Songs are like Tattoo's. (Joni Mitchell)
My name is Adrian Peter Cull. I was born in the village of Southwick near Fareham. My Father, Douglas James Cull, was a professional offbeat Drummer, who influenced me at an early age to play an instrument. Which was first the Recorder, at School, then the Harmonica. Eric Clapton's Blues Breakers with John Mayall gave me the inclination to learn.
English Folk Music came to me from Southwick County Primary School, where we learned country Dancing. These tunes are embedded into my psyche for the rest of my life.
My introduction to Rock Music had its embarrassing moments. On a visit to Kimball's Nightclub in Southsea at the age of eighteen, I walked in the downstairs Bar, and after ordering a half of Light and Lime I asked the one person drinking who the Band was playing upstairs, he said Pink Floyd, I said that is a stupid name for a Band and walked out.
During the early seventies, I listened to Joni Mitchell's Blue Album and Pentangle, which were lent to me by my Mother, Francis May Cull. At eighteen I had acquired my first Guitar for three shillings from a friend in the village, Iain Spottiswood, and had written my first song. My first Folk Club spot was at the Bugle in Fareham where, with three songs, 'The Conservation Song', which I had written, Neil Young's 'Helpless', Louden Wainwright 'Motel Blues', and my Yamaha YG 140 Guitar, I went down terribly. The memory of that evening was that I arrived early and a man at the bar asked me how long had I been playing what were my influences were etc, after overselling myself with the deluded over confidence of youth, I found out later the man was Michael Chapman.
During those early years I was introduced to a Ragtime Blues Guitarist, Derek Weir, who was looking for a Blues Harmonica player. Between us we played at a few Folk Clubs, The Old House at Home and The Travelers Rest at Milton Locks Portsmouth, where Derek was the Barman. This is where I became heavily into acoustic finger styles and open tunings, watching the likes of John Isherwood and Pat Nelson. I also met Roger Courtney and Shep Whooly.
During those days the Folk Scene in Portsmouth was thriving, you could go out every night and have a spot, sometimes two. I used to go, in Portsmouth, to The Railway Folk Club, The Cambridge, The Center Folk Club, and The Pier also had music.
Running parallel to this I also knew a Band from Fareham called Lysander. Finn Panton on Lead Guitar, Snurge (anon Mark Andrews and the Gents) on Base, and Malcolm Barrett on Drums. I occasionally played Harmonica under the guise of Amos Turp, which was a homemade character, Leather Flying Helmet with Goggles, Tails with Dinner Shirt, Flashing Bow tie, Red and Blue striped stockings, red with white spotted shorts, and army boots. With this appearance I played, with the Band at local Rock venues and Stone Henge Free Festival.
After that episode was over, my brother Barry introduced me to Chris Fleming who was playing with a local Portsmouth Band called Caricature. Between us we wrote some songs for the Band, using a Tascam Portastudio. I also supported them at a few of their Gigs.
One Summer Holiday Caricature was asked to play a festival at Farnam. They could not do it as some members of the Band were on their Summer Holidays. So a Scratch Band was formed from the remaining members, Tim Dunn Lead Guitar Andy Mills Drums, @@@@@@ on Base and myself on Harmonica and Lead Vocals. After the festival was over the Band reformed without me on lead vocals and called themselves 'The Busted Fender Blues Band'.
I moved to Southsea because I was involved with Terry Schulman's Ranters, this was at the Riverstreet Hall in Somerstown Portsmouth. It was an evening of Poetry and Music, where I met a lot of like-minded people.
On a holiday to Greece one year I met a German called Rainer Wolf, who I befriended and are still friends to this day. On the strength of my cassette called 'Tales from the Secret Garden' he invited me to play at his birthday party in Germany. I accepted and subsequently on arriving back from Greece flew to Hanover. On the flight over was Mike Rutherford of Genesis. On arriving at Hanover Airport, I was accosted by Germans with Banners saying 'Welcome to Germany Ade'. A white Mercedes with two young women sitting at the back was there to escort me to the Town. I found this a little bewildering, only to find out later that Rainer had told his friends that while he was in Greece he had met a famous English Folk Singer that had agreed to play at his party. Mike Rutherford left the airport alone. This encounter lead to a few visits to Germany with my Guitar.
My first recording of my songs was at Steve Smith's Studio at Manners Road Southsea. After six months of home-brew, sherry, and a lot of late nights, we finally produced 'Dancing Barefoot'. Musicians included Steve Smith Guitar, Nick Branson Oboe and Organ, Paul Musselwhite lead guitar, Melissa and @@@@ backing vocals, @@@@@ Drums and percussion. This project was emotionally taxing, as, in those days, we were all pioneering Home Brew Music.
It was during this time that I was with the Phoenix Players and was asked to perform with some other theatre groups 'The Green Man' with Hugh Jones at the @@@@ Theatre. I played one of my songs called 'Horses' in the show.
While working in Germany during the late nineties I was able to record the album 'She Brings Me Flowers' at a studio in Walsenburg.
Lately, as well as English Folk Music and song writing I am into Experimental Music. Nowadays I perform occasionally at The Pump House Watford, Roger Courtney's Open Mike, which is run by his son Nick, the RMA Portsmouth, and anyone that would have me.
The English Folk Scene is again thriving, due to a lot of new talent waiting to write their stories. This is healthy for an ever-fluxing genre. I take my hat off to all those involved, behind and in front of the scenes, in the Pubs, Clubs, and Festivals throughout the land that make musicians welcome.
Take a Bow, and turn a Page,
For it's your turn on the Stage.
Make the paint flow,
Play the part,
Hide behind that awesome Bard.
(From 'She Brings Me Flowers', Ade Cull)
