(1990-1994) wrote and produced music for several computer games, whilst playing keyboards and guitar in various covers and function bands.
(1995-1996) travelled to the USA, joining acoustic band 'Double Standard' and blues rock outfit 'Trouble as Usual', writing and recording with both bands and touring extensively in the southern states. 
(1996-1999) played guitar for acid-jazz funk band 'The Bottle', and gigged in the north-east as an acoustic act. Recorded in North Wales with members of The Bottle' and 'Dare' and did session work on guitar and backing vocals. 
(2000-2001) moved to Bristol and played with Jane Taylor as one half of folk duo 'Amber', who plied their trade on the acoustic circuit in Bristol "garnering high praise for their incisive songwriting and close harmonies".

After the split of 'Amber' two things happened. First, Jane Taylor went professional, touring and recording an EP and reaching an ever-widening audience of fans. And second, Chris formed Minerva and recorded a solo album, "Waiting in line", the product of deepening maturity, a delicate, old-school acoustic set in the tradition of the finest singer-songwriters. From the dark horror of the folk song "Sparkling", the sweeping marine beauty of "Flow" to the uplifting and redemptive strains of the title track, the record welcomes the listener in, sits them down comfortably, and tells them a story. In the case of "Bad Words", it's not one you'd like to go to sleep on..