Who is Scotland’s Greatest Ever Drummer?
by Alec Downie
And Scotland’s Greatest Ever Guitarist is … Stuart Adamson, according to the readers of Dear Scotland. Thanks to all who voted. This week Alec gives us his thoughts on our greatest ever drummer. Paul Carlin (Dananananaykroyd), and John Disco (Bis) have their say too. Who do you think should be in our top 5?
As we did with the Greatest Ever Guitarist vote, we will compile a top 5 for you to vote on next Wednesday. Here are Alec Downie’s top five plus a few more to consider:
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……Many moons ago I met Ted McKenna (drummer with The Sensational Alex Harvey Band) on a Saturday afternoon in Glasgow’s salubrious Corinthians for a wee chat. One thing led to another and a few pints turned into a full on sesh. Around eight o’clock that night, a fairly pished Ted leaned over and says, “Feck, I am supposed to be playing the Rory Gallagher Tribute at The Ferry the night!”
So we staggered out to George Square in search of a cab. We just about made it and were greeted by hugs from Rory’s brother Dermott who plied us with several more pints. I just remember thinking: “How the hell is Ted going to get up on the stage, let alone play the drums”.
But at the given time, Ted climbed behind a set of borrowed drums, made a few slight adjustments and with a click of the sticks and a smile the width of the Clyde Tunnel he counted in the band to the song, “Sleep on a Clothes Line”. I recall Ted hitting the drums with such joy, timing and passion that the tribute band collectively turned around in unison, stunned by the power and perfection of the drummer behind them. Years of touring, practice and ardour meant that, despite the booze, Ted never missed a beat.
But great drummers don’t just happen. Fair enough they may be born with a unique sense of rhythm but much of their art is study and practice. When touring with the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, I never once saw Ted forget his practice pad, the tapping of which was constantly in the background.
I once organised a drum and bass workshop with Ted for NEMIS. Ted bowled over the young “Who the feck are you old man?” audience of would-be-rockstars by running through the history of drumming and giving demonstrations on everything from African beats to Jazz to punk rock, while explaining the vital importance of “knowing your rudiments”.
We all know that Scotland has produced some incredible bands over the years and, unlike their singers or guitarists, often or not we would struggle to name the virtuoso drummers from the records we love. For a drummer to make it into the exclusive gang of “drummers we know the name of”, they need to bring something else to the table: style, looks, groove or, in Keith Moon’s case, sheer insanity. To that end here are some of my Scottish Bang Gang and why I love them.
1. Ted McKenna -- Sensational Alex Harvey Band, Rory Gallagher Band, Michael Schenker Group, The Greg Lake Band, Jack Bruce, Tear Gas and others.
Ted is a man who can hit as hard as Billy Cobham, groove as cool as Charlie Watts and party like Keith Moon. If you want to make Ted (and everyone else) happy, give him a set of sticks, position him behind a set of drums and see the world’s woes dissipate in one roll of the toms.
Recommended McKenna groove: ‘Vambo Marble Eye’ by The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
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2. Ross McFarlane -- Proclaimers, Button Up, Sharleen Spiteri, Stiltskin
If ever there was a Scottish drum-slinger for hire it has to be Ross, equally happy playing at a local pub charity gig or banging the beat for 70,000 punters to leap up and down to on a T in the Park Sunday morning. Ross simply bleeds drumming. If you watch closely you will see that every note is coupled with a grimace, pout or grin, projecting an infectious enthusiasm through the band in front of him and beyond out to the audience.
Recommended bop beat: ‘Letter from America’ by the Proclaimers
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3. Paul Thomson -- Franz Ferdinand
Just before Franz Ferdinand went into world domination mode, I was at a fancy CMJ party in some New York basement full of posers leaning on the wall and ignoring everything the DJ played. ‘Take Me Out’ came on and every man, woman and transvestite lifted their Calvin Klein covered asses from the plush sofas and boogied their NYC booties to that Glasgow indie beat. Far away from home it felt good to be Scottish, thanks to Paul’s rocking groove.
