Well the gig I did with Tripzilla and Jakamo was such a success that we were asked back again to the Beer Engine for Saturday 5th May.  Unfortunately, some members of Jakamo can't make the gig but we're on for Tripzilla.

As it's a Bank Holiday there is entertainment throughout the weekend and we've been given the slot of 6pm.  Hopefully if the weather is as good as it is currently, we'll be playing outside in the garden.

The band is one step closer to having the completed line-up - we now have a permanent and very talented drummer.  Ben has been with us for a few months now and has exactly what we've been looking for, he has that really great heavy right foot that is needed for the kind of grooves we will be playing.  We now just need a frontperson and perhaps another instrumentalist to add another texture.  A band myspace page will follow soon.

Also, I have added a gig to my page - Due to geographical issues, a Jakamo gig has become an increasingly rare event, however, that is what is happening on Sunday 8th April at the Beer Engine.  This will be a particularly special gig for a number of reasons - Jakamo will be playing acoustically but more importantly I will also be playing bass for the headlining band Tripzilla.

The reason for the gig is to say farewell to my very lucky friend Gaz who is leaving the UK to start a new life in Santa Monica, he will be playing guitar for Tripzilla.  This is a band we were in together, along with John, many, many years ago and never gigged with this line-up – we will be playing songs written from that time.

I'm now fully focussed and determined to form a top quality funk-jazz band (with a little world music thrown in) down here in the South West.  I have an awesome guitarist onboard, a real musical thinker and a joy to play with.

I'm looking for other musicians; drummers, vocalists, keyboardists, horn players and percussionists. If you think this is something you might be interested in being part of, please get in touch.

Anyone who thinks being in a funk band is just about wearing a shirt and tie or a funny hat need not apply.

Well, I finally got around to finishing this track on Sunday, I've had a rough version on my page for ages.  It's an idea I've had knocking around for a while but because I've been recording the two tracks with Tripzilla over the net for the Blind Melon tribute album, I haven't gotten round to it.  Visit http://www.myspace.com/gazobones to hear one of the tracks - Mouthful of Cavities.

ACOMI is a little rough around the edges and may make as much structural sense as a Mr Bungle track but I'm quite proud of it - drums come from my very talented and anonymous friend.

Feel free to post comments.

Having given it quite literally months of thought I've decided to leave the Soul J's, it really hasn't been fun for a while and I've been feeling restricted by the very nature of the band.

I've also been feeling particularly creative these last few months and due to lack of interest have had to find other musical outlets which is where the Tripzilla projects have come in.

I wish the Soul J's well, should they choose to continue, I've really enjoyed certain aspects - supporting Maceo Parker was a particular highlight although I'm gutted that while I was meeting the bass player I didn't realise he was the legendary Rodney "Skeet" Curtis!  Perhaps I would've gibbered a lot more, so I guess ignorance may have been bliss.

So, as has been my position of late, if anyone is looking for a bass player for absolutely anything, get in touch and we can have a chat.

Have just posted a video from July 2003 of me playing a track with Jakamo in Coventry.  I posted it mostly because I love the guitar work on it, my bass parts are actually pretty minimal.

Sam is a great guitar player, he can play those gritty, dirty solos so well and every time I go back and play with those guys again, he's just getting better and better!!

I wish I could play music with those guys every weekend.