Ian's blog

I took my first foray into the world of ‘theatre’ rock shows at the weekend – and it was one hell of a good introduction.

Leather And Lace – my latest covers project that came to be nearly 2 years ago – is now getting bookings in UK theatres, after our debut night at a club in Chesterfield late last year to ‘work out the bugs’, as it were (see the recent blog on my site about how L&L got together and got to that stage, both literally and figuratively).

Consider what makes a truly great rock n roll frontman;

• Vocal ability and a unique style of delivery
• The skill to engage with and fire up an audience
• Stagecraft

I thought I'd post this some 24 hours on from the dreadfully sad news that Graham Taylor, former England, Watford and Villa boss, has passed away at the age of 72. A man universally loved and respected by his peers and fans alike - the tributes from all and sundry that I read and listened to were something else. Brilliant memories.

Then, I was asked by a pal whether I could tell the story of how my impressions caused me a moment of sheer panic at the hands of Graham Taylor himself...so here goes...

Well. Every bugger else does 'list' blogs these days, so....

Many's the time I've read a 'drummer of the year' poll in Rhythm mag or Modern Drummer and I've fully understood why Neil Peart, Steve Gadd or Keith Carlock have dominated proceedings over the years. They're brilliant players, attaining levels of control, technique and finesse that leave us all open-mouthed and more than a little inadequate by contrast. But that's fine. We can't all be like 'The Professor'...I'd still love just 5 minutes sat behind that 'Time Machine' kit though :)

It’s been around 2 years in the planning, but I’m one small part of a new covers band that’s now rolling off the production line.

Myself, Matt Holland and our producer and 1D wannabe Scott were enjoying the post match euphoria that was all around Lille centre at around 1am Thursday morning when a dustbin lorry inched its way into the main square next to our vantage point.

There was a point last night during the 2nd half that Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey were gently exchanging 5 yard passes with each other on half way, and not one Russian player could be in the least bit bothered to stop them. It was just one of many extraordinary sights I witnessed from our commentary position in Toulouse as Wales sailed through to top Group B on a glorious clear evening where the vanilla sky above was as clear as Gareth Bale's route to goal and the Russian flag might as well have been a white cross on a white background.

There was a point last night during the 2nd half that Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey were gently exchanging 5 yard passes with each other on half way, and not one Russian player could be in the least bit bothered to stop them. It was just one of many extraordinary sights I witnessed from our commentary position in Toulouse as Wales sailed through to top Group B on a glorious clear evening where the vanilla sky above was as clear as Gareth Bale's route to goal and the Russian flag might as well have been a white cross on a white background.

Toulouse awaits.

The so-called 'pink city' - named after the terracotta roof tiles so visible from the air as you come into land at the airport here - has been subject to the same sort of 'friendly invasion' by the Welsh as the Northern Irish fans had in Lyon just a few days ago. As my producer Scott and I left our hotel to walk the early evening streets in search of grub, Wales fans were already spilling out from the pavements into the Rue de Strasbourg, but not spilling a single drop of their pints whilst doing so.

This is the thing with hopping around France on an almost literal whistle stop tour following the beautiful game - you never get to see the beautiful sights.