{"id":471,"date":"2009-08-13T22:42:36","date_gmt":"2009-08-13T21:42:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.lovecommandos.net\/?page_id=471"},"modified":"2009-08-13T22:42:36","modified_gmt":"2009-08-13T21:42:36","slug":"neil-horsburgh","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/www.lovecommandos.net\/blog\/band\/neil-horsburgh\/","title":{"rendered":"Neil Horsburgh"},"content":{"rendered":"

Biography of Neil Horsburgh – Vocals<\/h2>\n

1986 to 1987 – Aori (Mk 1)<\/h3>\n
\"Rabbit<\/a>

Rabbit caught in headlights<\/p><\/div>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Members<\/h4>\n

Colin Anderson<\/a> – Cheesy Synth, Cushions, Knitting Needles, Metal LP Rack
\nNeil Horsburgh – Vocals<\/p>\n

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).<\/p>\n

1990 to 1991 – Jade \/ Oodeliedeleedelay Folk Band<\/h3>\n

\"No,<\/a>

No, it's not a wig!<\/p><\/div>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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Members<\/h4>\n

\"There's<\/a>

There's a band in there somewhere.<\/p><\/div>
\nNeil Horsburgh – Vocals, Percussion
\nRobert Illes<\/a> – Guitars, Mandolins, Vocals
\nPaul Lepki<\/a> – Bass, Acoustic Guitar
\nNigel Pugh – Keyboards (not in OFB) replaced by
\nNick – Keyboards, Vocals (not in OFB)
\nNeil Robertson – Drums (not in OFB)<\/p>\n

Oodeliedeleedelay Folk Band Extra Members<\/h4>\n

Kemi Eke – Guitars, Andean Pipes, Vocals
\nNigel – Drums (played in most Uni bands at some point)<\/p>\n

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).<\/p>\n

1992 to 1994 – Love Commandos (Mk 1)<\/h3>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Members<\/h4>\n

Rob Bates – Guitars, Backing Vocals
\nPaul Blackman – Bass
\nNeil Horsburgh – Vocals
\nNick “Walrus” May – Drums
\nPaul Moody – Saxophone
\nColin Anderson<\/a> – Guitars dressed as Midge Ure – One Off Special Guest<\/p>\n

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)<\/p>\n

1994 – Love Commandos (Mk 2)<\/a><\/h3>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Members<\/h4>\n

Rob Bates – Keyboard, Backing Vocals, Second Guitar
\nKen Bearman – Bass
\nMike Douglas – Lead Guitar
\nNeil Horsburgh – Vocals
\nAndy Hubble – Drums
\nPaul Moody – Saxophone<\/p>\n

Most notable achievement – I didn’t become a recluse after the second gig.<\/p>\n

1995 to Present – Aori (Mk 2)<\/h3>\n

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…<\/p>\n

(NB the songs mentioned under “Aori (Mk 1)” have not been called back into service).<\/p>\n

Members<\/h4>\n

Colin Anderson<\/a> – Guitars, Bass, Apple Mac, Keyboards
\nRob Bates – Guitars, Keyboards
\nNeil Horsburgh – Vocals, Pickled Onion Monster Munch<\/p>\n

Most notable achievement – First proper studio work<\/p>\n

1998 to 2004 – Love Commandos (Mk 3)<\/h3>\n

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).<\/p>\n

Members<\/h4>\n

Jon Attfield – Guitar
\nRob Bates – Keyboard, Guitar, Backing Vocals
\nKen Bearman – Bass, Backing Vocals
\nNeil Horsburgh – Vocals
\nAndrew Hubble – Drums<\/p>\n

Most notable achievement – Failing to record any usable demos.<\/p>\n

2000 to Present – Ethel Vince<\/a><\/h3>\n

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<\/a> and Big Country <\/a>could be an influence.<\/p>\n

Members<\/h4>\n

Neil Horsburgh – Vocals
\nAndy Thorpe – Acoustic Guitar<\/p>\n

Most notable achievement – Release of our narrowly acclaimed mini album “Paper Trail”.<\/p>\n

2004 to Present – Love Commandos (Mk 4)<\/h3>\n

Members<\/h4>\n

Rob Bates – Keyboard, Guitar, Backing Vocals
\nKen Bearman – Bass, Backing Vocals
\nNeil Horsburgh – Vocals
\nAndy Hubble – Drums.
\nRichard Price – Guitar<\/p>\n

Most notable achievement – Still to come<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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