Charlotte Grimes – Singer & Percussionist
Where are you from?
Newbury
Where do you live?
Littlehampton (LA in the South)
What inspired you to start making music?
I’ve always sung and I started off in musicals.
Who are your biggest musical influences and why?
Aretha and Whitney, but at heart, I’m an Indie Kid.
What is your favourite ska song and what makes it special to you?
Gangsters and Ghost Town – I love The Specials
What has been the most memorable performance or moment in your career?
Singing Let it Go from Frozen in a packed theatre
Biggest claim to fame?
I won an episode of Stars in Your Eyes back in the naughties, which got me through to the final. In case you’re wondering: ‘Tonight Matthew I’m going to be Cerys Mathews of Catatonia
Richard Sheldrake – Singer and Guitarist
Where are you from?
London
Where do you live?
Brighton
What inspired you to start making music?
I loved all things Tamla Motown and early reggae when I was young.
Who are your biggest musical influences and why?
A weird mixture of Trojan Records and The Sex Pistols, they were both huge parts of my formative years.
What is your favourite ska song and what makes it special to you?
Young Gifted and Black by Bob and Marcia – everything about it is beautiful, the vocals, the strings and the tune. Fantastic song.
What has been the most memorable performance or moment in your career?
Touring as a guitarist for Skinhead Reggae legends Symarip was pretty special.
Biggest claim to fame?
Being mates with the legend that is Pete Saunders and playing the Forum in Kentish Town.
Pete Saunders – Keyboards
Where are you from?
London
Where do you live?
London
What inspired you to start making music?
So that people would like me.
What are your biggest musical influences and why?
The Beatles and Elton John, I grew up with The Beatles and they were the only pop music my Dad ever bought. Elton was the 1st I ever bought and I learnt to play the piano from those songs. He was the only pop star that played piano.
What is your favourite ska song and what makes it special to you?
The Skatalites 007, I love the James Bond theme and I love that version.
What has been the most memorable performance or moment in your career?
Dexys Midnight Runners at a big festival in The Netherlands in 1980, afterwards I went to see Caligula with Kevin Rowland to celebrate his birthday.
Biggest claim to fame?
I was in the original line-up of Dexys Midnight Runners and played on their debut album Searching for The Young Soul Rebels.
Elizabeth Bustard – Saxophone and Vocals
Where are you from?
Poole
Where do you live
Brighton
What inspired you to start making music?
My Dad bought a sax from a junk shop when I was a kid as he wanted to try it. I had a go on it and couldn’t stop!
Who are your biggest musical influences and why?
Maybe Candy Dulfer as I love her funky sound.
What is your favourite ska song and what makes it special to you?
Probably One Step Beyond as it is a growly sax fest.
What has been the most memorable performance or moment in your career?
Supporting the Gypsy Kings was pretty epic
Biggest claim to fame?
I’ve been for a curry with Brett Anderson from Suede and I did warm up the crowd for Fatboy Slim playing sax with a DJ.
Charlie Kelly – Trumpet and Vocals
Where are you from?
Chichester
Where do you live?
Brighton
What inspired you to start making music?
Overbearing parents, but I’m so glad they were!
Who are your biggest musical influences and why?
Frank Zappa, he was a genius and seeing The Skatalites when I was young was a big influence on my love of Ska.
What is your favourite ska song and what makes it special to you?
Skaravan by The Skatalites, I love the horns.
What has been the most memorable performance or moment in your career?
Playing live in front of 10,000 people in China
Biggest claim to fame?
I played in a band live on Taiwan TV!
Ben Stevens – Bass Guitar
Where are you from?
Dorchester
Where do you live?
Brighton
What inspired you to start making music?
I thought guitars were cool, so I became a bass player.
Who are your biggest musical influences and why?
I was brought up on Motown and Punk.
What is your favourite ska song and what makes it special to you?
Stepping Razor by Peter Tosh, I know it’s reggae, but I love it. As for Ska, anything by The Beat.
What has been the most memorable performance or moment in your career?
Playing at The iconic Windmill in Brixton
Biggest claim to fame?
I was on You’ve Been Framed when I was a child. I’ve also been on TV in my job as a journalist.
Johnny Pallot – Drums and Vocals
Where are you from?
Jersey
Where do you live?
Brighton
What inspired you to start making music?
Always had a passion for being in a band.
Who are your biggest musical influences and why?
New wave/Punk- Talking Heads Clash etc… Music was fresh and exciting.
What is your favourite ska song and what makes it special to you?
Too Much Too Young.
What has been the most memorable performance or moment in your career?
Supporting Los Lobos Hammersmith Apollo 1987.
Biggest claim to fame?
Meeting the presenter of Country file at Jersey Airport.