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Leytonstone Ex-Servicemens Club, 2 Harvey Rd E11 3DB
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 Blues Jam Profiles
Adrian Shaw
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Adrian Shaw
Drummer
Are you local?

Not really, but only 40 miles up the M11.

Where are you from, originally?

Liverpool but moved south to Harlow when I was 5 and brought up around Stansted.

What's your tipple?

Real ale and Scotch Whisky.

What's your earliest memory?

Climbing out of my cot.

What was the first record you ever bought with your own money?

That would have been old 78rpm records from a boy scout jumble sale to play on a wind-up gramophone - also bought at a jumble sale, it was an Edison Bell Discaphone. My first new vinyl record was probably Chicken Shack's "40 Blue Fingers Freshly Packed" in 1968 - or was it Fleetwood Mac? Can't really remember - well it was the 60s and I was there!

...and do you still have it?

Alas lost long ago... Still got the Fleetwood Mac though.

Any hobbies/interests?

Apart from drumming I love to restore old cars and repair and make things.

Do you remember the very first gig you went to? What was it like?

Black Sabbath at Ewell Technical College in about 1968. I was up front next to the PA speakers and my ears are still ringing over 40 years later! The band came on very late and there was a funny burning smell coming from the dressing room. It was incredibly loud and heavy, and probably put me off Heavy Metal ever since!

Worst job you've ever had?

Selling advertising space in an accountancy magazine - only lasted 2 days.

What's your claim to fame (not necessarily musical)?

Got a Millenium Products award from the Design Council for an invention in 2000.

Don't leave us in the dark, then - what was it?

To qualify for the Design Council Award it had to be British, innovative and ecologically friendly. I applied and got accepted.

It was a software program that ran on a laser printer. It took text print data and overlaid it onto a graphical background stored in the printer. The purpose was to enable the replacement of multi-part pre-printed stationery and impact printers with a modern laser printer using plain paper. The product was called FormCard. I was in business with my brother Malcom and we made a good living out of it for several years. Here's a clip from the Epping local rag:

If you could invite 6 people (past, present or fictional) to dinner, who would you choose?
  • Stirling Moss
  • Ben Elton
  • Kate Moss
  • Jack Dee
  • Joanna Lumley
  • Helen Mirren
Been playing/performing long?

Been playing drums for over 40 years but only seriously for about the last 20. It was close to my 40th birthday that I realised that I had to play drums seriously. I bought a kit, took lessons and the rest is history...

Been in any bands?

Occasionally played in Loose Talk - a three (and sometimes four) piece function band.
Occasionally played in Buzz With The Fuzz - a blues band.
First proper band was Kevin Webb's Doghouse. Was with them for about 4 years
Best band I was ever in was Stevie King's Bluecats.
There were a few others and some the one-gig-a-year type.
Did the house band drumming at Bishops Blues Club Jam in Bishops Stortford for several years and was house drummer at the start of the Hot Hob Jam in Brentwood.

What first got you interested in the Blues?

Rambling Jack's Blues Club at the Railway Hotel, Bishops Stortford in the late 60s. Saw Fleetwood Mac and Free amongst many others. John Mayall, Clapton and Cream were a big influence.

What other types of music do you like to listen to/play?

I play a little Banjo Ukulele - George Formby stuff.
On drums, I enjoy all R&B including Soul, Classic Rock - basically almost anything with a beat. I listen to Radio 2 and all that type of stuff.

Favourite Blues artists?

Clapton, Stevie Ray, Peter Green, Lately Matt Schofield and Ian Siegal.

Favourite artists (any other genre) ?
Ever been lucky enough to meet or share a stage with one of your musical heroes?

I played drums at a Jam with Ian Seigal in Bishops Stortford. It was magical at the time.

Favourite instruments and/or equipment?

Obviously a good drum kit. I currently have a Mapex Orion large kit and would now like something smaller and lighter to drag around. DW (Drum Workshop) drums are the Rolls Royce of drum sets so a small DW kit would be great.

If you had to sum up your relationship with the Blues using just one word, what would it be?

Cathartic

Who would you pick (past or present) for your dream band?

I was in it with The BlueCats and it was a dream become reality so no need to fantasise:

  • Stevie King - Guitar / Vocals
  • Alan Vincent - Guitar / Vocals
  • Cormac O'Prey - Bass
  • ...and obviously, me on drums!
Most embarrassing moment?

There have been a few - far too embarrassing to talk about.

Proudest moment!

When my son Tom graduated from university. Now waiting for my daughter to produce a grandchild.

What do you most enjoy about the Blues Jam?

The cameraderie and getting a chance to play with other great musicians in a relaxed situation.

If you could travel back in time to be present at one moment/event in musical history, what would it be?

Woodstock.

Who would they cast to play you in the movie of your life?

I don't know enough actors to answer that one.

Marmite: - Yes or No?

Yes - I love it.

If you were invited on "Desert Island Discs", which 8 records would you choose?
  1. Alone Again Or by Love, from "Forever Changes"
  2. Higher Ground - Stevie Wonder, from "Innervisions"
  3. Hideaway - John Mayall's Bluesbreakers
  4. Fire - The Jimi Hendrix Experience
  5. Ice Cream Cakes - The Jeff Beck Group
  6. Prelude / Nothin To Hide - Spirit, from "The 12 Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus"
  7. Cinnamon Girl - Neil Young, from "Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere"
  8. Good Day Sunshine - The Beatles, from "Revolver"
...and what would be your luxury item?

A packet of Marijuana seeds.

What is the most important lesson life has taught you?

Be humble and grateful for what you have and take each day as it comes - you never know what the future holds.

Finally: go on - tell us a secret!

I can't, because then it wouldn't be a secret any more.