Recommended indie beat – ‘Take Me Out’ by Franz Ferdinand
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4. Ben Johnston -- Biffy Clyro & Marmaduke Duke
If Dave Grohl was the inspiration to a young Kilmarnock lad looking to play music for a living, Ben Johnston (pictured above) is the inspiration to a new generation of players who understand that being a great drummer is not all about hitting the drums hard. Drumming is about timing, dexterity and deftness of touch, and when coupled with power, passion and imagination it makes Ben Johnston the best drummer of his generation.
Recommended pummelling of a drum kit: ‘Get f**ked Stud’ by Biffy Clyro
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5. Adrienne Giudici – Popup
Popup were supporting Babyshambles in Inverness and I noticed a group of metal kids in the corner during popup’s set who looked terribly out of place. So I ambled over to ask them why they were at a Babyshambles/popup gig and their answer was, “The fecking drummer man! She’s hot!”
Now it would be easy for misogynistic music snobs to reduce a girl drummers sole contribution down to, “being hot”, but perfect timing and a musical aptitude beyond most, means Scotland’s Meg White can not only hit the skins as hard as the ugliest metal drummers but her innovative beats and grooves are what makes popup one of the best indie bands in Glasgow.
Recommended misogynistic bashing – ‘Chinese Burn’ by Popup
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Other Scottish Bang Gang members:
Martin Bulloch -- Mogwai
You seldom see much promotion for Mogwai, yet they can be quoted in Nick Hornsby’s High Fidelity or featured in the music for a film on Zidane. It is hard to be innovative in music but Martin and the band consistently push the musical barriers. In September 2007, Martin auctioned his old pacemaker on eBay and donated the proceeds to the British Heart Foundation. We hope his new one keeps the beat for many years to come.
Recommended musical landscape: ‘Like Herod’ by Mogwai
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Seb Rochford
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Sebastian “Seb” Rochford is from Aberdeen and a drummer who spans many genres of music. His father, Gerard Rochford, is an accomplished poet. Seb won the BBC Jazz Award for best newcomer in 2004, and has been nominated as best musician in 2006. He has also been nominated for the Mercury Prize in 2005 and 2007 with his eclectic project Polar Bear.
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Dougie Vipond -- Deacon Blue
Ever met a man you want to scream “lucky bastard” at? Not only has Dougie been able to tour with Deacon Blue for 25 odd years but the handsome dude is now a sports presenter, so all together now, “LUCKY BASTARD!”
Recommended stick clicking: ‘Chocolate Girl’ by Deacon Blue
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Robbie McIntosh -- Average White Band
Founder-member of the Average White Band and drumming genius who died of a heroin overdose and still leaves you wondering what if?
Recommended: The most obvious piece of funky Dundee drumming: ‘Pick up the Pieces’ by The Average White Band
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Paul Savage -- The Delgados
It is a little known fact that other than playing drums for The Delgados, Paul has been the engineer and producer of some of the finest records to come out of Lanarkshire’s Chem 19 Studios, including The Twilight Sad, Arab Strap, Mogwai and The Phantom Band.
Best record to prove twee as f**k drumming can be cool as f**k to waltz to: ‘American Trilogy’ by The Delgados
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Brendan O’Hare -- Teenage Fan Club, Mogwai and a number of other cool Glasgow bands
Often or not you will find Glasgow legend Brendan in the 13th Note tweaking sound knobs for young bands and unceremoniously passing on years of experience with a smile or a grimace but never without passion.
Best drum roll intro – ‘Tell Me What You See’ by Teenage Fanclub
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Richard Colburn -- Belle & Sebastian
Playing pop well and making it look effortless is an art and, not content to be in one of Scotland’s biggest bands, Richard drummed on early Snow Patrol sessions and is one of the founding members of The Reindeer Section.
