53/12

53/12

Formed back in September 2003 as a bit of a laugh, five friends dating back to mid to late 1970's decided to do a one gig at their cycling club dinner.

There was a live band called 'Psy Complex' booked. John Greenwood knew most of the band and thought it would be a laugh to get friend's he knew who could play to do a one off and do four or five numbers.

Three months to put something together. No PA, drummer had no drums but we had a name, 53/12. All are ex racing cyclists from Bradford area. 53/12 comes from the gear ratio of top sprinters, not that any of us were. 53 tooth chain ring at the front 12 sprocket at the rear.

John Greenwood (JG) has played guitar since he was knee high to a grasshopper, very talented and competent. Play's naturally and all by ear. Very much the leading force during the early days with idea's of what to play.

Ian Wood (Woody or Wood's). Woody has always fancied himself as a Phil Lynott or Francis Rossi type of singer. Big Quo fan he was keen as mustard to give it a go even though he had never sung in a live band before, but full of confidence.

Ian Scott (Scotty). Play's rhythm guitar. Has played for approx. 12 years but never with a band but always wanted to. Old school pal of Woods, always up for something to give him a buzz. This was right up his street.

Eddy Taylor (Big Eddy). Big in the fact he is 6'7". Got to be one of the tallest cyclists I have ever met never mind wield a Bass guitar, or an 'AXE' as he likes to call it. Ed has played bass in bands in the past, he has even been in the studio, back in the 90's I think and like the others was up for it and laugh.

Paul Watson (Watty). Played drums since early 70's. Played at school and in a couple of bands mainly jamming. Stopped playing when the sport of cycling took over with dreams of becoming a pro cyclist. When asked to make one in, said yes but only if we rehearsed as he had not played for 20+ years plus we were to be playing in front of 80 odd people. Also had no kit.

First rehearsal took place in an old canteen at Yorkshire Water's Esholt sewage works. JG and Scotty with Guitars and amps, Woody had a micro phone (plus cable), Eddy with the 'Axe' and small combo, Watty, one snare and a cymbal plus sticks. Five songs decided were, Can't get enough, All shook up, Sk8er boi, Centrefold and Pump it up.

After a couple of weeks things were coming together and with all being good mates, all had a similar taste in music. A monster 1970's Rogers drum kit was on lone from Watty's mate, ex Skinny Cat and Be Bop Deluxe drummer Phil Parkin. (Though it would cost in beer and red wine later)

We played a small gig for family and close friends early January 2004 two weeks before the club dinner. Racked with nerves we played through the set to polite applause. Heads down concentrating on fingers on the frets and drummer frozen to hi-hats and snare, all fills and anything fancy missed in order not to make a mistake. No one else outside this small circle knew we were going to get up on stage and play at the dinner.

Come the night of the dinner and a couple more rehearsals under our belts were quietly confident. We were spead round the room as if nothing was going on. The singer of Psyc kept saying there was a special treat with John and friends on stage, we played along as if had no idea what was happening. After Psy Complex finish their first set and everyone had sat down and had their buffet the Singer went on stage and anounced "Its time for John and friends to come on stage". We all got up and took our positions.

Woody introduced the band and told how we had got together and that we could play a bit and had rehearsed that week to put some old time music hall numbers together. We had decided to do a 30 second spooney number of 'If I was a rich man' all playing out of time and key for a laugh. When we started you could see the blazer bragade thinking these lads haven't changed a bit in the last 20 years. The Psyc lads just looked at one another and started laughing as did the audiance.

Then Woody says "No that doesn't sound right, hang on a minute". Then, "We are 53/12 and we sound something like this!" Straight into 'Can't get enough' then 'All shook up'. Everyone was up and we were cooking on gas. 'Sk8er boi' which we had problems with during rehearsal went through with no problems and the young kids loved it. Then 'Centre fold' and 'Pump it up' even the lads from Psyc got up for that, finally finished with 'Caroline'. We were totally buzzed up and the fact there were no cockups. Many people were had known for twenty plus years did not know we did anything else other that cycle for a hobby and were very surprised and full off praise.

As it went so well we decided we would continue and see how we as a band would progress.