When Frank is not playing guitar with the Skamonics he runs his own amplifier business, both repairing and manufacturing his own line of amps.
They are terrific.
And it’s not just us who say so. His Sir Charles 15 amp has had a fantastic review in Guitar and Bass Magazine – and earned a very coveted highly recommended in their 2011 review of the year.
When Frank is not playing guitar with the Skamonics he runs his own amplifier business, both repairing and manufacturing his own line of amps.
They are terrific.
And it’s not just us who say so. His Sir Charles 15 amp has had a fantastic review in Guitar and Bass Magazine – and earned a very coveted highly recommended in their 2011 review of the year.
We’re very proud that our singer, Veronica, is part of this project celebrating the work that public service workers do. There’s a campaign to get this in the charts this week and you can find out more about it, and where to buy it here.
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We had a fun gig at Streatham’s White Lion last night – a really good warm-up for our longer gig at Brixton’s Upstairs at the Ritzy tonight.
As Nick had a gig in Harlow, we were lucky to get Annie to guest on trombone.
We took a few pictures at the sound check and while we grabbed some food before playing.
What instrument(s) do you play? Bass guitar
Do you have any other role in the band? I enjoy writing arrangements, running the website and writing the blog. I’m less keen on fixing rehearsals and running the PA – but they have to be done.
Do you have a favourite tune in the Skamonics repertoire? My favourites are the original 1960s ska instrumental tunes such as Alley Cat Ska, but I also enjoy the extreme covers such as The Model and Can’t Get You Out of My Head.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever played with the Skamonics? with other bands? I enjoy any gig when everyone dances all the way through. That was true of our most recent gig at Last Days of Decadence, gigs we have done at Hootananny and many of the wedding gigs we have done. I once did a gig with a soul/pub-rock band in the South of France which was huge fun.
How did you learn to play? I had piano lessons when I was young and did A-level and lots of music theory exams. I taught myself to play the guitar at the same time, mainly playing folk but then stopped in my twenties. I then took up the bass in my thirties. I’m basically self-taught on that too, though I did go to three evening classes before it was cancelled for lack of students. I’m also a self-taught arranger – though I have lots of books.
What else do you do musically? I play in a couple of jazz big-bands, who also sometimes play my arrangements and compositions.
Who are your musical influences on your instrument – and more generally? I suppose I’m meant to come up with a list of flashy bass players, but in most styles of music – including ska – the job of the bass is to keep the rhythm going and not show off. So I admire players like Duck Dunn (who played with Booker T and the MGs on countless Memphis soul records) and of course Lloyd Brevett of the Skatalites. Gary Crosby of Jazz Jamaica is an obvious role model. Reggae bass playing has made a huge impression on me – Aston “Family man” Barrett with Bob Marley was the first I heard. When I started to play jazz someone suggested I listen to Ray Brown playing with Oscar Peterson to understand how to swing – and that was brilliant advice.
My favourite arranger of all time is Gil Evans.
As well as ska, what other types of music do you like, and who are some of your favourite bands or musicians? Loads of different things, though I listen to more jazz than anything else. My one Desert Island disk would be Illinoise by Sufjan Stevens.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to (where you weren’t playing?) There are too many to single one out, but here’s a random highlights selection. Kando Bongo Man with Diblo Dibala on guitar at the Town and Country Club, Flaco Jimenez at the Half Moon Putney, John Martyn at a venue I can’t remember when I was a student, Betty Carter at Ronnies, EST at the RFH – and Richard Thompson many times.
What do you do when you are not playing music? Unlike some in the band I have a full time day job, so music is mainly what I do when I’m not at work. But I also have a half share in a canal boat.
What about you would surprise other members of the band? I can be quite pleasant when I’m not setting up the PA, I make all my own bread, I once played the tympani in Westminster Abbey, I failed my Grade 6 piano exam the first time (OK that won’t surprise anyone …)
What instrument(s) do you play? “My voice is my instrument” (sponsored by VocalZone throat lozenges). I can also have a bash at three chords on the guitar and a few more on the keyboards when required.
Do you have any other role in the band? Providing snacks and coffee for rehearsals.
