MARK BYGRAVES

DATE OF BIRTH: 20th May, 1976

INSTRUMENT: Drums and percussion

HISTORY: Born at City Hospital, Winson Green, Birmingham.

Max was always mad about pushbikes and auto mobiles and learned his mechanical skills at an early age, by stripping and re-assembling his bikes. He would then go on to learn about cars in the same way, at the age of 8, helping his father cars in their garage. It was around this time that he had his first thoughts of becoming either a drummer or a disc jockey.

By the age of 12, he had saved up enough money to buy a drum kit from his mothers catalogue. Unfortunatley, his parents would not allow him to purchase the drums because they were worried about the level of noise they would produce. He then reverted back to using books and plastic tubs as drums, striking them with pencils, welding rods and chisels.

At the age of 15, Max had brought his own vehicle - a transit van which was stolen less than a day later. Soon after though, he replaced its loss with a new car, a MkII Escort, which he lovingly restored. He would use it as transport for his new venture - a Mobile Disco. A business he would continue for 3 years, stopping only when he found it a boring venture...

A year after leaving the disco caper, he decided to pursue his original dream of becoming a drummer and so began lessons with the INTERNATIONAL DRUM COMPANY. Gaining his Grade 1 certificate he then purchased his first kit, a Pearl Export in Red Wine Colours. This kit is now a 22 piece noise machine and after 2 and a half years of practice and many blisters later...

...He joined PLACID CAT...

FIRST MUSICAL EXPERIENCE: "Playing Xylophone at Calshot Junior School in a school play that I don't really remember that much!"

MUSICAL HEROES: "I always wanted to see INXS, but sadly, with Michael Hutchences' death, that is no longer possible... A great musician who will be missed. A living inspiration would be Chad Smith (Red Hot Chilli Peppers) who has another level of excellence with a wicked style of playing (Drums)!"

GREATEST ACHEIVEMENT: Passing his driving test, so he can wreak havoc on the roads legally! Oh! And completley stripping a car and ripping it bits (bare handed?) in the space of 15 hours.

DESCRIBE PLACID CAT: "A fun loving band with big ambition and with enough talent to scare any rival!"

FAVOURITE CATSONG: Max's favourite song in the group at the moment is 'FEEL', because "its got a passion that gets you moving".