h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hi Sho,

I just popped in past your space from a conversation with Vegiman. I had a quick look round and found we have a lot in common.

I'm a big Genesis and early Marillion fan, have a couple of kids 12 & 7. I did 16 and a half years in the Royal Air Force, and play in a Rock Band. It's a shame you live so far away else I'd invite you to our next gig. Do you play or sing at all? Have you checked out the Musician's Guild? There's a drop down menu link at my space if you fancy having a look.

Catchya L8R

Bassman

Hi,
Happy New Year to you!

Phew! I must pop by Vegiman's space, haven't been there in a while.

How did you like the RAF what did you do? I was in the Intelligence Corps and I loved the Army, but I'm glad I left when I did (it got all butch). Do you play in the band full-time? I'm jealous. I don't play, sing or anything. Just enjoy live music. You never know (I'll stop by your space in a bit to see where you are) I might come & see you play (I get back to UK about once a year usually).

My Uncle (only about 4 years older than me) plays bass in a band, I used to go to band practice sometimes - I had to pretend to be someone's girlfriend usually to keep the groupies away!

So, do you prefer Fish or (the lovely) Steve Hogarth? I think it's almost like having 2 Marillions, which is great. I'm playing a lot of Classical stuff at the moment, must be the christmas spirit, but this evening is dedicated to Frank Zappa (because I was doing something else on his birthday) and ironing. We (husband and I) also observe St. Bob of Dylan's birthday (wedding anniversary) and John Lennon's death day (my birthday). What a pair of sad gits, but it's a good chance to listen to loads of good music!

Nice to hear from you, and hope to see you around again....

Sho

I was devastated when Fish left, although in the tour program for Clutching at Straws, they said they had tried hard not to make Misplaced Childhood 2.... I thought they had, but nowhere near as good.

I actually got to sing into Fish's mic at a gig in Elgin, on a warm up for his solo european tour in 1993.

I think you're right they are two totally different bands - I really love "Hooks in You" I'd really like our band to do that.

I'm a Flight Simulator Maintenance Engineer by trade - as I was in the Air Force, until they made the whole of our trade redundant in 1996. Never mind, thy gave me loads of money to go away, and I'm earning half as much again as I was, and I can grow my hair - God - why didn't I do it years before??

One of the reasons I left the Army was that "someday I might want kids, and I don't want to have to leave because of a baby", also I was sick and tired of having no-brain officers trying to tell me what I was doing (when I had been doing it 10 years already)and and and... but I always felt that being in the Forces was addictive despite all the stuff I didn't like (and I loved going on exercise, which probably makes me mental anyway). One thing I don't miss is always being on duty on New Years' Eve.

I saw the Clutching at Straws tour in Munster, I always felt hard done by never having seen Marillion in UK. (nobody at the front shouting "Give us a bun" etc. I like that album better than misplaced childhood, but it's close. I also love Hooks in You, Beautiful is my favourite though. I'm a sucker for slop. I fell in love with Steve Hogarth when I saw him interviewed by Selina Scott once - they were flirting like mad, and I'm sure he told her more than he had intended.

Do you do that bass player thing (like, always being laid back, and always being the coolest guy in the band?)

I suppose I do, do that Bass player thing, I'm always on time as well - usually the first at a gig or rehearsal. I sometimes have to go from work which makes me late because I don't finish 'till 19:30.

Our keyboard player is well laid back, hellofa nice bloke He's got the castor fitted to the back of the head modification. The drummer can be a bit moody. The guitarist and vocalist are married, so theres never any friction between them (NOT)

Don't finish work 'till 19:30!!! what time do you start? That's really depressing at this time of year when you go to work in the dark, go home in the dark and spend most of the time in between under artificial lighting.... I do and I hate it.
I'm sure that a quick glance at Being in a Rock Band for Dummies would confirm that the guitarist & vocalist have to be married/living together. Actually I "played" keyboard (the legacy of 6 years of piano lessons as a kid) in a band once and did a bit of singing, but I'm slightly asthmatic and am particularly bad with dry-ice, so I gave it up. I was crap anyway

I do 12 hour shifts, 4 days 4 off, 4 nights 4 off. It pays the mortgage!!

When I served at Kinloss in the North of bonnie jockland, some winter days the sun never made it over the horizon!! There again in summer it only ever went dark blue in the evening.

I really enjoyed excercises for most of my time in the mob, so I got branded "Nato Potato" the way you do!!

Bassman