Biography
| The Birth of SKA'D by Mark Eavers | ||
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Four of us were off to a Harley Davidson rally, bit of a lads weekend beer music and bikes, lots of them. Not what you would call a typical venue for an idea for a ska band but there was a difference, on the Friday night Bad Manners were headlining, one of the deciding factors of the weekend. Bad Manners were one of my favourite bands as a teenager and in fact it was their single 'Ne ne na na nu nu' which started my interest in the rude boy/2tone scene. Bad Manners were awesome that evening and the atmosphere that they created in the hall was electric. They started their set with 'Echo 4-2' and ended with a very sweaty high tempo version of the 'Can Can'. The whole room was jumping and dancing which was weird when you would normally associate bikers with rock music. After the gig Neil just kept saying that we had to start a Ska band (this was also weird as up to this point he had listened to Ska music but had not really shown much of a passion for it). Nothing happened straight away, Neil and myself would go out on Saturdays for a few beers (and occasionally a few more!) and the conversation always seemed to turn to music and starting a band. One Saturday whilst under the influence, we stumbled into one of the town’s music shops. Me having the loose jaw got talking to one of the shop workers (Nick) only to discover that not only could he play bass guitar, but he loved Ska as well!! RESULT.... We were now three. Mark Gregory (Guitar) a mutual friend of Neil and myself said that he would help us out with the band until we found ourselves a permanent replacement, at the time he wasn't looking to be in a band and also did not want to play live. Eddie (Vocals) - His singing talent was discovered quite by accident. We were out celebrating his birthday and at the end of the night we called into our final watering hole. The landlord had an excellent jukebox which was pumping out all manner of tunes. Now Eddie, who up until now was 'Mister Reserved' suddenly burst into song. After a couple of tracks, he had the whole pub singing with him, so we talked him into being in the band. The next day he denied that he had agreed but gave us the benefit of doubt. This turned out to be a double strike for the band as his brother (Pete) is a guitarist and also had a passing interest in Ska. We started practicing on 28th September 2003 and decided on 'Night Boat to Cairo' as a good track to start on. Over the next couple of weeks I received a phone call from Terry (Tenor & Alto) as he was looking for a band, a Ska band was an added bonus !! (now we were six). Paul (trumpet) joined us in June 2004. He approached us after seeing us play at the Welsh Harp the previous month. Jay (congas & drums) also joined in the summer of 2004 giving us added percussion and someone to share the drumming with Neil. Nat (bass) joined us in November 2004 as Nick decided to move to Edinburgh. In December 2004, things had gone full circle as we ended up on the same bill as our heroes Bad Manners, and also the same month with The Selecter and The Beat. Band Members Eddie 'The lungs' Weaver - Vocals Mark ' Skinnibone' Eavers - Tenor sax & Vocals Terry 'Eltel' Watts - Tenor & Alto Sax Paul ' Feedback' Thompson - Trumpet Pete 'Skankmaster' Weaver - Guitar Nat 'Mohican' Porter - Bass Guitar Neil 'Two Three-beats' Curtis - Drums Jay 'Ali' Roach - Drums & Congas |
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