Got some sad news today, one of my best mates passed away on Thursday, Ian or "Smally" as most people new him was one of the funniest guys I have ever met and also a really talented musician. Smally's first love was playing bass, but he also played guitar and piano, one of those people who can pretty much play anything. It was him who first got me into playing an instrument, the bass and I can honestly say I would never have got into playing and writing songs if it wasn't for Smally.

He played in a band at school, "The Menaces" with Tony Smith and Gogs McLaughlan, heavily influenced by Madness, his favourite band. Later he played in "Coloured Dreams" with Gogs again, Tam Cassidy and Kev McGowan.

Things took a turn for the worse a few years back when he was diagnosed with Parkinsons disease and had been sadly gradually getting worse. It was Kev who told me today that he had passed away, for anyone who knew Smally and want to pay their respects, the funeral as far as I know, is on Wednesday morning at 10am in St Mungo's church Alloa.

RIP Smally, you'll be missed mate.