me I'd like to do some more blues. Something like 'Oh Pretty Woman' for example - you can actually hear the bass guitar in that. (Editors note - no chance!)
If you could be or have been in one other band which one would it have been?
Motley Crue or Guns 'n' Roses for the off stage antics if you know what I mean
What did you make of the studio experience?
Great to watch Paul and Pete work their socks off after Keith and I had laid the backing down first time. I spent a day and a half holding the sofa down.
Any message from you for your adoring the fans?
Yeah, the girls need to wear fewer clothes!
Finally, what's your main ambition for the band?
Simple really. A headline arena tour supported by Deep Purple and Judas Priest during which I would collapse on stage having drunk 8 bottles of Jack Daniels before the gig. Now that's Rock 'n' Roll!!
Thanks Dave
So Paul, how long have you been playing and how many bands have you been in before Weathered Rock?
My dad taught me 3 chords and House of the Rising Sun when I was 10. Been playing guitar ever since. I've been in 4 other bands, Limelight and Blueprint when I was 16 (proper cheesy! actually played Bachelor boy live!), moved on to Voyeur in the 80's, joined a proper Heavy Metal band (cant remember what they were called and left because I never once heard a single note I played so I don't count that as a band) and played resident in the Calder Club - which was pretty good as we played rock material. Needless to say we didn’t last very long as it interfered with the bingo!
And what are your musical influences?
My first big influence was Status Quo! I remember the first time I got my amp to overdrive and realised I could get a similar tone. Moved quickly on to Thin Lizzy and they remain a major influence. I still find it hard to resist putting twin leads into every original number. The one time when I’ve been completely stunned by a player was the first time I heard Eddie Van Halen (remember Beat it?). I'd packed in playing at that time and it was that number which got me back into the guitar. Didn’t have the foggiest how it could possibly be done! Moved on to people like Gary Moore and for the last few years Yngwie Malmsteen, Paul Gilbert and Mr Bettencourt have been major influences. Malmsteen plays stuff that’s physically impossible but we try our best!
OK, but what’s the best part of being in Weathered Rock?
Playing all my favourite songs, performing with people who feel the same way and the relaxed, no pressure environment. But mainly the people in the band. The professionalism, enthusiasm and the development within the band has been fantastic to experience.
What do you think is the best song that the band play?
Difficult question as I love most of them. Originally it was Still in Love with You but I think now it’s between Still Got the Blues and Knocking on Heavens Door.
And what song that you haven’t done would you most like to and why?
There are a number of songs we can’t do because of the format (i.e. we haven’t got another guitarist or keyboards). However, there are still plenty of numbers we can do. I'd like to do something by the Foo Fighters; I think they’re a great band. Paradise City by G&R (tried it and it didn’t work) and Living on a Prayer by Bon Jovi. Also Id like to look at some more modern material, there are some great new rock bands emerging.
If you could be or have been in one other band which one would it have been?
I want to be in Thin Lizzy!!!!!!!!!!! They taught me how to play guitar. Malmsteen would be a pain in the arse.
The band has just been into the studio for the first time. What did you make of the experience?
One of the most enjoyable experiences I’ve had. Something I’ve always wanted to do. The process and technology fascinate me and it’s something I want to do again soon. I remember how the first notes I played sounded as they came back through the headphones and thinking "this sounds awful". To then to witness how that resulted in one of the best guitar tones I’ve had was amazing!
And in terms of your live shows, you seem to have amassed quite a reputation and a healthy following. Any message for the fans?
I’ve been blown away by the support and encouragement we have received. I’m flattered beyond belief that anyone would spend the time and expense to come and support us and want to take this opportunity to thank them all.
Finally, what's your main ambition for the band?
I want us to be the best we can be! We're nowhere near yet and I’m excited about how good we can get. I want to concentrate on our own material and produce a CD that we are proud of at a professional standard. I want to write the best Rock song of all time!!!!!!
Thanks Paul.