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..The Band Members..
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Mark Roulston
Bassist and harmony vocalist for The
Bellhops Mark began his career straight after leaving school, joining the fondly
remembered Gill Weaver tours, bringing music to remote communities in NSW. Mark
later joined The Bruce Band and there first met Vocalist Ian Dittman and
guitarist John Russell. Mark has done many dep gigs throughout the years and on
one of these occasions met Drummer Steve Lovarini performing with The Howling
Wolves. He and Steve have since formed a rhythm section partnership that now has
them working for Sydney Blues Society Performer of The Year 2005 PJ O'Brien and
Tiara Award winning Pop Country act Strum. Mark also Teaches guitar and bass,
runs a guitar ensemble, produces educational resources for music teachers. Mark
is also authoring an eductional music rock show for performing in schools. In
2006 Mark completed his first tour of the USA as part of the PJ O'Brien Band.
Ian Dittman
lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist and
songwriter for The Bellhops Ian started off his performing career in the early
70's and came to local prominence with the fondly remembered Bruce Band. It was
while in the Bruce Band that Ian met guitarist John Russell and Bassist Mark
Roulston. Following the demise of the Bruces Ian worked with Tux Deluxe which
later went on to morph itself into The Bellhops. Ian loves the swing of Louis
Jordan, the power of Howling Wolf, the style of Sinatra, the guitar and vocals
of Eric Clapton. Ian is a prolific songwriter and collector of guitars. The
latest edition to his collection, an Epiphone Sheraton, was acquired on a trip
to the USA, primarily to attend The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.
Ian also does solo, duo and trio work. He has joined forces with Bellhops
guitarist John Russell and former Bellhops Vocalist, harmonica player Steve Trew
to form an authentic delta style blues band called The Hellboppers. Their debut
album is available from Black Market Music.
Steve Lovarini
Drummer for the Bellhops, Steve's
association with the Bellhops began with a chance meeting with Mark Roulston
when Steve was drumming for Sydney blues outfit The Howling Wolves. Steve and
Mark found an intense musical connection that sees them now as the rhythm
section to 3 award winning bands, The Bellhops, The PJ O'Brien Band and Strum.
Steve completed his first tour of the USA performing with PJ O'Brien. They
performed in LA @ Cozys, in Memphis at Club 152, in Chicago @ Buddy Guys Legends
and Kingston Mines, and in Austin @ Nunos on 6th Street.
John Russell
lead & slide guitars; a wonderful
guitarist/musician. John started playing in the late 60's, early 70's and
achieved some success initially with a band called Flake who had a hit with
"This Wheel's on Fire" (during the record ban era). They followed this
up with a couple of other singles that did quite well. John went on to play with
Black Feather, Jeff St John, Phil Keyes' Band of Light and BB Strut. A master of
lead, slide and dobro guitars, John is also a very fine songwriter and master of
the double meaning, although the smut is all in the mind of the listener. John
has joined forces with Bellhops vocalist Ian Dittman and former Bellhops
Vocalist, harmonica player Steve Trew to form an authentic delta style blues
band called The Hellboppers. There debut album is available from Black Market
Music.
Brassholes Horn Section Featuring
Steve O'Connell
Saxophone; is an exceptional player who
has played with just about everybody within the Sydney scene, previous bands
include The Angels, Psycho Zydeco, Bellydance, and many, many more! Steve also
wrote most of the horn lines featured on the album and apart from being an
absolute bastard is a very nice human being. Steve teaches saxophone as well as
playing full time.
Bruce Allen
Baritone Saxophone; Bruce first gained
recognition with the Dynamic Hepnotics and has gone on to play with people like
Ol' 55, The Eddys, Doug Parkinson and many others. Bruce is a full time
professional musician and founder of "Mercenary Bastards Inc" (a nice
human being all the same).
Ed Shots
Tenor and Baritone Saxophone; Ed first
played with the band at the '94 Lithgow Blues Festival when The Bellhops found
themselves without a sax player at the last moment. We don't know how we got his
number, but the consensus of opinion at the time was "Shit, I hope he can
play!". Ed has been playing with the band ever since. Originally from the
Netherlands, Ed teaches music professionally and is married to the very
wonderful Sue, also a professional bass clarinettist extraordinaire. Ed is also
creator of "The Egg" as pictured on the Bellhops Photo Gallery page.
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