Among Derek's previous job titles are: Mace delivery boy, Bread delivery man, lighting and stage technician for Eden court and stage manager for Dog Star Theatre Company. Derek's least favourite job was working as a repair man for submersible sewage pumps, or “Shit Pipes” as they are known in the trade.
Derek fears no food but gets seriously nervous before big gigs. Curiously, he has never been afraid of a post gig party. Not once.
The fact that Derek likes chimpanzees AND Ben & Jerry’s Chunky Monkey ice cream is a coincidence. The fact that he is allergic to dogs AND cats is not.
Most of Derek's spare time is spent with a guitar and a multi track recorder trying to distil the sounds from inside his head. Doing this makes him delighted and frustrated and delighted again some days.
Derek uses spray deodorant and thanks God for the creation of the Ford Transit. He dislikes weak handshakes and dentists' surgeries and thanks God for neither.
Derek has two songs he wants played at his funeral: Here Comes The Flood (Solo piano version) by Peter Gabriel to make them greet. Freebird by Skynyrd to make them ROCK!
Derek lives in Glasgow with his partner Gail to keep him in check.
He takes his coffee black and one.