Band Line- up | Tyne and Wear

this machine is:

Norman McGlen vocals

Fave music and influences: covers a wide range including:Bullet Boys, Duran Duran, Dead Daisies, Motley Crue, Magnum, Aqua, Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, Faces, Rolling Stones

I use: a radio mic and knowing smile on stage

Paul Richardson Guitar

Self taught, overly tall, 80's rock child! I've been playing for far too many years than I can remember from the age of 16 in numerous original, cover and tribute bands.

Musical influences range from Queen, Fleetwood Mac, Thin Lizzy etc from the 70's all the way to modern bands like Shinedown but the 80's rock scene was where it was at for me. Guitar faves are numerous, my top players being EVH (obviously!), George Lynch, Doug Aldrich, Warren De Martini, Reb Beach, Dann Huff, Brian Robertson to name a few (I could go on!!!).

Gear wise, I own too many guitars or not enough depending on your point of view!

Around a dozen or so Van Halen striped guitars (including a custom built mini Les Paul like Ed's)

78 Les Paul Custom

Les Paul Classic

some custom Strats

EVH Wolfgang

my first 'pro' guitar, a 1987 flip flop pink (!) Kramer Pacer Custom bought in, you guessed it, 1987!

Amps wise, I have a few modded 70's Marshall 100w heads and a number of 4x12 cabs and was once an endorsing artist for US custom amps, Splawn. However, I turned to the dark side 18 months ago and now exclusively use a Kemper Powerrack profiling amp.

I currently endorse Bacardi and Diet Coke and kebabs!!!

Le Sequel (AKA Alastair Hey) guitar

Grades 1-6 RSM on Piano. Grades 1-5 RSM Music Theory. Grades 1-5 RSM on violin. Music O Level grade A. Self taught guitarist , never had a lesson in my life, learnt by ear from playing along to records

Guitar playing influences: are varied....I love players who do things their way and commit to every note ..that's when something magical happens

Music that I love.....The Flower Kings , Big Big Train , Porcupine Tree , Steven Wilson , Rush , Black Crowes , Magpie Salute , Eric Clapton , Eric Johnson , Saxon ,Steve Hackett , Yes,Nightranger , Van Halen, Dave Kerzner., Spocks Beard ,Marillion, Deep Purple ,Queen , Led Zeppelin , Pink Floyd...the list is endless but these days I'm finding some of the best music is coming from the progressive rock genre

My gear is:

Guitars:

PRS Mira USA 2007 (core line)

Tattycaster (made up of lots of special secret ingredients)

Fender Squire Classic Vibe Telecaster deluxe (with secret ingredients)

AMP: Blackstar HT 50 watt head through a BlackstarHTV-212 2 x 12 Celestion loaded cabinet

All my guitar leads and amp connection cables are by Planet Waves...I use a TC Electronic Spark Booster to push out guitar solos

My strings are D'Addario Nickel Wound 010-046

my plectrums are Jim Dunlp Tortex 073

I get all my guitars set up by Martyn Ellison of Double Stop Guitars...

Neil Dillon Bass

Joined my first band aged 17 playing bass in a covers band which didnt last long. Since then ive spent the last 20 odd years playing in original bands as bass player, lead and rhythm guitarist, singer/front man, chief songwritter. Bit of a jack of all trades. But dont let me sit behind a drum kit it won't end well.

Seeing Slash in the Live n Let Die video when I was about 9 made me want to pick up a guitar so he is without a doubt my biggest influence. Fave bass players are Duff Mckagan, Mike Dirnt, Danny Mccormack, Jason Newsted and Nikki Sixx. Fave bands include Guns N' Roses, Metallica, Ghost, The Wildhearts, Kiss, Crashdiet, Reckless Love, Therapy? Motley Crue, Avenged Sevenfold, Greenday.

My main bass I use on stage is a Fender Precision. I've got a couple of back ups but nothing sounds quite like a good old Fender P Bass. I use an Ashdown Rootmaster 200 bass amp and cab.

Tony Croton (Drums and Percussion)

Playing drums for over 30 years and self taught, never had a lesson, I learnt to play tapping on my knees and watching other drummers. I gained a GCSE grade B in music playing the flute and writing music. My mother taught me basic piano.

My influences are: Ringo Starr, Buddy Rich, Nicko McBrain. Ringo was the first drummer I'd ever seen on TV and from that point i thought " I want to do that". Favourite Music; Hawkwind, my favourite band. The Beatles Pink Floyd Iron Maiden. My taste in music is very wide range.

My equipment : (Sometimes varies depending on location).

DRUMS

NATAL Originals Maple Kit finished in Champagne Sparkle

26x14 Bass Drum

13x9 Rack Tom

16x16 Floor Tom

18x16 Floor Tom

Drum Kit is a one off, only one in the world custom built

REMO Acousticon 14x5.5 Snare Drum

CYMBALS

PAISTE RUDE series

14" Soundedge Hi-Hats