Darren Poyzer - '10 Things ...'
see also press kit

1. Darren's first proper songwriting gig (2 songs and a couple of crap poems) was in 1987 at a 'Stand And Deliver' poetry event at a pub called The Dog And Partridge in Ashton Under Lyne, supporting esteemed poet Adrian Mitchell.

2. In those 'early days' he was part of a thriving 'alternative cabaret' scene, sharing many a stage with the likes of Steve Coogan, John 'I Am Kloot' Bramwell, Dave Gorman, Henry Normal, Lemn Sissay, and many more - see the list!

3. As well as his own albums, he has appeared on a number of compilation albums, notably co-writing a song with Chris Difford (Squeeze) and Jen Clapp (New York) for 'Songs From The Weald' (2006).

4. Outside of songwriting and performance, Darren is a part-time special needs music teacher.

5. He also had the honour of being awarded a UK Visionary Design Award in 2003 for accessible web design work with The Bradshaws.

6. In 2001 whilst on tour in Texas, he was bitten and hospitalised by a Black Widow Spider ... he only cancelled two gigs though!

7. In 1998 he had a nervous breakdown and, following a month long stint in the 'jigsaw ward', had to include heavy meds and therapy in his daily life. A fire in which he lost most of his posessions had preceeded that, however his writing guitar survived the calamity, and so eventually after much soul searching, did his sanity.

8. In 1982 Darren was involved in and survived the Falklands War. Aged 18 and having left school to follow careers advice and 'see the world', he took a job catering on board a Royal Navy ship, HMS Broadsword. He wrote his first poem on the way home which was a veiled attack on the war, subsequently published in the ship's own magazine record of the conflict. Leaving the RN at the earliest contracted opportunity in 1984, he returned to college to study drama and performing arts, and taught himself to play guitar.

9. Those who know the autobiograhpical song 'Darren Poyzer's Substitute For Homesick Blues' will have noted the happy ending, and celebration of life with partner Cath and little Jasmine. The very night before Darren came to record that song, he and Cath agreed to split, as Darren had known for sometime that all was not well. It was a very difficult moment therefore, and the option to change the lyrics at the last moment became an added pressure. As it was, he chose to consign their story to a happy ending for the song at least, to document a celebration of his place in what was at times a wonderful family and a source of true happiness. Cath and Jasmine now live in Australia.

10. The name Poyzer, strange though it seems and for as long as records can be traced, appears to originate from Nottinghamshire, England. Also on his Father's side, Darren has a trace of Irish blood, and on his Mother's side, Welsh.