IAN : GUITARS & BACKING VOCALS

Ian is the founder member of the RiffToads and manages the day to day running of the band.

"The band was formed after a chance conversation at work, I got chatting with some guys I work with who'd played in bands before, and we decided to get together and make some noise."

Previously, Ian had been a talented footballer (so he tells everyone!!) but knee injuries forced him to hang up his boots early, so a new hobby and interest was needed. "I decided to take up the guitar, as it didn't seem that difficult, and in no time at all, when I could string enough chords together to play some Quo, I knew I was ready for the challenge!!!."

Nobody expected much at first, but slowly the band sound came together and after the usual round of line-up changes the RiffToads settled into their current mix of rock, pop and blues classics.

"The comment I remember most at that time, was, - we're getting there" he laughs, "The funny thing is, looking back at how far we've come since we started, our current sound seems a world away from the beginning. It's been hard work, but great fun, our absolute priority is to have some fun and enjoy ourselves - and we do!"

Apart from being the business head of the group, Ian also arranges the transport with his trusty Mercedes Vito van, and can usually be seen with his mobile phone glued to his ear whilst he negotiates another booking. "The business side can be even more demanding than the playing" he reveals "sometimes it's a relief just to get up and play, at least for that hour and a half, I can relax and ignore the phone!!"

Ian has many influences ranging from rock n' roll, right through to Oasis and the Stereophonics, his true love is Madness and all things Ska, so, at some point expect the RiffToads to don their trilby's and braces as one step isn't beyond them!!

Ian uses his beloved American Telecaster, and Marshall AVT275 amplification. He also plays a Yamaha Pacifica, a Epiphone 335 and a Yamaha CPX10 electro acoustic.

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