MARBLE AMPLIFICATION
Pete Stephens - Government, Drums, Team Cohesion
Pete started playing drums in his mum's kitchen around 1964, aged 4 years. In 1965 he got his first real drum kit. From then on he played at school concerts in music events and at the local church. A high spot of this era was when he performed 'Dance with the Devil' (Cozy Powell) at Butlins. The Red Coats were called in to stop riots...
After this cathartic experience and at the height of punk rock in 1977-79 Pete joined 'The Gangsters', presumably as an antidote to the Butlins riots ... playing 60s/70s music on pub/club circuit. This was short lived and his second band 'Kestrel', played chart material in clubs and at private events. In the 80's and in a rebellion against quiffs, ruffs and synths, Pete went country and joined 'Powder River Pioneers'. Voted Essex and Kent Club Band of the year in 1983, Powder River Pioneers recorded an album which sold 1,500 copies in clubs, without the need for gangsters to assist in the sales process ... In 1982 they were invited by Essex Radio to play at Falkland Island charity concert at Stapleford Aerodrome in front of 10,000 people. Other artists included Chas & Dave, The Rubettes, Kenny Ball & his Jazzmen, Mike Reid (allegedly a comedian) and Labi Siffre.