You can’t hop this..

Well Souldiers, its now been almost 1 year to the day since I answered an ad for a bass player and they were desperate enough to employ me so I thought it was about time I said hello and broke my John Deacon style silence..

So, what can I tell you about my first impressions of ‘the Soul’? Well, firstly, I remember that the ad said something along the lines of ‘only 4 string players need apply’. Secondly, I remember that the drummer was different and very good (the now famous Mr Atkins aka Man Mountain) and that everyone was incredibly polite. Andrew was clearly in charge, Malc was buried behind alot of gear, Ivor did indeed have a large pedal board and Ali was late but absolutely engaging when she did appear. Its fair to say that not much has changed! Well, I played my 3 songs and went home not really knowing how everything had gone but the next day I got the call to say I’d got the gig and the rest they say is history. Japan was the first stop on the road to glory and its been quite a ride since then. So, by way of bringing things up to date, I thought I’d write a list (I like lists). This one will be the top 5 moments of the last year with the Soul and it goes something like this..

1) Discovering that the drinking policy in Japan is based around ‘pay by the hour’ and not ‘pay by the glass’. This is clearly a perfect idea in a culture that is firmly rooted in discipline and self preservation. However, in the hands of a British band it is potentially fatal..

2) Being in a band that can recite the whole of the movie ‘Spinal Tap’

3) Having bass amps provided for me..you know the ones that are bigger than a house and are certainly bigger than Ali..

4) Being actively encouraged to sport the most ridiculous facial hair possible.. There does come a time when a man needs to commit to a look and this is my time.

5) Playing in New York and having Whole Lotta Love come on the taxi radio as we crossed into Manhattan. This was followed by Rick Astley’s ‘Never gonna give you up’ proving that God does indeed work in mysterious ways.

I could go on but there are either too many moments linked to drinking (and I wouldn’t want you to get the wrong impression that we are anything but a clean living band) or they have to be filed under the ‘You had to be there’ category. Either way, I hope that you were there this year or that you can be there next year so we can get to know each-other a bit better. You never know, if you bring a rope I might even show you my new found skipping skills!

Rusty aka Sir Chopalot