About Artist
MUGGS:
Summary: experienced, versatile, flexible on hours/days, own quality gear, own reliable car, fully committed, 100% honest and solvent.
I'm looking to join a quality pro-minded Band, to which I can bring the completely focused (almost obsessive!) dedication that contributes to taking us all forward to great things and have loads of fun along the way.
I am now free of existing musical contractual commitments and ready for something new and exciting. I play Detail and Rhythm Guitar do Vocals/backing Vocals and can do main Vocals if required, having stepped in a fair few times for 'no-show' or 'problem' vocalists! ;-)
BACKGOUND:
Predominently a Rhythm and Detail Guitarist (have own pro-standard gear), Songwriter, Vocalist/backing/co-lead/lead Vocals.
I don't take myself (or 'life') too seriously, but do take making good music well VERY seriously and as a committed and dedicated musician, I have a pro-minded attitude towards being in a successful commercially focussed band and respectful of other compent musicians of all genres and towards all music genres.
I have my own reliable car for transport and all the necessary good quality gear to Gig/perform/Record, etc. in a professional manner, in most circustances.
I prefer being part of a creative progressive Band, that's writing and performing original material, as I actively write music myself (which has been very well received) to experience the process. I am a versatile sort of person, open to new opportunities and fresh ideas with a professionally minded approach and attitude, along with a reliable, non-egotistical down-to-earth character. I completely love music and do it as well as I can, for optimal enjoyment and satisfaction.
DEEPER BACKGROUND:
I've been playing for some years now, and a bit on-and-off for a while until recently, due to an alternative and satisfying successful career in High Tech Industry, that was VERY demanding (yep, a 'proper' job), and made playing in bands practically impossible due to work/travel commitments, etc. However, following a monster car crash 5 odd years ago, I have returned to working part-time in my career and to music again part-time, and have been playing in a number of good Bands, as a Detail or Rhythm Guitarist and often as the Vocalist too, and very occasionally as a Bassist. This was in addition to writing some of my own material, and working in my own Session Band 'Praxis Cadre' and with other quality Bands, etc.
I am Freelance Self-Employed status (working flexi-time 16 hours a week) and a Musicians Union Registered Member with the necessary Performers Insurance, for live work, Gigging, Recording, etc.
GEAR/BRAND ENDORSEMENTS:
Guitars are Gibson, Epiphone, Fender and Ovation brand, set-up by professional Luthier Tom Waghorn, of Waghorn Guitars in Bristol. All guitars are loaded with Elixir Nanoweb/Polyweb strings. Apart from where the brand Custom Shop or similar pick-ups are installed, I favour the pick-ups of Seymour Duncan. All my Guitars are set-up, serviced and onwardly maintained by the respected Professional Luthier Tom Waghorn, of Waghorn Guitars in Bristol. Anyone who knows me, will tell you I have a preference for the vintage stuff.
GEAR:
Amplification: Mesa/Boogie, Mesa Engineering, Boogie, Fender, Trace Elliot, Session, HH and Hiwatt.
Speaker Cabinets: Mesa/Boogie, Mesa Engineering, Fender and Trace Elliot.
Pedals: Boss, Mesa/Boogie, Mesa Engineering, Boogie, Session, MARS, Roland, Digitech, etc.
FURTHER BACK:
I played professionally (subsidised with part-time jobs and Freelancing, etc.) when younger, with some very notable moments in amongst plenty of the regular unglamourous slog stuff: battle of the bands finalist Sheffield (80's) with 'Reflex', various Freelance Sessions, stand-ins, Dep's, etc., Rhythm Guitarist for 'Inlaid Brass' (Commercial Dance/Swing Band) in the 80's, Rhythm Guitarist for 'The Dean Westward Group' (60's revival cover band doing Pubs, Clubs, and Weddings, etc.) in the 80's, Rhythm Guitarist for 'Gerry's Band' (70's 80's Classic Rock covers band) in the 80's, Rhythm Guitarist for 'Tigerstripe' (New Age Fusion Rock, on Independent Label), Rhythm Guitartist for 'Reflex' and 'Relay' Heavy Metal Rock groups (signed and published), Rhythm Guitar in 'Davey Jones' (ex-Monkeys) backing band on the QE2 (Depping) following being a Cunard Talent Competion winner with 'Roulette' my own Modern Jazz fusion composition (still performing that today!).
MORE RECENT STUFF:
Lead Vocals and Detail/Rhythm Guitar for 'Heavy Plant Crossing', Indie Blues Rock Originals Band, and prior to that Vocalist and Rhythm Guitarist with 60's inspired Indie Rock Originals Band, 'The Lucky Aces', Lead/Rhythm Guitar and Vocals for Rock Originals Band 'Shock Reaction', Bassist and backing Vocalist for 'Prayz', Rhythm Guitarist (Depping) for EMO Punk Originals Band 'Dead Inside', recent bands include: Lead Vocalist and Rhythm Guitarist for 'The Cull' (Indie/Punk Rock Originals), Rhythm Guitar and co-Lead Vocals with 'Sweet Deception'(Bristol based Blues Jam Band), Rhythm Guitarist and Backing/Co-Lead Vocals for 'Strange Brew' (Tony Veste's and Kris Richards' top semi-pro Blues Cover and Originals Band), Lead Vocals and Rhythm Guitar for 'Shock Reaction' (Indie Rock Originals) Rhythm Guitar and Co-Lead Vocals for 'Praxis Cadre' (Blues/Rock/Jazz Fusion Studio/Session Band/Originals), some Session Rhythm Guitarist and occasional Vocal work with the brilliant Session Lead Guitarist Ellie Morgan and equally gifted Session Acoustic Guitarist Steve Coliins (Dockside Studios).
FUTURE:
Looking towards the future, Original material in Indie Rock, Indie-Pop, Pop, R&B, Blues, Soul, Blues, Jazz/Blues Fusion, Retro, 60's Style, Progressive Rock, Classic Rock, etc. I'm highly flexible and versatile. As mentioned ealier, I can play Rhythm and Detail Guitar and Lead co-Lead/Backing Vocals as required.
GEOGRAPHICS:
South West geographics are preferred to keep travelling time and expense reasonable, ideally with pro-minded Band consisting of others with a similar 'go for it!' attitude. I have personal transport and have all my own gear, including top quality leading Brand Guitars (Gibson, Fender, Epiphone, Ovation), Amps (Fender, Mesa/Boogie, HH, Session, Boogie, Hiwatt & Trace Elliott), Cabs (Fender, Mesa/Boogie, Trace Elliot) and the usual Pedals and Ancillaries, etc.
OBJECTIVES:
Basically, I'm looking to work with a successful Band to get (or already be) signed or have Independent Production/Distribution arrangements and aim to be Published widely, gain Radio Play and Festival performances, and to be a versatile member of a focused, pro-am/professional/semi-pro/pro-minded Band where the sky's the limit. I have no problem with doing the slog, to build up fan base, as it's a necessary element for any credible Band's development process. Overnight successes can take 5 years!
My own material has been very well received and market-tested in many live performances and some has been recorded by myself and other artists.
Photo Album
Contacts
Email:
Website: www.myspace.com/murrayas
