THE Cleyhill Stompers band are celebrating 10 years of rock and roll.
A spokesperson for the Chapmanslade group said, “This year sees the 10th anniversary of the local rock and roll band and now that restrictions are more or less over, we are looking forward to getting on stage.
“We have had a couple of gigs this summer and are looking forward to appearing at the Wiltshire Chilli Festival in Westbury in September.
“The band was formed by three members of The Chapmanslade Players (Panto) in 2011 as a skiffle group to play at Chapmanslade summer BBQ. Before that even happened, a local musician, Craig Addecott, asked them to play at The Tallman Festival at Peasedown St John and Summerfest at Maiden Bradley.
“The singer, local legend Stevie McStevie, soon decided that he wasn’t really Lonnie Donegan and started introducing songs by Chuck Berry, Edie Cochrane and other Rock and Rollers from the late ‘50s and early ‘60s in to our set.
“We appear mainly in pubs and local events around Westbury and North Somerset although we do travel down to Portland twice a year. We’ve played at Westbury Christmas Lights switch on several times and Westbury Summer music fairs.
“We’ve had one or two others over the years but the current lineup has been together now for several years.
“We have over 150 years’ experience of bringing music to the masses and that’s just our leader, manager, rhythm guitarist Budgie Brewer, previously with Budgie and the Tits based in Bradford on Avon 30 odd years ago. He has a vision about performing but the less said about that the better.
“Who can ignore Stevie McStevie, the singer, difficult when he’s 6 foot plus. He leads from the front and can get an audience up and dancing with the energy he puts in to performing when on stage.
“Lead guitarist, Pete Driscoll has been playing as long as Budgie, but looks a lot younger. His knowledge and ability have allowed the band to stretch its playlist into The Rolling Stones and other ‘60s R ’n R bands. He lives in Dilton Marsh but is happy to cross the border to play with us.
“On bass guitar, the newest and youngest member of the band is Harry Stamper (changed his name when he joined the band to protect his reputation), a great mover on stage. He also likes playing heavier music, was in an AC/DC cover band recently and is about to start gigging with another heavy band.
“The drummer, “Mick the Stix”, I’m sorry to say, needs stimulants to play at the frenetic level that he sustains for two hours but I guess Vimto and Jelly Babies are acceptable in this day and age. Had never held a drum stick until Budgie invited him to join the Stompers and still has to pick them up, off the floor, during a set even today.
“Finally, Ken (Silver Fingers) Davies, roadie, chauffeur, tambourine and backing vocals. He was invited to join the original skiffle band because Budgie needed some idiot to buy a washboard and stand on stage playing it! Still gets the thimbles out for one song on playlist.”
For booking, contact Budgie Brewer on 07825 800803.
