CAMEL FOOT RAIDERS

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BAND BIOGRAPHY

It happened one night about four years ago when a Mr Toni Vines and his young friend, Mr Darren Elden, were sitting enjoying a quiet evening partaking in fine wines and Jamaican cigars. The two friends conversation turned towards the merits of forming a musical ensemble where they could play such songs as had always been forbidden to them due to the constraints of a musical genre known as "blues". The conversation started as mere fancy but both soon realised that playing such music outside of the "blues" catchment could be both profitable and life enhancing. In short they wanted to perform rudimentary rhythmic sonnets that would cover the whole gambit of musical styles.

Quickly the rules of musical combat were drawn up and were thus

Now this may all sound very much like an original manifesto for a proletariat revolution, but that was how it was to be. As evening drew into night they had a basic pool of musical styles and both men had their bathing costumes on, the pool contained such styles as country (but no western), folk, reggae, ska and a liberal dollop of "good rock".

The next item on their agenda was to find like minded souls to accompany them on their musical journey to enlightenment. Mr Elden, a character known for his sparks of lucidity and prose, posed the now often quoted question "what about that fuckin lanky bastard Pender?" Mr Vines realising his chum had just hit upon an idea of mesmerising brilliance, picked up his telephone receiver and dialled Mr Penders residence. Mr Pender, who was in his study, was elated at the prospect of joining his friends for a night-cap , so immediately ordered a carriage to convey his good self to the residence of Mr Vines. Some short ten minutes later, and after stopping of at that fine purveyors of wines and spirits "The Spar" , Mr Pender knocked upon the door of Mr Vines house. The door was opened by the elegant Mrs Vines and was duly conducted into the drawing room where he happened upon Messieurs Elden and Vines in a very merry disposition. The three friends discussed their plan and various songs and styles and found Mr Pender to be like minded in attitude and choice. It was done. Mr Vines would play guitar and sing, Mr Elden would Play bass and sing and Mr Pender would sing and play various stringed instruments to the best of his limited ability.

A few weeks passed and each Sunday evening songs would be played , discussed and learnt all under the delicate ear of Mrs Vines. Now,   Mrs Vines having some not inconsiderable voice herself, would join in making the trio a quartet, as it seemed to all that heard that Mrs Vines was in possession of the best voice of all. Other names eventually came to the minds and lips of the quartet. Mr Pender felt that his musical ability was left wanting, and whilst was happy to continue to sing and play, he felt he needed help, help came in the form of Mr Neil Topple.   Mr topple was happy to be in the ensemble playing guitar and was renowned for his harmonica virtuosity. A chance meeting at the theatre saw Mr Pender bump into an old school chum Mr Craig Clark (the two of them had both been scholars at that renowned seat of learning, Chantry High School). Mr Clark was a drummer. So it all fell into place. The sextet practised regularly.

Now the band secured some concerts, revues and variety performances (they were by very definition of styles a variety act) in that great country Germany. Now what was needed was a strapping young fellow to help the small orchestra with some duties regarding lifting and the like, but alas none were available so they called upon their trusted friend Mr Charles Unwin. Charlie became the seventh and final member of the group.

So a name was needed, one which would convey to the public the seriousness of the players, their dedication to art and their appreciation of the more delicate side of life. So the Camel Foot Raiders was born.

So good people that is the short (based on fact) story of the band you see before you.

Martin Pender - guitar, mandolin banjo and vocals.

Martin Clancy Mactavish Pender was born in 1968 (not hatched as some people are convinced, nor was he found outside a laboratory in a box marked "dispose of immediately contains hazardous waste"). Was in first band at 15 years old and has never played that well since. Has a raging alcohol problem and suffers dreadfully from terretts syndrome. Spent most of his musical career as a busker (can't you just tell) has been in several bands including 'Hogseye' who were hugely successful (well successful in the small Scottish town of Auchferfuksayke population 163 people, 872 sheep)

In the camel foot raiders martin is the occasional vocalist, occasional rhythm guitarist, occasional mandolinist, and occasional banjoist and is occasionally good. His epitaph will probably read "shit that hurt".
Toni Vines - guitars, dobro, piano and vocals.

