1982: I began playing guitar at age 14, practiced
every night for months, then sold my guitar to buy a leather jacket. (Oopps!)
1984: I was asked to join a band with my friends and the only option
left was to be the singer. I went for it but fancied hiding behind a guitar,
so I bought another one. A few weeks later I had re-learned a few chords
and had my first band rehearsal with 'Bizarre Alternatives'.
Bizarre Alternatives '85
(The little speaker on the chair has since been upgraded!)
The first thing I realized was I had a rubbish voice. The second thing
was, that if I wanted to be in a band, I'd better get good at playing
guitar instead. I became heavily influenced by such great players as Gary
Moore and Randy Rhoads and fell in love with the instrument.
I spent the next four years studying, six hours a day, seven days a week.
No pubs. No girlfriends. No TV Just guitar. Sad? Maybe. Worth giving up
my late teens? Yes.
I remember hearing someone saying at the time "In life, you must find
out what you are good at and what you enjoy doing. If God is smiling on
you, it will be the same thing." I also remember a line from an episode
of 'Kung Fu'- "If one's words are not better than silence, then one should
be silent." but I digress.
1987: During art college I found some like minded musicians and
formed 'Mask'. We played some Ozzy songs and a
few songs by Rush. This was the first time I had played through a Marshall
amp and was hooked straight away! The only live performance we did was
in my living room during my 18th birthday party!
Mask rehearsing '87
1989: After four years of hard study, I felt ready and auditioned
for a local Stourbridge band called 'Urgent'. When we finished playing
the first song, the singer said "You're hired!"
My hard work had paid off. I was in a band with the best local musicians
around and did my first gig with them two weeks later.
Learn more about Urgent and hear the demo HERE.
Urgent at the YWCA in Stourbridge '89
This band lasted about a year until the singer left to go on tour with
'Neds Atomic Dustbin' as sound engineer. He was hard to replace, so we
split up and I went to Tenerife to play in bars for a few months. Here,
I did my first guitar lesson in a dodgy apartment for 500pts. (about £2.50
at the time) I jammed with the guitarist from 'Showaddywaddy', repeatedly
drove on the wrong side of the road and nearly trashed a car when I left
the handbrake off on a steep road.
1990: Met bass player 'James Rudge' and joined what was left of
his band 'Tilt'. It was just a 'show off' band, so we showed off, got
it out of our system and became more mature musicians because of it. We
did a few local gigs under the name of 'Abuse'
Abuse '90
During this time I got a call from another bass player asking me to join his band as his current guitarist wasn't up to playing the new material. Unfortunately
the band was called 'Shed'. A great conversation stopper.
Our singer was Alan Kelly who was previously the drummer from the rock band 'Shy' who had been making a name for themselves supporting bands and artists such as UFO, Magnum, Twisted Sister, Bon Jovi, Meat Loaf and Gary Moore.
Dom- Bass, Jason- Drums, Alan- vocals, Des- Guitar.
Shed at Christophers night club '90
Shed did a few local gigs sometimes opening for Abuse.
1991: While rehearsing with Abuse, I bumped into Neil Brown, the other guitarist
from my 'Urgent' days and we decided to mould the two bands into one and
'Big Trouble' was born.
Big Trouble '91
I spent the next seven years with this band, a classic rock
band drawing on influences from AC/DC, Led Zep, to Radiohead. We recorded
enough material for three albums and gigged constantly.
During this time, I wrote and recorded several instrumental tracks with
Jim and drummer Calvert Carvill. Another excuse to show off and play exactly
what we wanted and to get it out of our system!
Big trouble supported bands such as 'Romeos Daughter', 'Samson' 'Diamond
Head' and 'Gangshow', at the Marquee, featuring members of 'Thunder',
'Dogs D'amour' and 'Motorhead'.
We won 'best rock band' in 'Brum Beat' magazine and got to record one
of our songs in UB40's studio 'Dep International' as the prize.
Brum Beat Magazine cover '94
After that, we got turned down by 'Fergal Sharkey's' record label, got
through nine vans, arrived at venues in London that didn't exist anymore,
did a 'U' turn on Putney bridge during rush hour, got overtaken by a milk
float, ran out of diesel twice in ten miles, managed to be 26 hours late
for a gig and played a venue called 'The Cellar Bar' in a place called
'Graves End' on Friday the 13th.
Perhaps 'Big Trouble' was not such a great name after all.
We changed it to 'Nervous Pills'. After what Big Trouble went through
I now realize how appropriate that name is!
During the seven years with BT, I was involved in various other projects.
1994: Recorded several songs for Bhangra band The
Sahotas debut album 'The right Time' on the EMI label.
The Sahotas album and single covers '94
The single 'Out of reach' was released which entered the pop charts and
the 'B' side stayed at number one in the Asian charts for a record number of
weeks.
We did a nationwide tour with one of Britain's most successful reggae bands 'Aswad' and I also played many
Bhangra shows with them up and down the country.
1995: Mukhtar Sahota (The keyboard player) and I wrote and recorded
four instrumental songs, fusing Asian music with rock. You can hear all four
tracks on my original audio page.
