My Parents were ministers in the Salvation Army, I took up learning brass and piano from a young age,also singing in the choir.Self learning the guitar later on.That's me and my sister listening to music on nana's headphones (which I still have)
My first band was called ABC - (Aidan,Brent,Craig. We wrote songs about the girls at church and rapped lyrics out of the Salvation Army song book
Here's a sample of our genius lyrics ;-)
"ABC is the place to be / rapping down in harmony / so come along and get on down / cause ABC is back in town / AR,BH,CM 3"
Band Reunion a fews years on
I attended the Excel school of performing arts in 1995-96, touring NZ in the second year, Our set design was a large clock on an angle, I did some tutoring at the school for a few years after that.
In 1998 our talented friend Tim joined us on bass completing the three piece Partisan, recording our debut EP "Real" at York st studios onto 1/2" tape
We were 3 OK's which stands for 'Officers Kids' (Salvation Army ministers kids)
A quick snippet below from a practice leading up to the Parachute gig in 1999.Aidan wasn't happy with the how the practice was going,I felt sorry for him having to play to a click track as I loved programming lots of backing tracks! Things came together in the end for a good gig.
Teaming up with my best friend and long time musical partner in crime - Aidan,We formed Aslan / New Zealand boys / Partisan.Recording an album demo in Australia with the hope of heading to Nashville to break into the gospel music scene, pictured below with one of our influences - Kevin Max from DC Talk. The move to Nashville didn't quite eventuate.
A few more vids - Our first gig with Aidan's brother - Bryant adding some extra BV's
A gig back in Palmy, where ABC was formed,we only played one cover as a band which was 'Freedom' by WHAM!
These were my weapons of choice for
creating music : Ensoniq TS-10 Synth, Akai 1000 sampler and Technics gold edition turn tables (can't believe I sold them!) you can see nana's headphones on the couch :-)
'Jump house' music video filmed at Waiwera
hots pools sliding down one of the hydro slides countless times holding a custom made case with the camera inside.
Some clips from our first gig in 2001
A snippet of 'Old Skool' we may have had more success if we kept with this as our first single.This track got a NZ on Air grant for a music video and song but us and the record label (Sony) changed it for 'Jumphouse'
debut album 'Surrender'
I enjoy producing / mixing with the Audiofreaks production company.
