The Splintered Ukes ... A Complete, Concise and unabridged biography:
Brian (a.k.a. Funky Bri)
Plays: Left-handed Laka concert ukulele (hardly...ever?) and Eastman electro/acoustic bass, vocals
Brian or "Funky Bri" or "Funky B" or simply just "Funky!" answers to a lot of names, which is quite incredible given that this rocker has sacrificed his hearing for the sake of making sweet music most of his natural life. From humble beginnings, the son of a carpenter (sounds familiar?) he turned his hand to carving a career out of the music industry. When, at the age of 14 that had failed, he fell back on the carpentry skills he'd acquired.
Being part of the Liverpool music scene for the last 60+ years, Brian is known and loved by everyone, including us. Most often heard phrase at gigs: "Play that funky music, Bri-boy!"
Plays: Left-handed Laka concert ukulele (hardly...ever?) and Eastman electro/acoustic bass, vocals
Brian or "Funky Bri" or "Funky B" or simply just "Funky!" answers to a lot of names, which is quite incredible given that this rocker has sacrificed his hearing for the sake of making sweet music most of his natural life. From humble beginnings, the son of a carpenter (sounds familiar?) he turned his hand to carving a career out of the music industry. When, at the age of 14 that had failed, he fell back on the carpentry skills he'd acquired.
Being part of the Liverpool music scene for the last 60+ years, Brian is known and loved by everyone, including us. Most often heard phrase at gigs: "Play that funky music, Bri-boy!"
Pete "Country" Rhodes
Plays: Laka soprano & concert ukulele and vocals
Every band needs some eye candy and ladies, we proudly present Pete "Country" Rhodes. The name
"Country" stems from the fact that Pete used to have a secret job as undercover military truck driver that took him from the remote Eastern block countries to the deserts of Sudan. In fact, his passport has more stamps than a turd has fleas - testament to this fact.
Aside from such matters, Pete has a super sweet voice and can crash the mic with the very best of crooners, harmonizing to his heart's content.
Fact: Addicted to Candy Crush. Is right.
Plays: Laka soprano & concert ukulele and vocals
Every band needs some eye candy and ladies, we proudly present Pete "Country" Rhodes. The name
"Country" stems from the fact that Pete used to have a secret job as undercover military truck driver that took him from the remote Eastern block countries to the deserts of Sudan. In fact, his passport has more stamps than a turd has fleas - testament to this fact.
Aside from such matters, Pete has a super sweet voice and can crash the mic with the very best of crooners, harmonizing to his heart's content.
Fact: Addicted to Candy Crush. Is right.
Who are the Sphinctered Ukes anyway? They sound like a bunch of arse!
- overheard on Twitter
Tony "Lord" Derby
Plays: Laka concert ukulele and vocals
There is little know actual history regarding this mysterious band member. Some say he came to Liverpool via a merchant ship and was brought up in the 1950s with his mixed heritage family.
Others have suggested that he once was 5th in line to the monarchy, as Lord of Derbyshire.
And others say he has direct lineage to the fabled Monkey Gordon.
What we do know is that he is a guy who can sing and play a ukulele like it's nobody's business.
As mysterious as his past is, Tony is not shy in coming forwards and is the joker in the Splinters pack.
Fact: He has a case full of wigs. A case full. Leg-end.
Plays: Laka concert ukulele and vocals
There is little know actual history regarding this mysterious band member. Some say he came to Liverpool via a merchant ship and was brought up in the 1950s with his mixed heritage family.
Others have suggested that he once was 5th in line to the monarchy, as Lord of Derbyshire.
And others say he has direct lineage to the fabled Monkey Gordon.
What we do know is that he is a guy who can sing and play a ukulele like it's nobody's business.
As mysterious as his past is, Tony is not shy in coming forwards and is the joker in the Splinters pack.
Fact: He has a case full of wigs. A case full. Leg-end.
Katie
Plays: Mainland soprano ukulele and vocals
The heart and soul of the Splintered Ukes sound, Katie is a master of the vocal, with her gritty, bluesy tones filling every nuance of the Splinters sound stage. From birth, she was musical, showing an aptitude for bath tub flutes, from which she progressed on to stringed instruments. At the age of 3, Katie became the youngest person in the world to achieve Grade 8 on violin with distinction. This is a feat that has stood the test of time and remains unsurpassed to this very day.
Away from the hustle and bustle of life on tour, Katie enjoys the simple pleasures in life and loves nothing better than a good rummage in a vintage clothing shop for cravats and smoking jackets.
Fact: Once sang Wonderwall to Noel Gallagher in his front room.
Plays: Mainland soprano ukulele and vocals
The heart and soul of the Splintered Ukes sound, Katie is a master of the vocal, with her gritty, bluesy tones filling every nuance of the Splinters sound stage. From birth, she was musical, showing an aptitude for bath tub flutes, from which she progressed on to stringed instruments. At the age of 3, Katie became the youngest person in the world to achieve Grade 8 on violin with distinction. This is a feat that has stood the test of time and remains unsurpassed to this very day.
Away from the hustle and bustle of life on tour, Katie enjoys the simple pleasures in life and loves nothing better than a good rummage in a vintage clothing shop for cravats and smoking jackets.
Fact: Once sang Wonderwall to Noel Gallagher in his front room.
