On the course Dox met Marc Playle, another student studying with him. Marc mentioned that he was in a band called Minnikin, and that he had his own studio. Dox grabbed this opportunity to get his song "Dying Friend" recorded. After recording, Marc asked Dox if he would like to join the band as a guitarist, but, after the current guitarist left along with the lead singer, Dox stepped in to fill the position.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 2002, Dox was asked if he wanted to come back to the Princes' Trust Sound Live course as an assistant sound tech. Again, this was an amazing week. Dox became friends with the team leaders and tutors, and, at the end of the week, was informed that he had been chosen to attend the Montreux Jazz Festival, where he seen artists such as, David Bowie, Ike Turner, JK, and many more...

Later that year, Dox was also asked to be a volunteer for the Princes' Trust when they attended "Skill City", giving guitar lessons to kids in the hope that it would spark a passion for music. HRH Prince Charles made an appearance and Dox was chosen to perform with a group that performed "Happy Birthday" to him.

In October 2003, Dox was asked if he would like to attend "Fashion Rocks" as a VIP. What an honour, and what a night. Sitting next door to the Royal Box, and sitting next to Dolce, Gabbana and Naomi Campbell, Dox was amazed. Dox was invited to the Royal Room, where he met HRH Prince Charles again, and was surprised that HRH remembered him. As the night went on, Dox was invited to the press room where he met celebrities such as, Beyonce, Jennifer Ellison, Dermot O'Leary, J.K, Richard Gere, and Vernon Kay, Just to name a few. He was also interviewed by June Sarpong on T4 on behalf of the Princes' Trust.

Dox continued to volunteer for the Princes' Trust and in 2004 was nominated for a "Young Achievers Award". Sadly he did not get the prize but was honoured to be nominated.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In October 2010, Dox parted ways with Minnikin and decided to try writing some new material on his own. After writing 2-3 new songs he decided to audition for Live & Unsigned again. Unfortunately he only got through to the Regional Final, but was asked to perform at Live & Unsigned' "LIVE FEST" @ "The O2 Arena, London" in July 2011. Dox performed some of his original songs and some well known covers, and got a great response.

 

Having a new love for his acoustic guitar he asked local musician Dave Kelly if he would like to start an acoustic duo DH2 (our postcode). Just playing covers to make some money, have some fun. & keep his voice in shape.  This gave him plenty of time to write songs ready for the next project.

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He then asked old Minnikin band mate Marc Playle if he would like to start recording some of the songs he had been writing, with the vision of getting a band together. Many hours were spent in the studio, & they managed to get about 8 tracks finished. They had decided to go by the name Sky Red & recorded a lot of videos to start getting their name out there. They continued to search for the musicians they were missing to complete the Sky Red line up. But in 2014 the guys decided to retire Sky Red and start working on separate projects. Marc & Dox are still very good friends, & who knows? Maybe you will see them on a stage together again someday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 2014 he joined forces with the guys from local rock band "Rusted Hero" to complete their line up, after the original singer left.  Rusted Hero done quite well for themselves. Playing shows all over the U.K, & even managing a couple of mini tours in Germany & Italy. Their Debut album ‘Road To Nowhere’ was released in 2016 and sold many copies both online & at shows. In 2017 the band decided to call it a day after 2 of its original members left.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 2017 at Rockmantic Weekender, Dox was having a drunken conversation with Die No More drummer Steve Orchiton. It became apparent very quickly that these 2 should be in a band together, so they met up for a couple of rehearsals to see how the chemistry was.

 

After many months they were still a 2 piece, & wondering if it would ever start taking shape. Until an old friend of Dox, Stu (Glass Bach) Clark, decided he would like to step in as lead guitarist. Dox couldn’t believe his luck as Stu was also someone he had been dying to work with but never had the chance.  Stu had mentioned that he had a friend who may be up for the role of second guitarist. Sean Toner came in for rehearsals and did not disappoint the lads. They were now a 4 piece, but filling the bass player position wasn’t an easy task. After months of looking, Hellion Rising guitarist Gio messaged to say that he was taking time away from his band and would like to have a go at filling the bassist position.

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They would be known as LORDS OF RUIN, & in October 2018, after almost 2 years of hard work, they played their debut show to an enormous crowd @ The Brickyard, Carlisle. LOR are now set to record their first single and music video which should be released in 2019. Expect many more show dates to be announced.

 

In March 2019, Dox decided to give his solo, acoustic career another go. With ideas of bringing a whole new set/show he enlisted the help of ex Rusted Hero/Blackjack bassist Andy Milburn. With the idea of performing the songs that Dox couldn’t use in Lords Of Ruin, & throwing in a few covers that they felt weren’t played enough, or at all, they set to work on rehearsals. In April 2019 they bagged their first show supporting the legendary Mike Tramp (White Lion) @ Trillians Newcastle, and played an absolute storm of a set. They are now working on getting more shows around the UK.