Martin “The Earl” Gray – tenor sax , alto sax , clarinet, cuica and duck
On full throttle
So Martin when you did you first play the sax?
I started playing Alto sax at the age of 13 when encouraged by my music teacher Mrs Weavers. It was a great way to retreat to the school practice room during break and escape the riggers of a 1970’s winter. It was cool, we could make tea.
Do you play any other instruments?
Whilst in my first band in the mid 70’s I taught myself to play guitar. The guys I played with at the time didn’t know how to work out chords for songs, their main pursuit appeared to be centre around the waving at girls rather then getting down to the hard work of covering Gary Glitter songs, as a result I’m brilliant at improvising but useless at chatting up women.
How long have you played with Red Stripe?
Since 2004, that’s about six years. I was asked by Midnight Bob to cover for him at Jazz After Dark in Soho, just till Bob turned up, after midnight. It turned out it was to play with a scaled down version of the Red Stripe Band , the only regular member of the Red Stripe Band appearing on that stage that night was Red Stripe. I have many happy memories watching the goings on in the VIP lounge whilst trying to hold down a sax solo. Bob didn’t turn up. I have never looked back - or forward.
Can you remember some really funny gigs?
Like with Ed there are so many, such as the Christmas gig for the London Marathon people, all of us crammed into a tiny room, the night the party goers had industrial strength party poppers, Ouch ! Also the night in Scotland we ended up at a Indian restaurant near Kirkcudbright. We introduced Emma Wilson, our singer to the bong. I have never laughed so much in my life.
Can you remember some really funny gigs?
" Your f****** mad!"Was one comment I remember
Ed Williams – Drummer
This is the first of our "Popzine Profiles" of members of the Red Stripe Band - enjoy !!!
Ed Williams
So Ed when you did you first play the drums?
I was twelve. I had been naughty in class and was told to sit next to the other naughty boys at the front. One of them already played drums and guitar and invited me to the music at break time. From playing my first beat I became completely obsessed with drums, tapping everything in sight annoying the hell out of my mum and sister!
Do you play any other instruments?
Not really. I had violin, recorder and piano lessons for many years as a child but none of them really grabbed me. I'm now learning the pandeiro (brazilian tambourine) and hope to eventually learn the bass guitar.
How long have you played with Red Stripe?
SInce 2005 i think! My first gig was down in Bude for the jazz festival - in at the deep end!
Can you remember some really funny gigs?
There are quite a few but the first one that springs to mind is when were in Scotland (can't remember where exactly) and we decided to leave the stage whilst playing Tequila. This isn't unusual and neither is walking out into the foyer (still playing!), then outside! However on our way back one of the troupe caught sight of the photo booth and decided it'd be great to get in there during the song and have our picture taken. So, we now have several pictures of the band crammed into a two person photo booth mid-song! Crazy but great fun!
What do you do in your spare time ?
I also play drums for other artists. I might be playing drums for various artists in and around London or in the studio recording for them. I also teach drums in schools, colleges, universities and at my studio in West London. Apart from that I'm learning Portuguese, designing some software, renovating a Vintage Ludwig kit, building a new website for myself and generally chasing my tail!
What do you want for Christmas?
A new car, or a lesson with a classical percussionist, or anything from my Amazon wish list, or a motorbike, or some blue mountain coffee, or a personal trainer, or a bungee jump, or a skydive, etc