Recommended twee high hats: ‘The Boy with the Arab Strap’ by Belle and Sebastian
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Darrell Sweet -- Nazareth
If you know drummers, you know that they have far too much energy. Not content to power house the band from the drum stool for years, Darrell was also Nazareth’s manager, (this will sound familiar to many drummers).
Recommended Southern Fife blues beat: ‘Bad Bad Boy’
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Iain Bayne -- Runrig
When I lived in Germany I was amazed that this Scottish band, who I had never really heard of, was playing to thousands in Berlin. Sadly what I know about Runrig you could write on a piece of “Berlin Wall” that a tourist will pay 50 dollars for, but what I do know is that they are loved by many and the best at what they do!
Recommended Nationalist stirring by a tom: Loch Lomond by Runrig
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Mark Brzezicki -- Big Country
Not a Scot by birth but deserves an honouree mention for devoting his early life to providing the base for Dunfermline’s finest export.
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And finally, a shite drummer joke:
Drummer goes into a shop and says “I need 2 skins for my snare and large tom”. Shop owner says “cannae help you”. Drummer says “why no?”. Shop owner says “because this is a chip shop”.
Alec xx
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Guest Picks: John Disco (Bis)
Well, Roland R5 (Bis drum machine) has done a great service. I’d also vote for Joel Gray (Amphetameanies), Paul Thomson (Franz Ferdinand) and James Hamilton (Errors).
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Guest Picks: Paul Carlin (Dananananaykroyd)
I ought to know about drummers… my band’s gone through about 14… however, I’d have to say my vote for Scotland’s Greatest Ever Drummer would go to Ben Johnston of Biffy Clyro. The guy is a machine. Seriously. I’ve got a lot of time for drummers who can be a total powerhouse but also technically gifted. I think part of the reason Biffy are so big is because they can all play SO well. Your band is only as good as your drummer and Biffy Clyro basically have a stick of dynamite behind the kit! Also, I’m pretty sure he used to sing in a Rage Against The Machine covers band and that’s pretty radical.
www.myspace.com/dananananaykroyd
Photo Credit : ascotinmpls
When I first heard Martin Bulloch I thought he was shite. What was shite was the sound man. This guy rocks.
by Scunnert
on 11 Nov, 2009 2:09am
I would say the drummer/lead singer from Come On Gang, but she’s english as a cup of tea.
by Anonymous
on 11 Nov, 2009 4:32am
Mark Unpronounceablename all the way!
by Anonymous
on 11 Nov, 2009 4:38am
Iain Bayne (New Celeste ((1979-80) & Runrig(1980-present) –
Whether it be behind the kit thumping out the thudding beat of a rocked-up Gaelic waulking song like “An Toll Dubh”, or leading the band at the front of stage with a fast-as-lightening solo snare-riff. Bayne has left me mesmorised everytime I’ve seen him over the years. Beats any other drummer (scottish or otherwise) I’ve seen hands down.
by James
on 11 Nov, 2009 7:28am
Ross MacFarlane for sure… his work with The High Fidelity was also thoroughly peachy – a top bloke as well. One fist aloft!
by Ali
on 11 Nov, 2009 9:31am
weres oor dave oot of sons and daughters
by Anonymous
on 11 Nov, 2009 9:32am
I would say Grant Hutchison from Frightened Rabbit is Scotland’s Greatest Ever Drummer.
by Anonymous
on 11 Nov, 2009 9:40am
Mike Baillie from the Skids without doubt. Unbelievable that he’s not been mentioned before.
by Anonymous
on 11 Nov, 2009 10:20am
ha, I knew Ross McFarlane’s name but not the bands but Ali’s comment above has reminded me – Sean Dickson once told me how he’d taken time off from the HiFi to play on the Hogmanay TV show.
