About Me
Hi there and welcome to my website.
My name is Darren Philip Dodds, and I am a 33 year old Electric Bass Guitar player based in Barnsley, South Yorkshire.
I have been playing Bass Guitar, both professionally and semi-professionally for the past 17 years. Having studied under the astute guidance of Mr Fred Theolonius Baker, and Mr Peter Wiltchinsky, respectively, I gained a (2,1) B.A.Hons degree in Music, validated by the University of Sheffield.
Since then I have played and toured in various musical situations, ranging from Hotel residence work in Hotels in Israel, to tours around the UK, supporting acts such as Jim Davidson, Leo Sayer, Jason Donovan, and Keith Harris and Orville. ( I hate that Duck) ha ha ha. At present I do freelance
Bass Guitar dept work and play in South Yorkshire based Rock Covers band Rock Legacy.
I have been privileged to play at many festivals around the British Isles, such as the Cork Jazz Festival, the Colne-Valley RnB Festival, the World Oyster eating Championship, various Football and Sports Stadia, as well as notable venues around the UK, such as Plymouth Pavillions, Blackpool Tower Lounge, Batley Variety Club, Bradford Rios, Sheffield City Hall, The Boardwalk, (Sheffield), J,B's (Dudley), Jools Hollands Jam House, (Birmingham), and various Butlins, Pontins and Haven Holiday Camps. I have played all of the Chicago Rocks, Jumpin Jaks, and Walkabouts around the UK. Numerous Pubs, Clubs, University's, Biker rallys and corporate events throughout Europe, and countless RAF and British Army bases, and even a Royal Navy Nuclear Submarine base.
I am musically influenced by many bands and artists coming from a wide range of styles and genres. I am a huge fan of Sheffield rockers Def Leppard and I have a large collection of their music and merchandise. As well as Leppard, my other favorite acts in the medium of Rock are Mr Big, Iron Maiden, Van Halen, Megadeth, Metallica, Dream Theater, and Racer X. Outside of Rock music I love Level 42, and Jazz Fusion, especially a band called Weather Report, which featured the great Jaco Pastorius on fretless Bass Guitar. I also enjoy listening to shred guitar players such as Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, and Paul Gilbert.
As a Bass player, my main influences are: Jaco Pastorius, Billy Sheehan, Stuart Hamm, Mark King, Victor Wooton, Alain Caron, and on double Bass Rufus Reid, and Milt Hinton. These players have had a great impact on my style and attitude towards bass playing, but I admire any individual that takes up the challenge of playing bass, be it electric Bass Guitar or double Bass.
Outside of my musical passions, I enjoy Martial Arts, ( I am a 1st degree Black Belt in Wado Ryu), weight training and fitness, cooking, reading, and watching most sports. I have a huge collection of music Dvd's and Cd's and enjoy helping my Wife with her Bearded Dragons, I also own a crazy Staffordshire Bull Terrier called Brigan.
