Garry "Jim" Bowler, also known as "Magpie" (born 6 February 1962, Manchester, England), is an English drummer and session musician, who has worked with musicians including Würzel (Motörhead), Dennis Stratton (Iron Maiden), Alan Davey (Hawkwind) and Bernie Tormé (Gillan/Ozzy Osbourne).

Biography

Bowler has worked with artistes as diverse as Hostage, Rose of Victory (ex-Blitz), replacing Simon Wright in Tora Tora ('80s UK rock band), Mournblade, Mutant, Motörhead, Bernie Tormé, Würzel (Motörhead), Larry Wallis (Pink Fairies), Dennis Stratton (Iron Maiden), The High Priests of Hell, Global Noise Attack, Medicine Hat, Another Storm (feat. Keith Winter – ex Shakatak), the Kelly Lee Band, Redsoxx and many others. In 1992, Bowler was asked to join Motörhead to replace drummer Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor, after working on some material for the March ör Die album. Bowler got to know Würzel when Mournblade supported Motörhead in 1989. In December 1991, Bowler received a call from Würzel to join him at a rehearsal session in London with Phil Campbell. Bowler used Phil Taylor's drum kit and they worked on two or three ideas and recorded them for Lemmy, who was in LA. One of the demos became the track "Stand" from Motörhead's 1992 March ör Die album. In the event Mikkey Dee played on a couple of the album tracks and joined the band. Bowler is a constant live performer (UK and International) as well as a recording artiste, recording material for TV and radio such as Bob Harris's opening jingle (Radio 2) and music for Ewan McGregor & Charley Boorman's Long Way Round which included music from the highly acclaimed "The Pendell Guitar Project" with Stephen Loveday. He has also appeared in numerous music videos and live DVDs, on TV programmes for ITV, SKY and live radio sessions for Radio 1, 2 and Virgin Radio. Bowler is currently playing live with Medicine Hat, Another Storm, Dirty Lions, Mournblade, Satan's Empire and Dennis Stratton.

Album discography

Mournblade Medicine Hat Pendell Guitar Project (with Stephen Loveday) Kelly Lee Joker Dirty Lions Mournblade Satan's Empire

Other recorded work

Rose of Victory Medicine Hat Various artists Guitarist Magazine Powerplay Magazine Classic Rock Magazine Radio 2 Classic Rock Magazine - The Blues Motorhead Wurzel Magpie