Doug Parmenter

Who is Doug Parmenter?

Doug Parmenter is a British musician, and friend of Kelly Jones of Stereophonics. They met whilst Jones was writing the third Stereophonics album, when Parmenter was beginning to play bass guitar whilst still at school.

Parmenter learned to play piano at a young age. Before reaching his twelfth birthday, he had already become an accomplished pianist, violinist and clarinettist, however he lacked any drive to pursue music as a career. In learning to play the bass guitar, he realised he could collaborate and write with others, without being the focus of peoples' attention. His modesty prevented him from seeking the publicity which characterised many musicians.

Parmenter is half of the duo The Idles, a partnership formed with the guitarist and pianist Joseph Fuller, who frequently gigged and collaborated with other musicians in Reading, Berkshire. They developed a countrywide fan base after receiving national airplay on BBC Radio 1. Together they championed the local music scenes based around Reading.

Since appearing on Later... with Jools Holland, Parmenter has performed and collaborated with John Power, KT Tunstall and Jack White.

Since March 2008 however, Parmenter has begun to formalise his retirement from the music industry and settle down.