Paul was pushed into the limelight in the mid 90's by his guitarist friend Dave Hall who, after a long day, and evening in the local pub! Discussing musical tastes convinced him that he had what it took to front Dave's up and coming band.
Without the will to back out Beakey was thrust into the musical world. It was a very nervous man who took to the stage for his first gig, the drummers birthday bash. After what seemed to be very few rehearsals the band played to an energetic crowd and Beakey, the singer, was born.
The rest, as they say is history.
Beakeys musical tastes are varied, from 60’s soul, through to Hootie and the Blowfish but he saves most of his praise for Paul Weller, “it’s a shame he’s not more commercial” he states, as he would love to perform more of his material.
Performing wise he likes to sing the "60’soul classics","The commitments" and "Weller" but as long as the crowd is dancing, he’s happy.
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John Neighbour was born in Middlesex and started playing the guitar at the age of 13. John performed live for the first time aged 14 and is still playing after 30 years.
“I was inspired to play guitar when I saw Jimi Hendrix on TV. I fell in love with the atmosphere of live music and the adrenalin rush it creates. I have been playing live as often as possible ever since.”
After 3 decades of playing on and off in a variety of live bands, he is now teaching from his home in South Oxfordshire. He has graduated from Thames Valley University in Popular Music Performance and two years previously he completed the Diploma at the Guitar Institute achieving the “Top Performer” award.
During his playing career, he has performed with a range of bands performing covers and original music. “Once I was head-hunted to play with the ex-drummer from Mungo Jerry in an 80’s style rock band”. The band had record company interest and a tour of Germany planned. Unfortunately neither materialised.
With experience as varied as playing live on local radio, playing in the theatre pit band for musicals to performing one half of a guitar duet in the Opera Don Pasquale by Donizetti, John is now a seasoned performer.
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Chris spent his first 11 years in a leafy suburb of North London, before moving to the sunshine coast of Essex where at the age of 14 he got his first electric guitar, learned a few chords and began his journey into the world of live music.
"I joined forces with another guitarist and a drummer with the intention of forming a band but we couldn't find a bass guitarist. One night the other guitarist brought his own bass guitar to a rehearsal - I offered to have a go and within minutes I was hooked, and spent several years gigging with various bands until I moved to Oxfordshire. Inevitably the roar of the greasepaint and the smell of the crowd proved irresistible, so here I am today – still on the boards, still playing bass guitar and still 'Totally Addicted To Bass'."
Gig-Rig: Jackson and Schecter 5-string basses, tuned B-E-A-D-G; Rotosound RS665 Hybrid strings; Ashdown and Ampeg amplifiers; Mesa Engineering speaker cabinets. (All of which supports my argument that 'You Can't Have Too Much Bass'.)
Bass Hero: The late John Entwistle of 'The Who' - was, is and ever more shall be the definitive bass player.
Musical Taste: Gregorian Chants
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Roger started playing drums in a marching band at the age of 11 and progressed through life playing Bell Lyre with the magical Bournemouth Carnival Band , playing his drum kit, and teaching, with many bands in his former home town of Bournemouth for over 12 years.
Due to family pressures, Roger has only recently had chance to rekindle his love of drumming and relishes playing on stage again. Being a sad person his other interests are Steam Railway preservation and listening to many types of music. But long live Rock and Roll!
Rogers kit is a Pearl Export Fusion kit in a wine red, with Evans drum heads. The colour supposedly enhances his good looks! Cymbals are mainly Paiste Signatures but with some Sabian models. The kit can be miked up if required.
If its too loud then you are too old!!!!!!
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