The guy in Super Adventure Club is technically one of the best ‘unknown’ and new-ish drummers in the country – the video maybe doesn’t give the full impression, but trust me…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VDUQHFeUgw
by Stuart
on 11 Nov, 2009 11:32am
I vote for Roland R5!
by Anonymous
on 11 Nov, 2009 12:57pm
Must admit I’d never heard of the High Fidelity before but just found this great video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Z-_thA1oEk
by Dusty
on 11 Nov, 2009 1:28pm
Alex Neilson. Or myself. But preferably Alex Neilson. And Rikki from Copy Haho.
by James
on 11 Nov, 2009 1:47pm
You can only judge this if you’ve seen/heard them all. I have, it’s Ted McKenna by far. His mix of power/touch/Rock and Roll and of course his big baw face make him hands down Best Scottish Drummer!!!
by Anonymous
on 11 Nov, 2009 2:16pm
Big baw face??
by Anonymous
on 11 Nov, 2009 2:28pm
Kenny Hyslop
by Anonymous
on 11 Nov, 2009 3:46pm
My five:
Ted McKenna — Sensational Alex Harvey Band
Mark Unpronounceablename – Big Country
Iain Bayne – Runrig
Ben Johnston — Biffy Clyro
Darrell Sweet — Nazareth
Let voting commence!
by drummer boy
on 11 Nov, 2009 4:49pm
i vote for lewis kirk from big strides: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyAZ_5ef7Xs
by p.cavers
on 11 Nov, 2009 5:03pm
drummer from pvh/copy haho is amazing.
by Anonymous
on 11 Nov, 2009 6:01pm
geoff dugmore/ ray weston/ morris pert/ stuart tosh/ andy white/ go and check out who they have played with!!!!!!!
by tony
on 11 Nov, 2009 10:42pm
I could see an argument that Angus Young is Scottish but Mark Unpronounceablename is also as English as a cup of tea.
by Anonymous
on 12 Nov, 2009 12:44am
Andy White (born 1930, Glasgow, Scotland) is a drummer, best known for playing drums on The Beatles’ first single, “Love Me Do” (wikipedia)
by Anonymous
on 12 Nov, 2009 12:47am
What about your one Evelyn Glennie?
by Anonymous
on 12 Nov, 2009 12:59am
McKenna
by Anonymous
on 12 Nov, 2009 7:15am
James Hamilton from Errors is an AMAZING drummer. Errors, Dananananackroyd and not forgetting the mighty Multiplies. How you can mention half of these charlatans in the same breath as him is beyond me!
by Anonymous
on 12 Nov, 2009 7:44am
Alex Neilsen
Martin Bulloch
Ken Mathieson
James Hamilton
Iain Bayne
by Anonymous
on 12 Nov, 2009 8:58am
Why/Who is Ken Mathison?
by Anonymous
on 12 Nov, 2009 10:55am
Mark B. Saw him with THE CULT at the Royal Albert Hall
He is the best
by Anonymous
on 12 Nov, 2009 3:37pm
Saw Runrig for the 1st time a couple of months ago and the drummer (believe his name’s Iain Bayne) was amazing. I’m someone who’s seen Franz Ferdinand, ACDC and the Killers over the last 12 months and the Runrig guy blew them all away!
by Jon Clark
on 12 Nov, 2009 3:49pm
Richie Dempsey – Stretchheads and DeSalvo.
Drummer for not just one truly unique Scottish band, but two.
by Zed
on 13 Nov, 2009 5:21am
Ken Mathieson – http://www.classicjazzorchestra.org.uk/ken_mathieson.htm
by Anonymous
on 13 Nov, 2009 10:33am
more votes for james hamilton, alex neilson and richie dempsey here…
by Anonymous
on 13 Nov, 2009 5:45pm
Close one between Jim Mcdermott (silencers) and Iain Bayne (runrig). Bayne shades it for me.
by Maggie
on 16 Nov, 2009 11:11am
Alex Neilson – Born and raised in Leeds, inspired by the North of England (according to wikipedia) and toured with Oldham (Will). He might be good but he doesn’t sound very Scottish to me.
by Zippy
on 16 Nov, 2009 12:31pm
He’s based in Scotland, and has been for some time. Has played with numerous Scottish bands including Scatter, V-Twin, Tight Meat Trio and Trembling Bells. It’s all Semantics isn’t it?
