Richard (AKA Grubby for reasons best kept secret) started to learn to play guitar at the age of eleven having had previous, non-voluntary, exposure to learning the organ. Learning classics such as ‘Merrily we roll along’ and ‘Largo’. Ironically, this is one of the instruments he now wishes he could play, but alas, can only do with a limited ability and the modern day marvel that is MIDI and the mighty sequencer.

Originally bought up on a diet of Metallica sprinkled with a liberal helping of Pantera, Richard learn his craft on the guitar as so many do through emulating the challenging guitar playing of guitarists such as James Hetfield, Dimebag Darrell, and even the technically amazing but tastefully questionable John Petrucci, Joe Satriani. He drew the line at Steve Vai.

Between the ages of 15-17 Richard was part of the metal band ‘Velvet 69’ which drew inspirations from bands such as Machine Head, Pantera, Metallica as well as local bands in the city of Derby in which he had grown up. Playing at venues around Derby such as the Vic Inn and ‘Future Club’ (previously called ‘The Rock House’) and people actually quite liked it too. Unusually perhaps for a metal band there were few solos, with Richard preferring the solid rhythm playing and interesting ideas in tunes rather than the flashy guitar licks.

After this slightly limited, but well grounded musical introduction (during a time in which he said “I don’t get what everyone likes about Jimi Hendrix, he’s shit”) his musical tastes diversified, as did his guitar playing. Notable inspirational guitarists, bands and musicians since then have included: Incubus, Air, 311, Amy Winehouse, Hope Sandoval and the Warm Inventions, Lou Reed, Tom Waits, Jeff Buckley, Blind Melon, Andy C, Roni Size, Ben Harper, Moloko, David Bowie, Jamie Lidell, Joanna Newson, Kings of Leon (first two albums), Little Barrie, M.I.A, Nick Drake, Beatles, Chemical Brothers, The Zombies, The Vaselines, Graham Coxon and more.

Having previously dabbled with recording in the early days on a four track recorder, producing some very odd comedic soundtracks with old friends Dan McGregor and Dave Hillier, Richard’s love for recording music led him down the route of using Cubase to emulate sounds and production techniques he heard in professionally recorded albums that he admired. The bandless period at university, and exposure to music from friends in Leeds, provided a nurturing environment for this pursuit. Attempts were made to create drum and bass tracks, house, hip hop inspired tunes, to varying degrees of success throughout this time and really opened up new possibilities for introducing new instruments such as pianos, organs, Rhodes, strings and even brass. A lot of this can be heard along with the guitar in the Diamond Thieves tunes and in the misc section on this website.

Further inspiration and motivation came from the local music scene in Leeds, particularly friends who were talented song writers and instrumentalists. An open mic night was set in place by the group of friends at the Chemic Tavern called ‘Workshy’ which proved to be very successful in showcasing talents that might previously have gone unnoticed. Many of these people went on to form bands such as ‘Hung Honey’ and continued to perform after this. Noteable names are Costa Dyer, Jack Hughes, Natasha Williams. Other talents who had previous experience who played regularly at Workshy were Troy Faid, the phenomenal fingerpicking guitarist and pianist from Scunthorpe, and the fantastic singer song writer Jordan Senior among others.

In around 2004 at the age of 23, Richard joined a band called ‘The Heights’ after being seen performing at Workshy by Daniel Bertrum, the singer and main song writer for the outfit. They had previously done many gigs around the UK under the moniker of ‘Capital State’ and had a large following at the time. The music had been likened to bands like Incubus before as they mixed energetic guitar playing with synths and turntables. They had decided to strip it down with the new venture to maintain the energy but with more of a pop sensibility and without the electronic wizardry. As a band they enjoyed a dedicated fan base and played many highly enjoyable gigs around West Yorkshire. The mixture of energy in the performances with great song writing ensured followers returned for more time after time.