News
GLASTONBURY
Had my first taste of the Glastonbury festival last saturday, playing with Thea Gilmore on the acoustic stage. It was a great gig and an all round fine experience.I managed to see a few of the other bands and got a taste of the event. Excellent...Posted 2008-07-02 14:16:45
THEA GILMORE RECORD..
I am very proud to be heard playing my drums on the brilliant new Thea Gilmore record LIEJACKER, which is released on May 19th. If you go to www.theagilmore.net you can read all about it and even hear some samples of the album. Order it now she is BRILLIANT...Posted 2008-03-20 00:47:24
Studios...
The year has begun and its all sessions for me at the moment. I have been doing cricketer Mark Butchers debut album, which was great fun and am due to be in the studio with singer songwriters Jo Birchall,Sam Roman,Phil Jordan over the next few weeks. I am also due to fly to the states to record the debut album for female singer songwriter Sarah Thiele, with producer Mike Lattanzi very soon. I will be appearing on albums by new band Katy Lied (Late Arrival), which is released soon and also on Thea Gilmores new album \'Liejacker\' which is coming out on March 31st in the U.K. Radio 2 have already started playing a track from the album called \'Old Soul\'. Listen out for it. A small video of me in session is now up on my my space, which you can access from the buttons on the left...Posted 2008-01-23 12:29:41
MERRY CHRISTMAS
A very merry Christmas to all who read this.....Posted 2007-12-21 12:56:16
Liverpool University
Thank you to Rob Strachen and all the students on the Popular Music Course at Liverpool University who were very gracious on friday in welcoming me to do a talk on the life of a freelance drummer. They didnt seem TOO bored and laughed in all the right places. I look forward to coming back again next year.I have played to many thousands behind a drumkit with very few nerves but the prospect of that was pretty terrifying until I began and their warm welcome and attention made me very relaxed and I actually enjoyed it.Posted 2007-11-03 23:41:23
Paiste Ad
I\'m very proud and honoured to be featured at the moment alongside J.R.Robinson, Jim Keltner, Ian Paice and many other great drummers in the gallery on the artist page at Paiste.com. Copy and paiste this link and wait for my ugly mug to appear !!! http://www.paiste.com/news/viewnews.php?newsid=447Posted 2007-10-26 00:54:38
Flights and T.V. and sessions and Zutons.
Just back from a journey to Siberia to do a private show with Patricia Kaas, the last one before she goes in to do her next studio album. It took 3 flights to get there and four flights to get back ! A jet lagged, cough ridden haze of a three day jaunt, but with a great gig in the middle of it, so it was worth it. No time to recover before I was in the studio in Liverpool the next day, with producer Mike Cave doing a track with The Zutons' Dave McCabe for an up coming compliation album celebrating Liverpool world record of No.1 artists. Had huge fun covering an old Frankie Vaughan hit from 1961. Thats strange because I had never met Dave before, yet we are also both on a track of Thea Gilmore's new album, which he had duetted on and now we do another track within weeks.Before i went to Russia I had done another TV show in Berlin with Barclay James Harvest, which should be on German television in March 08 (will update later) The new Barclays' tour dates are now on my TOUR DATES page as well.
I am also proud to announce that I have been asked to do a talk on Nov 2nd, to the drummers embarking on the Popular Music course at Liverpool University, on the life of the freelance session drummer. It should be an interesting 2 hours ( if not a little scary) for me AND them !!
Posted 2007-10-22 14:55:13
back and forth
The whole summer I\'ve been happily flitting back and forth to Europe doing festivals and private shows with Patricia Kaas and Barclay James Harvest and also a festival here in UK with Thea Gilmore. Just got back from Berlin where we did a big award show live.Another one happening on the 12th October. More sessions with Thea next and then off to Russia with Patricia. . .Posted 2007-09-21 16:11:44
Back Home..
