Doug Parmenter
Doug Parmenter | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Doug Parmenter |
| Origin | Reading, England, UK |
| Genres | Rock, Post-Britpop |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, bass guitar, piano |
| Years active | 2001–2008 |
Doug Parmenter is a British musician, and friend of Kelly Jones of Stereophonics. They met whilst Jones was writing the third Stereophonics album, when Parmenter was beginning to play bass guitar whilst still at school.
Parmenter learned to play piano at a young age. Before reaching his twelfth birthday, he had already become an accomplished pianist, violinist and clarinettist, however he lacked any drive to pursue music as a career.[1] In learning to play the bass guitar, he realised he could collaborate and write with others, without being the focus of peoples' attention. His modesty prevented him from seeking the publicity which characterised many musicians.[1]
Parmenter is half of the duo The Idles, a partnership formed with the guitarist and pianist Joseph Fuller, who frequently gigged and collaborated with other musicians in Reading, Berkshire. They developed a countrywide fan base after receiving national airplay on BBC Radio 1. Together they championed the local music scenes based around Reading.[2]
Since appearing on Later... with Jools Holland,[3] Parmenter has performed and collaborated with John Power,[1] KT Tunstall and Jack White.
Since March 2008 however, Parmenter has begun to formalise his retirement from the music industry and settle down.
Glastonbury Festival
Parmenter's most infamous performance was as the unofficial opening act of the Glastonbury Festival 2003. The Idles had been asked to perform the sound check for the Jazz World stage on the Thursday, whilst the main stages open officially on the Friday. After drinking too much Brothers Pear Cider before the set, he ran across the stage, failed to negotitate the drum kit, and was stretchered off stage with a suspected broken leg. Subsequent medical inspection revealed a sprained ankle.[4] He went on later in the weekend to play an unannounced set on the left field stage.[5]
References
- ^ a b c New Musical Express, June 2007 Cite error: The named reference "NME" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ Q Magazine, August 2005
- ^ Later... With Jools Holland and later going on to date the star, BBC Television, 2007
- ^ Glastonbury Q Daily, 27 June 2003
- ^ Q Glastonbury Review, 2003