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Band Biographies
Robbie Holder – guitars & vocals
James Batchelar – keyboards & backing vocals
Andy 'Hozey' Hosegood – guitars & backing vocals
Carl Sigward – drums & percussion
Simon Fenton – bass guitar
Robbie Holder: rhythm guitars, vocals, harmonica
DOB: 21/2/74
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.
Equipment
1 large lunch box
, 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.
Motto's
: Do unto those; live for the day; Make someone smile each day; don't ask, don't get; kKnow when to stop talking!
James Batchelar – keyboards & backing vocals
DOB: 26/09/77
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 20 years (ouch!) and in various bands for the last 10 years. 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 28 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!
Equipment
On stage I use a Yamaha P-80 stage piano (with a spare as a back-up) which has a nicely weighted keyboard with a superb, bright piano sound. I also 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!
And to finish
Also a member of the infamous Chicago Thieves
(see www.chicagothieves.co.uk)
and the Tube Snake Boogie Band
(see www.paxworld.co.uk)
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
DOB: 24/11/73
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!
A few 'interesting' facts about me:
- I have not had any surgical enhancement to make the top of my head look like Francis Rossi's.
- When 'on the razz' I will mainly drink Newcastle Brown but am developing a taste for those nuclear blue alcopop things. These are usually followed up by either a Chinese, a kebab or sometimes both.
- I play a Fender Telecaster (with Rossi-style Facelift) put through a 100 watt Marshall combo.
- I airbrushed Rob's 4500 Times guitar and James's personal Quo Live guitar.
- I get ignored by celebrities (usually when Rob's with me).
- People think I'm a miserable git but, honestly, its just the way my mouth goes! I'm quite happy most of the time!
- I can't really be arsed with guitar effects pedals.
- I would like us to play Slow Train sometime in the future (that wasn't really a fact, was it?)
- I do airbrushing! See the Fender Telecaster pics on the Forum page. Visit my site at: www.andyair.co.uk
O.K. well thats me done – see you at the next gig!
Carl Sigward - drums & percussion
DOB: 03/06/71
Hi to all you rockers out there! I've always been crap at writing this kind of stuff so I'll keep it simple and to the point. I've been gigging around with various bands from about 1990. I've played in various function bands and covered blues, folk, rock and even some jazz experiments which I'd rather not go into! So I guess I've accomplished myself as an all round kind of player. But playing with Quo-Caine gives me a real buzz and makes for a cracking gig.
Anyway, here's a few mildly interesting facts:
- Have met John Coghlan when he and his Quo band in Horsham sometime mid 90's. Even got back stage for a chat and quick bash on his kit – result!
- Favourite Quo songs we play: Backwater, Rain, Roll Over Lay Down – but it can change from gig to gig.
- Favourite Band: Rush
- Most insperational drummers (no spec order): Steve White (who I've met a few times), Neil Peart, Stewart Copeland, Phil Gould
Equipment:
- Pearl drums
- Zildjian cymbals
- Vater sticks
- Various hardware inc. DW, Pearl, Gibralter
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Simon Fenton – bass guitar
DOB: 18/04/67
I first saw the mighty Quo in Southampton during 1980 and managed to headbang my way through the whole gig – it was awesome. They are the only band that I have ever wanted to cover and it’s taken me 26 years from the time I started playing bass to find a Status Quo cover band. The first gig was so much fun, I should have tried harder to find a band way back when…….
I have played bass in various covers bands, Eighth Day, Red Glory, Riff and still do the odd gig with Riff (classic rock). I also play country rock (yeehaa) with a band called One Hand Tied (see www.onehandtied.co.uk). I enjoy all types of music except opera – well that ain't music is it, well come on is it?
I am fanatical about three things in my life other than music, my family, Ford Mustangs and West Ham United (come on you Irons) but I have to say music is my first love and takes up a lot of my time – that and trying to get mates to come to the gigs!
My favourite Quo songs are Mystery Song, Whatever You Want and Caroline but, to be honest, there ain't many Quo songs that I dislike and they have a few haven’t they?
The first album I purchased was 'Blue For You'. This was quickly followed by 'Twelve Gold Bars' and then every single album they have ever released.
Other bands I like (and there are loads) are Kiss, Bon Jovi, Led Zep, The Who, Def Lepperd, Gillan, Deep Purple, Thin Lizzy, UFO, MSG, The Scorpions, Guns and Roses, After Hours – the list is endless.
I have one ambition which will probably never happen – but you gotta dream haven't you?. I would love to play one song with the real Status Quo. So, if you ever read this Francis and Rick, how about a jam, anytime anywhere (sorry Rhino)!?
Right now the boring bit – here is the equipment:
- Fender Precision Lyte active bass
- Aria Pro SRB active bass
- Gallien-Krueger 400rb bass head
- Ashdown 210 deep bass cab
- Ashdown 115 deep bass cab
- Laney BH150 bass head
- AKG SR40 Wireless receiver coupled with an AKG GB40 guitar bug
- Zoom B2 bass effects pedal
Well that’s me done. If you like Status Quo, come and have a look-see, you wont be disappointed.
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