Just got home yesterday after a couple of weeeks in Europe with Barclay James Harvest playing festivals. Massive bus journeys and VERY early mornings meant it was a punishing schedule and I\\\'m knackered ! Also because it was preceded by a flurry of studio work and shows which didnt see me have a day off in 6 weeks almost. Not complaining though. Completed my tracks on the upcoming Thea Gilmore album and did some very enjoyable shows with Thea, Terry Reid, Patricia Kaas and BJH. Some photos of which can be seen on my myspace....Oh yeah.. and for anyone reading this who works for B.A..... Shameful !! They lost a bag of my cymbals 3 weeks ago and I still havent heard anything...
Posted 2007-07-16 04:13:10
busy, busy...
A lot going on at the moment. Private Shows in Europe with Patricia Kaas, TV show in Germany with Barclay James Harvest, rehearsals and shows with Thea Gilmore and Terry Reid and sessions with the formidable yet cuddly producer Matt Clifford for a new artist and tracks for Thea Gilmore's new album. Then in July there's two weeks of festivals with Barclay James Harvest in Europe.All that whilst trying to cram in my teaching, hug the family and walk the dog !!
And... the CONTACT page is now working, in the sense that my e mail address is there if any one wants to get in touch....
Posted 2007-06-06 13:35:33
E mail problems
At the moment and for a few weeks, I seem to have a problem receiving mail from the CONTACT page, even though it states it was sent successfully. I therefore apologise to those who have sent mails to me without reply. I am trying to rectify the problem.Posted 2007-05-06 16:56:23
Breed 77 single
I can be heard on the new Breed 77 single 'Look At Me Now' which is released on April 23rd. Take a listen by clicking on my myspace link to the left.Its a great song (produced by Ron Saint Germain) by an excellent heavy band who are very uniquely merging Rock with flamenco(not neccesarily on this particular song i might add!).Posted 2007-04-11 23:53:48
jazzed up myspace
I feel a bit sorry for this site now because there is more activity on the my space site (click on the link to your left)I just jazzed it up a bit with the help of my daughter who knows all about this stuff. Take a look. Even some ridiculous videos going on.
Drum-wise I am just back from a great trip to Russia with a certain French singer who will remain nameless after the previous apology (see below) Had a great time apart from the bands luggage going missing for half the trip !! Managed to meet it again in Moscow and deodorise on the way home !
Going to see The Aeroplanes at The Casa in Liverpool on friday night. Great band. Google them....
Posted 2007-04-04 01:15:24
Funny and Vinnie..
Some more 'hilarious' misadventures on the MISADVENTURES page for your perusal ! Also I would like to take this opportunity to point anyone interested towards the Vinnie Colaiuta interview in last months Modern Drummer. It is the most articulate statement of what a freelance drummer should be, or any musician for that matter. Not only is the guy the ultimate musician, he is a remarkably eloquent one at that.Posted 2007-03-15 12:06:28
Apology
I would like to make a formal apology in the direction of my very dear french friends, particularly Mr Cyril Prieur. A show business legend, who admonished me for advertising the fact that I was accompanying Mlle Patricia Kaas on some PRIVATE shows she was undertaking throughout the world over the next 4 weeks. Apparently he had been inundated with requests for tickets from fans of the aforementioned chanteuse and this has brought stress and discomfort to a man who is already dealing with a huge change (positive) in his life at the moment.This leads me to two conclusions: 1. More people read my website than the six drummers and a goat in Scotland, that I had envisaged. For that I am humbled and grateful.And 2.I can even stress my poor French friend even when i am NOT on tour with him ! Sorry Cyril....Posted 2007-02-28 00:02:34
Juggling
Its an amazing thing when things just fall into place. It doesnt happen very often but the last day of Barclay James Harvest's U.K. tour just happens to be the day before Patricia Kaas starts a little jaunt east, to do some private shows. SO many times things clash and you have to choose what to do, upsetting yourself and other people, its such a nice treat when it dovetails perfectly and you can do it ALL....And just before I go, I can start an album with singer/songwriter Peter Kerrigan in Liverpool, which I am looking forward to immensely !! Hopefully finish it when I come back.Posted 2007-02-15 14:57:12
New Tour Dates and HAPPY NEW YEAR
Happy New Year to everybody in the world !! There are new tour dates on the site for my next jaunt on a bus/plane with a suitcase. In the meantime I'm juggling some studio dates and a teaching schedule...Posted 2007-01-02 01:18:02
Happy Christmas !!
