So, it starts here. What-A-Mess was four school friends; David Copsey (guitar & vocals) Neil “Bugs” Rogers (drums), Rob Perry (guitar & vocals) and myself (bass) We were all learning our trades and punk-pop, new-wave was what came out.

Shock (demo) (1992)

Recorded at QualiSound Studios Bar Hill, Cambridge sometime in early 1992.

The very first time I stepped into a recording studio. I was 16/17 years old. It was nerve wrecking and magical. I was hooked from then on.

Press

Ha! we got some press on our very first outing.

Live At Long Road Cambridge (June 1992)

I attended Long Road Sixth Form College. I volunteered the band to play at what was probably an end of term party. Recorded at the back of the hall on cassette. We were drunk, the sound was terrible. Fugazi, played later that night at the Junction.

Direct Mind Transmission (demo) (1993)

Again recorded at QualiSound Studios Bar Hill, Cambridge on the 11th & 12th September 1993. We ditched the punk in favor of a more “experimental” sound. Rob moved on to keyboards. Friends Jasper Stein on sax, flute and ambient vocals, and Craig Close on didgeridoo and congas joined the band.

Live At the Boat Race Cambridge (1994)

What-A-Mess was shrinking and growing. Sadly, Rob left and two keyboard players joined; old friend Nick “Button” Belton and new friend “Hippy” Dave. Other close friends also joined; Tim Neat on bodhran and social commentary, and my second cousin, Jonny “wrong” Warnes (R.I.P) on decks, samples, and further social commentary.

Recorded straight off the desk onto cassette by our favourite engineer and friend Tim West.

I can’t remember the names of the songs.