Meet the band 4 – Frank | The Skamonics - London ska band

Do you have any other role in the band? Calming Nigel down whilst he’s setting up the PA. Trying (vainly) to stop the horn section talking about jazz.

Do you have a favourite tune in the Skamonics repertoire? Guns of Navarone!

What’s the best gig you’ve ever played with the Skamonics? I enjoy playing Gaz’s Rockin’ Blues (when water from the air conditioning  unit isn’t dripping down my neck!

How did you learn to play? Carefully.

What else do you do musically? I play guitar with the soul/blues/surf band the Astrojets, and bass with the punk/new wave band the (ahem) Electric Cucumbers.

Who are your musical influences on your instrument – and more generally? Steve Cropper, Jimmie Vaughan, T-Bone Walker, Freddie King. Stax and Excello records. Surf music.

As well as ska, what other types of music do you like, and who are some of your favourite bands or musicians? Soul, blues, country, rock. Bobby Bland, Fabulous Thuderbirds, Creedance Clearwater Revival, Thin Lizzy.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to (where you weren’t playing?) Buddy Guy at the Town and Country Club (now the Forum) around 1990, and Anson Funderburgh and the Rockets with Sam Myers at the 100 Club around 1998.

What do you do when you are not playing music? Repair valve amplifiers (www.,jpfamps.com). Shameless plug……

What about you would surprise other members of the band? My inability to answer cryptic crossword questions.