Pierre Von Mondragon

Its all about computers for me. I could say all the kit and specifics used but I will just big up Logic 5(.1.something), the last PC version before emagic was bought by apple. My computer never liked cubase (VST 3.5) but even its ageing self can run quite a few audio and VST tracks at a time on logic. Get a new G5 and Logic 6 if your loaded. M-Audio Delta series soundcards are also the business

Stones-Exile on Main St-stunningly obvious

The Congos-Heart of the Congos

Bunny Wailer-Blackheart Man

Nick Drake-Five leaves Left

The Specials-The Specials

The Upsetters-Super Ape

Led Zep-III

Funkadelic-Lets take it to the Stage/One Nation under a Groove

Sly and the Family Stone- Theres a Riot goin on

Blondie-Plastic Letters

Allman Brothers-Brothers and Sisters

90% of the best reggae and dub ever made

Janis Joplin-Pearl

too many to think about really

Never mind the bollocks- is classic but only good to hear all the way through about once a year, maybe my attention span has slipped

Quite apart from Rock n' Roll Old Drakes was also host to Kia-Aura in its friday night pre-club club format(c. 1997-99), before it was in drum, and i remeber playing there with Optoplan and on my own and it was never less than hectic carnage by 10.

If only the cigarette were jazz

Iv'e seen worse of me, oh yes

Its not what you would call a traditional venue if you get my drift

Toots and the Maytals- and they're playing the lemontree soon

Hanoi Rocks- no honestly

but most of all

Funkadelic: if you cant't dance to that, y'aint got no legs

Is that previous one Goldie Lookin Chain as in "i got 28 ounces of blow", affa funny at.

Yeah thats us

Playing at an unit/warehouse/arches party somewhwere in Glasgow this weekend, mad techno/ rock soundclash stylee. I dont't know exactly where but it WILL be mental. Good photo of Bowman the saxmeister there.

Yeah, sounded wicked.

I could go on about this at such length, but i'll keep it to a few salient points.

1) Years ago (early 90's) when I was trying to get a rock n roll band together finding a drummer and rehearsal space was always a bind, hence why I did about 6 gigs in 3-4 years, the same amount i've done since February with A.K.A, all of which have been much better than anything I did way back when

2)Having spent the last 7 years making electronic music, particularly 5 with Optoplan ( not dead, just in cryo) made me just prefer a hard 909 or deep 808 kick, now in a perfect world we would have a shit -hot drummer with those Roland V-drums set to kill, but even then a good loop might gel it together better. If we did get a drummer they would have to be a technophile (proper meaning), that would help develop the sound

3) As a sloppyish guitar player I need even tighter drums!

4) It can be done well or badly, as with any creative endeavour, I dont believe in musical relativism. It has definitely contributed to us sounding different, as it allows us to practise at 'home', record and demo and tinker til stuff just sounds right

As Lee Perry said about drum machines, he wanted to hit his drummer over the head with it until he played as tight, in space or something Jungle Lion! etc

There aren't any rules any way, but I have liked the way that playing to a sequenced track has moulded our sound and vibe man, what you lose in flexibility can be made up for in intensity and relentlessness, As Strobing Goat might agree ( Zak I found those Suicide Squad Photo's, will try and digitise them etc).

Anyway enough from me