Its a Happy Christmas to all of you who check in to my humble little site from time to time. I have just finished a brilliant two weeks in Germany with BJH and the Prague Philharmonic and it was one of the most enjoyable couple weeks of touring I have done. Just brilliant fun !! Back home for Christmas, now. There should be photos from the tour on the BJH site soon. Go to my links page and onto BJH page and Galleries. There are usually far more photos than anyone can ever need !! Well, with that I wish you all a healthy, happy and contented 2007.....Posted 2006-12-25 17:50:44
On tour...
I'm 1 week and therefore halfway through the German tour with Barclay James Harvest with the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. A marvellous time is being had by all. These orchestra people, apart from really entering into the spirit on stage are really entering into it offstage too ! They like to gather round an ashtray on the hotel floor they all frequent, when the bar has closed and smoke and drink until dawn. It must be a Czech thing !! They're very Rock n Roll ! They play and sound great too.....and no complaints about my snare drum volume....Posted 2006-12-16 22:06:35
Orchestra Stories....
Starting the rehearsals for the Barclay James Harvest feat. Les Holroyd tour with the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra in Germany next week. I am looking forward to that as I believe the Orchestra are used to this Rock n Roll thing and play in time with the band and everything !! One orchestra I did a tour with Patricia Kaas with , the Hannover Symphony Orchestra, just complained that my snare drum was too loud and refused to have monitors, so that they could purely watch their conductor.They didnt even want to hear us to play along with !! And they took a union 'break' in the middle of a song in rehearsals. Just stopped !! So...looking forward to encountering a more rock n roll orchestra....Getting a whole thing going on myspace now !! Got lots of new friends.....some good, some interesting......Posted 2006-11-29 00:04:35
Ukraine and MYSPACE
Well i have finally joined the self absorbed MYSPACE generation.You can link to it from the side bar on this site. Some interesting people as my 'friends' already ! You can also read my take on my recent trip to Ukraine, which is pretty controversial i feel !! Nothing wrong with an occasional controversy.There are also a couple of new links i have put up on this site which you may or not find interesting.Til next time...
Posted 2006-11-01 00:20:21
Thea Tour
Well we have now finished a very cool tour with Thea Gilmore, which was a very rich musical experience as well as a bit of a medical drama ! Thea being 8 months pregnant by the time we finished and very stoic and me developing a huge elbow after the 3rd gig, which turned out to be bursitis, but looked like an alien had invaded my elbow, it being the size of a grapefruit suddenly. I soldiered on with masses of anti inflammatory drugs and ice and many great shows were conquered after all. No time to really rest it with album tracks to do this week on another album produced by Nigel Stonier and a trip to the Ukraine with Patricia Kaas the following week and then a gig at In the City in Manchester with Liverpool band The Pearl.Posted 2006-10-13 23:42:30
New Photos, Funnies...
There are a load of new photos on the PHOTO page. A lot from the Patricia Kaas tour because it lasted 18months and we went everywhere ! In addition the MISADVENTURE page is back with some funny stories. Hope you laugh....Posted 2006-08-19 01:22:10
Radio Session. Releases, Interviews,Sheds....
Firstly, as I write this there are new developments on the site, with a load of new photos going up soon and an interview i did last October with German drum magazine Sticks, now on the PRESS page. Also i want to announce that Thea Gilmores new album HARPOS GHOST is getting rave reviews in the music press at the moment. 4 and 5 stars all round. Its released on August 21st. Go to my links page and to Theas site and then onto her My Space site to hear some tracks.I will be doing a live radio session with Thea on the Mark Radcliffe show on August 22nd on BBC Radio 2 at 10.30pm (available on line and on radio !) The rock band BREED 77 are releasing their new single BLIND on which i am bashing the drums, on September 4th. Go to www.breed77.net for a listen to that. In the meantime i have actually been doing some repairs to my garden shed. Not exactly shed BUILDING but very nearly...Posted 2006-08-09 13:56:01
Back In the USSR
Just got back from doing a private show in St Petersburg with Patricia Kaas. What a surreal experience ! It was held in the country retreat of the Russian President where the G8 summit took place. An amazing palace with thousands of acres surrounding. Our dressing room was next to the summit meeting room with the eight microphones still set up !A firework display that erupted after our performance was worthy of the Millennium celebrations. I cant imagine the expense of the evening.
