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Mark Nicholas

Hi this is Mark, I live with my dad in Northampton. As you may have already seen, I am a drummer and I have been playing for about 3/4 years. I play the drums for a variety of local youth groups, namely, “The Northamptonshire County Jazz 3”, the Wellingbourough “Trad Jazz Band”, “Big Band” and “Festival Band”. My drum kit is an 8 piece Mapex “Pro M”. I have a Mapex “Janus” double pedal. My cymbals consist of a Sabian pro 14’ hi-hat, Sabian pro 16’ crash, Sabian pro 14’ studio crash, Sabian pro sonix 18’ chyna and a Sabian pro 20’ ride.

I think my most interesting gig was when I played at the Albert Hall in November 2000, but the most fun of all was when I sat in on drums with The Beach Boys at a soundcheck in Paris in 1999, after having spent the afternoon travelling with them. Pictures of this are on the galleries page. (Have also jammed with the Boney M Band).

At the moment I have two drum teachers. They are “Drum Sense” specialist Terry Mitchell, who is taking me through the “Guildhall School of Music” grades (currently working towards grade 6, November 2002) and Dave Holland (the Judas Priest and Trapeze legend) who teaches the rock side of drumming.

In 2000 I attended a week long “Drum Sense” course with classes from such drummers as Colin Woolway (Suzi Quatro), Simon Mellish, Steve Washington (Spice Girls), Mark Brzezicki (Big Country), Gary Husband (Level 42) and a few more.

I recently took a masterclass with Emerson Lake and Palmer legend Carl Palmer who presented me with my Grade 5 certificate.

My favourite drummers are Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater) and Carl Palmer.

My favourite bands are Dream Theater, Blink 182 and Sum 41.

E-Mail: sparkster6@bun.com

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