Do you have a favourite tune in the Skamonics repertoire? Vocal – Tainted Love. Instrumental – Eastern Standard Time
What’s the best gig you’ve ever played with the Skamonics? with other bands? Hootananny’s always fun. And the Last Days of Decadence in July 2010 – we seemed to go down well! With City Lit A Cappella, St George’s Bloomsbury – joined for a spine tingling Stevie Wonder song by the wonderful Ian Shaw.
How did you learn to play? I was a very late and shy starter, but the City Lit rock and pop singing classes sorted me out.
What else do you do musically? I sing with the City Lit A Cappella under the direction of the very wonderful Della Rhodes.
Who are your musical influences on your instrument – and more generally? Singers who are brilliant at putting over a lyric: Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Scott Walker, Lizz Wright and Ian Shaw and for ska/two-tone: Terry Hall. The lyric writers themselves: Elvis Costello, Tom Waits, Paul Simon, Cole Porter and Ira Gershwin. Keyboards: Linda McCartney.
As well as ska, what other types of music do you like, and who are some of your favourite bands or musicians? I love a wide range of stuff: jazz, country, rock, but I am unswervingly devoted to Bruce Springsteen.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to (where you weren’t playing?) Any of the many Bruce Springsteen gigs I’ve been to; New Orleans jazz and heritage festival a few years back – an amazing weekend with some stunning sets, everyone from Lizz Wright and Cassandra Wilson to Ornette Coleman, Fats Domino, Dr John, Ellis Marsalis, Lucinda Williams, Buckwheat Zydeco, oh and Bob Dylan (with the usual unrecognizable tunes and indistinct lyrics)
What do you do when you are not playing music? Most of my waking hours are spent as a dedicated civil servant. Walking the streets of London looking at old stuff.
What about you would surprise other members of the band? I used to play the cornet in the Ramsgate town band. That it was the third cornet would be less of a surprise.
Name: Mark Huggett
What instrument(s) do you play? Drums
Do you have any other role in the band? I book the gigs and produce the band recordings but my main role is lighting a fire under the rhythm section ;0)
Do you have a favourite tune in the Skamonics repertoire? Red is Danger is my favourite tune especially as I get a solo which is more than 4 bars long. This of course means we hardly ever play it
What’s the best gig you’ve ever played with the Skamonics? The last great one was at the Last days of Decadence.
with other bands? I play sometimes with The Annie Whitehead Quartet which is both very challenging and rewarding. I’ve also played some great gigs with Benoit where everyone is dancing is a crazed fashion. My most challenging gig was playing 5 hours non stop with The Trojans. Also I played in South Africa at at KwaZulu Natal Jazz center and
everyone sat and listened for the whole gig!
How did you learn to play? By listening to records and the odd lesson. My 2 brothers play drums too
What else do you do musically? I run www.jazzdirect.co.uk which releases new jazz recordings. I have my own band the Dan Wilson Mark Huggett Project and I play with Benoit Viellefon and his Orchestra. I also play with some Big Bands.
Who are your musical influences on your instrument – and more generally? I like Art Blakey, John Bonham, Jack De Johnette, Paul Motion, Stewart Copeland, Sly Dunbar, Bill Stewart, Jim Black, Tony Williams, Billy Cobham, Bill Bruford, Elvin Jones, Philly Jo Jones, Richie Hayward, Steve Ferrone, Terry Bozzio, Maurice White… ( I could go on!)
Non drumming influences on me are Miles Davis, Brian Eno, Cuban and Brazilian music
As well as ska, what other types of music do you like, and who are some of your favourite bands or musicians? Prog, Funk, 70s Rock, Jazz. Loving Pink Floyd Led Zeppelin, John Zorn, Frank Zappa, Bootsy, Can, Jakob, Basie, Sinatra, Duke, Bird
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to (where you weren’t playing?) Miles Davis 1982 North Sea Jazz Festival, Joe Zawinul at Ronnie Scotts a couple of years ago
What do you do when you are not playing music? Teach Art History and produce music
What about you would surprise other members of the band? I have a certificate in Thai cooking
How many paintings did Leonardo Da Vinci do in his lifetime? about 20
What instrument(s) do you play? Electric 6-string guitars older than me.
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.
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……
Do you have any embarrassing admissions? Yes, I’ve never owned a Fender Telecaster.
What instrument(s) do you play? Saxes, Misery Stick… and bassoon for non-party situations. Piano in times of desperation.
