One of the founding members of the Firemen, Booga spent his formative years in the pursuit of birds. Unfortunately unbecoming of a budding rock star they were of the feathered variety.
However this was soon to change and on becoming a Fingolstone, birds (lady ones), booze and drugs (nicotine) began to dominate his life.
After adding his unique vocal talents to the first 4 tracks recorded by the band in 1986 (Drunken Reddish, Obscene, The Ballad Of The Gypsy Queen and Skeggy Market) Booga said he was going to quit and take up Weight Lifting?
The truth, sadly, was that he was becoming a mere shadow of his former self. The alcohol, nicotine and constant pursuit of young ladies were taking their toll. Self parody crept into the classic "Obscene", the line "Booga loves his beer" making light of Booga's increasing dependency on alcohol.
His life was to be marred for many years to come by drunken fights with nightclub bouncers, failed marriages and the worst affliction of all, he became a Forest Season ticket holder.
An affectionate tribute to Booga was recorded in 1987's "The Pulling Song" which told of his prowess with the fairer sex and in particular with the love of his life Hayley Daykey Poo.
He did make a comeback with the Fingolstones, rejoining the band in 1992 and lending his slightly effeminate vocals to "Sharon", "Streets of Birdholme" and "Hotel St Augustines". Sadly this was but a mere cameo. His erratic behaviour during the recording of these seminal tracks led to a final parting of the ways.
In many ways Booga was the Pete Doherty of the band. Supremely talented when he wanted to be, but a slave to his addictive nature.
Having said that in recent years he has turned his life around somewhat. He holds a respectable job in Banking and regularly runs long distances for no reason. In some ways he is a bit like Forest Gump, only not quite as clever.
Nowadays Booga is embarrassed to have ever been part of The Fingolstones. In a 2009 interview with Smash Hits he described it as being “the most shameful thing I’ve ever done apart from that night in Brazil with the two Belgian lads but I don’t really want to talk about that”.
However this was soon to change and on becoming a Fingolstone, birds (lady ones), booze and drugs (nicotine) began to dominate his life.
After adding his unique vocal talents to the first 4 tracks recorded by the band in 1986 (Drunken Reddish, Obscene, The Ballad Of The Gypsy Queen and Skeggy Market) Booga said he was going to quit and take up Weight Lifting?
The truth, sadly, was that he was becoming a mere shadow of his former self. The alcohol, nicotine and constant pursuit of young ladies were taking their toll. Self parody crept into the classic "Obscene", the line "Booga loves his beer" making light of Booga's increasing dependency on alcohol.
His life was to be marred for many years to come by drunken fights with nightclub bouncers, failed marriages and the worst affliction of all, he became a Forest Season ticket holder.
An affectionate tribute to Booga was recorded in 1987's "The Pulling Song" which told of his prowess with the fairer sex and in particular with the love of his life Hayley Daykey Poo.
He did make a comeback with the Fingolstones, rejoining the band in 1992 and lending his slightly effeminate vocals to "Sharon", "Streets of Birdholme" and "Hotel St Augustines". Sadly this was but a mere cameo. His erratic behaviour during the recording of these seminal tracks led to a final parting of the ways.
In many ways Booga was the Pete Doherty of the band. Supremely talented when he wanted to be, but a slave to his addictive nature.
Having said that in recent years he has turned his life around somewhat. He holds a respectable job in Banking and regularly runs long distances for no reason. In some ways he is a bit like Forest Gump, only not quite as clever.
Nowadays Booga is embarrassed to have ever been part of The Fingolstones. In a 2009 interview with Smash Hits he described it as being “the most shameful thing I’ve ever done apart from that night in Brazil with the two Belgian lads but I don’t really want to talk about that”.
  Alcohol The Scourge Of His Life
 During his heavy drinking sessions Booga would pull anything, no matter how ugly.
 Perhaps Boog was wearing some of these when he pulled that one. They’re Beer Goggles obviously.
 The young Booga was well known for his very square head.
 After an alcohol binge Booga sometimes forgot he was heterosexual.
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 A rare picture of Booga performing with his first band, a little known outfit called "Queen" in which he played a role similar to that of Bez in the Happy Mondays.
In 2007 Boog released his first solo record. A Techno Dance piece quite unlike anything he had ever done before. He wrote the music and even starred in the accompanying video, themed around his ongoing battle with the bottle.
Since its release it has been on constant rotation on MTV. |