The demo gained 'demo of the month' in brum beat magazine.
Brum Beat review '95
The demo also gained a favourable review and featured on the CD of UK guitar
magazine 'Guitar Techniques'.
1996: Joined a Thin Lizzy tribute band called 'Dizzy lizzy', with
Brian Tatler of 80's metal band Diamond Head. We played two or three times a week for the next year and I
gained valuable experience from working with a great band and such a talented
and consistent pro' player that was Brian.
Dizzy Lizzy '96
1997: After that I had an audition with a local cover band called
'Oringe'. After the audition, two great things happened. I got the gig
and we all saw a U.F.O. outside the studio.
A very versatile and talented band, doing covers from David Bowie, Tears
for Fears, James Brown, to U2, Free and Jamiroquai.
Next I got a call from 70's tribute band Ballroom
Glitz to fill in for a gig that their guitarist couldn't do.
Me with Ballroom Glitz playing at the aftershow party of
a Uriah Heep gig at Shepherds Bush Empire 2001
I did the gig about a week later and continued to guest with them until
2002, when I felt it was time to move on and concentrate on my own projects.
1998: Now Big Trouble had become Nervous Pills and things had changed.
We were trying our best to write material that we thought would sell and
not concentrating on what we did best. Rock music.
Our drummer left the band and we had such a hard time finding a replacement,
that when we finally found someone who could do the job, (the outragous Mike Tongue) we all agreed that if any other member left, then that would be the end.
We continued to write, record and gig but it came to a point where
I felt I had gone as far as I could go with this band and left. The band
spilt the following week.
2003: Formed Ozzy Osbourne tribute band with Jim and Calvert from Big Trouble, the multi-talented Andy Vargo on keyboards and J.P "Izzy Osbourne" as Ozzy.
More info on the 'Ozzy Tribute Band' link, or go to our myspace.
Feb' 2005: Got involved with another project featuring 'Big Trouble' members Jim, Calvert and singer/nightmare on legs Kevan Ward, called 'Interstate'
We started out doing covers including Soundgarden, Velvet Revolver, Audioslave, Stone Temple Pilots, Foo Fighters, Alice in Chains a few of our old Big Trouble songs and went on to writing our own material.
Within a few months we had supported Dokken,
Diamond
Head and Skid Row.
September 05: Recorded a six track demo with Interstate. Tracks can be heard HERE
October 20th 2005:
PHONE CALL FROM OZZY OSBOURNE.
In mid 2005, I heard that Ozzy was looking for a new guitarist. (His guitarist since 1987 Zakk Wylde was very busy with his own band 'Black Label Society'.)
So I got a demo CD together and sent it straight to Ozzy's house in Buckinghamshire. I wasn't sure where Ozzy was at the time but I knew his wife Sharon was here in the UK doing 'The X-Factor' TV show, so I knew I stood a good chance of being heard by one, if not both of them.
Two weeks later the phone rings. "Hi Des, it's Ozzy..."
Being the bright spark that I am, I quickly reply with "Who?"
(Yeah, it threw me a bit that he'd called me himself.) He then said "It's Ozzy Osbourne, i've just listened to your CD and I'm really f***ing impressed man. I'm really impressed. I'd like to meet you and see you play."
It's hard to put into words what that short sentence meant to me. For Ozzy to consider me for his band is an honour and as a rock guitarist, it's probably the highest compliment I can imagine.
Ozzy has worked with some of the best guitar players in the business and was already a successful recording artist while i was still in nappies perfecting the subtle art of projectile vomiting.
Ozzy was very friendly and down to earth and i think he also liked the fact that I'm a fellow 'Brummy'.
The last thing he said to me was that he was off to LA for a while but he would definitely get back to me.
Unfortunately for me, a short while later, it's announced that Zakk has been able to rearrange his schedule to make sure that he would be available for Ozzy again.
I can't say I blame him.
The search for a new guitarist for Ozzy was off and my dream of nailing THE guitar gig was over.
Just after I spoke to Ozzy, I told myself that if nothing came of it, then at least I have reached a standard high enough to impress the man who discovered Randy Rhoads, Jake E.Lee and Zakk Wylde. No matter what happens, nobody can take that away from me. Thanks Ozzy! I'll never forget that conversation and whenever I think of it, I always smile.
December 2005: Got an article published in a magazine made by the RGT, explaining how my idea of online tuition works.
I had this idea 2002 and only in 2006 I see a small amount of other tutors to offering this service.
Click the thumbnail below to read the article.
February 06: Gave an online guitar lesson to Jon Bently, one of the presenters of Channel 5's The Gadget Show and series producer of Channel 5's Fifth Gear.
A screen capture of Jon's lesson using MSN messanger.
The Gadget Show will be doing an article on 'learning on the internet' (due to be shown in May 06) and it will take Jon through learning to play the guitar online with me, up to a performance on stage with amazing Queen tribute band Killer Queen.
May '06: returned to the 'Magic Garden' recording studio and recorded five original tracks with my band Interstate.
Tracks can be heard HERE
August '06: I was featured in the monthly RGT 'Teacher Feature' in Guitar Techniques magazine.
