Bud was born on the 14th July in Birmingham, UK, and started singing in the school choir at 7, and even began writing a few littletunes. When he moved to Bedfordshire when he was 12 he got his first taste of playing drums during music lesssons, which he started playing properly at the age of 16, borrowing a friend's drum kit, then around the age of 17 Bud's love affair with the guitar began, and together with his friend Mark Thorman and a cheap Hondo guitar he set about forming his first band “Sphynx”. In the early 80s Sphynx were joined by keyboard player Tim Ashford, this was to change the whole sound of the band from being hard rock influenced (Sabbath, ACDC etc) to more contemporary influences of U2 and Talk Talk.
After several line-up changes the band performed at a Live Aid spin off in 1986. At around this time Bud wrote his first serious song “Token Of Gold”. Deeply saddened by the loss of his sister in a car crash the song almost wrote itself. This started another line-up change, a new sound and a new band name “Big Brother”, and during that time the band moved to London sharing a flat, and bud and Tim wrote American Dream together. The band went their separate ways in 1988. After a few more unsuccessful attempts to put bands together Bud had a break from music for a couple of years.
It wasn't long before Bud desperately needed to make a noise again… This time a loud noise! So along with the singer from Big Brother, Mark Whitlock, Bud decided it was time to rock out a bit again. Together they formed “The Cut”. The band went from strength to strength and in 1993 recorded the album “Emotional Suicide”. The opening track “Keep Your Demon Down” was played on Radio One’s Friday Rock Show during that year.
After a few more difficult times Bud decided he needed to learn more about this thing called music and at the age of 34 went to Derby University to do a degree in Music.
During his time at Uni, Bud continued playing in bands in Bedford, travelling back and forth for gigs etc. Having met and befriended singer Raoul Sedgwick while playing with The Cut they decided to form a new band along with Bassist from The Cut, Jason Manning and new young (at the timeJ) drummer Pete Hancock, called Numb. They relerased 2 albums "Sentient” and “Inter City Mars” and built quite a following during the 90s and large record company interest. They were joined in 1998 by keyboard player Adam Wakeman (now playing with OzzyOsbourne and Will Young) and gigged all over the country.
Having completed his music degree (2-1 hon’s), Bud scored two short films and composed a concerto for the guitar (Eclipse Guitar Concerto No.1) and in the late 90s he tried his hand at teaching for a few years and helped to set up a Rock School in Northamptonshire
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Bud started gigging again, performing in several function bands including “Blue Train” and “The Blue Renegades"
The young bass player with Blue Train, Ben Swidenbank, introduced Bud along with long standing drummer Pete Hancock to his brother Joseph Swidenbank who had just completed his solo album “Roads”. Joe needed a band to promote the album on a tour of the country. The band hit it off straight away and very quickly started writing the follow up album “Scattered” together. |
At the same time Bud thought more and more about recording his own songs. The idea for “Whiteout” the album was born. He wanted to not only record new material but also rediscover some of the old songs that had become like children to him. Included on the album are songs Token Of Gold (Bud’s first serious song) and American Dream which he co-wrote With Tim Ashford (who sadly passed away a few years ago). Both of these songs had never been properly recorded so Bud thought it was only right that they, along with other never heard before songs, should live and breathe,.
"Whiteout" was released in December 2011 and resulted in Bud receiving awards from indie radio stations - Twirl Radio "Male Vocalist of the Year" and Take 2 Radio Indie Awards (voted for by listeners) "Album of the Year" for Whiteout and "Acoustic Artist of the Year" for his acoustic videos
Bud followed Whiteout with a 4 track EP in May 2013. It takes the title from the first track "Setting Sun" and crosses a spectrum of genres showcasing Bud's versatility. Once again he wrote the songs, plays all the instruments and produced the EP himself.
"Whiteout" was released in December 2011 and resulted in Bud receiving awards from indie radio stations - Twirl Radio "Male Vocalist of the Year" and Take 2 Radio Indie Awards (voted for by listeners) "Album of the Year" for Whiteout and "Acoustic Artist of the Year" for his acoustic videos
Bud followed Whiteout with a 4 track EP in May 2013. It takes the title from the first track "Setting Sun" and crosses a spectrum of genres showcasing Bud's versatility. Once again he wrote the songs, plays all the instruments and produced the EP himself.
And so to "Bud and the Bullet!!
For his follow up album, Bud wanted an edgier, rockier live feel to the album so he brought Ben Swidenbank in on bass and Pete Hancock on drums to record the album.
Bud and the Bullet album released on 14th July 2014 with an official music video for "In Temptation" from the album released on 28th July 2014
For details of the instruments Bud proudly uses please click here
For his follow up album, Bud wanted an edgier, rockier live feel to the album so he brought Ben Swidenbank in on bass and Pete Hancock on drums to record the album.
Bud and the Bullet album released on 14th July 2014 with an official music video for "In Temptation" from the album released on 28th July 2014
For details of the instruments Bud proudly uses please click here