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?
Home Biography The People Media & Press Gear Galleries Contact







Could you read music then?

DS I could follow the basic melody line, this was helped by knowing some of those hymns off by heart, then my voice broke and I sang alto for a while, and eventually I was told it was time to stand with the gentlemen of the lower end! So I was actually singing bass parts way before I was playing them.

How did you finally get to play a musical instrument?

DS At secondary school I wanted to learn to play the saxophone, I think the reason for this was that the music I really liked at the time was all the Two Tone stuff, like The Specials, The Beat, Selecta and Madness etc. and they always seemed to have sax players in those bands. I just thought it was such a cool instrument. Sadly I was informed there was no sax available [in the school]. Then, at a parent and teacher open evening, I spotted a trombone. Being a keen fan of the ridiculous and the absurd, I was intrigued by this bizarre looking collection of plumbing. However someone had already claimed it. Finally I was offered the euphonium, which I gave up after six months. Not only was I reluctant to play that particular instrument but also I had enough foresight, even at the tender age of twelve, to realize playing the euphonium was going to have an adverse effect on my love life!

So what drew you into music?

DS I wasn’t a great academic, I wasn’t enjoying any of the subjects I’d chosen and I didn’t know what I wanted to be when I left school. I was lost! So maybe out of desperation, though I honestly can’t remember, I decided at 14 to have one last try at learning a musical instrument. Once more I picked the trombone, I was still fascinated by it more than any other instrument. Amazingly the visiting trombone teacher didn’t want to take me on because he thought I was too old to start! 14 and already past it! I convinced him I’d work hard and he began to teach me.

What was it like finally getting to play an instrument of your choice?

DS It was fantastic, I took to the trombone straight away; it felt right in my hands. I loved the way it sounded. I particularly liked the idea of having no fixed positions to stop the slide at to produce a note. I’ve always liked a challenge. Maybe this had something to do with me being drawn to the fretless bass guitar and acoustic upright bass further down the line.