James Munson: Drums & Technical Support!

Where’s home? Dunmow, Essex

Musical influences? Paul.

How did you get involved in the band? I work at High Barn.  Paul asked me to be in the band & then ditched me. Now he wants me back. He couldn’t live without me.

Other careers? Video filming & editing, Apple product buying.

How long have you been playing drums?  None of your business.

Favourite thing about being in the band? Shut up.

Talents? I’m ginger.

Paul on James:  James is a git.  He’s rude, sarcastic and deliberately offensive (especially to poor Suzie) and yet for some reason we all still love him.   In fact there are few people in this world I like as much as James.  I don’t think I’ll ever understand why... but it’s true.  I love him like a strange gittish brother.   As well as having nifty drum skills, James is also s a technical expert.  He helps me with all things website, video & computer related (That ‘I’m Yours’ video I did... James was the genius behind the camera).  I’m told he also plays trumpet (although I’ll believe it when I hear it).  Hooray for James and everything he stands for.

Simon Mason: Bass & Percussion

Where’s home?  Luton originally. South East London these days.

Musical influences?  Counting Crows.  Jaco Pastorius, Paul Simon

How did you get involved in the band?   Paul & I went to University together.  After graduating he phoned me up and said ‘Do you play bass?’

Other careers?   I’m a theatre technician.  I’ve been stage manager at the comedy store in London since 2002.

How long have you been playing music?  I learnt 6 string guitar at primary school (aged 8ish).  Bass and drums followed during a drunken haze in later years.

Favourite thing about being in the band?  The after show booze ups… and reminding Paul to tune his guitar. 

Talents?   I’m very good at basketball.  Does that count?

Paul on Simon:  Simon is one of my best friends and my right hand man at gigs.  It’s great performing alongside him, even though at 6’4” he makes me look like a dwarf.   He’s a brilliant bass player and a surprisingly beautiful dancer.

Paul Newton: Percussion / Drums

Where’s home? I’m from the last of the summer wine village ‘Holmfirth’.  Compo is my roots, but I’ve upped sticks and moved to London.

Musical influences? At the moment I’m really into Foo Fighters… any Dave Grohl project really.

How did you get involved in the band? Paul and I were working together on a TV show in Ipswich.  We were having a chat about music over a beer at our hotel & decided to meet up for a jam. 

Other careers? I’m a TV director.  I’ve done shows like Big Brother, Fame Academy, The Match as well as music videos & on the road documentaries.  I’m trying to do more music directing at the moment.

How long have you been playing drums?  I started in junior school.  Since then I’ve played in just about every band you can think of:  Orchestras, percussion ensembles, big bands, blues bands, funk bands, rock bands etc.  The highlight of my drumming career so far was going on tour with The Hoosiers & performing at Shepherds Bush Empire.

Favourite thing about being in the band? I like hitting things.

Talents? I grow a cracking beard.  To be honest a lot of people are copying my beardy look.

Paul on Paul: Besides from having a smashing name, Paul really can grow the best beard of all the band.   He’s a very talented TV director and a brilliant drummer. 

Helen Power: Backing Vocals & Trumpet

Where’s home?  I’m from the Isle of Man.  I lived there until I moved to London for University.

Musical influences?  Ella Fitzgerald, Eva Cassidy & some of the great female singers.   My parents were classical buffs so I never had any Beatles or pop music in the house…. Well, maybe Kylie, but that was about it.

How did you get involved in the band?  Paul & I met at Uni.  He asked me to join for one off gig and I’ve been with them ever since.  It was a beautiful relationship from then on.

Other careers?  I am a freelance singer, actor and musician working mainly in musical theatre.   I’ve been fortunate enough to sing all over the world, doing a massive range of music.  I sing anything from Opera to rock… and I like a bit of Jazz.

How long have you been playing music?  I started learning piano, cornet and singing at the age of four and started singing in festivals when I was six.

Favourite thing about being in the band?  It’s great fun being on stage performing happy, feel good songs.

Talents?   I have a range of 3 octaves & can sing some very high notes.  I have been known to hit a ‘Super G’.  

Paul: That’s something only dolphins can hear

Paul on Helen: Helen is annoyingly good at everything:  She is a phenomenal singer; a brilliant trumpet player; a classically trained pianist; she can dance; she’s extremely professional; she’s great to be around; and she’s a published author. I think I want to be her.   Oh and she’s also learning trombone.

Suzie Frize-Williams: Backing Vox, Sax & Flute

Where’s home? Gosh... all over.  Essex now but I’ve lived in Scotland Liverpool and Devon.

Musical influences?  I grew up listening to 60’s classics and classical music.  Now like a bit of everything.

How did you get involved in the band? I work at High Barn on the record label.  Paul was without a backing singer one night and asked me to step in at the last minute!

Other careers? I worked behind behind a bar at Uni and taught flute for a year, but High Barn Records is my first really good job.

How long have you been playing music? Singing all my life.  Flute & piano since I was 7 and then picked up sax when I joined a jazz band and found out flute wasn’t loud enough.

Favourite thing about being in the band? All the lovely people.  I’ve only known the guys a short time and yet they’re all my best friends already...  Ughh, that’s a bit slushy isn’t it.  You can edit that bit out.

Talents? I do a mean chipmonk voice.  It sounds a bit like hellium.

