Spider has contributed to publications worldwide from fanzines and websites to film festival brochures and glossy magazines. His work has been published in magazines such as American Music Press and Loud Fast Rules (in the States), Big Cheese (UK) and Rumba (Finland). He has interviewed musicians from bands like The Clash along with filmmakers such as Julien Temple. He is currently keeping a low profile in writing and is concentrated on playing the music that he loves.
That said, he has kindly offered to share his rock ‘n roll lifestyle (and highlights of those of the musicians he encounters along the way) with us here on the trippin’ site. But before he dives in, I’ll let him explain in his own words how he came to join the trippin’ family.
Take it away, Spider…
Intro: Something about Thursday
Happened to be having a day off from work when the phone rang. Old friend of mine suggested a trip down to the London Independent Film Festival. Having been associated with film festivals in the past I knew at least there would be a good vibe going around – oh should I just say my friend told me it was all free and the theme was the spirit of human struggle. Also it was going to take place in a pub.
Upon arrival we were penetrated by images of lobotomy and a long lost Kennedy sister having an ice pick put through her eye socket. Somewhere along the line there was a film about some punk author and a multitasking entrepreneur. This is the documentary I’d been waiting for… my eyes felt heavy and without realizing I found myself horizontally positioned on the comfortable red couch. Must’ve got mellow by all the alcohol soaked on it over the years of merry boozers celebrating the clock hitting a vertical position of 6 and signaling the end of the day at the office.
The silence of the room and flickering of the lights must’ve woken me up and headed out to find my friend. As expected he was at the bar nurturing a bloody mary, which itself only echoed an excuse to talk to the girls behind the bar. Thought I’d join my friend in the banter – by this point he had secured a guaranteed work placement in a fashion magazine for one of them. I ordered a pint…
…and by that point we were pretty wasted and I’m sure the bartenders had seen it all before, but desperate for company they seemed to participate in a way that would be worthy an Oscar. Without realizing another award winner approached me inquiring about the Sex Pistols t-shirt I was wearing..
Next morning I woke up and found a dvd in my pocket. I wasn’t quite sure where it came from, but I did remember something being discussed about the following Thursday. Gladly, my curiosity gave over and I headed to meet someone – without knowing who this person might be. Walking into the dim auditorium past all the enthusiastic film lovers I felt slight unease, not only were people like sardines in a can, I still didn’t know who I was actually looking for. Wasn’t feeling like the sharpest knife in the drawer, but tried to find a seat. Just like everyone else in there I thought well there must be one left.
Gladly, much to my amazement I heard a gentle greeting and before I could really acknowledge what the situation was I was kindly offered a share of a wooden chair. The person in the red barre and miniskirt was none other than the directrix herself – Devi Snively. She’d inquire my possible involvement in music and little did I realize how much was to change at that moment or what kind of a kindred spirit I’d encountered.
The short films ended and people made their way to the bar. Returning to the scene of the crime I was quick to join in the conversation and announced horror films to be mostly shit and feminist as a bunch of wankers. Devi was clearly shocked. Little did I know who I was talking to or what was the history behind Death in Charge.
As the socializing got further lubricated by the intoxicating alcohol, common interests and the rinsing of the tab we found ourselves immersed in academia, blues musicians and the imminent death of Hollywood’s cultural hegemony – not to mention that Devi was being pestered by an utterly drunk admirer and something told me it wasn’t her films necessarily. Without realizing I was cast in the role of the white knight.
Other than protecting Devi from the keen fans, I found myself being closely working on the film soundtrack for her feature film Trippin’. Devi took the liking of a punk band I was in at the time – 
Ratbags, which appear on the soundtrack, but I also ended up composing music in around the film with fellow musician friends under the moniker Spider’s Sideshow. 
Also having the background in musical journalism I ended up interviewing other bands associated with the film (coming soon…).
Little did I know that months later the encounter at the bar would take me to Hollywood and eventually all over California.
Welcome to the madness, Spider. Stay tuned for tales of the punk and disorderly to be spun by our favorite arachnid soon…