ABOUT ANDY.
THE GUY BEHIND THE BOOK.
If you’re looking for another “how to make it in music” bunch of bullshit, you’re in the wrong pub.
WELCOME TO THE FRONTLINE
This isn’t some flimsy, get-rich-quick bollocks. It’s a battle plan. It’s the real blood-and-beer-soaked deal.
I’ve spent the last decade getting my hands dirty on every stage that would have me, from pubs and clubs to festivals, weddings and private parties. I’ve played hundreds of gigs, survived more disasters than I can count, and learned what actually works (and what bombs) in the world of cover bands.
Everything in this book has been road-tested, crowd-approved, and often learned the hard way. Which means you don’t have to eat shit on stage just to figure it out.
ORIGIN STORY?
Born in Norfolk, raised near Hull, and bounced around England like a lost guitar pick. I picked up a guitar as a kid, messed around and joined some bands, then did absolutely fuck all except bash around at home for years on end.
It took a move from Essex to York and a few open mic nights before something finally snapped into place. I couldn’t sing for shit, so I tortured my neighbours with online singing courses until I could hit a note without scaring the neighbourhood’s dogs.
From there, it was open mics, beer festivals, solo gigs across York, Leeds and Harrogate, original music releases, and some local festivals.
Then the real chaos started around ten years ago. I began building a cover band from scratch. I put out ads, wrangled musicians and found an excellent vocal coach to drag my voice up to scratch. From there? Gigs, grind and a lot of late-night laughs.
We made all the mistakes so you don’t have to.
WHY LISTEN TO ME?
Because I’ve done the music miles. But also because I know about business. I’ve earned myself a marketing degree (by going to an actual university for three years), a post-graduate diploma from the Chartered Institute of Marketing, and 20 years in senior marketing positions.
I got tired of working for others, so for the last eight years I’ve been running a marketing consultancy alongside my cover band career. I’ve helped technology businesses find their voice, build their tribe, and stand out in a world full of bland brands.
All that strategy? It’s in this book, fully weaponised for your band.
WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?
Whether you’re looking to turn your band into a money machine or just want to get more and better gigs, I’m handing it all to you. The wins, the screw-ups, the tactics that actually make a difference.
If you want to be another forgettable band playing to empty barstools, then you should probably click away now. But if you’re ready to build a crew that outplays, outshines and outlasts the rest, this is your handbook.
HOW TO USE THE BOOK
Wreck this book. Highlight it. Scribble in the margins. Dog-ear the pages.
But most importantly, use the advice. Because the biggest thing stopping you from succeeding is overthinking instead of just getting up and doing it.
And yeah, you’re going to have a shit ton of fun along the way. That’s a promise.
Are you ready to go to war for your band? Let’s light the fuse.
LOCK ‘N’ LOAD
This book is for cover bands, but the tactics, hard lessons and road-tested strategies will work for any gigging musician who wants to hit harder, earn more and stop wasting time.