User:Syd Geary

Born in Elephant & Castle, London, England. Went to Credon Rd School Bermondsey (I didn't go to Art School). Started playing guitar in 1963 - Thanks to Larry Wallis. . Played in various bands around London from 1967 - the 80's - Smoked a joint with Jim Morrison and Jammed with George Harrison. Roadied for UFO. Played in the Softies supporting Wreckless Eric on the "Out From Under The Wife's Feet Tour". After I left The Softies I Formed The Outfit in London, 1978 recorded some live tracks, got 'orribly drunk, went on for a bit then gave it a rest. The Softies story 1978. One night sitting at home contemplating a warm beer Larry Wallis (Pink Fairies) called and told me a mate of his had a showcase to do in 2 days time and needed a rhythm guitar, so I called Big Mick (we are both Who fans) had a quick chat and got the address of a rehearsal studio in South London. The following night I duly arrived on time to meet the boys Big Mick, Jack Booth and George Butler, we had a quick jam then got down to business, nothing was written down so I had to learn 15 songs that night, as the showcase was the following morning and the rehearsal was only 3 hours, talk about cutting it fine. The following lunch time I arrived at Leciester Square where a theatre had been booked for the showcase (I never did find out what it was for) there was about 30 music business people there. We immediately tore into Somethings Gotta Change and the rest is a blur. After I got home the phone rang and it was Mick asking if I was interested in doing a tour supporting Wreckless Eric which was to start the next week, apparently Eric was at the showcase and wanted The Softies for the support act, I of course said yes. We had one more rehearsal before we set off on the Stiff Records promoted "Out From Under The Wife's Feet Tour". Manic, funny, wet and drunk is how I remember it most. Like most tours there was a lot of driving a lot of hanging about and lot of drinking and a few girls, needless to say we were not on our best behaviour and got up to all the usual tricks, as I had been the stage roadie for the Pink Fairies a couple of time I had been well versed in "playing up". We redecorated a couple hotel rooms, and in one sedate hotel got some groupies to do cartwheels in the dining room without underwear, We had to restrain Big Mick from doing the same thing, thank buddah. Eventually after some hilarious times we parted company. After I became good friends with Wreckless and we wrote a few songs together, then joined The Lightning Raiders but that only lasted about 10 minutes. Next came The Hitmen. I also put my own band together The Outfit. When they weren't trying to kill each other I carried on working with The Pink Fairies. I now live near Byron Bay NSW Australia.