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Nice
Pear Biography
NICE
PEAR is the result of two like-minded singers who have been friends
and fellow musicians for over 25 years.
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Tim
and Steve first met in 1979 at Amberley Folk Club in West Sussex which
was successfully run for many years by the late Stan Wigg and whose
daughter Jackie married Tim in 1985. During this period, Stan headed
up a folk group called the Tanglefoot Band which comprised himself,
daughter Jackie, son Jon, Steve, Steve's wife Ann and friend Lee Tupper.
Throughout this period Steve also headed a folk trio with wife Ann
and Lee Tupper known as Bachelor's Gate.
From all of this emerged a new band known as The Sussex Trug Band,
involving for the first time, electric instruments including bass
and drums. The band was invited to play in 1981 at Fairport's annual
Cropredy festival. By this time, a further member |
Tim
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Steve
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had been
added to the band to play lead electric guitar. Unfortunately, one
week before the Fairport gig, this member pulled out and the band
were left with one week to go without a lead guitar player. Step forward
Steve …who to his eternal credit, bought himself a Fender guitar and
amp (having only played acoustic guitar up till then), learned all
his parts in a week and did the gig - in front of thousands.
After many gigs, The Sussex Trug Band became '1066', with additional
members and producing a much heavier sound. Perhaps ahead of their
time, 1066 at one point comprised eight musicians which proved an
obstacle to regular, well-paid work. Pressures of daytime work and
family commitments led to the gradual break-up of 1066 by the late
80's. Steve continued to plough his musical furrow forming 'Laughing
Gravy' a four piece rock band, and also an acoustic trio 'The Fabulous
Tomato Brothers.' Later, Steve, along with his brother Warren & Ian
Robinson formed the Blue Coconut Orchestra and became, for years,
the established house band at the Blue Coconut Club in Pulborough.
Fast forward some more years; Steve moved from a career in the commercial
world to one of teaching guitar. At about the same time, Tim found
some time available between jobs and decided that he'd missed playing
too much. Then a chance meeting with Steve led to the tentative formation
of NICE PEAR (originally spelt NICE PAIR but adjusted to avoid embarrassment
to potential brides and persons of a sensitive nature!) Starting out
as just two vocals and guitars, NICE PEAR quickly matured into an
act that still comprises just the two guys, but which sounds like
a full band by utilising skillfully crafted and transparent backing
tracks enabling them to deliver a BIG sound!
Today, NICE PEAR just gets busier and busier. They play everywhere,
at all sorts of events including pubs, clubs, parties, company functions
and weddings. New Year's Eve 2007 sees NICE PEAR playing at the prestigious
Amberley Castle. The repertoire covers songs by most of the well-loved
artists from the last 40+ years such as Chuck Berry, Elvis, The Shadows,
The Eagles, James Brown, Van Morrison, The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton,
Paul Weller, Status Quo, Jimi Hendrix, and much more…….something for
everyone! However, don't take our word for it, come and see NICE PEAR
live - our Gig List is updated each month. In addition, please read
the 'Testimonials'
section on the NICE PEAR website. |
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