ANDYS PAGE

I started playing at the age of 14 / 15 being influenced by a mate at school who could the time honoured Status Quo riff from Sweet Caroline. Wow that sounded so good and looked easy too. Mum and Dad spotted me having a go on a neighbour’s acoustic and without much persuasion bought me an EKO Ranger 6 acoustic, which had a great action and at the time sounded good too.

It was an interesting time for Guitarists as the Police, Stranglers, Sham 69, - the punk era was just starting to happen and compared to my favourite band at that time – Camel, the punk material was certainly easier to play.

After being lumbered with playing acoustic guitar at the local church folk masses with future band mate Steve, we usually finished the gig off with Pretty Vacant – forgive me father for I have sinned. Steve and I got together along with a bass player and drummer and bashed out Punk’d up Beatles songs plus Sex Pistols, The Clash, Ramones etc. The band never gigged however we great fun in Steve’s garage with all of us going through a single Carlsboro Stingray amp.

I moved to Yorkshire when I was 22 and began to play pubs in the Bradford area with a Henry Jaffa - we played primarily original material with guitar / saxophone twin leads. There was some nice material, unfortunately work and overseas travel commitments came first so my musical career was put on hold.

I picked up the guitar again at 38 and after watching my neighbour Dave who plays keyboards in McEnrow, got to know Stuart and Helen. Never being a major Ash fan I had never heard Real Guitars until Stu leant me a DVD of the 30th Anniversary concert. It took a while, but I managed to learn one of the twin lead parts. Totally by accident, Stu had learnt the other harmony part – Must Ash the very beginnings was created.

Influences – Andy Latimer – Camel great melodic guitarist, Mr Powell of course, Bill Nelson, Rory Gallacher, John Sykes, Andy Somers to name a few.

Other Interests – Apart from loving wife Lianne and son Alex, we have a house full of animals, including a French Mastiff – Henry.

Gear – Just about happy with my sound at the moment and don’t envisage too many new toys. I currently have a Les Paul Standard and I borrow my son Alex’s Japanese Tele with a Bigsby as a standby when we gig.

Amp wise just bought a Rivera Fandango.

Pedals include a Tube Screamer, Sparkle Drive, Boss Chorus, Bud Wah, and a Boss Tuner.