Ed Gamble's life story is one of rhythm and rebellion – a sonic journey that echoes the highs and lows of his beloved rock stars. From the iconic swagger of David Bowie to the face-melting fury of nu-metal, Gamble has lived and breathed music in all its glorious forms.
The seed was sown early, as he distinctly remembers hearing 'Life On Mars?' for the first time – a testament to his mum's enduring love affair with Bowie. That shared experience at 2001's 'A Reality Tour' still resonates, with Gamble recalling the moment his mum's youthful enthusiasm came flooding back in a distant view of the stage.
As he grew older, so did his musical tastes – and some might say, so did his questionable life choices. He proudly recalls buying Rocket From The Crypt's 'Scream, Dracula, Scream!' after discovering 'Young Livers' at a Virgin Megastore listening post (and, ahem, maybe not entirely proudly, Robson & Jerome's album from the same shop). But it was Korn at Wembley Arena in 2000 that really sealed his love affair with nu-metal – and left an unforgettable mark on his pre-gig nerves.
Ed Gamble's personal soundtrack is a rich tapestry of rock anthems, with 'Welcome To The Jungle' being the ultimate homecoming song (cassette-tape fondly played during his childhood) and Meat Loaf's epic 'Bat Out Of Hell' – performed in its entirety at karaoke nights, much to the initial shock of audiences. But some tracks have fallen victim to his comedy career; Slipknot's 'Before I Forget', now used as stage entrance music, has him involuntarily pumped up for battle.
But it's not all about the past – Gamble is equally effusive in his praise for contemporary artists like UK's Ren, whose viral song 'Hi Ren' tugs at heartstrings with raw emotion. He even jokes about writing a comedy track à la Tenacious D (no doubt 'Beelzeboss (The Final Showdown)' would be the title) – and in a poignant touch, he'd love his wife's band Supermilk to play 'Sweat' at his funeral – a truly one-off farewell gig.