A
Allyson Hannigan- Rawr... er, that’s about all I can say, really. She was Willow on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and has attended band camp

America- The most powerful nation in the world, lead by a famous chump. In spite of never visiting this country, I have many friends over there who I’ve met through church, university and the internet.

Andy Buchanan- Frontman of Free Flights Up. A staggeringly intelligent individual and a talented musician and songwriter. His natural ability humbles me and challenges me to stretch myself further. We met through church and school and I hope we stay in touch for many years to come.

Anji Wickens- Beautiful Welsh lady and guitarist. Worked on the team I worked on in Birmingham the year before I arrived. She stayed in Birmingham the following year and we met through mutual friends. I admire Anji’s desire for honesty in who she is and what she does. One of my greatest regrets of the last 2 years is losing touch with Anji- she is one of my best friends.

Annie Moore- Stunning former resident of Fresno, California, about to begin studying for a masters in Oxford… what a clever lady. We met in a Christian chatroom around 1998/1999 and formed a relationship which strongly featured a love for the Smashing Pumpkins, Portishead and a number of other contemporary artists. Although she and I have never met in person- the closest we came was approx 9 miles in 1999 when she was visiting Kensington and I was playing a gig in Wimbledon- we have shared a number of life experiences and I consider her one of my closest friends.

Anna Thomas- ex girlfriend of a month. In truth, it was probably best that it didn’t last very long. I learnt a lot of lessons through my relationship with Anna- I only regret that she had to endure the process.

Arm- Last summer, in a freak office accident involving a large television, I struck my arm off the edge of a shelf and went into mild shock. Unfortunately, the designated first-aider, Dave, and I were unaware of this, and it was only by good fortune that we decided on the correct course of action. Some weeks later, attending a first aid course, we recognised the symptoms I had experienced and had a good laugh at it. Honest. I never actually found out what damage I sustained, but I either bruised the bone or I actually broke my elbow- needless to say I was in pain for several weeks, especially as it then became impossible to walk through a door without walking into doorposts, pass more shelving unscathed, etc.

Astoria- The London Astoria- my favourite venue in the world. Big enough for big crowds and big bands, small enough to have great atmosphere. I have watched Therapy?, Reef, Foo Fighters, Ash, Dashboard Confessional and Snow Patrol here.

B
Ball Pools- You know the sort- the ones you leave your kid in while you go shopping at IKEA, etc... I thought I'd mention an amusing story about when I was a kid, playing in one with my big brother (see S for Simeon in a few months' time!). Feeling a little boisterous, we started throwing said balls at each other, pausing occasionally to "reload". In one such pause, my brother re-emerged first and started throwing balls at the first upright individual he saw, assuming it was me. Sadly it was not... I think her mother was quite understanding when her daughter stopped crying...

Bass- I have been playing bass since I was 13. During my teens it was my primary source of musical opportunities and it also got me my first paid gig, playing “Merrily We Roll Along” by Stephen Sondheim. I currently play an Ernie Ball Musicman Stingray 5 with 3 band EQ, in all-black with a rosewood fingerboard.

Best Man- I don't think an A-Z of my life would be complete without me mentioning that my brother (see "Ball Pools" and "Simeon") is getting married at Easter 2005 and has asked me to be his best man. I'm a very happy man and hugely honoured that he asked me.

Birthday- 4th February 1982. Buy me presents!

Blue Furze- Nursery I went to as a wee nipper. I was small and I don't remember much about it, but I feel that I may have only actually gone there half a dozen times... Either that or I have a poor memory of those formative years.

Boss- Manufacturers of high quality digital guitar effects. I’ve bought enough of their gear over the last 12 years they should give me a parking space at their factory or something.

Brandhall- Poor suburb of Birmingham where I worked on my year out.

Brixton Academy- My local major music venue. Huge, cavernous space, lacking in much atmosphere, but good bands play there.