Graham - drums and backing vocals

Along with former member Johnny Wangbar, Graham was one of the founders of JAK THE LAD back in 1989.

Graham started his percussion career at an early age, regularly up-ending his potty as a toddler and bashing it with a wooden spoon, much to the annoyance of his dear old mum. From then on Graham was destined for a career at the top of the music industry. One of his earlier bands was signed to the same record label as Irish rock-gods U2. Apparently, their lead singer told Graham that U2 would become the biggest band in the world. You can imagine Graham's reply.

Graham went on to have several hot studio sessions with David (80s funkster) and Carrie (well-fit singing teacher from BBC Fame Academy) Grant. They were both reasonably impressed with his drumming, but David was rather put out by all the banging.

When Graham is not playing drums with JAK THE LAD he is a director of Dorset's foremost blinds and awnings company (bet you're impressed - we were!).  

Graham's musical pedigree is further reinforced by his claim to be related to German composer Richard Wagner (we think it's more likely he's related to Robert Wagner, the bloke from cheesy 70s TV show Hart to Hart).Tex lists his influences as: Little Feet, Dr. Feelgood, Drum"n" Bass, Rum "n" Coke, Rock "n" Roll, Red Wine and Venetian Blinds.

Graham's Gear

Drums and noisy stuff

• Pearl Masters MMX Rock Kit in a fetching cherry red finish
• Vast selection of Sabian HHX cymbals
• DW twin bass drum pedal and custom hi-hat pedal
• Several sticks
• Stool

PA and amplification

• Behringer XM8500 cardioid vocal microphone
• Selection of other drum kit microphones
• Wharfedale Pro SVP12PM powered monitor

Stage Costume and supplies

• Usually, as Graham hides at the back behind his drum kit (where he thinks no-one can see him), he wears a sweaty old surfer dude T-shirt and accompanies this with a selection of horrible football shorts (think dodgy 1970s 2nd Division footballer - too tight to mention, but helps with the high bits on the backing vocals).
• Lots of bottles of water, Sanatogen multi-vitamins and cod liver oil to keep his wrists flexible, and a Snickers bar or two to keep the old chap going  (after all, he is the most aged member of the band, despite that fact that he looks at least 15 years younger than Johnny Wangbar).