Do you have any other role in the band? Nagging Mark to use a cowbell at every opportunity. Insisting that Frank should be referred to as ‘The Doctor’. Trying to insert quotes from the Rite of Spring into every gig (not that anyone ever notices!).
Do you have a favourite tune in the Skamonics repertoire? Dr Who – it defines ‘sexy slow groove’ !
What’s the best gig you’ve ever played with the Skamonics? with other bands? Erm, probably the one in the barn because the local ale and cider was grand! And I felt like I was on form.
Hard to pick best gigs, so many to choose, but I guess you could say that playing at Buckingham Palace for Princess Anne was a particularly nice one.
How did you learn to play? Very carefully.
What else do you do musically? eg other bands. Musical Director of The Blue Flamingo Big Band, created by my company Blue Flamingo Entertainments which I co-own with fellow Skamonista Leah! I really enjoy my new funk outfit, Last of the Blue Flamingos. Founder member of reed trio, W3. Have been lucky enough to enjoy playing with a wide array of groups and organisations really… for example I had some experience with the BBC Symphony Orchestra which was great.
Who are your musical influences on your instrument – and more generally? This list could be endless, so I’ll keep it to two! Tubby Hayes on Sax, definitely. More generally, I owe a lot of my soul to Tord Gustavsen.
As well as ska, what other types of music do you like, and who are some of your favourite bands or musicians? All kinds. I mostly listen to jazz, but I trained classically. Erm, avoiding the ones I’ve already mentioned, some of my current ‘most played’ list are: The Mingus Big Band, Jake Goss’ Banyan, Stanton Moore, Don Byron, Curious, Arturo Sandoval, Gwilym Simcock, Quantic and his Combo Barbaro, Gergiev and the LSO, Avishai Cohen….
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to (where you weren’t playing?) Can I have two?! Seeing Tord Gustavsen was stunning. And the other would be the Ronnie Scott’s Big Band, doing a night of Dizzy Gillespie stuff – the guest trumpeter wasn’t on form, but the band were incredible that night – especially Dave O’Higgins!
What do you do when you are not playing music? Arrange it instead. Or teach it. Or travel somewhere, inevitably en route to play more of it. Or listen to it! I also run my businesses obviously, which is pretty full time – I do a lot of promo stuff daily for that. I guess my other big interest is my motorbike which I blast about on (it’s a bright green Ninja for those who care!).
What about you would surprise other members of the band? The contents of the shoebox in the bottom of my wardrobe.
Think of a question that has an interesting answer (and preferably answer it?) I guess the inevitable question will now be ‘What is in the shoebox in the bottom of your wardrobe?!’
Name: Leah Elisabeth Thomas
What instrument(s) do you play? Saxes (Piano, Clarinet, Recorder, Flute, Vocals….)
Do you have any other role in the band? Person who counts people in, wears high heels, woops a lot, and jumps up and down. And provides the tenor skank.
Do you have a favourite tune in the Skamonics repertoire? Gangsters, the Madness stuff…oh it all depends on the mood!! love it all.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever played with the Skamonics? with other bands? Hootananny is great…love playing 100 Club with Big Band – love the Gospel Piano in church on a Sunday morning.
How did you learn to play? Piano at the age of 5, sax at age of 10…and was made to practice. Brilliant. I was in every music club going, was in recorder club in sixth form. Then came the music degrees.
What else do you do musically? Music company with beautiful fellow Skamonic Steve: Blue Flamingo Entertainments….gig with Big Band, Rockabilly, Quartet, Gospel….have been known to do some madrigal singing…
Who are your musical influences on your instrument – and more generally? Coltrane, Dexter Gordon, Lockjaw, Pete Long…
As well as ska, what other types of music do you like, and who are some of your favourite bands or musicians? Anything that has a great horn section – LOVE jazz, old school rhythm & blues, grew up on country, ADORE rock’n’roll. Good pop.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to (where you weren’t playing?) Some fab nights at Ronnie Scott’s, or for that matter Big Band Britannia @ Barbican, or just some great contemporary jazz in dingy venues.
What do you do when you are not playing music? Talking about music. Going to church. Going to see gigs. Organising music.
What about you would surprise other members of the band? I’d never listened to ska in my life before I played the first time as a dep. Ooo, I went to Bible College in America for a year.
