Chris Clowsley – Guitar and Vocals

The memoirs of an aging rocker !!!

I think it must have been about 1973 when I first heard ” Made In Japan ” by Deep Purple; Blackmore’s solos in Child In Time & Highway Star blew me away. I soon discovered the delights of Sabbath, The Allman Brothers, Cream, Quo, Focus, Floyd, Genesis,Yes and many more great bands with bloody brilliant guitarists.

I just had to learn to play. Following months of pleading with my parents I got my 1st axe, a Zenta Start copy!!! which I played through a HI-Fi amp. But it got me started. My first band was called Pilgrim, we rehearsed in a mates garage ( well made a racket no doubt ) we did I think two live gigs. I then joined a band with the other Darkside strumist Andy Baker we called it Abraxus and actually wrote a few songs !! must have been about 1975.

Andy went off to University so the band folded. I started work as an apprentice electrician in 1976 where I met some musicians from Stourbridge and soon joined a band with Alan, Martin & Neil Bond we were called Route 66 then Storm and finally Split Image. We did loads of gigs and had a lot of fun, I learnt a lot with those guys.

Over the next few years I played with various local bands including The Starving Rascals, The King Spiders and a band called Karrier. It was with Karrier that I had some success, all the songs were written by my co guitarist Ian Hall and I, we actually got a record deal and went on a British Tour with Magnum. I’ll never forget playing to 7000 at the Coltham Bowl Redcar.

Following that I joined a local band Tranzam and had some great times and memorable gigs with Rick Hampton, John Hampton, Carl Jones (Darkside’s sound engineer and still with Tranzam) John Turner, Stevie G (yes the Stevie G !!!) Pete Moseley. I still do the odd gig with them.

Contraband was next, with Andy Dodds, Carl Jones, Al Cormel, Andy Light, Steve Avery and enjoyably went down a heavier path.

I also worked with superb songwriter Pete Higginson we called ourselves Deuce and I’m very proud of the album we recorded.

Then one night mid 2005 Andy Baker and myself went to see a Floyd Tribute at the Robin. As we were leaving I looked at Andy and said ” I’m sure we could do  a better job ” Darkside was born.

I also presently, along with Darkside play in a 3 piece Blues & Rock outfit called ” Off The Rails ”

My favourite gig to date with Darkside was Altrincham Garrick June 09. I had a real bad cold but the audience response was so good that it got me through.

Equipment

• Fender Stratocaster
• Fender Telecaster
• Gibson Les Paul
• Yamaha APX 8
• Fender Hot Rod Deville Amp
• Marshall Acoustic Amp
• Boss ME50 Multi Effects
• Boss OD3 (for lead boost)

Darkside continues to be a great experience and with such a fantastic backlog of wonderful Floyd music I can’t see it ever becoming anything less than challenging and truly great fun.