Danny Brittain: Lead vocal, rhythm guitar, washboard.
Pete Davenport: Lead guitar, backing vocal, mangle.
Tim 'Trundle' Purkess: Upright bass, backing vocal, clothes horse.
Influences
Hank Williams.
Carl Perkins.
Groovey Joe Poovey.
Bill Haley.
Big Joe Turner.
Little Richard.
Tiny Bradshaw.
Wee Willie Harris.
Fats Domino.
Chubby Wise.
Ernest Tubb.
Tarheel Slim.
Long Tall Sally.
Short Fat Fanny.
Skinny Minnie.
Boney Maroney.
Lean Jean.
Sounds Like
Something your parents wouldn't approve of!
No, hang on, something your GRANDPARENTS wouldn't approve of is probably nearer the mark these days.
Eeee, all this were trees when I were a lad! Anybody seen my teeth? I left 'em on the radiogram, right next to me Lawrence Welk 78s. They don't make 'em like they used to, y'know - and policemen are getting shorter and shorter. Sign of the times if ask me...
Presenting the Piccadilly Bullfrogs, a brand new Rockabilly trio, lovingly hand crafted from only the finest vintage components.
This may be a small band, but it has a powerful, compelling sound - and a remarkable pedigree. Their own successful and well known Big Beat R’n’R creation The Stargazers, is a good starting point and this brief name-check of the many original artists they have worked with on stage, and in the recording studio speaks volumes. Legends such Bill Haley’s Comets, Freddie Bell, D.J. Fontana, The Jordinaires, Scotty Moore, Carl Perkins, The Belmonts, Sleepy La Beef, Les Paul, Big Al Downing, Linda Gail Lewis, Groovey Joe Poovey, Don Lang, and many, many others.
The band itself doesn’t easily fall into any particular category, although it’s fair to say that The Piccadilly Bullfrogs have embarked on a journey back through time to the dawn of the Rockabilly era. Perhaps Protobilly (if one may be permitted to coin the expression) would be the best way of describing it, as this is a trio sans drum, the only instruments being string bass, two guitars and occasionally a washboard (for those moments when nothing but a good old fashioned scrub will do). Trundle’s percussive, driving bass lines provide the motive force, with the sweet, rounded chords of lead singer Danny’s acoustic guitar creating a perfect platform both for his vocals (unlike Clarence Henry, there’s nothing frog-like about Dan’s voice) and for Pete’s unique, sparkling solos. Think Hank Williams meets Carl Perkins (over at Bill Haley’s house) and you’re heading in roughly the right direction. Its the point where Rock’n’Roll, Hillbilly and Skiffle collide and brother, it‘s a fine place to be!
In essence, what we have here is a collaboration between three of England’s finest daft old Rockers. Highly respected experts, who have mastered pretty much every aspect of their chosen genre, from Swing-Jive to Boogie-Woogie and all stops inbetween. As any decent (or indecent) player will tell you, there’s an awful lot more to this malarkey than meets the eye, or ear (or nose) and clawing one's way to the top of the heap presents quite a challenge. Thankfully, while their young peers were knuckling down to the grim business of higher education, sensible vocational paths, and other such horrors, our three teenage minstrels had their minds set on something far more important. ROCK’N’ROLL! A subject that became the focus of their life's work.
But why are they called The Piccadilly Bullfrogs and what does the odd name really tell us about them? Read on and discover the amazing truth!
Well folks, a quick glance at their mug-shots will reveal two things immediately. Firstly, that these boys are no “Spring Chickens”. Secondly, that they’re not real Bullfrogs - though guitarist Pete Davenport does bear an uncanny resemblance to Toad of Toad Hall. What the picture doesn't tell you is that bassist Tim ‘Trundle’ Purkess lives on the Grand Union Canal (he may even get a boat one day). Nor does it hint at the fact that front-man/singer Danny Brittain's final school report bears the following comment, hand written by his Headmaster. “This boy can hop higher than any other boy in his class!” (apart from that, his report is completely blank). So, reduced to a single word, what is the common denominator, the underlying link, that unites these seemingly unconnected facts? BULLFROGS. Obvious really.
OK, so what about the Piccadilly end of the banner? you inquire. Hmm, perhaps it’s time to come clean and own up. The lads aren’t actually from this manor at all. What incorrigible fibbers! you shout. So it would seem, and as such they have foolishly left themselves wide open to prosecution for breach of the Trades Description Act of 1968. Or have they?
