How did you get into music? When did you start reading music? When did you start playing bass? When did you become a professional musician? How did you start playing with Jools Holland? How did you switch from upright to bass guitar in Jools Holland’s band? What’s your approach to playing so many high-profile sessions with world famous musicians? Have you worked with any of your musical heroes? How do you choose the right bass for each gig or studio session? What amps do you use and why? What do you practice and how does your technique change between upright and electric bass? Did you even play with Squeeze?
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Where you ever a member of Squeeze?

DS Yes, for one night only! I got a call from Glenn Tilbrook in the summer of 97 asking me if I was available to do a gig with Squeeze on New Years Eve, as the bass player at the time wasn’t available. I’d worked with Glenn and Chris Difford before, so I thought it would be fun. I asked Glenn to send me some tapes of all the songs they did. Unfortunately he took longer than I’d hoped and I received them on the evening of the 30th December! We had a rehearsal the next day at 4pm, so I knew the only way I was going to learn approx 28 songs, was to stay up most of the night.
I then went out and got a takeaway to keep me going, but either the food was dodgy or I had a stomach bug, but I spent the rest of the night in the loo being violently ill.

I almost called Glenn up to say I couldn’t do the gig, but being the old pro that I am, I dragged myself to the cassette player and started to work out the songs, making rough notes and charts. I was convinced there was no way I was going to be able to learn all those songs feeling that ill, in that short space of time.

The next day I did the rehearsal and the gig looking like death warmed up, I got through it ok but I felt awful and when I came off stage, I virtually collapsed! They all seemed pleased, but not one of my best experiences!