GARETH Bartlett is Mr Average.
By his own admission, an average guitar player and an average singer.
“Theres a million better singers than me and even more guitarists that could kick my ass. But its not about who can play more notes or sing higher. I hope its about a feeling,” said GB.
A late starter to guitar, he picked up his first strat aged 16 but it was several years before even the basics came together.
His first band was Undivided, playing power ballads and soft rock tunes, before moving on to form the electrifying Blue Murder Blues Band where he really developed as a guitarist.
A young(er) looking GB with Blue Murder
The band, formed out of top musicians who used to spend their lives in a music shop, was raw and powerful. It was here GB learnt quickly, hitting stages with little preparation and having to improv on the fly. Playing next to guitarist Darren Roberts – now of The Raise – and bassist Gumbo Chaff, he had to up his game quickly.
Then a call came in from Harry Douglas, the guitarist with Jonestown, who sought out GB to form a new band.
That band became Area51 as Harry and GB put together musicians to play their own songs alongside classic covers. The band formed in 2006 and still plays 50+ shows each year.
Throughout all this time, GB has been writing and recording his own songs. Most have never seen the light of day.
Harry Douglas (right) with Area 51 in the band's first year
Many have been played at his solo gigs throughout Cornwall – often playing with fellow Blue Murder pal Darren Roberts on acoustic shows. Others, such as his signature song Change Everything, form part of the Area51 set list.
In 2012 he is looking to continue producing his own material and working with his own band.
Plenty of songs and videos should be appearing here very soon….!
