17 Nov 2024

From 1990 - 2006 I ran Feedback fanzine in the UK, writing about bands that were rarely covered in the mainstream press, many of whom were in the underground scene. I built close ties with many British Progressive groups in particular, including writing the newsletter for Freewill, getting gigs for Credo and writing the introduction to Galahad's OCMDII compilation. I reviewed literally thousands of cassettes and then CDs from bands from throughout the world, and was lucky enough to interview many of them. During this period I also contributed to the French progzine Acid Dragon, wrote for the music newspaper Rock 'n' Reel and was also involved with the Ghostland website.

In 2006 I moved to NZ, and stopped running Feedback (which was then renamed Amplified after I left, at my request) having produced over 80 editions with more than 11,000 pages of print and heaven knows how many reviews and interviews.

Although I stopped writing and reviewing when I came over to NZ, I was gradually brought back into the scene (initially kicking and screaming until I accepted my fate) and started contributing to many different sites and magazines. I was heavily involved with the Crossover sub-genre team on PA, wrote the booklets for the Red Jasper reissues, and generally tried to be as involved as I had some 20 years previously. However, I stopped this in 2014 to start work on a book containing all of my progressive reviews from Feedback, which in all took five years to be completed. With more than than half a million words (larger than Lord of the Rings), plus all album artwork, in colour, it has been published in three volumes by Gonzo Media.

The Progressive Underground Volume 1 is available at all good online outlets!! Reviews A-H
The Progressive Underground Volume 2 is available at all good online outlets!! Reviews I-S
The Progressive Underground Volume 3 is available at all good online outlets!! Reviews T-Z, DVD/Video reviews, short reviews, interviews and gig reviews

Described by Record Collector and others as "the Bible", this is the essential collection of progressive reviews in book form which focuses on progressive rock material outside the Sixties and Seventies.

Between 2017 and 2021 I wrote more than 3000 reviews on music ranging from acoustic and jazz through all types of progressive rock, melodic rock and hard rock, through to the most extreme metal and out there avant garde and noise that people can imagine.

All my reviews appear in the hard copy UK fanzine Amplified (still going after 30 years), and are also submitted to the weekly e-magazine Gonzo, plus www.mlwz.pl, the mighty PowerofProg.com, Rezonatz.com, HouseofProg.com, Progressor.net and others. I also contribute to the French progzine Acid Dragon, the Slovakian site www.rockovica.com, plus if the band is listed then it will appear on ProgArchives and all metal on Metalmusicarchives. Phew! I have also been asked to write pieces for Galahad and Mystery booklets, was interviewed for a TDW DVD, and have had small roles in releases by both Phoen1x and Written By Wolves.

My main focus since 2020 has been providing reviews for muzic.net.nz, the most important music site in New Zealand. It covers all types of Kiwi music, written by Kiwis, and over the last 20+ years has promoted and supported thousands of NZ bands and musicians, helping them to gain comprehensive exposure for their music. In addition, I also write press releases for AAA Records and other local bands, and recently completed The Progressive Underground Volume 4, focusing on my reviews from 2008-2013.

The Progressive Underground Volume 4 is available at all good online outlets!!

Over the last 30+ years I have written literally millions of words on music, but am not stopping yet and often feel busier now more than I was back when I started, as somehow I manage more than 250,000 words annually. If you wish to be added to my review list please send me a PM - I am always looking to discover and promote "new" bands that deserve it. So much music, so little time! Just be aware my outstanding list never seems to get smaller, but somehow I always get there in the end.

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