"If you're searching for a 12 string to add another dimension to your band's sound at a reasonable price, the Waterstone TP-12 has it all..."
Click on the image to read Bass Guitar magazine's review of the TP-12.
Where were you born?
The Regional Hospital in Galway (now UCHG) on 29 October 1988.
When did you first play a musical instrument?
I first seriously got involved in music about four years ago. But as a child there was always some sort of instrument lying around.
What are your earliest memories of listening to music?
I would say from the moment I was born there was probably a Beatles song playing! We grew up listening to sixties beat groups and all sorts of Blues artists. It's impossible to recall my earliest memory because there was never a moment there was no music to be heard!
Why did you choose bass?
I choose bass because everyone plays guitar! Bass players are very few and far between. I heard a bass sound first really about four years ago and fell in love with it.
What basses do you play now?
Recently I received something which I think might top the Squier Jazz bass which I have been playing for a few years. It's a Waterstone ME-2 semi-solid bass. Waterstone are a relatively new company (so I'm told) in America. It is the most beautifully made instrument I have ever played. It was a very generous gift from Mr. Singer, the owner of the company and I am forever thankful for it.
What amplifiers do you have?
I have right now a Peavey 200 watt which I would use mostly for gigs but it weighs a ton!! I also have a Peavy 65 watt amp which was another generous gift from a friend of the family. At home I use a 25 watt Drive practice amp which is fine for playing at home with.
Do you play any other instruments?
Well I try!!! I play bits of anything I can knock a tune out of. I love picking up a new instrument to me and getting a tune out of it, and of course there is always some sort of instrument lying around our house from guitars to washboards!!
What musicians have influenced you most?
As far as Bass Players go it would have to be Andy Fraser (Free) he has to be my favourite bass player for his tone, skill and onstage personality. But we most defiantly cannot forget Paul McCartney whom I grew up listening to! He is probably my biggest influence.
Have you met any famous musicians in real life?
Yep. I have met the great Horslips guitar player Johnny Fean who to me is a Celtic rock legend. He was playing with the great Steven Travers who played with the Miami Showband. He has to be the best bass player I have EVER seen live! I have also met Mamas Boys Guitar player Pat McManus who is another Celtic rock legend. These are people who are famous to me and legendary to me but a lot of people don't even no who these people are. That's it for now but I am not done yet!!!
What albums could you listen to over and over and not get tired of?
Fire and Water (Free) I bought this album about 6 months ago and it hasn't left my CD player since. In my opinion it is an underrated timeless classic. Led Zeppelin IV - this in my opinion is Led Zeppelin?s most consistent album it is great from start to finish and no matter how much I play it I wont get sick of it! Dark side of the Moon (Pink Floyd) - this is another album I heard about 6 months ago but cannot stop listening to. It?s the album I bring everywhere. If I am walking somewhere or going for a drive or if I have nothing to do this is the album I bring with me.
In your band, your young brother Gavin gets most of the attention. How do you cope with this?
I don't mind it one bit. I think I cope with it very well. I am very proud of Gavin and he deserves everything he is getting. As long as he knows that I'm behind him all the way so to speak, and being brothers I think and hope we will stick together. But as long as I get to play I am happy!!!
Would it be easier to be in a band with no family members?
Well I would say it would be because there would be a lot less confrontation. But I'm not sure because myself and Gavin have always played together and it has been up and down but it has always worked out.
Do you like vinyl records, CDs or iPod/MP3s?
I like anything you can play music on! I have an iPod and it is very handy to carry around I love it. As far sound quality goes I am beginning to love the sound of vinyls - it has a pure sound with very little mixing. It has a very different sound to the CDs.
What's the high point of your musical career up to now?
At the moment it was playing the square in Athenry it was a very special day for me because it was my hometown and we played great that day! That's one gig that is going to be very hard to beat. I had a great sense of achievement that day because I used to watch the bands play every year and used to say every year "I would love to play up there" and now that I finally have I feel great.
What sound do you look for in a bass?
The sound I look for is the true bass sound. A full, deep, steady platform for a guitar player to take off from is what I look for. I like it; it suits the music we play.
Are there any good bassists around Athenry, where you live?
To my knowledge there are only two good Bass players (not guitar players) and they are myself and Cha Taylor! Cha is the guy that taught me from the start. As soon as I got the Bass I went straight to Cha and he helped me right from the start.
Which bassist's (alive or dead) sound and technique would you most aspire to?
Probably Andy Fraser from Free. His tone is what I am looking for. His technique is what I am looking for. But I try not to copy him but get my own sound similar to his. He is the one in my opinion who gave Free their unique sound and style, but once again the bass player is underrated!
What band would you most like to have seen at the height of their success?
The band which I would have most like to have seen more than any band ever is The Beatles. They have always been my favourite band ever since I could remember and It would have been the best buzz in the world to see them in their prime.
Of today's bands, who would you like to see live?
Today I would most like to see the famous mark 2 Deep Purple back together. That would be a gig to remember and I would say a lot more people than me would like to see them back together.
What was the best concert you were ever at?
The best concert I was ever at so far and I can?t lie, was Metallica in summer 2004. It was my first big concert and I had so much fun at it. This was during the "Heavy Metal" period which I enjoyed for a while. I have completely drifted away from that now but I will always have time for Metallica.
Were you happy with the Hush CD "Made In Athenry"?
I am delighted with it! It only hit me recently when I was listening to it alone I just said to myself "My God that's me playing on that CD". At the time I didn't see it as a big deal but now I really realise what an achievement it is.
Your brother Gavin doesn't sing (yet!), how about yourself?
Well I try to. But I get a lot of criticism over it. Which kind of puts me down a lot but no matter what I'll never stop singing doesn't matter if it's with a band or not.
What was the best piece of advice you ever got from a musician?
Well there are two pieces, one was to create your own sound, develop it and go from there. The other was to keep writing your own material no matter what else you do keep writing original material.
Do you write songs?
Well I have written a few songs but not enough to call myself a song writer. The only problem is I am the only one who seems to like my songs!!!!
Do you find it hard to fit in your music around school and exams?
Not really because music to me would be like television to another person. I watch very little TV so the time other people spend watching TV I would be playing music. School is easy to work with. I get my work done. I do my Exams. I GET to school ON TIME everyday (is somebody listening?). I do my exams and there is a lot of music to be done in school as well so its great!
What are your plans for the first half of 2006?
Prepare for the second half and beyond!
If you had to evacuate your house and could only grab three things, what would they be?
My Bass, My practice amp (The other yolk is way to heavy!!) and My School bag (How else would I go to school ;-)!!!!!) but seriously probably my other bass!
