The three more mature, well older, members of the band first met some five years ago when Peter placed an advert for like minded 'musos' to form a band. Stevie was already playing for a 12 piece soul band and Brian had recently moved to the south coast from his native Liverpool.
As Stevie was busy with the soul band it didn't prove to be possible to get anything started at that time so Peter and Brian joined another band which was entertaining but ultimately ceased to progress. Two and a half years later, after a particularly bad boring gig, Peter and Brian resigned and got back in touch with Stevie to check out what he was up to.
It was very opportune as the soul band had drifted somewhat and was down to a five piece. Stevie was ready for a fresh challenge and started to select material and work on arrangements. Peter went on a singing holiday in France and met Andy who was up for joining the ensemble plus two girl singers.
Some three months of rehearsals followed but unfortunately the girl singers, for a variety of reasons, didn't work out. Then a friend introduced her boyfriend as a potential singer and he auditioned successfully. At last some positive progress and four months of rehearsals followed prior to the first gig at the Hobgoblin in Brighton. This was mid summer 2003.
The band actually got its name from the singer...he was a novice to live bands and was told that the singer has to carry all the gear in for the musos...his comment was "Huh, I'd have got a job at Pickfords if I'd wanted to do removals!"
The first gig went very well with a great crowd of family and friends and further bookings followed rapidly in and around the Brighton area...
Pickford started 2004 well and was building a good playlist but the singer started to let the boys down at rehearsal with no shows. This continued to be an irritant and eventually he let the band down at short notice for a gig. This could not be tolerated and the band managed to cover the evening using Stevie and Brian on vocals.
An executive decision was made to continue with them singing plus some backing vocals from Peter and it has worked out for the better.
2005 has been very successful for the band with 40 gigs at pubs plus private functions and has also been free of membership changes! The playlist has reached over 100 numbers and, whilst there was a learning lull over the summer, new material is being added apace with weekly rehearsals having been resumed.
Bookings are coming in apace for 2006 and Pickford will be looking to do more weddings, parties and social functions in addition to the regular pub gigs. There are several new venues for 2006 so watch out for details on the listings page.
Currently work is progressing on a revised demo CD and plans are afoot to produce a 10 track
marketable CD probably being produced by Peter's nephew Ben, who is studying for his MA in Music Production.
Ambition for 2006 is to do a mini European Tour so if you know of any venues who are likely
to enjoy some good English Rock please let the band know. A long weekend is envisaged with 2 or 3 gigs and a coach organised to take followers from the UK.