I started playing guitar, back in '82 - when I was 12. Started playing Sex Pistols/Clash/Damned/Buzzcocks/Toy Dolls etc. Me and a couple of mates ended up forming a band, The Orgasmic Bananas. Our gigs were chaos - we hardly rehearsed, we'd all be blind drunk and/or stoned. Often we'd go on stage with a member missing 'cos they were being sick or passed out.
Most of us helped out other local bands with lugging gear, changing broken strings during gigs & that; so we were always getting to hear about the last minute slots becoming free, when one of the bands has dropped out. Although we were dreadful, we got quite a cult following, and were together & gigging for about 3 years (86-89).
Our line-up varied, but included (at one time or another); Chaos from Chaos UK's auntie, Vanessa Redgrave's cousin, and a chap who went on to be the English voice coach on the Spanish version of Fame Acadamy.
During a lineup-reshuffle, we were left bassist-less, and I took up the bass. As a big fan of reggae, I got right into the bass - reggae basslines are so much fun to play. I also used to practice the intro to Maiden's "Phantom of the Opera", at least 10 mins a day to get used to playing at breakneck speed.
The OX is my fave bassist. He was so SOLID. The Who were a lucky band. Not only were they blessed with one of the best bassists ever, they had the best drummer yet. Stick on Whos Next, or better still the 2CD reissue of Live at Leeds, and concentrate on the drums - pure genius!
Its good to see The Clash getting mentioned by so many people as an influence:
"And I keep listening to the great Joe Strummer
cause through music, we can live forever" - Rancid, Indestructable.