We have not yet examined the case for the defense. To whit, that in days of yore, these itinerant musicians were oft to be seen hopping over the rain filled pot-holes (as would their semi-aquatic namesakes) of London’s West End, in search of the perfect busking pitch. A quest which regularly took them along that well trodden (or hopped) path betwixt the famous statue of Eros and Wellington’s Arch, at the bottom of Park Lane. A highway more commonly referred to as… Piccadilly. Do you see now?
Fortunately, the show more than makes up for their rather tenuous Amphibian-Piccadillian claims and fascinating though it is, we can now leave the wonders of the animal kingdom; and indeed the thorny issue of geographical birthrights, behind us.
So, to sum up, Danny, Tim and Pete are veterans of the scene, who have been playing together since the 1980s. They have thrilled audiences across the UK, Europe, Japan and America and they have a combined career spanning nearly 100 years. That’s right music fans, we're talking about a century of Rockin’...
Enough chit-chat! Get hip you crazy twistin' tadpoles, it's time to dig some of that fine Bullfroggery for yourselves!
I used to have two pet African bullfrogs when i was a nipper, i just thought of them for thr fist time in fourty years. I remember they made a bid for freedom and immigration when the aquarium they were in exploded. I had rigged up a home made one in the garage. A couple of panes of glass glued together and a electric lamp behind it. The heat exploded the glass flooding water all over the garage floor. The lamp fell to pieces and the exposed cord jumped an crackled, wirling like a demented snake spitting out it's electro venom , getting ever closer. Then me dad came in and turned the wall switch to off and belted me round the lug. The frogs names were Bundi & Grundi . They survived though i cant remember what happenned to them ? Do you think i should go into regressive therapy to find out ?
AhoyME BULLFROG MATEY " N" SHIVER ME TIMBERS YA OL LAN LUBIN KIGGERLEG. I'sz be a'vin a pirate psychosis sin 9 bells me salty old aquatic froglet. Nothing a hearty mug of sea water n a basket of squid willney cure, ha arrrh. Captain Sebernezer Blackblake
gay pirate of the english channell. Just off now to do some keel hauling and plank walkin ta brighten up the afternoon, See ya down at the Frog "n" Penis for a jolly ol pirate fight n sing song later me buckoh, then a will take ya up the Dilly ta get ya willy silly, oowh arrw . The cooks name was Mable by god she was able she gave the crew their daily brew upon the kitchen table oooow arrrrr.
I predict that the rockin scean shall certainly morph. This will transpire when the econemy hits depression. Then the kultured kool sckool thinkers, beatnicks and poets will have a blank canvass to work on. Im interesed, when you comment that you only had a basic education. Are you then well read ? A philosopher, poet or writer ? Dont hit me with the old one that you come from the university of life and hard knocks. That pun is so trite ! I
Greetings my Amphibian Friends, just stopped by to say hello now I am back from my Teutonic Crusades. Sorry to have missed the opening night, but I'm sure you guy's were top billing.
Ahhh..... at last, our strong buddy bond prevailed and defeated the evil Tom! It's lovely to be back in your fold of friendship again my trundling chum... as familiar as a handknit pully!
Hello chaps! I see you have another incarnation? Jolly good! Hope to see your new slapping sound sometime soon - will check out the gig sheet! BBB & LLJ xx
I stand corrected and bow to your experience in such matters. You have an excellent grasp of dialectic conversation and your prose are first class. Are you a x university man? The Infernoes were entertaining but the problem is with most rockin bands is that they are repetative. Also unable to write original composition that relates to our generation. It's all pink Cadillacs and boppin and every tune seems to start with WELLLLLLLAL! If rockin is ever going to be relative and make the cross-over into a commercial product, it is going to have to let people who understand english literature and who possess proven talent produce and write all the material. The problem i encounter is every body thinks they can write. Bands seem to hate production and take it personally if another writes well. Then they go off to prove their point writing plagerised drivel that they are convinced is of a genial standard. The commercial possibilities are imense for classic R n R but pride and and an inabillity to see the holistic and evolving picture will always handicap the British scean.
Not to worry my dear froggy friend, that was the X cut for hard rockers only. You can clean it up being the great moral puritan you are. I listened to your tracks and thought a number i would really like to hear you do would be, "cast iron arm" by Peanuts Wilson. I thinkest thou would do that little ditty great justice ? I have allso enjoyed very much your witty banter it has cheered me no end. I went to see the infernoes last night a gay ol time i did have. Best wishes and fardewell my froggy friend. Seb.
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