Several long time members of the band have now
left, Jon being one of them. Dr A is heading for more blues club gigs,
which unfortunately seem to take place mid week, which proved impossible
for those members with a full time job. He will be missed greatly and we
wish him luck with his future endeavours.
Baptism of fire or what!!?
We picked up this Corporate IKEA gig in early Sept 03, while Mick was in
Rome. Mick was already having trouble making our existing gigs and would
have to bow out of most of 04's gigs owing to recording obligations. So
what to do? We needed a dep. for Mick damn quick. Jon learnt all the
numbers in two weeks flat, we had two rehearsals, did IKEA proud and he
has done all gigs since that date. Mick waited until we were happy with
Jon then backed out of the band to pursue other ventures. Now that Jon
has left the band, Mick has returned, we have come full circle!
Jon started playing guitar seriously at age 13, having done the 'one
note shuffle' for the previous 5 to 6 years (says his first choice was
drums, Ho Hum). He played in various local bands throughout the 70's,
most of which he can't remember the names of (got another Valli 'ere,
definitely the 'rock 'n' roll lifestyle', innit?), apart from the
infamous 'DP Gumby and the Ferret Thashers' the original 'Iron Maiden'
no less and 'Bang'.
After a good few years trying out other things, such as excessive
drinking and marriage (so which came first then? Ed.) the latter
being the casualty, Jon started playing again (does this sound
familiar? Ed.). This lead to a gig and live CD recording with Nil
Turner (Hawkwind) and Twink (Pink Faires/Hawkwind).
Later, gigged and recorded with Flatfield.
Switched over to Bass Guitar, playing roots reggae with the ill-fated
Jah Leaders.
Jon has been for some time the stand in lead guitarist for The Mary
Hinge Experience (The Hinge), when Paul Oakland can't make it. The fact
that he has played as many gigs as Paul probably means that he is no
longer a Dep. Still it keeps in the family and The Hinge is our sister
band anyway, having four common members.
Jon first saw Blues Consortium in July 2002 and kept secret his
ambition to play bass for us one day. It was only after the IKEA gig,
with a big grin, did he let on.
So one happy bunny then! That'll be the well end that's all well, then?
Ed.
If you'd like to find out more about Jon, please visit his MySpace
page:
www.myspace.com/jonny6string
Musical Influences:
- Beatles
- Stones
- Dylan
- Jimi Hendrix
- Peter Green
- Can
- Frank Zappa
- Lee 'Scratch' Perry
Albums:
- Pinkwind Return as The Hawk Fairies - Live at the Purple Haze (Twink
Records, 1996)
Musical Ambitions:
"Make rock 'n' roll records, sell 'em for a dime….."
Favourite Position:
Right by the exit door