Sept' 06:
Got a mention from Kevin DuBrow in the 'Thanks' section of the new Quiet Riot CD 'Rehab'. I got a kick out of that! Made my day. Thanks Kevin!
Click the pic below for a larger version.
July 07:I was asked to play bass for a one off gig with the UK's top Robbie Williams tribute band
"Dodgie Williams"
Photograph by Dane Shadows July 2007
The band were pleased with the way the gig went and I accepted their offer to be their regular dep.
Oct 07: I was shortlisted to be auditioned for 70's rock band Budgie. Myself and a handful of guitarists from all over the UK were due to be auditioned in October but the job went to Andy James who was first to audition. Budgie were impressed with him enough to offer him the job on the spot without trying out anyone else. He's a great player and I wish him luck.
NOVEMBER 26 '07: On Sunday November 25th Kevin DuBrow was discovered at peace in his home in Las Vegas.
Very sad news. This news came so suddenly and unexpectedly. I'm shocked and knocked for six. He'd just celebrated his 52nd Birthday.
I feel privileged to have known him and that he thought of me as a friend.
He was bright, funny, greatly talented, confident, intelligent, passionate, generous, entertaining, charming and full of life.
He showed remarkable faith in me, both as a musician and a person. That is a wonderful gift he gave me and I am forever grateful.
I am sad that plans we had of working together will never happen but I'm saddened more that I won't get to know him better than I did. I enjoyed his company immensely and was very fond of him. It's not often you get to know someone and have an instant fondness for which grows as you become more familiar with them. Usually people have to grow on me over time, not so with Kevin. I feel the same about Kevin's friend Kelly Garni. Randy Rhoads was lucky to have these guys as close friends that's for sure.
Friendship meant a lot to Kevin and he was loyal to his friends and fans.
The things he did to help me and my career are nothing short of amazing.
My heart goes out to all those who knew him way better than I did.
He was a very special and charismatic person indeed.
I really feel like a little light has gone out in the world:-((
Although I didn't know him as well as many other people did, it's been a hard and emotional day none the less and one I don't want to experience again for a while.
Rest in peace Kevin, I miss you already...I can't believe you're gone...:-((
Kevin doing his thing in 2007. A great person, singer and frontman.
January '08:
On December 06 '07 I visited the Marshall factory in Milton Keynes after a generous invite from Danny Thomas.
Danny is the signature series product development engineer for Marshall and an all round nice bloke.
Me and Danny in the 'Marshall' version of the last scene from Raiders of the Lost Ark!
Jim and I got a great tour around the factory to see how all the parts come together to make the best guitar amps in the world.
Then I got a chance to plug into the newest and some 'yet to be released' Marshall amps in the Marshall Theatre, across from the factory.
STACK CITY! LOUD? OH YES!!
One of the amps I was most privileged to play through was the new Randy Rhoads signature model prototype 100w head that was unveiled January 17 '08 at the NAMM show in LA.
My word..it's good!!! I only had to play ONE note to realise that. Loud, proud and utterly amazing. Coincidentally, this was on the day that would have been Randy's 51st Birthday.
Marshall have done it again. Another mind blowing and ear shattering amp. Sure to be a classic and loved by everyone who love amazing sounding rock amps, not just Randy fans.
Me and Jim on the famous steps at Marshall's reception room.
Thanks Danny, we had a blast!!:-))
NEW PROJECT - JULY '08
Singer Lee Small has just released his solo album 'Through The Eyes Of Robert Lees' and myself and my trusty band members Jim and Cal have become his live band to promote his album during 2008 and 2009.
This guy is an amazing singer. When I met Glenn Hughes a little while back, he described Lee as a 'mini Glenn Hughes'.
Compliments don't get much better than that.
Lee is currently the vocalist for the rock band Shy and sang and co wrote songs for Tom Galley's 2006 Phenomena album 'Psycho Fantasy'.
Over the years, the Phenomena albums have had an amazing list of musicians including Brian May (Queen), Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple/ BLACK SABBATH), Mel Galley (TRAPEZE, WHITESNAKE), Cozy Powell (RAINBOW, WHITESNAKE), Don Airey (DEEP PURPLE, OZZY OSBOURNE), Neil Murray (WHITESNAKE/GARY MOORE), Scott Gorham (THIN LIZZY),Ray Gillen (BADLANDS, BLACK SABBATH), John Wetton (ASIA),
and many more.
We will be rehearsing soon and on the road in shortly after.
Check the gig dates page for shows.
Guitar playing has been my life since I was about 16 and through it, I have found something I really enjoy and have met all the most important people in my life.
The guitar has helped me stay sane in times of strangeness.
It has given me respect from people of all ages and walks of life.
It has enabled me to express myself properly, when words are not enough.
I have been playing guitar over half my life now and I still can't get enough of it.
Once you get the bug, it will be with you forever.
No matter how many other interests I have found, I will always be, foremost a guitar player.
A beautiful instrument, with endless possibilities.
If you have the bug, we have a great selection of guitars
for you to love. Find the best electric
guitars as well as guitar
effects and amps
at zZounds.com.
Des Sherwood guitar tuition © 2000-2007
