My Journey into Music

Inspiration to Start Playing

My inspiration to start playing came from music, particularly disco music. There's one song called "Le Freak" by Chic, and that was one of the first singles I ever bought.

• At the time, I didn't really understand what the bass, drums, or other instruments were, but I knew there was something in the song that I really loved.
• I started with drumming lessons, alongside my best friend, Yank, who was also taking drum lessons.

We both loved funk and disco, but we thought, "We're both playing drums. How are we going to make music?"

His brother gave me a bass, and I began trying to play, specifically copying some bass lines from James Brown. However, "Le Freak" was one of the first bass lines I listened to in great detail.

First Sessions

Bernard Edwards was the guy who inspired me to start playing. The first bass session I played was for Soul to Soul on a song called "Fair Play."

• I remember being in an art school foundation course at around 19 or 20 years old.
• At that time, the Brand New Heavies were doing lots of shows at a club run by Jazzy B from Soul to Soul called the Africa Centre in Covent Garden.

Jazzy called me up, saying he liked my playing and invited me to the studio for a session. I had no idea what to expect; I had never been to a studio before.

• To prepare, I got my student union to loan me some money to buy a bass, wanting to show off my skills as a top session player.
• When I walked into the studio, I saw Nelly Hooper programming on the Roland 808, a cool drum machine from the 80s.

There was a beat going, and I instantly had an idea in my head. Since they were more of a dance-based band, I thought it would be cool to introduce a bluesy bass line. I played the bass line for the entire track without editing it, and they loved it!

I suggested adding a keyboard part, even though I'm not a keyboard player, and it worked beautifully.

An Exciting Moment

One of the most exciting moments was being in a band and achieving success when I called my mum to tell her we were going to be on Top of the Pops.

• Back in the late 70s and early 80s, "Top of the Pops" was the show, with an audience of 20 million viewers.
• Getting on that show meant you had made it, and to share that with my mum was incredible. She was thrilled and started telling all her friends.

The Joy of Playing

Playing the bass is the most fun thing I could ever do. It's something I absolutely love and doesn't feel like a job.

• When people ask what I do for a living, it feels strange to say, "I play the bass" or "I'm in a band" ? it just doesn't seem like a job.
• Playing takes me out of reality; it's kind of escapism. If my kids are freaking out or I've had a rough day, I pick up the bass and escape into another world.

When I'm writing a song on the bass, I often have no idea what I'm doing until suddenly an idea comes out.

The Power of Friendship

The band started at school with two friends. Sometimes I think if we weren't friends before the band got successful, we probably wouldn't still be together 25-30 years later.

• Friendship is essential because you go through ups and downs. In the beginning, it's all fun and games, but once success comes, the dynamics change.
• The money starts coming in, and people become dependent on you, which can dampen the initial fun and creativity.

Having friends around you who love you and see you as a regular person is vital for grounding and confidence. I believe having the right people around you is crucial for longevity.

The Magic of Performance

If you're thinking of starting a band, even after 30 years in the business, it still feels incredible.

• There's still magic in it. Even though I've played some songs thousands of times, each concert is unique due to different crowds and lighting.
• We don't over-rehearse, and I encourage everyone to treat each show as something different. Always try to play something slightly differently, and it still feels great because we don't tour constantly.

Closing Thoughts

Our fans are incredibly loyal, not just in the UK but also in America, Japan, and Australia.

• I believe that having good songs and giving it your all on stage each time makes a difference.
• When you're genuinely enjoying yourself and connecting with the crowd, people notice. We may not have a massive roster of songs, but we play every one with heart, joy, and smiles.

It's a privilege to be doing this for so long!