He met Kelly and Rich from the band while working at BJG-Sahara Sound. They quickly clicked and became friends and he ended up playing some percussion on their album You Gotta Go There To Come Back. Last year he then got an unexpected call from the band to work with them on their latest album, Language, Sex, Violence. Other? "I started playing along with them and we just clicked," he says - so well that he has now become a fully paid up member of the band. "It was when we were mixing that we had a chat about it and everything came together. It has been a very natural process."
And there's been a lot to enjoy, with more in store. On top of that Live 8 appearance there have been hit singles and a massive world tour, which goes right through until the summer of 2006 including some dates with Oasis. And he hasn't forgotten his roots and has brought his sound engineering expertise into the Stereophonics camp maintaining the band's strong connection with Focusrite gear: "I'm using a pair of Focusrite Liquid Channels,' he says. "I'm also familiar with the Red and Platinum series, which I have used in many occasions. I came across the Liquid Channel because Jim Lowe [Stereophonics' engineer] was using it. He had one around when we did the album. Then I started looking for a preamp that I could use in all situations - in the studio, at home - and the more I researched, the Liquid Channel became the obvious choice."
"At the moment I'm using two in the studio. The Liquid Channel is a great all-rounder as a preamp. You can flick between settings so fast that you don't have to worry about losing the vibe in the studio."
(Lee Baldock)
