Ted Gordon’s Site
A.k.a. Lost Cause Lair
Mel’s Comments
Few people will recognise this "instrument" unless they are fans of Star Trek - hence its nickname, the Klingon Harp! In its natural state it does not make a lot of noise, but is good and solid for bashing people around the head. David says you have to plug it in to something - Mel suggested a 240 volt AC socket. He has this little black box thing that adds increasing levels of distortion. However, after a couple of bars of Ashoakan Farewell, with full on Hendrix-style reverb, The main advantage, it was discovered, over the normal mandolin - you can SWITCH IT OFF!
Band Members
David Fowler
David is the band’s talented Mandolin player. Not satisfied with the complexities of the mandolin, he has been responsible for the manufacture of an electric, headless mandolin. See http://www.tinguitar.com/headlessemando
He is also the current Beeston and District Low Jump Champion
Compared to the other band members, David is the baby in the band and is certainly learning from's the other guys experience and, not yet, bad habits.
Having failed at school lessons in violin, he bought a mandolin as it was easier to play in tune. For years only simple chords were played until in 1995 he was persuaded to go to a bluegrass picking session with his wife's driving instructor, Keith Bowdler. There he saw Frank Williams playing mandolin and from then on wanted to be able to play properly (not that Frank wasn't!).
Inspired and encouraged by Butch Baldassari and Barry Mitterhof at Sore Finger Summer Schools, and countless people at various bluegrass festivals, he developed his playing at the Tiger Bluegrass Club in Long Eaton, occasional gigs with 'The Ragged Ramblers' and playing at his local church. At the Tiger he met Ted and John and found himself in demand since mandolin players don't exactly grow on trees! Eventually Lost Cause emerged from the desire to do something properly.
Since then David hasn't played with many well known artists including Rod Stewart, The Pogues, and Scissor Sisters, and regularly doesn't appear on radio.
Often quiet at band practice breaks whilst the old ones reminisce and compare braces but busies himself in a corner trying to play a Chris Thile number or working up another bad joke.
During the week David is very busy working to pay towards the pensions for the rest of the band.
Inside leg 30"
chest 36"