The bastard love-child of the 'Crawfish Scrapers' and the 'Sign-On Valley Rangers', the Spectones first appeared in 2002, determined to follow their leader - Speccy Dave, back to 1964 for some R&B and Good Times.

Since then there has been lots of R&B and lots of Good Times. The Spectones stick the works of the Old Masters ** and remain faithful to an old-fashioned, valve-amp sound.

Where they have experimented with new stuff, it has been more in the lifestyle area, most notably the introduction of the 'Cider for Breakfast' concept, but also with other new leisure concepts for ageing musicians.

Speccy Dave is the man who puts the 'spec' in Spectones. He's one of the most accomplished banjo players this side of Tennessee, from where the band get their much of their inspiration, and where one of them even got married. On Spectones nights, the banjo normally stays in its box, for the band's influences are steeped in Rhythm and Blues, Dartford Kent style (where the Rolling Stones started out) transposed to 21st century Brighton. Their eclectic musical education came from the valleys of Wales (Phil), the industrial songs of BSA country (Dave), the Essex of Dr Feelgood (Mark) and Lancing (AD - a stick of original Brighton Rock).

The Spectones perform a rollicking set. Their most remarkable feat was to inspire revellers to dance at the Grand Hotel, despite eating a 5 course Christmas dinner with all the trimmings, the rhythm drew crowds up on the dance floor. Luckily no-one threw up.

This is THE band to book for a party. Christmas, Easter, Summer, birthdays, a retirement do - it won't be long before they can add bar mitzvah and wedding to the CV - just let them know. They've had them dancing in the streets too at past Brighton Festivals. The Spectones perform remarkably few public gigs, being too embroiled in the blues-lifestyle to be capable of organising anything., but can often be found at the Bugle Inn. (Check the 'Gigs' link)

Between them they have over one hundred year's experience of working themselves and others into a sweaty frenzy

Go on …. You know you want to ….

** Howlin Wolf, Sonny Boy Williamson, Sonny Terry, John Lee Hooker, Solomon Burke, Blind Blake, Rufus Thomas, Bo Diddley, Big Joe Williams, Big Bill Broonzy, Leadbelly, err ….