What do you do in the band?
I'm the singer! I also
- Run this website and our Facebook and Twitter pages; and
- Handle all the bookings and any other bits of admin like tax etc
What gear do you use?
I'm currently using a Sennheiser Evolution E 965 Condenser Microphone. I think this is Microphone No.10, but I don't plan on changing this any time soon, its awesome!
For effects, I use the delays and reverbs that are built into our mixing desk, all set at different rates, and I select these via a midi pedal.
For Monitors I use a Shure PSM200 In Ear Monitoring System.
Which are your favourite songs that the band cover?
The Rockier stuff:- Enter Sandman by Metallica, Jeremy by Pearl Jam, No More Heroes by The Stranglers, When you Were Young by The Killers and Iris by the Goo Goo Dolls
Oh and for cheese, I like These Boots Are Made For Walking (Nancy Sinatra) , Poker Face and Hot Love (T Rex)
What is you favourite song of all time?
In My Time Of Dying - Led Zeppelin (John Bonhams finest moment!)
If you come to my funeral, all 11 minutes of this will be played - alongside 2 other Zep tunes!
Who are your musical favourites or influences?
Led Zeppelin, Led Zeppelin and Led Zeppelin!
Also, Pearl Jam, Rammstein, Levellers, Jeff Buckley, Stranglers, Fun Lovin Criminals, Rush, Yes, Tool, Them Crooked Vultures, Faith No More, Queens of The Stone Age, Metallica, System of a Down, Thin Lizzy, Pixies, Primus, The Dubliners, Jake Thackray and loads more
Oh, did I mention Led Zeppelin?
Who are Your Favourite Singers?
Robert Plant (Led Zeppelin), Paul Rodgers (Free), Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam), Chris Cornell (Soundgarden/Audioslave), Jeff Buckley, Serj Tankian (System of a Down), Mike Patton (Faith No More)Myles Kennedy (Alter Bridge) Luke Kelly (The Dubliners)
What's the best thing about being in the Polar Bears?
Playing Live, watching peoples faces when we play a song that they are not expecting
What's the worst?
The putrid flatulence that emits from he who plays with six strings!
Think driving through Port Talbot with a car full of Manure!
Then multiply by 1000,0000!
Which is your favourite current gig?
O Neils - both the Cardiff and Bristol pubs
What's the best or most memorable gig you ever did with the Polar Bears?
Can't pick a favourite, there have been so many........
Our Non Pol Christmas Parties - every one of em!
Llantwit Major RFC a few times (where are you Puggsly??)
Every gig we've ever done in Hirwaun Rfc ( I love these people - all insane!)
Nantyfyllon Rfc
Maesteg Town Hall as mentioned by Foz
A wedding we did in Cork, Ireland
A fundraiser in the Rec in Bridgend a few years back
And the most forgettable?
We played a gig in the very top of the Llynfi Valley (hope that narrows it down for you!)
Alarm bells rang when we saw the bingo machine in a cupboard, cemented to the centre of the stage (right where the drummer should be) which shows the priorities.
We were asked to get on stage by 8 O - Clock to play to a stone cold sober room at a volume so low the P.A was nearly off!
Half time, all the lights came back on and what seemed like 125 rounds of "Housey" ensued!
That night lasted forever...
Still having Counselling for that one!
What's your proudest moment so far?
Our first Gig after Scotty left, using a Backing Track instead of a keyboard.
We had spent weeks, virtually re learning our set, with Chris getting used to playing to a click track.
I know a lot of people think this is dishonest, but keyboard players don't grow on trees; so we've had to do it!
We worked hard to ensure our tracks were authentic and not just bought off the Internet. (Everything you hear is created by us) This is harder then it sounds as we now all have to be "Cock On!" timing wise.
Anyhoo we had a fairly big gig, a room full of 200 punters. Didn't start very well, fucked up the first song, but then got it together and haven't looked back since.
To sum up; we had a massive kick in the bollocks but overcame it
And your most embarrassing moment?
Starting a gig with Two Tribes by Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Jumping up in the air and landing flat on my Arse!
I want to buy you a drink! What'll you have?
A Large Jack Daniels and Coke - but make sure its Diet Coke as my body's a temple!
