Peter Cook Q & A

Peter Cook leads Human Dynamics and The Academy of Rock,

a creativity and innovation management consultancy, blending

leading edge ideas from the world’s business schools with the

power of music, be it rock, jazz or classical.

 He has delivered

conference keynotes and longer masterclasses to some of the

world’s top businesses and organisations. 

Amongst other things

Peter has also been flaying his exotic instrument (oo er missus) on stages across Medway for...ooh...THIS long. 

Oh well....let's hear some reflections from the man himself

(photo Dean Campbell)

1) Please tell us a little about yourself and about how long you've been associated with the Medway Towns?
I’ve lived here all my life, save for a few years in Gravesend and a lot of travel around the world.
2) What's your favorite memory of Medway?
Leaving it.
3) What's your favourite Medway building?
Rochester Castle
4) Where's your parish? Rochester, Chatham, Gillingham? Elsewhere?
Gillingham
5) Have you some favourite bands or solo acts from past and/or present? (Medway Acts)
The Warm Jets (not strictly Medway) but they spent a lot of time here
Cenet Rox, both before I joined them and during
6) Any great memories of wild nights out to share?
I met an indian chap who was down on his luck at 1 am on Chatham station with my girlfriend. He was trying to get to Faversham, but had missed the train. I offered to let him stay at my house overnight. On arrival and to make him feel welcome I cooked some papadams and put some raga music on (he actually sounded like he was from Clapham, but I was pissed, so overdid the “ethnic charm”). My girlfriend went up to bed and we sat on the sofa for a bit chatting, until he asked if I wanted to “make a fuck”. I politely declined and gave him a sleeping bag. My gay friend Brain later said “Well Piggy, what did you think he was hanging round on Chatham station for?”
There were many other, better, wild nights, but I cannot share them!
7) What's your favorite pub? (clubs and bars do count)
The Tam O’Shanter holds special memories for me. Now demolished.

(with a reformed Cenet Rox...frontman Nick Hughes)

8 ) If you were to show a visitor around Medway for a day...where would you take them?
To the dockyard, where my Dad worked tirelessly for more than 50 years in an age where people did not become bored of their job or place. There’s a lesson in that for all of us.
9) Is there a landmark that you instantly think of for the towns?
The Castle.
10) If you could live in any building in Medway where would you choose?
The Kings School has some nice old houses around it. I wouldn’t mind one of them.
11) Any particular shops that you think are worth a mention?
Mid Air Music in Chatham
I loved Barnaby Recordings, the record shop in Gillingham – spent a lot of time there.
12) Which famous people...real or fictional...do you immediately associate with Medway?
Dickens
13) What's your very earliest memory of being here in these towns?
Playing a guitar on the doorstep of School Avenue. Later on singing so loud to ‘Twist and Shout” that I blew one of my ear drums out, going slightly deaf.
14) Any sad memories of Medway?
When my mum and dad died, rather too early for my liking. I was 21 when my dad died and 32 when my mum died. Lots of questions and conversations that I’d liked to have had.
15) What's your favourite local music venue...past or present?
The Woodlands Tavern has to be the best venue – really grungy and lovely. Plus the lovely Lyn who ran it.
16) Do you enjoy the current Medway Music Scene?
Yes, especially the work of Crybaby Special who have the opportunity of making it big in my opinion. Ben Jones also has a rare songwriting talent and deserves much better attention.

(dressing up with Unlucky Fried Kitten)

17) Do you think the towns will change drastically...on the entertainment front...over the next 20 years?
Yes, I think much live entertainment will be replaced by a generation of people watching things and participating online.
18) What would you change about Medway if you had the chance?
The politicians, who seem to only be driven by their own personal ambitions rather than any sense of doing things that might be good for the area.
19) If you were asked to design a snappy logo for the Medway Towns....perhaps for an ultra-modern coat of arms...what item or items would you have on it?
It would simply point out that it's a route to other places, with very little industry or culture holding it together.
20) Lastly...on the tail of the last question...what would be a great SLOGAN for The Medway Towns?
The last of the international playboys

(book launch)