alanstrat
(ipswich)
Monday 21 Sep 2026, 4:24pm
Experienced guitarist/vocalist looking for a like-minded bassist who genuinely loves playing music and wants the freedom to create, improvise and express themselves.
A drummer is excited about the project and wants to audition. I’m now looking for a bassist who connects with the idea of building something new together.
The emphasis is firmly on creating original music and taking a creative approach to covering great songs. I’m not looking to form a pub covers band or a conventional R&B band, and I’m not interested in learning a standard set simply to get regular pub gigs.
I want to find musicians who enjoy getting in a room, jamming around a riff or groove, listening and reacting to each other, and seeing where the music takes us. In a trio, the bass has a huge part in that conversation. I’d love to play with someone who enjoys shaping the groove with the drummer but also has the imagination and confidence to bring their own ideas to the music.
The aim is to develop original material and our own identity, while taking selected great songs and completely putting our own stamp on them.
Influences include Hendrix, B.B. King,Cream,Freddie King, Miles Davis, Jeff Healey, ZZ Top, Lonnie Mack and Led Zeppelin. These are influences rather than a proposed set list.
ABOUT ME
I previously formed and fronted Toredown, a power trio that gigged extensively for seven years.
We supported artists including Dr Feelgood, the Cinelli Brothers, Danny Bryant and Susan Santos, played blues clubs and festivals, and were the main band for major Newmarket Harley-Davidson dealership events.
We also recorded the live album Barnstorming during a three-year residency at an Ipswich pub. The album was launched by Stephen “Foz” Foster of Radio Caroline, who was a great supporter of the band.
I’ve already done the established gigging-band thing. I’m not looking to get back onto the pub circuit. What excites me now is finding the right musicians, creating a band with its own sound and identity, and eventually taking that music to the right audiences and venues.
WHO I’M LOOKING FOR
I’m looking for a bassist who reads this and genuinely thinks:
“I’d love to play this kind of music, have the freedom to express myself and help create something that belongs to us.”
Feel, groove, dynamics, imagination and listening to each other matter far more to me than technical showmanship. I’d like someone who can lock in when the music needs it, leave space when it matters, and help take a riff or song somewhere unexpected.
I’m also looking for someone with the time and commitment to make this their main band project. I’m not looking for a musician already committed to another working band who simply wants an additional side project.
The idea is for three people to build something new together, with everyone equally invested in the music, development and direction of the band.
THE AIM
There’s no rush to gig. Getting the music and chemistry right comes first.
When we are ready, I’m interested in the right gigs for the band — festivals, blues/rock clubs, support slots, motorcycle events and other appropriate venues and events where an original band can do what it does.
I’m not interested in filling the diary with pub gigs. The quality and suitability of gigs matter far more to me than playing every weekend.
Ultimately, I’m looking for a collaborator, not simply someone to fill the bass position.
If this genuinely sounds like the musical situation you’ve been looking for, get in touch and tell me what appeals to you about the idea and what you’d like to bring to it.
Ipswich / Suffolk / Colchester area