Quo-caine biographies
Robbie Holder: rhythm guitars & vocals
I'm told I've been a Quo fan since about 3 months before I was born. First gig I ever went to was Quo on the 'Army tour at the Brighton Centre and I've been hooked on their more heavier boogie rock since. Been playing guitar in bands since I was 20, but this is the first time I've had to sing the lead (yeh, like you can't guess!). I've known some very inspiring and generous people along the way too, to whom I owe a lot. They should know who they are and I thank you!
Thanks also to all the people who come to see us, especially those who boogie their butts off. I get such a kick out of that. If you see us, ask me about the day we met the Quo. What a surreal day! Me and my big mouth gets me everywhere!
My favourite songs are 4500 times and Roll Over Lay Down. When we do it, it gets me in a place I didn't know I had. Other favourite bands are The Black Crowes, AC/DC, Thunder and another band who's name escapes me. Favourite hobbies are thinking too hard, the band, flying and playing footie for Rudgwick FC when I get picked.
Gear:
Two Fender Telecasters sprayed and aged to look like Rick's which is essential for Quo and a work of art! Les Paul style (piece of junk but made to look and sound great by Hozey) tuned for 4500 times. Marshall Valvestate combo, chorus and flanger effects. Two of Rick's plectrums nicked from the stage of the Brighton Centre.
James Batchelar – keyboards & vocals
Likes: Fast cars, nice beer, great music and the odd bit of Quo
Dislikes: Hitting the wrong note, ropey beer, slow cars and not being able to park easily
I've now been playing the keys for way over 25 years and in various bands for the last 15 years. I met up again with Rob and Hozey after an eight-year gap and we got this Quo thing going. It was like no time had passed and a fantastic opportunity as I do enjoy a little Quo (only the 29 albums though!) My job in the band is to lock in with the rhythm section and the guitars, adding a bit of light and shade where appropriate - nice!
Gear:
On stage I use a Yamaha P-80 stage piano (with a spare as a back-up). I also use a Nord Electro-2 virtual Hammond keyboard. As a back-up, I use a Viscount/Oberheim OB3 Squared Hammond organ module for a really gritty Hammond reproduction (beats carrying a B3 and Leslie cabinet around!). This is hooked up to a Boss twin-pedal rotary effect unit which by-passes the not-so-good built in rotary sound on the Viscount/Oberheim module. All this is rigged up to a large 180-watt Roland KC550 amp in the backline. There's also lots of leads, pedals and stuff which seem to take about four days to set up!
Quo-caine is a great band and hats off to everyone in it who have done Quo's music real justice. We rehearsed most of it for nearly a year to get it slick and tight (mmmm, lovely!). Most whiners who say Quo only know three chords don't actually know what a chord is. None of it is straightforward and it's taken a lot of dedication, time and appreciation of the mighty Quo to get the sound we've got. Amen to that and mine's a pint! Enjoy it people. Over and out. Ralf.
Andy (Hozey) Hosegood – lead guitar & backing vocals
Hello people! Does anyone REALLY read these things? Well for those of you who are interested/bored enough to want to find out about who we in Quo-caine are, here's my little bit of whatsit.
My name's Andy, but most of my mates call me Hozey (its ok, I'll answer to both!). I was born in 1973, and I think G**y G*****r was at the top of the hit parade but, the less said about that, the better. Progressed through the 70's without too much hassle and on to the 80's when I started to take notice of music. Round about the time I was 10, or 11, my Dad gave a rather well worn copy of the mighty Quo's infamous '77 live album. This was a wake up call of sorts for me as, up until then, I had been happy with the synthesized pap I heard on the radio. There was something about the organic sound of the geetars – I dunno, it was just great!
So, after spending my cash on a few more Quo albums and then discovering Queen when I was 14, I decided it was time to put down the tennis racket and learn how to play the guitar properly. I think I joined my 1st band when I was about 20. This would have been crappily named Rocker Covers featuring Mr. Robbie Holder on rhythm guitar and a certain James Batchelar on the ivories. Moving swiftly through the 90's and lots of other bands (including Mustard with Dan on bass) I am now in Quo-caine with the above herberts!
Carl Sigward - drums & percussion
Born: 3rd June 1971 in Shoreham, West Sussex
Lives: East Preston, West Sussex with my wife, Marina, and Marlene the cat!
Gear:
Drums: Tama, Superstar Hyperdrive birch shell.
Cymbals: Zildjian, K Custom, A Custom, Armand Series.
Colin Eccles – bass guitar
What’s there not to like about Status Quo!? I remember listening to their original single, 'Pictures of Matchstick Men' on Radio Caroline when it was first released and I got really into them when they changed their image (and sound) and released 'Down the Dustpipe.' A British Boogie Band was born and they’re still going strong – excellent!
I think I got my first guitar from a shop in Manchester when I was in my early teens and that really fuelled my interest in all things musical. I’ve always leaned towards 'proper' music (ie rock) but I like many styles except country and western, rap, virtually all electronic dance music and manufactured bands.
I like to get out and see local bands in local venues. There are some fantastic bands out there playing original and cover material and I get to see them either free or for the price of a couple of pints! Much better than paying £250 and standing ¼ mile from a big venue stage!
I’m a Christian and am quite involved in the modern and contemporary music in my church where I play in the band and encourage younger musicians.
Favourite Quo songs – in no particular order are: 'Caroline', 'Down Down', 'Whatever You Want', 'Beginning of the End', 'Rain', 'Creepin’ up on You', 'Mystery Song', 'Two-Way Traffic' and 'Dust to Gold' to name just a few! I’m really pleased to be playing with Quo-caine – a great bunch of blokes!
Gear:
I’m presently using a Musicman Stingray 5HH into some very light weight gear – a Mark Bass Head and a pair of handmade 'Barefaced' cabinets – see: www.barefacedbass.com
Connecting everything together are some brilliant handmade quality cables from my mate Dave Polglaze – see: www.bassic-bits.co.uk
