TheBigPockets.Com

Young Adam

Right. Not much Big Pockets news at the moment, so here is a photo of Adam when he was younger. Feel free to submit captions.

Posted:23 April 2006, 19:23 by David Nicol
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Another Promo Shot

Here is another promotional photo from Craig Chapman.

You can contact Craig by email at: gomester73@yahoo.co.uk

Posted:18 November 2005, 19:10 by David Nicol
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A Proper Band Photo

Here is the first proper Jamieson’s Big Pockets promotional photo:

Many thanks to photographer Craig Chapman who did the photoshoot during our soundcheck for the Norscot gig.

Craig specialises in photographing bands and is rapidly gaining an excellent reputation for his work. You can contact him by email at: gomester73@yahoo.co.uk

I have also uploaded some thumbnail galleries of our early gigs.

Posted:11 November 2005, 16:35 by David Nicol
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Suggest Songs We Should Play

As you probably know, the Norscot gig at Hallowe’en was our last gig of 2005. Denis will shortly be heading off to Morocco for a five week holiday and then, when he returns, we’re into Christmas and New Year (never a good time to do anything too strenuous).

While Denis is lazing about in the sun, the rest of the band will be slaving away on a lot of new material. We have a lot of new stuff lined up already but we’d like to hear from you about the songs you’d like us to play.

Use the ‘comment’ feature below to leave your ideas.

Note: there might be a prize for the best idea but unless you suggest a song you’ll never know.

Posted: 7 November 2005, 21:13 by David Nicol
Comment [18]

Gary Says Hello

I was born on 3rd August 1979 and share my birthday with Terry Wogan, CLASS!

I was brought up with music always being played in the house, albeit mostly traditional, through da old wife being able to turn a tune on da box and having a smart ass sister who played piano, fiddle and accordion.

My first venture into music was playing the fiddle around the age of 8. I went to Shetland’s Young Heritage on a Saturday morning for lessons but it was quickly apparent that I was a lame duck! I have to confess though that I was far more into football etc and so the next lesson would come and the fiddle had never been touched from the week before, it was quickly ditched.

My interest in playing the drums came when I was around 12 mainly because I thought it was cool. I started lessons with Dougie Johnstone and progressed fairly well. My first drum kit was bought as a Christmas present and was a ‘Thunder’, certainly sounded like it. I played my first gig shortly after with Stanley Hunter at the Bridge-End hall, it was a memorable experience with a notable Sandwick guitarist coming up for a tune and flaking out!

Since then I’ve played on occasion with most dance bands in Shetland as well as the brass and pipe bands. I’ve always listened to other kinds of music and my tastes are varied, from Red Hot Chili Peppers to James Brown and the JB’s and the Buddy Rich Big Band although you’ll find most genre’s in my collection.

My main drumming influences come from Douglas Johnstone, Buddy Rich, Dave Weckl, Vinnie Colaiuta and Chad Smith.

I had always wanted to play ‘non-traditional’ music with a band with funk/blues being a priority. Having shared a flat with Nicol at university and knowing his musical influences playing music with him came very easy and with Priesty pumping out those funky riffs it didn’t take long for us to gel. In Jamieson you get the best front man since James Brown, well what more can you say?

Feel the funk!

I play:

• Premier Signia Maple drum kit in cherry red: 22” bass drum, 10, 12, 14 and 16” toms.
• Various snares: Signia Maple 14×5.5”, Yamaha Vinnie Colaiuta Signature snare, Ludwig 14×5” Black Beauty and a DW 14×5” maple/brass Edge snare.
• Zildjian cymbals
• DW double pedal
• Vic Firth SD4 Combo sticks

Posted:29 October 2005, 10:42 by David Nicol
Comment [4]

Adam Says Hello

Hello everyone!

I was “Born in the Annex” on the 20th September 1978, my Dad says it was a very windy day. I was lucky enough to grow up in the Island of Unst (on the edge of another world, they say). First memories (as far as I can remember) are Caain’ Sheep wie Dad and Listening to ABBA. I guess it was Rutger Gunnarsson Funky Disco-Pop Basslines that got me into bass at an early age. Mum used to play Bass with her Sisters in a dance band, and I would try to play that old Höfner bass upside-down and see what noises I could get. I was mostly into the Trumpet back then though.

Fast forward to the mid nineties, and I’m at nautical college in Newcastle, listening to more of those Funky Disco-Pop Basslines at any of the many 70’s nights (it was a very mid-nineties thing those Geordie 70’s nights). Chic, Sister Sledge, Rose Royce and all that, I thought “those are some great bass players” (I found out later it was all the same guy, Bernard Edwards!).

So anyway, I buy my first bass and start playing.

By the turn of the century, I’ve given up a life at sea for RGU in Aberdeen, with lots of pals listening to the Red Hot Chilli’s, Primus and the Cullivoe Band. More great Basslines. Also, I start Indie Rock Band “The Roostie Nails” with some of my pals to get out there playing. Eventually joined rockers Bitumen River in 2002, still playing with them.

While Rocking, I never give up on the Funkier side of life. 20th September 2003, my 25th birthday, In the Lounge with Emma after a lovely meal in Monty’s, I was approached by Guitar Slinger David Nicol about the possibility of starting a Funk & Blues band. When I asked him if he had a singer he said:
“I know this amazing guy from Tingwall that can sing Captain Beefheart songs…....”

The rest, as they say, is History.

Posted:26 October 2005, 16:10 by David Nicol
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