Toni Vines was born and grew up (well kind of) on the Welsh borders, where he spent his first few years in a Barnardo's home; they still haven't recovered, yet! He led a fairly uneventful life (apart from dying and being resuscitated, something Toni would get used to in later life). He grew up next to a Methodist church; the moment he left the area so did the collection plate. Toni has always been surrounded by music and learnt to play the guitar by listening to his "dancette" or the family crystal set. Toni always had a love for the blues, this was only exacerbated when he met Alexis Korner, the two agreed to be friends until one, or the other died. The bookies had Toni as favourite to turn up his toes first, but as usual, Toni beat the odds and is still going strong. Toni was rather partial to science and his chemistry set was permanently running out of ingredients so he had a good relationship with his "local chemist", in fact Toni loved chemicals so much he almost joined the band, Generation X! Toni, taught James Honeyman-Scott (original pretender's guitarist) to play guitar. Toni's love of music (and women) has seen him play in too many bands to list, but here are a few that you may remember 'Mean Red Spiders', Shaboogamoo Shufflers', 'TVB', 'Craw Daddies', the 'Crocodiles' and many more. Toni is the co-founder and guitarist/singer/pianist in the 'Camel Foot Raiders'.
Neil Topple - guitar, piano, harmonica, mandolin and vocals

Halloooo there, Neil "Big Chief Roast Beef" Topple here; I dabble in harmonica, guitar, mandolin, piano and beer!!

In the old days of the blues ('bout 10 - 15 years ago!) I played harmonica with the now legendary, "Steamboat To Chicago"...... we had to call it a day due to the dangerous audience levels at our gigs (the man might have tripped over the dog and sued the venue!?). We did get to play alongside the likes of "Nine Below Zero", "The Hamsters" and "Buster James Band", though.

After that, I played guitar in "Rock Lobsters". We played "Rolling Stones" and "Faces" style material, which was great, but I realised I had to leave when I discovered guitars can have six strings (not just five, like Keith Richards); and I wasn't gonna get to play any "Slade" with the "Lobsters"!

Onto the "Colourblind Hedgehogs". This band has played all sorts - punk, blues, rock, pop, the lot - trouble is, nobody can handle the rock 'n' roll lifestyle of the "Hogs". There are only two of us originals left - we're now playing some classic rock and getting cheesier by the minute.

So, when the "Camelfoot Raiders" asked me to join a band that indulged in some real 'rootsy' stuff like country (but not western), reggae, ska, folk rock, and good ol' rock & roll (the music and the lifestyle); what could I say? It's great to be in a band where the feel is the most important thing, and where the instruments are interchangeable. Just gotta remember, 'the guitar hasn't shrunk, it's a mandolin'!!!
Craig Clark - drums, percussion, guitar and vocals

Following a freak meeting with old school buddy, Martin (see ugly mutt above) and Tina (the attractive one below), Craig was asked to prove his worthiness by attending an audition (fucking cheak of it). Anyway, following some stiff opposition (not), Craig was fianally offered the position. It is rumoured that his good looks and the fact he runs a marketing agency made him a strong candidate. "Bollocks, he's just got what it takes". Craig has performed extensivley over the last 18-years playing locally in Suffolk, most of the UK and parts of Europe with various bands including, Elmerhassel, Big Ray, Snag, Darwin, Fabtones, Choi Choy, Mike Summers Band (ex Buffalo Road), Fun City, the list goes on...Typical drummer.
Darren Elden - bass guitar, guitar and vocals.

Mr Darren Elden born approx. 37 years ago (give or take a year or five) learnt to play bass as he was convinced it would make him far more attractive to women. Darren has played in several well-known local blues and rock bands including shaboogamoo shufflers (with Toni vines), craw daddies (with Toni vines) the Toni vines band (you guessed it Toni vines) the crocodiles (with that man Toni again, no wonder there were those rumours written on the electric house toilets about them!!!!!) , cross cut saw (with ton...oh sorry, martin pender) and now The camelfoot raiders. Darren has a love of ska, reggae, blues, old cars, scooters, the Beatles, taking things to bits, his wife Clare, his kids, dirty jokes, really, really dirty jokes, world wars, and sandwiches...lots of sandwiches.