The Musicians part 2

ALLEYN MENZIES - DRUMS/VOCALS:

Alleyn was born in Inverness. His grandmother bought him his first drum kit for his 12th. Birthday, [much to the annoyance of his family]. His early roots were in Folk/rock music when he toured with 70’s Band “Madrigal”. His manic personality soon led to him joining early Punk Bands, “Rotovators”, and “Fast Action” where he cut his first records. In the 80’s early 90’s he recorded and toured with “The Steve Ashley Band” who were a popular regulars at all of the big festivals such as Glastonbury, Cropredy, Cambridge etc..

His marriage and young family led to him retiring from the touring scene, and he became a settled semi-pro working as a studio session player. He has recorded a number of albums with various bands including blues wizard, Keith Thompson’s “Strangebrew”.

He joined Otis’ Band after it reformed in 1997. Alleyn confesses, in his own words, to “being overweight, argumentative with thinning hair, but is generally a good egg”. Playing with Otis is “ more fun than you can shake a stick at”.

COLIN BRIDGEWATER-GREEN - KEYBOARD/VOCALS:

Colin was born in Witney and was taught to play piano by his mother [an accomplished pianist]. He first caught the musical bug from drumming in the local Boy’s Brigade, and progressed to play in several local bands, particularly in Oxford. He moved to London after leaving school, and cut his first record with “Paper Lemon”. He then joined the “Sid Arthur Band”, a popular London outfit and cut a number of records and an album with EMI. He joined several Soul Bands where his Hammond organ was much sought after. He also joined a Born Again Religious Band about this time, but became disillusioned when the lead singer, [a Vicar] was de-frocked for theft. He moved to Cheltenham in 1972 joining punk band the “Deck Chairs”, before eventually joining local band “Teenage Idols”, [formed out of the successful folk/rock band “Decameron”]. He cut down his musical activities to concentrate on his flourishing Antique Restoration business, but opened up a Rehearsal Studio for aspiring local bands, progeny from which included, “Pig Bag” and “Killing Joke”. In 1995 he formed a band called “Chicken Licken’” to revive the Hammond sound, and joined Otis in 1997 when he reformed his band.