Pete "Pockets" Norman
Plays: Soprano ukulele rarely, cajon and backing vocals
Fact: The nickname "Pockets" is not due to Pete's propensity for light-fingeredness at all. There was no substance to any allegations and he was exonerated from any wrong doing. In fact, "pockets" is a term so coined due to the depth of Pete's pockets, always willing to get a round in and his unending generosity.
With a career in band management and event promotion, there are few musicians Pete is unaware of.
A keen fan of a rave beat, Pete was naturally drawn to the cajon and has been unable to leave it ever since. A genuinely nice bloke whose motto is "let's make peace not war". Unless it's battle of the bands, then every last one of you mo-fo's are dead.
Plays: Soprano ukulele rarely, cajon and backing vocals
Fact: The nickname "Pockets" is not due to Pete's propensity for light-fingeredness at all. There was no substance to any allegations and he was exonerated from any wrong doing. In fact, "pockets" is a term so coined due to the depth of Pete's pockets, always willing to get a round in and his unending generosity.
With a career in band management and event promotion, there are few musicians Pete is unaware of.
A keen fan of a rave beat, Pete was naturally drawn to the cajon and has been unable to leave it ever since. A genuinely nice bloke whose motto is "let's make peace not war". Unless it's battle of the bands, then every last one of you mo-fo's are dead.
What a boss name! Splinter Dukes! Who is the Duke then?
- overheard at a festival
Ged "the head" Hinnigan
Plays: Martin soprano ukulele and vocals
There are not enough words to describe this enigmatic and energetic raver, but if we were to use just one, it would be: 'boundless fire-starter'. From a guitar background, he loves a melodic song with a catchy hook but his heart is to be found in a four on the floor disco beat, where he really comes alive...
When he's relaxing away from the stage, balancing the life between family man and grafter, he's often found in his man cave, where he indulges in his passion for rootsy acoustic guitar rock in the vain of Tom Waits, Van Morrison et al.
Fact: Loves Martin uke porn, the older the better.
Plays: Martin soprano ukulele and vocals
There are not enough words to describe this enigmatic and energetic raver, but if we were to use just one, it would be: 'boundless fire-starter'. From a guitar background, he loves a melodic song with a catchy hook but his heart is to be found in a four on the floor disco beat, where he really comes alive...
When he's relaxing away from the stage, balancing the life between family man and grafter, he's often found in his man cave, where he indulges in his passion for rootsy acoustic guitar rock in the vain of Tom Waits, Van Morrison et al.
Fact: Loves Martin uke porn, the older the better.
Lewis
Plays: Mainland tenor ukulele and vocals
Obsessive, compulsive types are often Leos and that's the case here too. Born in a cross-fire hurricane, in Manchester in the late 70s, Lewis is a disco throwback and believes he was a Bee Gee in a former life. Being a child of the 80s has eschewed his song selection somewhat, although his ability to produce song charts is widely accepted.
His approach to music and life is simple: "if it can be sung, then there's a harmony to be found a third higher!" This deep seated inability to sing the damn melody, is believed to have been passed down by his late Grandmother, who taught him to harmonise before he could walk.
Fact: Hero is Jeremy Kyle. Loves long walks in the country with his pet flea.
Plays: Mainland tenor ukulele and vocals
Obsessive, compulsive types are often Leos and that's the case here too. Born in a cross-fire hurricane, in Manchester in the late 70s, Lewis is a disco throwback and believes he was a Bee Gee in a former life. Being a child of the 80s has eschewed his song selection somewhat, although his ability to produce song charts is widely accepted.
His approach to music and life is simple: "if it can be sung, then there's a harmony to be found a third higher!" This deep seated inability to sing the damn melody, is believed to have been passed down by his late Grandmother, who taught him to harmonise before he could walk.
Fact: Hero is Jeremy Kyle. Loves long walks in the country with his pet flea.
Maddog (a.k.a. Graham)
Plays: Ohana concert lead ukulele
Legend has it that wild wolves raised a feral child in the wilds of Huyton. He was raised on a diet of thrash metal and cheese. The name bestowed upon this beast, was "Ma'daarg" which when translated from Wolverine to English stood for "Maddog." And like most things containing cheese, the name stuck.
Maddog (also likes to go by his human name, Graham), is in the zone when left off the leash and allowed to attack the fretboard like the animal he is. Famed for his Heath Robinson running repairs to ukes that he has "maddogged" with green electrical tape, he is not the wild creature he once was.
Fact: Maddog loves a good wrestle. Preferably in mud. And cheese. He's not for sale.
Plays: Ohana concert lead ukulele
Legend has it that wild wolves raised a feral child in the wilds of Huyton. He was raised on a diet of thrash metal and cheese. The name bestowed upon this beast, was "Ma'daarg" which when translated from Wolverine to English stood for "Maddog." And like most things containing cheese, the name stuck.
Maddog (also likes to go by his human name, Graham), is in the zone when left off the leash and allowed to attack the fretboard like the animal he is. Famed for his Heath Robinson running repairs to ukes that he has "maddogged" with green electrical tape, he is not the wild creature he once was.
Fact: Maddog loves a good wrestle. Preferably in mud. And cheese. He's not for sale.
Disclaimer: Some of the above information may be based on conjecture and purely fictional.
No harm or offense was intended, but if caused, we don't really care.
To be honest if you are reading this, you really must have nothing better to do...
No harm or offense was intended, but if caused, we don't really care.
To be honest if you are reading this, you really must have nothing better to do...
