Doing it the hard way- Biography
Fixxxer was born in Rainham Kent and went to school in Gillingham. A quiet pupil at school attaining only GCSE level exams. "There was a lot of stuff going on back then that affected my ability to concentrate."
Musically things started at home. "We had this piano that appeared when I was quite young. It had a beautiful and slightly haunting sound. Yeah I did have lessons but found that quite restrictive. I wanted to do my own thing."
Relationships and a working life soon took over but in the background a demon was lurking. " I guess the culture that we have in this country didn't force me to look too hard at myself. I was drinking a lot. But so was everybody else around me."
Towards the middle of 2008 Fixxxer made the seaside town of Lowestoft in Suffolk his home. "There had been a lot of personal stuff going wrong in my life and a change of scene sometimes helps you to move forward as a person." It was a move that was fated to change a lot.
The demon that had been lurking was now in full control. "Being on my own, looking back wasn't the smartest of moves. I don't do my own company that well. There were no limits and with weakness comes temptation."
By early 2010 Fixxxer was totally in the grip of alcoholism and regularly using cannabis. "It's not clever or funny to be in that state as a person. People were crossing the road to avoid me. I'd drink and smoke until I passed out. The party stops when you're drinking cider for breakfast. It's not enjoyable or social any more."
Facing the threat of eviction from his home brought him in touch with Bridge View and the i2 Dual Diagnosis Team. And the cold reality of what harm he was doing to himself and others around him. "If it wasn't for the patience and understanding that those people showed me I probably wouldn't be here today. They picked me up when I needed it most and put me in touch with Hope House."
Since he moved into Hope House Fixxxer has successfully beaten his problems with drink and drugs. Finding a new way of life and becoming a Christian. "It's up to you what you believe at the end of the day. I'm not about to stuff a bible down your throat. If I'm remembered for anything I've done in this life, I'd like it to be for being a Christian that happened to make some pretty cool music. I know I was saved for a reason. Coincidence is too far fetched for me."
