Neil Horsburgh

Biography of Neil Horsburgh – Vocals

1986 to 1987 – Aori (Mk 1)

Rabbit caught in headlights

Rabbit caught in headlights

Well, I suppose technically this is where it all started. Colin and I met at Primary School and our common interest in music was encouraged by us both having to take turns playing bass xylophone for a group of travelling players who put on a show there. Years later, Colin and I, having acquired a large amount of our musical taste from his elder brother William’s record collection, put together our first band “Aori”. Recording onto an alarm / cassette recorder (with a stereo mike no less) using some dubious musical instruments (see below) and primitive multitracking (another tape recorder playing at the same time), we laid down the seminal classics “We’re At The End Of Time”, “Beginning To End” and “Owlbear”. All of them were absolutely appalling. Without exception. Didn’t stop us planning our whole career including album titles, song names and even what the covers would look like. Colin claims from time to time that he still has a copy of the songs. This does not make the World a better place.

Members

Colin Anderson – Cheesy Synth, Cushions, Knitting Needles, Metal LP Rack
Neil Horsburgh – Vocals

Most notable achievement – Colin went on to work as a professional musician. Luckily he wasn’t turned down due to his involvement in Aori. (If you own a copy of Grand Theft Auto or Grand Theft Auto 2, you may now recognise one of the credited names).

1990 to 1991 – Jade / Oodeliedeleedelay Folk Band

No, it's not a wig!

No, it's not a wig!

Folk / Heavy Rock. Briefly known as “Class of ‘ 57”, I became a member of “Jade” after staying up all night on the Summer Solstice of 1990 singing Tull songs under a tree at the University of Birmingham (where we were all students). We were actually pretty good although some of the material had a bit too much of a flower power stance for my liking with songs like “Child In Harmony”. I remember particularly enjoying singing a song called “Chance”. My sole contribution songwise was “Victims Of Circumstance”. We played mostly original material with a generous helping of covers such as a Spinal Tap medley (complete with Stonehenge monument and Mad Bob doing his dwarf dancing), “Dun Ringill” by Jethro Tull and “Burn” by Deep Purple.

After Nigel Pugh left to go to Newcastle to do a Ph.D. and was replaced by Nick, it became obvious that my influence in the band was dwindling and I was shortly told in no uncertain terms that my talents were not up to scratch and that I was being kicked out. I actually saw them play live afterwards. There was no way I would have sung a song about tigers.

Members

There's a band in there somewhere.

There's a band in there somewhere.


Neil Horsburgh – Vocals, Percussion
Robert Illes – Guitars, Mandolins, Vocals
Paul Lepki – Bass, Acoustic Guitar
Nigel Pugh – Keyboards (not in OFB) replaced by
Nick – Keyboards, Vocals (not in OFB)
Neil Robertson – Drums (not in OFB)

Oodeliedeleedelay Folk Band Extra Members

Kemi Eke – Guitars, Andean Pipes, Vocals
Nigel – Drums (played in most Uni bands at some point)

Most notable achievement – The Oodeliedeleedelay Folk Band mainly played for the Freak Brothers Society. Our version of “The Battle of Evermore” was the definite high point for me. Jade were, for a while, arguably the most popular band at the University of Birmingham (except with the Maths Dept on Wednesdays).

1992 to 1994 – Love Commandos (Mk 1)

Rock Covers Band. Formed to play a one off gig at a farm in the middle of Oxfordshire. The usual rock covers were wheeled out as a bit of a laugh. (You know the sort of stuff : “Paranoid”, “Living After Midnight”, “Ace Of Spades”). Over the period of time that this incarnation existed, we started to include more adventurous material such as “Epic” and “Don’t Fear The Reaper”. Quite simply, we rocked.

Members

Rob Bates – Guitars, Backing Vocals
Paul Blackman – Bass
Neil Horsburgh – Vocals
Nick “Walrus” May – Drums
Paul Moody – Saxophone
Colin Anderson – Guitars dressed as Midge Ure – One Off Special Guest

Most notable achievement – Only ever had three rehearsals before any show (except once when we had four due to having to play a two hour set)

1994 – Love Commandos (Mk 2)

Rock Covers Band. Due to Paul and Nick’s departure (Paul to Kent and Nick to Hong Kong), a new line up was formed. First gig was sloppy but passable. Second gig was abysmal. Third gig was hurriedly cancelled. Although not actually disbanded, there was certainly a strong desire on my part to just let sleeping dogs lie.

Members

Rob Bates – Keyboard, Backing Vocals, Second Guitar
Ken Bearman – Bass
Mike Douglas – Lead Guitar
Neil Horsburgh – Vocals
Andy Hubble – Drums
Paul Moody – Saxophone

Most notable achievement – I didn’t become a recluse after the second gig.

1995 to Present – Aori (Mk 2)

As Colin effectively had his own studio in Dundee, I started going up there once in a while to record new material with the idea that eventually we could put out an album. During this period, Rob and I also started writing new material which we went up to Dundee to record with Colin. Due to distance and Colin having now started his own company, it may be some time before we complete the album but you never know…

(NB the songs mentioned under “Aori (Mk 1)” have not been called back into service).

Members

Colin Anderson – Guitars, Bass, Apple Mac, Keyboards
Rob Bates – Guitars, Keyboards
Neil Horsburgh – Vocals, Pickled Onion Monster Munch

Most notable achievement – First proper studio work

1998 to 2004 – Love Commandos (Mk 3)

The Love Commandos name was resurrected once more to do battle with the forces of apathy. There was also a slight change in direction as we decided to concentrate less on the standard rock classics and more on whatever we fancied. We have now even decided to start playing our own original material which is yet to scare off our traditional audience (and there was much rejoicing).

Members

Jon Attfield – Guitar
Rob Bates – Keyboard, Guitar, Backing Vocals
Ken Bearman – Bass, Backing Vocals
Neil Horsburgh – Vocals
Andrew Hubble – Drums

Most notable achievement – Failing to record any usable demos.

2000 to Present – Ethel Vince

As another avenue of musical mischief to follow, Neil has set up another band with Andy Thorpe ( ex-Druidspear, ex-Anorakula, ex-Electric Shed, ex-T’s Basement) on acoustic guitar to see what they come up with together. Early signs suggest that The Alarm and Big Country could be an influence.

Members

Neil Horsburgh – Vocals
Andy Thorpe – Acoustic Guitar

Most notable achievement – Release of our narrowly acclaimed mini album “Paper Trail”.

2004 to Present – Love Commandos (Mk 4)

Members

Rob Bates – Keyboard, Guitar, Backing Vocals
Ken Bearman – Bass, Backing Vocals
Neil Horsburgh – Vocals
Andy Hubble – Drums.
Richard Price – Guitar

Most notable achievement – Still to come

Severity