GAZ BIRTLES

My page to put my bits up!

I am a, sort of, musician. Been palying in bands since 1977 at the birth of PUNK! I became a singer by virtue of the fact that i used to sing at work as i pulled trolleys full of shoes at the British Shoe wharehouse!

My first band WENDY TUNES, did very well for a first band - got signed up a small label, started recording an album at THE WHO's studio, RAMPORT STUDIOS in Battersea then split up before it was completed!!

Joined THE NEWMATICS, a Ska/rock band at the time of 2 TONE. Supported THE CLASH, TALKING HEADS amongst others.

Formed my own band THE SWINGING LAURELS with best mate JOHN BARROW in 1979. Recorded a single PEACE OF MIND/SWING THE CAT with fellow Leicester mate, NICK MURPHY. It was put out on ALBION RECORDS and reached number 1 in the Indy charts. Got signed to WEA RECORDS. Released RODEO which was record of the week on Radio 1's Simon Bates show; 2nd single LONELY BOY produced by STEVE LEVINE, originally featured BOY GEORGE on vocals at the end of the track but was taken off when Virgin records heard the prominence of his voice. Only a few white labels exist of this version ;-). Put out singles on our own label HAPPY RECORDS.

Started playing sax for the BEAUTIFUL SOUTH as part of session brass section in 1989. Played all thier live gigs ever since!

Formed own Country Pop band,YELLOWBELLY with Dave 'Wal' Walton and James Lynch. Nearly got signed up but when the money man saw how old we were withdrew his offer! Wrote some undiscovered pop classics over the last 10 years! November 2006 had track 'BLOOD TAINTED LOVE/GUESS WHO'S LOVING YOU released on limited edition 7" vinyl on PINK BOX RECORDS.

I've been doing some brass sessions along with 2 of the SPLITTERS horn section SPLITZ HORNZ on Roots Reggae stalwarts, VIBRONICS. Dub Reggae for the noughties.

Played sax on 3 tracks of 2006 FUN LOVIN CRIMINALS album LIVIN IN THE CITY. Performed live with them on half a dozen British dates. COOL AS A CUCUMBER!!

Been taking photo's for the last 15 years. Love Black and White photography and enjoyed going in the dark room and printing my own shots. Now that the world has gone digital I'm now manipulating my pics in the daylight, courtesy of Photoshop.

I think my speciality is taking portraits and people and buildings.



I am currently available for photo shoots. VERY REASONABLE RATES ;-)



These are some of the pics i've taken recently. mostly of bands at the moment. Drop me a line if you want some pics taken.



cheers m'dears



I edited my profile with Thomas Myspace Editor V3.6!



MY FAVOURITE ROCK SONG - MC5 - LOOKIN AT YOU



ONLY AT THE DONKEY!!!



THATS ME THAT IS ;-)



ME JAMMING WITH GREEN STREET DOWN AT THE DONKEY!!You had to be there!!



Me playing a couple of tunes onstage at this years Glastonbury with FUN LOVIN CRIMINALS! The coolest band in the world ;-)