David (Trumpet & Flugelhorn)
In the 70s David played with Teesside Symphony Orchestra, local brass bands/ensembles and a 4-piece blues outfit in Middlesbrough, eventually arriving in the deep south in 1983.
He moved on to work on blues and soul music with the Backbeat Band based in Reading, but after going in different directions in the early 90s, David joined The Gang and is now part of an outstandingly funky brass section.
Prin (Trombone)
Prin has played the trombone since he was 9, and was brought up on a diet of jazz-funk, big-band, classical and brass band music. During his formative years, he studied at the Royal Northern College of Music and toured with the schools' orchestra to Austria, Sweden and Argentina.
Prin joined The Gang in 1997 and has since ended up whiling away the hours arranging brass parts, set lists, and maintaining the PA. His favourite number changes every week, his favourite colour is purple and his favourite food is mango.
Toddy (Tenor & Baritone Sax)
Toddy started out playing in various Dixieland bands in South London in the early 60s. In 1965 he moved to Salisbury andstarted his own Jazz club featuring his own modern Jazz Quintet. During this time he was also part of the "Bob James Big Band" as well as various dance and jazz-rock bands.
In the 70s he moved to Berkshire and played with the "Park Dance Orchestra", "New Tones" and "Midnight Sun". During the 80s and early 90s he was a member of "Back to Basics", "The Blues Doctors", "Hoodoo Shimmy", "The Pete Hamilton Comedy Band", and "Guilty Party".
Toddy joined The Gang in 1995 and is our longest serving member.
Brian (Trumpet)
Like many brass players Brian was encouraged by his parents to join the local Salvation Army youth band, and it was in Pymouth where he learned to play the cornet. He progressed to the senior band, and then took on the leadership of the youth band. One highlight of over 20 years of S.A. banding was to play on the hallowed Wembley Stadium turf.
More recently, Brian has been playing trumpet/cornet with the Bracknell & Wokingham Community Band, dep'ing for a couple of local brass bands, and leading an 8-piece ensemble for which he is hooked on preparing arrangements. Now enjoying the challenge offered by The Chain Gang of embracing a totally different type of 'soul' music!
Spike (Alto Sax)
Spike is a true multi-instumentalist. Having played Guitar & Bass Guitar since he was 11, he switched to the Drums at the age of 17 before finally focusing on the Sax in his early 30s. In his spare time he also dabbles with the trumpet, violin and piano.
Not content with the music business, Spike's uncanny resemblence to former England football manager, Sven Goran Eriksson, has enabled him to branch out into the world of acting as a lookalike, working for a variety of clients including the BBC and Madame Tussauds.
Simon (Vocals)
Simon has been singing in bands for more than 20 years, covering a variety of genres such as heavy metal, rock, soul and funk.
In addition, he has played lead roles in several musical theatre productions including “La Belle Helene” & “Chess” at the Hexagon Theatre (Reading), “Jesus Christ Superstar” & “Return to the Forbidden Planet” at the Swan Theatre (High Wycombe), and “HMS Pinafore” & “Yeoman of the Guard” at the Buxton Opera House.
Simon is a relative-newcomer to The Gang, having joined in April 2010, but already he has taken an active role, arranging brass parts and organising set lists.
Lyn (Vocals)
Lyn is an accomplished singer with a powerful voice and a stage presence to match. She has performed on stage from the age of 5 and has had professional vocal training for over 10 years.
Lyn currently sings with a variety of different groups which act to showcase her diversity as a singer. Whether the gig is cool jazz, upbeat soul or hard rock, Lyn will deliver. A trail of won over audiences stands as testament to her talent.
Nic (Drums)
Having started playing at 8 years old, Nic is a full-time musician who has gained a wealth of experience in a variety of musical situations ranging from studio and TV recording sessions and theatre to international live touring - playing everything from pop, soul, R&B, rock, funk, Latin, and reggae to jazz-rock fusion and straight ahead jazz.
In the 70s Nic enjoyed international chart success and performed live on Top Of The Pops as part of The RAH Band, providing the groove for their mega Disco hit 'The Crunch'. Also, he has played in concert at The Royal Albert Hall with keyboard maestro Vangelis, and toured the world stage in the highly technical jazz-rock fusion genre with acclaimed Japanese percussion virtuoso Stomu Yamash'ta.
James (Guitar)
James is a gigging musician and Guitar & Bass teacher. He is a graduate of the Academy of Contemporary music where he gained a Ba (hons) in Music Performance.
After playing for many groups in a variety of styles including Pop, Rock, Soul, Funk, R&B and Jazz as well as recording studio sessions for various artists, James has developed a wealth of experience in music performance and recording.
Chris (Keyboards)
Chris toured the college circuit in UK and France in 70s with prog rock band Graphite, playing support to Pink Floyd, ELO, Roxy Music, and Queen. He also played briefly for The Foundations and recorded sessions for Biddu, Tina Charles, Carl Douglas, Jimmy James & the Vagabonds.
In the 80s Chris worked in cabaret with artists including Frankie Howard, Bob Monkhouse, Jim Davidson and Lenny Henry, and after a brief 'retirement' returned to play with Hogan's Heroes (Albert Lee), and at various Steel Guitar festivals backing many artists including Sonny Curtis (The Crickets). More recently he recorded an album (The Blues'll Get Ya) with the moondogs, appearing at Womad and other European festivals.
Dave (Bass Guitar)
After nearly a decade holding down our "Bottom End", we are still waiting for Dave to tell us something about himself.
I guess that when you are Berkshire's very own "Funkmeister General", you can just let your bass do the talking. Nice..!!