Doug Parmenter
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Doug Parmenter is a musician and close friend of Kelly Jones of Stereophonics fame. They met whilst Kelly was writing the third Stereophonics album, when Doug was only beginning to play bass whilst still at school. Being around Kelly and others much older and more musically knowledgable than him, he learnt and grew quickly, becoming competent at a very young age.
Doug claims that he began to play piano "before learning to walk", however others have suggested that he started at 4 years old, before starting school. Before reaching his 12th birthday, he had already become an accomplished pianist, violinist and clarinetist, however he lacked any real drive to pursue music as a career at that point. [1]
It was only when he began to play bass guitar, a step back from being "the lead", that he realised he could collaborate and write with others, without being the focus of peoples' attention. Although he doesn't come across as being shy (much the opposite in some interviews) he has always avoided being the centre of attention, his modesty preventing him from seeking the undue publicity which characterised many musicians, which he despised. [1]
Doug if one half of the duo The Idles, a partnership formed with best friend, guitarist and pianist Joseph Fuller who frequently gigged and collaborated with other musicians in Reading, Berkshire. They developed a countrywide fanbase after receiving national airplay on BBC Radio 1. Together they championed the local music scenes based around Reading, Berkshire, UK. [2]
Since appearing on Later With Jools Holland[3], Doug has come from being an incredibly obscure musician, to a musician famed for the variety of his work, performing and collaborating with John Power[1](Cast, The Las), KT Tunstall and Jack White.
Since March 2008, Doug has begun to formalise his retirement from music and settle down "within the next year or so, somewhere far away from hustle-bustle and big business".
[edit] The "Jazz World Incident"
One of Doug Parmenters most infamous performances was as the un official opening act of the Glastonbury Festival 2003. His band The Idles had been asked to perform the sound check for the Jazz World stage, seen by many festival regulars as the unofficial opening act of the festival as it is on the Thursday, whilst the main stages open officially on the Friday. After drinking too much Brothers Pear Cider before the set he exuberantly ran full speed across the stage, only seeing the drumkit when it was too late. Authough he tried to jump it the feat proved impossible. He had to be stretchered off stage with a suspected broken leg. Fortunately after a full inspection in one of the medical tents he had only sprained his ankle.[4] He went on later in the weekend to play an unannounced set on the left field stage. [5]
