When I was a kid, growing up in a house with Cat Stevens, Neil Diamond, and Simon and Garfunkel, the first time I ever heard Kiss's "Detroit Rock City," it was a moment of musical epiphany. It was just so vicious, aggressive and mean. It changed the way I listened to music. I've had a few minor epiphany's since then, when you come across a band that just brings something new and revolutionary to your ears.
What have been your musical epiphany moments?
Hearing Rock n Roll star by Oasis, as a 15-year-old kid hearing that compared to what all the people around me listened to resonated with me like nothing else.
Who has influenced you the most?
Liam Gallagher, Richard Ashcroft, Miles Kane, Bob Marley.
Where do you look for continuing inspiration? New ideas, new motivation?
I look at the people around me making music, there's so much great stuff out now that people don't hear and it's hard not to add elements of that to your tracks.
We're all a product of our environment. Tell us about the band's hometown and how that reflects in the music?
I'm from Birmingham, Musically I'd say right now there's nowhere better than Brum, no matter what you're into it's here and you can just get soaked in it, as for influence from Birmingham, I think the biggest influence comes from my football club Birmingham City FC, the football casual culture goes hand in hand with the music I make.
Where'd the band name come from?
My Mom and Dad.
You have one chance, what movie are you going to write the soundtrack for?
This is England or Joker.
You now write for a music publication (The Ripple Effect?).You're going to write a 1,000-word essay on one song. Which would it be and why?
The Drugs Don't Work by The Verve.
Come on, share with us a couple of your great, Spinal Tap, rock and roll moments?
Hopping a guard rail to meet Liam Gallagher was pretty cool, or maybe raiding a bar with my pals a few years back and getting told "there's more in the back" when we got caught.
Tell us about playing live and the live experience for you and for your fans?
Whether it's an acoustic set or the soon to be full live band set, what you see is what you get, no nonsense, hard hitting tracks that come from a place of wanting to be the best I can possibly be.
Lyrics for me are a lot more important than people say they are, obviously the melody's gotta be there but I think you need to have something more, you also need to have a meaning for a song to be truly great.
What one single album do you wish that you'd written or performed on, and why?
The Stone Roses, it's just a great album and encapsulates everything I want my out of rock n roll.
What piece of your music are you particularly proud of?
I'd have to say my latest single "Her Love" available now on all major streaming platforms, its heartfelt, passionate and just an all round great track.
Who today, writes great songs? Who just kicks your ass? Why?
There's so many great upcoming artists at the moment, I'd have to say, Candid, The Sherlocks, Andrew Cushin and Lock In are probably my favourite upcoming bands at the moment.
Vinyl, CD, or digital? What's your format of choice?
Vinyl all day long.
Whiskey or beer?And defend your choice
Beer for the pure reason I can drink more of it.
We, at the Ripple Effect, are constantly looking for new music. What's your home town, and when we get there, what's the best record store to lose ourselves in?
HMV Vault in the city centre is great for finding music.
Gigs, Gigs and more Gigs.
Any final comments or thoughts you'd like to share with our readers, the waveriders?
If you're thinking about making music just go for it, don't let people deny you of what you wanna do, be yourself and smash it x.
