Dave Sugarbeet
I've been playing the violin for more than 55 years now, classical training (hard to believe with the stuff I do now!) and electric music since the mid '70s due to a collision between myself and rock and blues at the Marquee Club in London and a realization that the power and energy of a band was what I was best suited to.
Today I love to play all sorts of blues from the full blown roar of a band in full flight to gentler acoustic blues and jazz (though some keys are difficult!). I also go back to my classical roots from time to time and build string arrangements for people if they ask nicely enough and can accommodate my fee (don't worry, I'm still cheap!)
Tell me about your history? How did you get where you are now?
Too long and chequered a past to list it all here.
Have you performed live in front of an audience? Any special memories?
Not often enough sadly. A damning indictment of the current live music climate in this country - karaoke and tribute bands have knocked the stuffing out of the blues over here.
Your musical influences
The Blues in all forms and in particular Sugarcane Harris, Papa John Creach, Clarence Gatemouth Brown, richard Greene, Vassar Clements, Mark O'Connor and all the great electric violin players and yes, even Jean-Luc Ponty sometimes.
What equipment do you use?
Fender and Yamaha electric violins, three acoustic violins.
Fender Pro Jr, Fender '61 Reverb Tank (a real one, not reissue)
Boss powered pedalboard with loads of effects when needed
Zoom 16 track digital recorder into an iMac G5 and various software.
Comfy socks.
Anything else?
I like beer. (My local pub, The Blue Anchor, brews its own!)
