[estranged4life]

is still the only reason I can still tolerate this band, his bass is solid and has been very much from the get-go...Besides I still laugh at his answer to my questions back from 2007:

Hello John, Thanks for answering another round of questions on the Ledge, It is much appreciated. Here's my question, Which is not music related: Since it is known that you're a person who enjoys sailing, has there ever been a time where you're love of sailing has put you in fear for your life? Such as being caught in a storm and rough seas. Thanks, Brian j.

ps-Bassists are much smarter than we are given credit for!

Hi Brian, Thanks for the question, Yes there's a few times. And I can go on for quite a while! SO AT THE RISK OF BORING YOU...

The first was on the first trip to Hawaii. I've done six. On a 43' Ketch called "Adelie". Back in the '70's. It was a night watch but with a moon. Just myself on watch with a 4 man crew total. The lads were below and asleep. We were about halfway to Hawaii. The swells were getting bigger , it was a following sea, and in the moonlight I turned around because I could hear this "roar' and I swear I saw this wave that was so big, higher than the mast which was about 50-60', I just hunched down and waited for it. I was strapped in but I really thought that "This is it". It broke just behind us! Talk about " Pass my Brown trousers!".

Another was off Cape Hatteras, going up from St Thomas to Bar Harbor, Maine. This time on a 63' Sparkman and Stephens Aluminum sloop, "Challenge". Just at sunset a squall came up from nowhere. Again, I was driving and the wind was so damned strong and came up so quick we couldn't reef in time so we were laid right over and again, i thought,"This is it, we're going to drive ourselves under". The rain was coming horizontally, you couldn't even look forward, it was so painful. Like BB Pellets. Finally managed to fire up the engine,fall off the wind and get the lads up, drop the headsail and put two reefs in the main. The engine saved us. It was very close.

Anyway, there's a lot more stories. Encounters with Whales, Real Pirates, Smugglers, that I won't bore you with. Thank you for reminding me of this ! I have'nt thought about this in a long while and I think I'll dig my Log Books out. All the best! John AAAAARGH MATEY!!!

P.s. Then there was the time Miss Puerto Rico boarded us. It was a desperate struggle, mano y mano..... to be continued..............

P.s. Bass players do it deeper.