Paul Truswell

(bass and guitars)

Married to Janine 1984; two children ~ Sarah (18) and James (5). Career in Architecture from 1978 to 1997; self-employed since February 1998. Now running a small IT support business in partnership with Janine (www.fcits.co.uk).

Musical Journey starts in Bramhall, Cheshire...

1973 – 1979: various blues and folk bashes with friends; never developed into working bands. David Bowie covers + loads of HM towards the end. Vocalist Dave Owens and his brother Gary went on to form AIIZ and toured with Black Sabbath and Girlschool.

1979 – 1981: first working band; Dovetale as in "peace stories" playing 6/12 string acoustic + electric 6 string; supporting Methodist lay preacher Ross Wrigley at churches; which, in most cases were literally dying of old age...

1981 – 1983: Stockport based Conquest (cringe!); set out to become the most metal HM band that had hit the Christian music scene; not hard. Studio 4 times, produced 4 reasonable demos. Played about 30 gigs, country-wide, mainly in support of 100% Proof.  Played Greenbelt twice at Knebworth including a main stage appearance in 1983.

1983 – 1986: Musical doldrums - dust gathering fast on all the gear...

1987 – 1989: The Predators. One of my favourite local bands, not because they all happened to be Christians but because they were seriously good. Lots of on-stage theatricals; Jesus "in yer face"; very loud; very aggressive. Initially I felt totally inadequate with these accomplished and competent musicians. This was serious stuff involving weekly rehearsals or at least one gig a week; exhausting but great experience. Played in places where I previously feared to tread.

1989 – 1995: All Christian guitarists eventually become bass players in worship bands?! Yep -  Bramhall Baptist Church.

1995 – 2008: Moved to Macclesfield in late 1994 and got involved in 3 successive bands; reasonable stuff but too introverted and 'safe'. Third band Clueless (2003-2005) covered Free/Alright Now through to Behind these Hazel Eyes/Kelly Clarkson etc. with much heavy stuff in-between. Playing bass at HTH (www.hthmacc.com) in worship band for all of this time.

2008 – present: The Predators reunited!

Musical Influences...

It would be stretching it I think to say that any of my playing is directly influenced by these bands/artists but all have been on my musical radar for an awful long time:  The progressive giants! Yes/Genesis/Rush, Wishbone Ash, Jethro Tull, U2, Hendrix.  Never felt very comfortable with HM; can't deny liking it but never listen to it for long.

Personal Aspirations...
To be content and happy with ordinary daily life – I am very influenced by my Dad in this (passed away in 1976 aged 52) who earned probably less than a minimum wage in today's terms, but professionally had a depth of horticultural knowledge that satisfied him in ways that money never could. He died a contented man.

Aspirations for The Preds...
To produce and perform quality original music that is worthy of Jesus Christ whom it seeks to proclaim, and to communicate effectively and relevantly to non-church people, to bring about positive tangible change in their lives.

Interests...

Long distance walks + solo backpacking, tropical fish, architecture, politics, narrowboats/canals, maps (useful when walking) but not satnav!, footie, trains (compulsory when you've got a small boy).

Finally...

I have never regarded myself as a 'natural' guitar player or even a 'natural' musician; music does not come easy to me; a critical ear would say that my almost total lack of theory knowledge shows itself in my playing, but despite all this I still just cannot shake the guitar bug.  I love playing and even getting it right from time-to-time, my main strength is I think in the one area that is hardest to teach: feel.  I know how a song should sound and it is always my aim to make a song speak - not just with the vocals; good job in my case because I rarely sing in a band!