garage rock

First off I’d like to say how much I have enjoyed your fine magazine over the years – since issue No 1 in fact! I remember a time when you stated Guitarist magazine was ‘the guitarist’s bible’ and I have to say it has certainly been just that for me. In your October issue [425] reader Rob Griffiths championed the idea of a ‘man cave’ – somewhere to tackle those tricky riffs and songs before playing to the masses! I have my very own ‘cave’ which has been well stocked with guitars and amps over the years – many of which as a direct result of reading your reviews and recommendations so I’m afraid you’ll have to take some of the blame for that!

Like many households these days, garages don’t always get used for parking cars so I decided back in 2008 to convert mine into a space in which I could teach guitar, store my gear and have my son’s drum kit set up for use whenever inspiration took hold. Both of my sons have a love of music so we all get to use the space on a daily basis for practice, rehearsal as a family band and just somewhere to go to enjoy making a great noise together.

A recent refurb has included some nice wood panelling, plenty of LED lighting and a drum stage – what 16-year-old drummer doesn’t want one of those?! The ‘cave’ has undoubtedly been a welcomed addition to the family home. Happy wife, happy life! Andy Skittrall, via email You’ll doubtless be pleased to hear that the editor of this magazine had many good times in a similarly converted garage during his teenage years – round the Lowestoft home of none other than Dan and Justin Hawkins of The Darkness. He bought his first effects pedal, a BOSS DS-1, from Dan in that very egg-box covered hideaway and there was always plenty of jamming going on. Happy days in a musical space that laid the foundation for their later career. Put a car in the garage? No way, it’s a waste!