by Anonymous
on 17 Nov, 2009 9:52am
Does he have a Scottish granny?
by Zippy
on 17 Nov, 2009 2:05pm
Ross McFarlane gets my vote… Played on some great records and a few dreadful ones, but on top form at the moment with Codeine Velvet Club.
by Jim Gellatly
on 17 Nov, 2009 3:17pm
Mince! (Fratelli)
by Anonymous
on 17 Nov, 2009 4:37pm
Graham C from Data Panik and Elvis Suicide. Stunner of a drummer.
by Manda Rin
on 17 Nov, 2009 5:46pm
Thanks Manda. Looking forward to some Bis news next week and some US festivals for you next year.
by The Dear
on 17 Nov, 2009 7:14pm
Man… I love Dougie Vipond’s playing (Deacon Blue)… and how can you all miss out Mel Gaynor? (Simple Minds)
If you want it skelped well on a click with tonnes of feel these two are the guys for me.
I don’t know any of them personally so its not a case of “vote for ma mate” kinda thing.
These two guys have imagination too, sometimes, for me, some session guys around here can be simple for simples sake, these two put personality onto the stuff whilst serving the song.
by Gordo
on 17 Nov, 2009 7:17pm
Sorry Of course…its not Scottish bands…
… Mel is from England so that’s why he’s probably not mentioned…
Dougie Vipond…
Ted MacKenna…
Jim McDermott…
My top 3
by Gordo
on 17 Nov, 2009 7:29pm
Merk from Oceansize/Kong overlooked for being involved with English bands? Or perhaps because he’s actually non-human… Either way, the man is so rooted in his art I’m pretty sure if he were ever to have children they’d be born with sticks and beaters in place of dextral digits.
by LiaMMV
on 18 Nov, 2009 8:28am
Paul Thomson Of Course!!!
by Anonymous
on 19 Nov, 2009 12:45pm
I vote Paaaaaaul by Franz Ferdinand!!!!! Of course!!!!!
by Anonymous
on 20 Nov, 2009 4:45am
check out windsor mcgilvray (the stranglers, fish, hugh cornwell).
inspirational and astonishing.
by toe
on 20 Nov, 2009 2:07pm
PAUL THOMSON FOR THE WIN
by Steph
on 21 Nov, 2009 5:54am
it simply has to be Ben – no contest whatsoever – from Scotland’s proudest ever Dad
by Davy
on 21 Nov, 2009 7:31am
Has Everyone Forgotten Brian McGee (Simple Minds/Propaganda)
One of the most innovative drummers ever to come out of Scotland!
by Anonymous
on 02 Dec, 2009 1:00pm
allways be and will be Paul thomson
by Anonymous
on 02 Dec, 2009 2:12pm
Got to be Jim McGeachie! Great times from the 70’s.
by Tom
on 15 Dec, 2009 5:25am
Bobby Gillespie in his JAMC days
by Anonymous
on 10 Jan, 2010 4:17pm
Hello,
My name is Ross McFarlane.I’m the guy who’s placed 2nd in this list.Someone informed of this list and i thought how weird…
To be honest i never have had much to do with lists and grids of who’s better who’s best. But i will say this I am very touched to even be included.
Anyone who gets up and work’s through the pitfalls of this industry and plays from the heart gets my vote.I love drums always have, the guys i like from this talented isle are Ted Mckenna (i was his drum tech age 19) what a joy and what a sound once he gets going, the wonderful tony soave and the monster groove and power player Jim McDermott, and finally one of the best players i have seen in a long while.. Alan Cosker.
Keep up the good work all us scottish sticksmen.
