HUNTING BEARS – REMEMBER THE NAME!   This blog is dedicated to the friends and relations who can't be bothered to turn up to gigs or even send a good luck message – I'll get you to the next one!   Now's the time to write about my son's musical adventures so far. I like to think growing up in a home with a soundtrack of hip-hop, punk, dance, rock, reggae, Irish and heavy metal led to music seeping into his DNA. (F*** the TV!). When he was about 12 he got interested in learning both drums and guitars. With his mum we scraped together enough money for lessons at school. He proved to be a natural. Soon after his birthday present was a set of drums. Luckily the family underneath our flat welcomed them. In fact they were his best early critics – they said they'd often gather under his room just to listen to him.   He soon started jamming with various mates, sometimes 4 or 5 of them squeezed into his room making a glorious racket. All very improvised and loose. For me it was all welcome. The only law I had to lay down was a 9pm curfew so the toddler below could sleep. He got one angry complaint – it was summer and windows were open – it must've been a Grateful Dead-length jam. So this big geezer was knocking at the door a few times before I heard – 'Do you know how f***ing loud that s*** is?' He was alright though and at the end requested some Pink Floyd (more of them in a minute).   The next big step was my son's decision to take Music Technology at college in Bristol. I was pleased as I wanted him to do something he'd enjoy. He got through a shaky first year in which his mate from Portishead dropped out. By the second year he was well into it. His tutor said he was the second most talented student in the year. Being given a sackful of money by a wealthy relative (not on my side of the family!) on his 18th birthday he bought more music gear, including computer software. He could now more easily home record his own compositions – not just rock but also ambient and electronic stuff.   But it's been since he formed a three piece rock band called Hunting Bears that his abilities are starting to be recognised by the wider world. Their sound has an indie sensibility – considering the only instruments are drums and guitar it's surprisingly deep and rich. They definitely know what they're doing. The drummer is spot on, the girl singer has a great voice and stage presence. They seem to be a collective. From an early gig on College Green last summer on a local talent/new bands stage at the Harbourside Festival, they've since headlined the Louisiana and played the Folk House. There was excitement with a showpiece gig at the Roundhouse in London which has now led, amazingly, to the offer of recording a track with the legendary Nick Mason of Pink Floyd! This is hard to believe. Who knows where it might lead?   Before then is another appearance at the Harbourside festival on Aug 1st. This is followed by headlining the Croft on Aug 18th. So if you're in and around Bristol try and get to see Hunting Bears – you will not be disappointed!