1. The First Record I Bought
Michael Jackson – Thriller, on tape, maybe when I was about eight; I think because the video scared the shit out of me and because I liked the guitar solo on ‘Beat It’, which at the time I didn’t realise was Eddie Van Halen! I guess it did inspire me because I got a hint that I was interested in being a guitar player, but I couldn’t moonwalk for shit.
2. The Last Record I Bought
Vista Chino – Peace. Well, these guys are basically Kyuss without Josh Homme. Even though I play in a dark rock/metal band, The Eternal, I think in my heart I’m into ’70s/classic and some stoner rock. I think when I was young I was into doomy and gloomy music, which is probably why my own band has kept that sound. But I love a good bit of desert rock!
3. The First Thing I Recorded
I think I made my first record when I was about 18 or 19 for a band called Cryptal Darkness. It was like melodic death metal – it wasn’t amazing, although the band seems to have a bit of an underground following still. I don’t tend to listen to records I have done once they are finished – and this was no exception…
4. The Last Thing I Recorded
The Eternal – When The Circle Of Light Begins To Fade. As well as performing and writing this album, I engineered, mixed and produced, so it was a big job. It’s very moody and rockin’. It features Mark Kelson (vocals/guitar), Brad Cook (guitar), Dave Langlands (bass), Marty O’Shea (drums) and Martin Powell (keyboards). I think this album is our most ‘live’ one as I really wanted to get the feeling of a band playing, so I think it’s a good representation of what you get live with us also.
5. The Record That Changed My Life
It’s hard to say. I think once I discovered rock and metal in my mum’s husband’s record collection – like Metallica, Whitesnake, Slayer and all that stuff when I was about 11 or 12 – and I started playing guitar almost at the same time. These records scared the shit out of me at the time but I was mystified and didn’t really turn back. To be honest, I don’t listen to a lot of metal now, but the classic rock stuff stays with me.
What: The Eternal supporting Amorphis
Where: Factory Theatre
When: Friday October 11
And: When The Circle Of Light Begins To Fade out now through Rocket Distribution