Ross McFarlane.
by ross mcfarlane
on 27 Feb, 2010 1:22pm
Cheers Ross. See you in Austin.
by The Dear
on 27 Feb, 2010 1:41pm
Forget all the previous choices
James MacIntosh and Alan Cosker amazing players both
Best Guitarist should have been John McGeogh
by macatae
on 15 Mar, 2010 8:49am
What about Alan Dale? Another top Scottish drummer who should be on the list!
by Anonymous
on 31 Mar, 2010 12:56pm
Martin Johnston from Coatbridge
is one of the most dedicated, hardworking, talented, up and coming drummers in Scotland a lot of the credit goes to Rythym Base drum store in Glasgow. We should be praising new drummers and promoting them. Martin utilises all styles of drumming, especially jazz and rock. check him out on his Myspace, and the Deneros website.
by Anonymous
on 31 Mar, 2010 4:46pm
Hi all.
Jim McDermott here.
As my dear friend and colleague Ross McFarlane puts it,its a hell of an industry to keep making a living and I tip my hat to all of the drumming community,who lug half tons of metal around the country for maybe even half n hour of unpaid work(and weve all done it).
This is a funny page and very delighted and mucho flattered just to be mentioned at all.
As Ive always thought,drummers are like goalkeepers.You can be having the best run of gigs and form but if you make one mistake,eveyone thinks youre rotten!…….Its a cruel old game sometimes but what a thrill it is.
Will keep an ear close to the ground for some of the guys mentioned here and good luck to you all.
C’mon the drummers!
Jim McD.
by Jim McDermott
on 07 Apr, 2010 1:05am
Cheers Jim. I know Alec will be smacking his forehead when he realises he left you off his list. But we’re glad that you are a part of this page now.
by The Dear
on 07 Apr, 2010 7:03pm
For me it has to be THE SENSATIONAL ALEX HARVEY BAND / MSG Drummer TED MCKENNA…………No Doubt about it!!
by Mike Drew
on 08 Apr, 2010 3:53am
Who is this guy Jim McDermott?
http://www.jimmcdermott.co.uk/page9.htm
Lol so sorry Jim but good to know that there are so many great drummers in Scotland that we can have one of the quality of you missing and still have a great list.
Watch for those beat balls going through your legs xxx
by Alec
on 08 Apr, 2010 5:56am
Alyn Cosker, endostory!
by Anonymous
on 08 Apr, 2010 6:05pm
hi all
tony soave hear, as a guy how hangs around with musicians!!
i would have to say my picks would be ross Mc Farlane and jim Mc Dermot are the guy’s who burn for me, to all drummers in scotland keep up the great vibe!!! rhythm is part of the universe and it is a privilege as a drummer to connect with it some times.it’s the zen tihing!!!! love tony s.
by tony soave
on 10 Apr, 2010 11:40am
Cosker…..
Nuff said.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPfseNejDqY
by Anonymous
on 12 Apr, 2010 11:29am
Nice when people put up a link. Actually that Cosker chap is pretty amazing. And he’s wearing a cool jaeket.
by Anonymous
on 12 Apr, 2010 12:42pm
Kenny Hyslop for inovatave beats
by Kenny Hyslop
on 06 May, 2010 6:46pm
Hi this is Geoff Dugmore. Im Scottish from Glasgow. Im sure as I don’t live there anymore for work reasons not many of you will know of me. Im very proud to be Scottish and always let people know I am. I’ve now played on 49No 1 albums around the world from artists such as Rod Stewart and Steve Nicks to Robbie Williams, Dido and Killing Joke. Im a drumming fan and hope that people will support our musical heritage and the wonderful musicians we have produced from our country. Best wishes to all. Geoff
by Anonymous
on 10 May, 2010 11:28am
Hi geoff,
i met you at live 8 in edinburgh(i was with the proclaimers at the time).you are a wonderful ambassador for our drumming world and from scotland too.I have enjoyed and followed your career you’re work with mike scott was also great, keep up the great work.
You worked on a great album years ago by the big dish(sattelites) with john giblin also scottish.
Ross Mcfarlane.(currently with jon fratteli,sharleen spiteri)
by ross mcfarlane
on 11 May, 2010 12:46pm
WHERE IS MIKE BAILLIE OR TIGGR!?!
by Anonymous
on 30 May, 2010 12:59pm