My first band was called “Fourcast”. A covers band made up from mates who lived in the area and we all went to Thornbridge School in the ‘70’s.
Our first gig was at our local pub called “The Fairways Inn” in Birley.
After the gig, a very polite and very posh lady came up to me while we were tackling down and said “You were brilliant, your guitar playing was like listening to one of the Shardow's, (what I believe she meant was “The Shadows”), I didn’t correct her, but the rest of the lads picked up on her pronunciation, and my name “Shardow” became my label. My real name, is Phil.
We continued as a covers band, playing covers ranging from Duran Duran to Led Zeppelin. We played the gig circuit and a few private party's and weddings.
The band faded away slowly until Shartonic Flair was formed in 1997. myself and two other musicians (Rob Knopflair and Mark Actonic) got together and formed the band “Shartonic Flair”.
A few of the songs below, were written by us in the late nineties and have been reproduced by me to bring them more up to date.
I continue to write, even though I am a lot older now but, there really is no age limit to writing, playing and enjoying music. Music has been my life.
I have been a musician for quite some time now, probably longer, because from a very early age, I have been able to play a tune, by ear, from the age of about 8 years old.
I play all of the instruments on my tracks (Mike Oldfield is my hero) apart from the really flashy guitar solo’s, then a session musician is required.
My earliest memory was of playing an electric organ that was on display in Woolworths. I played “Amazing Grace” along with the accompanying chords (the pre-
I had no idea that I had a talent, I simply thought that everyone could play. It wasn’t until I finished playing, and realised there was a crowd of people standing round me who began to applaud my rendition. Much to my parents surprise, as they had no idea at all that I could play.
I began “Learning” to play after getting a second hand guitar for Christmas when I was about 10 Years old. I know now, that the action was so high, it stood me in good stead to build up my finger strength, and taught me about “Intonation” the hard way. It wasn’t until a couple of years later that I bought myself a “Satellite” Les Paul copy, from Traffords catalogue, that brilliant and cost effective way of buying things on credit: £1.15 a week for 52 weeks. My parents never had much money so I had to fund this myself. This was the start of many instruments to come. I am now happy (I think) with the collection I have, but, I have said that every year.
