Fitter Stoke


Greetings all.

I am a self-confessed music obsessive with an insatiable desire for melodic highs old and new. I couldn't imagine a day without music. When not actually listening to it I'm usually reading or writing about it. Or playing it myself, ham-fistedly, on keyboards and guitar.

My musical tendencies began at the age of nine when the family's radiogram was acquired. Weekly jaunts to the local offy with my dear late Dad usually produced a Music For Pleasure classical LP which would be eagerly played upon our return. In this way I developed a knowledge and love of the central classical repertoire which remains with me to this day. I still believe Beethoven rocks more than anyone since.

Of course, the influence of school friends led to a widening of my interest into more contemporary areas. My first rock LP, The Faces' 'Ooh La La' (a record still adored in this household) was swiftly followed by releases from the likes of T.Rex, Lou Reed, David Bowie and Roxy Music. The purchase of 'The Faust Tapes' and 'Camembert Electrique' led me into more daring stuff, the early Virgin catalogue producing a veritable feast of treasurable albums and instilling a love of the so-called 'Canterbury Scene' that I will never lose. Indeed, it is a song title by my favourite-ever band Hatfield and the North that inspired my nom-de-plume for Head Heritage.

Over the past thirty years my musical tastes have veered in and around most genres from folk to jazz. I was lucky enough to be sixteen years old in 1977 and immerse myself in the punk/new wave era, at the same time retaining my (often secret) love for more progressive sounds. Julian Cope's music entered my life in 1980 with a gig by The Teardrop Explodes at Newcastle University. Since then I've been a fan of most of the man's output, especially 'Fried' which to these ears represents his artistic peak.

Otherwise, my life is dominated by my three year old daughter Rachel who is being reared on as many different types of music as I can play her. So far, Haydn string quartets seem to have made the greatest impact. But don't worry, I've got a few more up-to-date records still to play her! Then there's my support for Sunderland and Grimsby Town football clubs (which I won't dwell upon based on current form at time of writing), my interests in antiquities and nature, and my love of Indian food, real ale, classic films and cult TV to mention. All veritable distractions from my really interesting civil service job. But what the hell - it pays for the records.

Peace, happiness and good listening, everyone!

Fitter Stoke