The Tax-Free Clash
Standard Life
Like the collision of protons and the grand unveiling of new and improved dishwasher tablets, this band of musical juggernauts are the definition of excitement.
Having moved effortlessly through the full spectrum of musical styles Basscadet, Blundersticks, Chocolate Box, Waterboy and the effervescent Natural Blondie bring a groove of their own to familiar tracks, rendering them almost unrecognisable to even the most discerning musical ear.
Since the infamous 1987 Stockport Sessions (of which we won’t make any mention other than after those three explosively creative days Blundersticks and Waterboy took five years, and £150,000 of therapist fees to even look at a photograph of each other) the band have reformed, reshaped, retuned (except Chocolate Box) and returned to the stage to do their bit for glamour models everywhere – and deliver world peace.
No matter which era of music you stand for, London is calling – and Tax Free Clash won’t be taking the train in vain.
Band Members:
Doug "Blundersticks" Smith - Drums
After a protracted period slogging round the seedier backwaters of the Edinburgh music scene, Doug took the plunge and headed south …for the even grimier fleshpots of the Home Counties. Despite numerous stints in function bands, fame and, unsurprisingly, fortune, were not to be found, so Doug grasped the greasy pole of corporate life and watched his rock dreams disappear like a…well, a Tap drummer, leaving not so much as a stain on the drum stool of rock.
Now, with several years playing round the pubs & clubs of his native Scotland, he’s starting to discover the form he once, mistakenly, believed he had. Recent reviews have included comments such as:
"Jeez, that drumming lark must be hard …it’s taken him that long to get to average."
"Not bad for a beginner. What? Oh …ummm, right."
"Fair play to that drummer …he made the bassist sound fantastic."
"Man, that drummer was sick! Naw, I mean it man …look at ma shoes!"
Tommy "Chocolate Box" Thornton - Guitar
Once described as the lovechild of Johnny Marr and The Edge, Tommy has perfected the art of making two chiming notes sound like a symphony - or a cacophony, depending on who's listening! A perennial underachiever on the Edinburgh music scene, he has recently sought refuge in the arms of Standard Life's Wrap SIPP Team, and when not creating financial freedom for his clients, is dreaming of pensions related rock stardom.........Bring it on!
Julie "Natural Blondie" Allan – Vocals
Described by few as a marketing 'diva', Julie spent 15 years in advertising before stumbling into the world of corporate pensions and has been trying to work out what happened since... Known to grab the mic if unattended, she frequently brings her own (just in case), and is in a long term relationship with her tambourine. Touch it and you die!
John "Basscadet" McDonald - Bass
Carving basslines from solid Edinburgh Rock for over two decades the original Basscadet, John has spent many years pushing bass to the final frontier of Rock….often compared to various classic bass players, but when asked what he thinks he sounds like his reply is the same: "I try to sound like thunder…not bad thunder that sounds like a stone hitting a metal roof…the good stuff like you hear on horror films."
Andy "Waterboy" Weir – Guitar and Vocals
The arrival of his firstborn co-incided with the disappearance of Andy "theWeir" Weir from the international music scene in 1908.
More accustomed to saving the world through the power of drums and a high-fibre diet, theWeir will return to the stage with a strange six-stringed instrument around his neck and no earthly idea what time zone he is in.
But the future of the world has never been in safer hands.
Lindsay "Choose Life" Strachan – Vocals
Having mainly donned white gloves to rave in dance bands in the past, Tax-Free Clash is Lindsay’s first attempt at channelling her inner rock goddess. Be it successful or not, we’re certain she’ll wear amazing shoes whilst doing it. If all else fails, she’ll blind you with her military standard glowsticks.