Muddy Miles gigs have been some of the best we’ve witnessed on a local stage since the first time we let them loose on The Gander many years ago; that venue debut gig was one I’ll never forget for many reasons. Not just for the beautifully powerful music, but for the grace, warmth and genuine sincerity flowing from Goobie, Tariqur and Tom. Never have I had to work so hard to give a band some (much earned) money for playing.

The bond between the band members appeared unbreakable, seemingly built from a love of one another as well as the music. But, as Goobie has pointed out to us, “being in a band is just like a relationship.” Well, it appears this relationship has (for the time being) ended. Goobie cites “The reason for calling it an end for now is due to Tom’s commitments and dishonesty.” Clearly there are personal issues here, and an obvious bittererness about recent events, but whilst we wait for the band to return from this “hiatus”, we’ll just remember them for their truly inspirational music.

To end on a positive, Goobie also says “I wish the best to Tariqur and Tom in their future work and I am very sad to stop such a great musical project that I put my heart and soul into for the past five years. Thanks to all those people who shouted at me at the gigs, who wore the t shirts, and who came to every gig of ours.”

But, Goobie has clearly kept himself busy, both on solo projects and a new ensemble – The Peace Band – which sees him joined by Neil Gard, Jon Kearly from Neon Tigers, Al from Uncle Pablos Magic Potion and Matt Cleary from The Brothers Grimmer. “We’ll hope to get working on material soon, so fingers crossed. Think Nirvana unplugged, that’s the kind of thing we have in mind for our live shows… candles and shit.”

There’s also an abundance of quality solo work being produced, with ‘Maze Me’ being one of a few tracks available on Goobie’s solo Myspace page. “‘Maze Me’ is part of my solo work from an album I have completed called The Tree. I worked with Neil Gard on this, working on the record after work late into the evenings over plenty of cups of tea. I played all the instruments with the help of Neil on extra guitars, cellos etc. In the works are another two albums so we’ll see what we do with those once The Tree is out.”

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