Had lunch the next day at the restaurant of the offical Kremlin chef which again was ridiculous grandeur. Quite an experience.
In the meantime, Thea Gilmores new single CHEAP TRICKS is now playlisted on Radio 2 and comes out on August 14th.we did our 1st proper gig together at The Sage in Gateshead on 22nd July which went well. Hopefully i will have some photos from that gig on the photo page soon. There are some improvements taking place on the site imminently i hope....
Posted 2006-07-30 13:35:44
Update
I just had a great week in Europe with Barclay James Harvest playing festivals in Germany and France. Always have a great laugh and the shows were excellent too. Had one day at home and then back to France to play a festival with French rock band "Les Cochons Dans L'Espace" in a beautiful little town in Normandy, right on the main street.Starting rehearsals with Thea Gilmore next week preparing for her new album press launch in London on July 12th-13th which i am looking forward to. July is looking to be a busy month as i also have an album to do with producer Nigel Stonier, a festival in the north east with Thea and a show with Patricia Kaas in St. Petersburg, Russia on the 28th. Thankfully it all happens after the World Cup finishes so i wont miss England winning !!! Well you've got to be positive......
Posted 2006-06-28 19:44:26
Back on Stage
The Thea Gilmore tour dates have been added now to the TOUR page.There will probably be some added for over the summer hopefully. That will be the first tour I've done in England for ages, spending so much time abroad, so looking forward to that. Just came back from Berne in Switzerland where I did a show in Berne Arena with Barclay James Harvest which went great.I hadn't played with them for 2 and half years and with only a quick rehearsal it was a bit scary but all went well i think.There are photos from that if you go to my links page, then click on the Barclays site and then galleries and then BEA nights. Some nice shots on there..Posted 2006-05-10 12:03:49
sample sessions !
I have just spent a whole day in Revolution Studios in Manchester with a hi-hat !! Sampling various single hits with a million different dynamics. Sitting on a drum stool in a big live room with just a set of hi hats looked pretty funny. I did eventually get to play some patterns over some kick and snares which was slightly more interesting ! But.. hey, its work !On a more serious note i would like to bring peoples attention to a brilliant new Liverpool band; The Aeroplanes, whose new single is released on May 1st. Check them out, they're worth it, at www.myspace.com/theaeroplanes. Cheers...
Posted 2006-04-05 20:59:33
Message from Roy
It seems from now on i can enter the news myself on here, as the great Keith Crooks has cleverly been able to conjure up a way for a computer dunce like me to be able to write direct onto the site.Well, there should be some more regular news on here from now on as i will probably ramble on from time to time. Drumming wise i am still contributing to a sample cd compliled by Andy McPherson which he\'s been recording for 3 years and is now going to be released soon through a label in Los Angeles. I am very pleased to announce that i have been asked by the fantastic Brit-nominated,Mercury-nominated critically lionised singer-songwriter Thea Gilmore(www.theagilmore.com) to do some shows with her over the summer and a British tour on the release of her new album in September.I recorded her 2nd album with her in 1999 and its very nice to be back on the 'team'. I am also doing some shows with the mighty Barclay James Harvest in europe over the summer, which will also be fun being back with some old mates again.In the meantime i am going to watch The Sugarbabes on Saturday night in Manchester to sample the deep groove that is my friend Steve Barney !!
Posted 2006-03-22 23:59:28
UPDATE
Since finishing the Patricia Kaas world tour in October Roy has been back in the studio again with various artists in the north west of England, as well as completing an album by Dutch artist Riem de Wolff and contributing to the new album by rock band Breed 77, which reunited him with legendary American producer Ron Saint Germain, a great friend with whom Roy worked on many projects in the past whilst living in New York City.There will be photos from that session on the photos page very soon.Roy has been interviewed by German drum magazine:STICKS once again and that will also appear on the site shortly. In the meantime, Roy is juggling his session work and his teaching schedule and after being on tour for so long, is reaquainting himself with his family and his dog !