I am 10 years younger than Larry and looked up to him as a role model whilst young and getting going on the drums.

I got my first ‘real’ drums at the age of 9; bought second hand for £17. They would have been more at home in an African village than suburbia; the skins were even made of real leather and they were brilliant turquoise. I taught myself basic rudiments and beats until my Dad found me lessons in Chesterfield with ‘Sound Incorporated’ drummer’s father Morris Fogg - a local jazz legend and Buddy Rich Double.

I learnt to play Jazz, Military Rudiments, and gained independent playing skills quickly my Drum teacher pointed me in the direction of a ‘Premier’ - the kit of its day with Paiste Cymbals. Like Larry I got Bored of being taught quickly and just wanted to get out there and play.

I am the middle child and my older sister was a huge influence over my taste in music which varied from The Clash, Bowie, The Police, Echo and the Bunnymen, Hendrix, Blondie, Susie and the Banshees, the Sex Pistols, Simple Minds, The Waterboys and she even took me to my first gig in Leeds to see U2 in Concert on the Joshua Tree Tour. So I really grew up with their music from a very young age.

I signed my first record deal at the age of 17 with a Local Punk/Rock Band We continually toured the UK and Europe for 12 years and I spent a lot of time in recording studios all over the country co-writing and producing having signed several record contracts. The highlight of these years was listening to Radio 1 and heard the legend John Peel raving on about how unique we were on the release of a single called ‘Sometimes’ in 1989. Those were the glory days and I owe a lot to 'Durango 95' for teaching me the music industry so quickly and getting me into pubs at 16 years old. This work also led to me appearing in the Paralex Pictures Film ID as a Football hooligan and a Police Office in 1994 Great Fun and the money was great too.

So, why a U2 tribute act?

I have bought every U2 Record/Tape/CD/DVD since the War album was released; I have been to every U2 tour since the Joshua tree. I have queued for U2 tour tickets over night and been at the front of the queue for their new releases since I was 12. They kind of get under your skin – four ordinary lads from Dublin making intelligent music for the masses.

"It’s a musical journey" I want to be a part of. I have respected and learnt alot from Larry Mullen Jnr. musically since 1983 and love his simple, dynamic, big hitting approach to playing. He was a role model when growing up along with Stewart Copeland and remains a dude in my eyes. This is the first cover band I have been in and loving ever minute. I am a perfectionist musically so, If you’re going to do it, then it has to be right in my world - so it has to be U2-2. They are what I consider to be a bang on match. The band tell me i am a Loud drummer/too Bigger hitter and ask me to play a little softer - my answer is "Get a bigger PA system!"

Drum Talk: To help recreate the same drum sound as U2, I have managed to put together two of Larry Mullen Jnr's many drum kits ZooTV and more recent 360 tour Kit (Picture1 Picture2 Picture3) . Using the exact Drums as Larry, 24BD W. FP9310 Pedal, 16FT, 16FT, 14RT and either a Brady Sheoak Block 12x7" Snare W. Remo Pinstripe heads (ZooTV, Popmart) or 14x6.5 Ludwig Black Beauty Hand Hammered Snare (as used on 360 tour) the exact same complement Paiste Signature Cymbals 14" Sound Edge Hi Hats or 14" Heavy Hi Hats, 22" Power ride, 18" 17" 16" Power crash and 18" Full crash and LP tambourines/cowbells. I also have Larry's matching Djembe and will be using on the Acoustic shows. Fortunatley Yamaha UK have declined remaking the 'Yamaha PHX 360 Tour Shell pack in silver sparkle' at the mo - so that has saved me a further £6500.00 =] In 2005, I saved for a Roland TD-20 only to find larry using this kit on the writting of NLOTH album a great kit to practise on as its fairly quiet to play in the studio

So thanks for having me boys, it looks like the pin board notice worked after all.........… Hee Hee…

I look forward to seeing you all on the road soon =]