Glyn - vocals and harmonica
Big Rob - drums and backing vocals
Del Boy - bass
Jamie - guitar and backing vocals
Tom - keys
Ray Beavis - Sax
Rich - trumpet and backing vocals
Keith - sax
Sam - Trombone
Extra horns:
Andy - Trombone
Ben - Sax
Influences
Desmond Dekker, Prince Buster, The Blues Busters, Bob Marley, Toots & the Maytals, The Skatalites
Sounds Like
Ska - proper ska with horns and harmonies
"Sammy Dead" and "Penny Reel" at The Spinny, 06/03/09
"Mother's Choice" at Plymouth Respect Festival, 28/10/07
The Simmertones have been gigging for a couple of years now and you know what? It's sounding pretty good. Check out the gig list for where we're appearing next and watch a video if you don't know what ska is. We've recorded our debut CD and we'll have tracks up on here soon!!
So, who's in the band then?
Big Rob Murphy is well known in Devon as a ska drummer from his time with local band Too Hot (check them out!) and also from playing with mod/RnB outfit Eel Pie Island. He was in the Beatles too! HE also played trombone a while ago but doesn't like to talk about it. Custard cream, Rob?
Del Boy Anning has played ska/reggae for ages (also with Too Hot - you can find them on Facebook and Myspace) but has never worked for Wallace Arnold. Ever. Never trust a hairless barber.
Tom Crowe is tinkling the ivories/plastics for us and is the latest member of the Crowe family to hit the stage. His dad Kev (Crazy Legs) has played for loads of top bands. Anyway, Tom's apparently going to be the focus of female interest in the band - his words not mine. Form an orderly queue please ladies!
Jamie Watkin is playing guitar and singing backing vocals. He used to play bass for a band with a crap name in Buckfastleigh and they were great too, despite the name (which I can't remember). Jamie's the tallest man in the world and has recently formed a new rock covers band called Lonely Grill.
Keith Waller or should I say Papa Sax or maybe Ken Walker is older than time itself. He's the man to know if you need a pool cleaned or a van driven anywhere. Whether he'll get that van where you want him to go is another matter but he'll drive and drive. Go Keith! He's also our stunt sax player and played with Too Hot for ages.
Rich Mills plays trumpet and cornet and sings a bit of backing too. He met Rob, Del, Keith and Glyn when he played for Too Hot. Rich has aged badly from having to constantly remind Keith what key the song is in.
Glyn Wilcox has sung ska for years and was also in Too Hot (go and check them out!) while also establishing himself as one of the South West's top ska and reggae DJs under the name "Ska Au Go-Go". Back to the band though, Glyn will also be playing harmonica on any songs for which he has one in the right key. No didgeridoo!
Sam Smith plays trombone. The Trombone with a capital T. He da man!
Ray Beavis is a sax hero and has played with The Clash, Mike and the Mechanics, Shaking Stevens, Suzi Quatro, Rory Gallagher, Desmond Dekker, JB's Allstars and many others. He's a bone fide sax hero and it's an honour to share a stage with him.
The extras/reserves
Here are the extra horn players who can't commit solely to the Simmer but play for us when they can
Andy Dore plays a mean trombone. (It's a little tiny one but it sounds big). All solos in F apparently and will only stop when he goes purple and passes out.
Big Ben Downton is a mate of Jamie's, from 'over the border' and a top bloke too. Has sax will travel!
URGENT NEWS CD's arrived today.....first chance to get your hands on one..... CD Launch party... THIS THURSDAY 12th NOV @ The Spinning Wheel Paignton...Then available online soon after!
Hello my lovelies, hope alls good with you, getting really fed up with MS - very slow and keeps freezing, come find me on FB! :) I understand you have a gig coming up in Exeter, where and when? Be great to have a catch up, Em x
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