Biographies

Who are we?

Steve began playing guitar at the tender age of 18 and within a few months joined his first covers band on the Essex working men's club circuit. This was invaluable experience in playing rhythm guitar and an introduction to backing vocals. Within a couple of years, Steve decided to form his own band, Witchwood, which went on to become a very successful outfit on the London and home counties circuit, playing at hotels and large functions. After four years of this, Steve went "solo" and was a hired session guitarist for all sorts of bands - this led to a big break as he was selected to be the guitarist in the Cliffs Pavilion orchestra, the biggest venue in Essex and situated in Southend. This was a very interesting role as one week he would be playing 30's and 40's songs, the next it would be covering one of the big West End shows such as Cats, Starlight Express, and Phantom of the Opera. Steve's final years in Essex saw him playing for the renowned function band Casino.

20 years ago, Steve moved to Brighton and had to leave his beloved Casino. However, he soon got together with a bunch of mates from Eastbourne and formed the band Sharp Practice, which played R&B standards and even undertook two short tours of France. While this was going on, Steve formed a 13-piece soul band to

cover the London function scene, this was the Soul Providers which gigged very successfully for 10 years. However, tiring of the Blues Brothers and Commitments scene, Steve joined Andy and Brian to form a pop and rock covers band. After 6 very successful years, this has now morphed into the 60's and 70's covers band The Highlights.

Steve: Guitar/Vocals aka ‘Slowfinger’

Brian started performing in bands at the age of about 15 as a drummer, but didn't like it so moved to bass guitar because no one else wanted to. He played rock music for a couple of years, influenced by Free, Deep Purple and Black Sabbath and then found more work on the cabaret circuit in a three piece harmony band which lasted on and off for some 23 years.

He played a lot of pubs and clubs in Liverpool as well as a few residencies but has ruefully never played The Cavern (sad or what). Brian joined a sixties band in the eighties which was a lot of fun and he then played in a four-piece band in the nineties which he left when he moved down south. This is where Brian joined Steve and Andy to form a rock and pop covers band, after 6 successful years, this has now morphed into the 60’s and 70’s tribute band The Highlights.

Brian: Bass Guitar/Vocals

Andy started playing keyboards at the age of eleven - self taught. He took music GCSE at school, achieved a reasonable grade and started writing instrumentals after leaving, making five albums in three years. He learnt to play guitar at 19, again self taught - rhythm only. Also at that age he started writing songs with a song writing partner, this lasted for about 3 albums and 3 years as the writing duo known as The Triumphs, but towards the end, the other part of the duo lost interest leaving Andy to continue writing alone.

Andy has made six albums to date - all original stuff - three solo, three with a partner. Andy met Pete on holiday in 2002 and he asked him if he wanted to join a band. He had never been in a band before but decided to give it a go and is still there now, six years later! Andy is still writing songs alone now and hopes to make another CD next year.

Andy: Keyboards/Vocals aka ‘Smiler’

I was the worlds first test tube baby. My father is of unknown origin and my mother was a five pound jam jar. From an early age I have had an interest in all things musical.

I came to drumming in a meandering fashion following a flirtation with the trumpet and bagpipes. The intricacies of both these venerable instruments eluded me, and continue to do so to this day.

I first picked up a pair of drum sticks when I auditioned for a youth marching band and was initiated into the mysteries of paradiddles and flam triplets.

When I became bored with marching I joined the school orchestra as a percussionist, this led me on to a season with the national youth orchestra. Which was handy as I was a national youth at the time. All went well with my classical training until I discovered rock and roll! The orchestra was never quite the same after that.

I have been in a variety of bands through the years ranging from a free form jazz and dance group who rejoiced in the name of "The Edgum Callas mixed media theatre", to three and four piece rock outfits.

Music still turns me on and will continue to do so until I draw my last breath.

Paul: Drums and Percussion

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