About
The Rock steady orchestra
We are a 7 piece 2TONE, Reggae, soul and ska covers band. We are based in the Midlands and we play Madness, The Specials, The Clash, Desmond Dekker, Dexys, Bad Manners, UB40,
Sam and Dave and more. We are available for functions and
for further information please call Chris on 07599 522523...
The Rock Steady Orchestra formed in August 2019. Whilst other previous members have gone on to other projects, the band's line up consists of:
Bazza - Lead Vocalist
Gregg - Bass Guitar
Casio Chris - Keyboards
Professor Harry Growl - Backing Vocals, Lead and Rhythm Guitar
Paul - Saxophone
Bill - Trumpet
Nij - Backing Vocal, Drummer
Chris Butler is founder member of the band. He loves Ska, Reggae and soul music. He was heavily influenced by the early UB40, Specials and Madness. Although only playing keyboard for two years, he loves to practice regularly and he is proud to be part of a band that are in entirety absolute professional musicians.
Gregg plays bass guitar for The Rock Steady Orchestra, having joined the band in Summer 2020. He is also an experienced Soul bassist and deputises on bass in other Soul/Mowtown and Ska/Reggae bands.
Gregg has jammed or gigged with a number of other cover bands, including several different genres; glam rock, blues rock, prog and alternative/indie. He has only been playing the bass since 2013, having previously played drums for a few years and, for most of his life, electric and acoustic guitars, as well as dabbling with keys, soprano sax and clarinet.
Gregg also works with clients in the music industry, including the emerging US artist Freemoor and The Invisible Orchestra. During the last few years, he has gradually rediscovered his love of Reggae, Soul and Ska music from the 60s, 70s and 80s and loves learninbg and re-interpreting the brilliant bass lines of James Jamerson in particular, among many others. Gregg plays Fender Mustang Basses through an Ashdown AAA 300 210 Amp with a Sansamp DI.
Hi I am Bazza, I am the singer in the band. I discovered I could sing when 6 years old listening to The Beatles and playing air guitar in front of the coal fire, yes I am that old! :-)
That was it, music my addiction and music my medicine. My influences range from all areas of the music spectrum from The Jam to The Cure but 2-Tone became my chosen genre about 40 years ago. The raw energy of The Specials, Madness, Bad Manners to name but a few, coupled with reggae and Ska and that was me I was hooked.
I auditioned for a Ska 2-Tone band 8 years ago and have recently joined TRSO. I am just one of the many jokers in the band and whilst having fun we deliver a fantastic wall of sound.
Skank on people
Professor Harry Growl, 50s model. Still has most original parts. South Birmingham lad, the only Bluenose in a North Brum school full of Villa fans.
Has played telecasters for some time, particularly in maximum R n B band The Rub. Likes suits, hats and grooving. Most people call him Gaz.
Paul plays the Saxophone for The Rock Steady Orchestra
As a 60's MOD, cool comes easily, I've been lucky enough to playSax in some amazing bands for decades, the Rock Steady Orchestra has great potential, glad to be part of it.
Nij has been playing drums since he was a youth. He grew up listening to the 2-Tone movement. He has played in different projects and his main music influences are The Specials, Bad Manners, Selector and more. He's the mean and moody member of the band.
Nij 'Mr Stix' Purveyor of all thingsDrums and Cymbals a plenty. It's hard to believe but he's been playing Drums for over 40 years. Powered by Soul, Ska, 2-Tone, Reggae, Motown and Northern Soul. He also provides some mean bv's too.
Bill loved music as far back as I can remember. Tinkered with various instruments but have never quite escaped the trumpet! Getting drawn into the Ska vortex was inevitable. Trained in the school of Atlantic and Stax Soul and Glenn Miller in a previous life. Nothing like the feeling of punching out the sound that only brass can.