I Call Your Name, but what is it?
Ian.

When is your Birthday?
14th June.

What band are you in?
The Beatalls.

Which Beatle do you play?
Paul.

Which bands have you played with The Night Before?
Emergency Exit was my first band, we played covers and it was here that I had my first experience of playing the odd Beatle tune and I first met Andy Birkett (our John Lennon). This was followed by an original 80's band You Me & Him which metamorphosed into a band called SAD doing original 90's material, funnily enough Andy again joined me in these bands. Andy and I then formed Twist & Shout an early attempt at a Beatles tribute band. This, in time, developed and with a name and member change became The Beatalls. I've also fronted a 60's covers band; The Randees and a 70's cover band; The Vinyl Years. I currently play with a covers duo, The Two of Us and an Irish band, The Loafers.

When did you first hear The Beatles - as a Little Child?
Yes. My older brother Stuart bought a copy of the 'Help' album and I was fixed, he protected his records like gold dust and so I could only play them when he was out. Stuart became an original member of Twist & Shout.

Tell Me Why you became a Beatle impersonator?
I played the piano and wanted to play bass guitar (Stuart already owned a 6 string guitar). I was bought an EKO Violin Bass by my dad, a rough copy of the Hofner and learnt to play it by playing along to Beatles albums and Paul McCartney's latest release at the time; 'Pipes of Peace'. A few years on whilst in an original band, Andy went on holiday and told me about a Beatles tribute band he'd seen playing the entire 'Please Please Me' album. There was only one way to go from there.

How did your band Come Together?
Andy and I lost Stuart and the drummer, Roger, from the original line up of Twist and Shout and replaced them with Steve and Mel, brothers. Steve answered an add in the local paper and we were amazed to learn that he was not only an excellent Beatles drummer who owned an original Ludwig drum kit but he also owned a van, a PA system and a rehearsal room! What more could you want? Mel joined slightly later than Steve and the ultimate line up for The Beatalls was complete.

Who is your favourite Beatle?
Paul.

What is your favourite Northern Song?
Golden Slumbers (although it's not strictly a 'Northern Song').

What is your favourite album?
Revolver.

What is the best thing about What You're Doing?
Playing with three of the best musicians I know.

We know that you've been Here There and Everywhere but where has been the best?
The recent ABTA / Cavern City Tours / John Lennon International Airport gig in Lisbon, Portugal with The Beatalls was the best. But, I also enjoyed playing in Dubai with Andy, the Ringo for Beatlemania, Butch, the Lennon for The Instant Beatalls and Marvin, the Harrison for The Ludwig Beatles. Good guys and good experience!

What have you done that has made you think - I should've Known Better?
I lost my Hofner Violin Bass in the Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool on Convention day for about an hour! Luckily it was tucked to the side of a crowded room and it didn't get nicked.

Tell me What You See yourself doing in 10 years?
I will be a forty two-year-old musician "in the business either up here or down there."

What will you do When You're 64?
Don't worry, I'll still be sending you a Valentine and Birthday greetings, who knows I may even be sending you a bottle of wine.

Lastly, who was The Walrus?
I'm not sure, in the film clip whoever is dressed as the walrus looks really awkward, playing the left-handed Rickenbaker Bass. So I don't think it's Paul.

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