So, who's in the band then?
Drums - 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?
Bass - 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.
Keys - 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!
Guitar - 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 who are ace!
Tenor sax - 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.
Trumpet - 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.
Lead vocals - 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!
Trombone - Sam Smith plays trombone. The Trombone with a capital T. He da man! No-one else comes close guys.
Tenor Sax - 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.
Special Reserve sax - Ben Downton helps us out now and again and we're delighted to be able to call on him if we're stuck. Cheers Ben! Check out his other band The Loose Cannons
Special Reserve sax #2 - Neil Maya is a jazzer from Totnes and has done a couple of gigs with us. Always a pleasure to have him on stage
http://www.myspace.com/thesimmertones
Booking Agent: Rob Murphy
Influences:
Desmond Dekker, Prince Buster, The Blues Busters, Bob Marley, Toots & the Maytals, The Skatalites
Biography:
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 just recorded a CD which will be out very soon and we'll have tracks up on here as soon as they're ready to post.