Paul on Suzie: Suzie is delightful.  In fact she’s so delightful she’s like a character out of a Disney film.   A brilliant flautist, pianist, saxophanist... you name it, if it ends in ‘ist’ she’s good at it.  She’s a great manager too.  I feel very lucky to have her as a band mate, manager and friend... Ughh you can cut that bit too.   

Danny Bage: Backing Vocals

Where’s home? Originally Devon, but now Harlow in Essex.

Musical influences? Musical theatre & cheesy pop. I like Steps

Paul: “I am so ashamed”

How did you get involved in the band?   Paul and I started performing music together in 2006.  I sang and he accompanied me on piano.  In 2007 Paul decided to start his own band and he needed a backing vocalist so we swapped. 

Other careers?  I’m a professional singer and singing teacher.   I’ve been in various shows and pantos: Cinderella; Sleeping Beauty; Peter Pan; Great Expectations; Boogie Nights; The Holland Park Opera Company’s production of ‘The Merry Widow’; a musical called ‘Only The Brave’ In Cardiff.  I’m also narrator for talking books.  I’ve done the Anthony Horowitz: Alex Rider Series.

How long have you been playing singing?  I started when I was 11 and have been singing professionally for 5 years.  I now teach private singing classes from home in Harlow.  For more info on lessons visit http://www.dannybage.co.uk

Paul: Good plug!

Favourite thing about being in the band?  The gay times

Talents?   I can sing like a girl.  I also choreograph all the backing dances.  I am the resident choreographer!

Paul on Danny: Danny Bage is an unstoppable force of nature.  I never thought I’d want to work with someone so heavily influenced by Michael Ball, but it turns out Danny is actually brilliant for our band.  His voice is absolutely incredible and he’s a fantastic live performer.  Whenever we decide to wear shorts for a gig, Danny is always first out of his trousers.

Jeff Pullinger: Drums

Where’s home?  Luton. My family, friends & drums are there.

Musical influences?  Dave Matthews Band, Blink 182, Kevin Prush & Lost Prophets. As for me, I grew up singing in a choir & have since drummed in indie bands, jazz quartets & rock n roll bands.

How did you get involved in the band?  I’ve been friends with Simon for years & he introduced me to Paul.  I went to a gig where the two of them came onstage wrapped in Christmas wrapping paper and thought ‘I want to be part of that’!

Other careers?  I’m a self employed web designer and I also work for my local church three days a week.

How long have you been playing music?  I started piano very young but gave it up. I actually played flute for 8 years too…

Paul: Really!!?  How did I not know that?

Danny:  Did you swallow your flute?

Jeff:  Well… I met a girl and stopped playing. Then when I was at 6th Form Simon taught me to play drums.

Paul: Really!!?  How did I not know that either!??

Simon: Well technically I just gave him his first lesson.

Jeff: but from that day it was drums all the way: sweet 16.

Favourite thing about being in the band?  We’re like a family.  There’s no group of people I’d rather spend my time with.

ALL: Ahhhhhhhhhhhh.

Talents?  Clucking my tongue at loud volume! Also I’m very resourceful and well prepared generally for life

(JEFF PRODUCES AN ALLBRAN BAR FROM HIS BAG AND BEGINS EATING)

Paul on Jeff: Jeff is a brilliant drummer, but even if he were rubbish I’d still want him in the band because he’s so good to be around.   My only criticism is that when we’re in the studio he sings along during his drum takes.  If you listen closely on all my recordings you can hear Jeff’s angelic voice very faintly in the background!! 

Simon on Jeff: He dances a mean Samba.

Laura Rogers: Backing Vocals

Paul on Laura:  Laura is a busy bee.  We don’t have her for many gigs as she’s always doing cool things elsewhere, be it peforming Shakespeare at the Globe or starring in TV shows.  Whenever she is free though the band and I love hanging out with her.  First gig we did with her she teamed up with Simon to drink the rest of the us under the table.

Clive Osborn: Guitars

Paul on Clive:  Clive Osborn is one of the finest guiatists in all the land. We worked together for years on other projects and so when I needed some lead guitar for one of our early gigs it didn’t take long to figure out the right man for the job.  The band and I worship his musical prowess.

Roger Batting: Drums & Percussion

Where’s home? I live in Cambridgeshire

Musical influences? So many!  Bowie is a pop influence, Weather Report a jazz influence.  As far as drummers go I’m a big fan of Steve Gadd.

How did you get involved in the band?  Paul & I met when I was playing session music at High Barn Studio.

Other careers? I’m a full time drummer.  Player and teacher.

Coolest projects?  I’ve worked with Joss Stone, Mick Jagger, Dave Stewart, Upside of Anger film soundtracks (Kevin Costner) and I did a two week tour with Go West.  I was signed to Warner Brothers as a recording artist from 1990 to 1994 and played with loads of people on kit.   I’ve also worked a lot with the guys from The Feeling.

How long have you been playing drums?  36 years.  I feel really old!! My dad was a brilliant drummer and he started me off age 6 and I studied with Bob armstrong for 7 years and also Roger Odell; fantastic bloke.

Favourite thing about being in the band? Paul’s good looks.

Talents? I do a lot of art.  I do animal portraits!

Lessons? I teach all levels from Beginners to advanced and am currently setting up a studio to teach from at my home.

Paul on Roger:  Roger is one of the best drummers in the UK.  He’s always jet setting around the world to his latest gig.   Sadly this means we can’t have his talents for every show, but whenever he is free I’m delighted to have him in the band.   The man is a machine.  Even if you took the rest of us off stage and just left Roger he’d be worth going to watch.