Perfect Strangers - Cumbrian Deep Purple Show are:
Mike Ames (Keys - Hammond)
Born in London, Mike has a broad musical background initially learning classical piano and clarinet as a child. He is comfortable on or off stage, often to be found as rehearsal and pit band pianist for shows as well as having played in a series of blues, soul and vintage line ups - including 'The Lowdown' at Maryport Blues Festival and in Cindy and the Bullets in support of Big Country at Silloth Beer Festival. Mike accompanies a choir and plays jazz as part of trio MOJazzRS (Members Only Jazz Rhythm Section) but when it comes to hard rock the colour has to be Deep Purple.
Born in London, Mike has a broad musical background initially learning classical piano and clarinet as a child. He is comfortable on or off stage, often to be found as rehearsal and pit band pianist for shows as well as having played in a series of blues, soul and vintage line ups - including 'The Lowdown' at Maryport Blues Festival and in Cindy and the Bullets in support of Big Country at Silloth Beer Festival. Mike accompanies a choir and plays jazz as part of trio MOJazzRS (Members Only Jazz Rhythm Section) but when it comes to hard rock the colour has to be Deep Purple.
Jimmy Bell (Bass)
A multi talented professional musician of 30 years, Jimmy plays a wide range of instruments, ranging from bass, piano, six string, guitar and banjo. Jimmy’s passion about playing started at a young age, forming his first band when he was 18. Jimmy has gone on to do musicals such as War of the Worlds, Wedding Singer and Bugsy Malone. Jimmy’s last band, Salvador, gained quite a following and proved to be very successful touring around the country.
A multi talented professional musician of 30 years, Jimmy plays a wide range of instruments, ranging from bass, piano, six string, guitar and banjo. Jimmy’s passion about playing started at a young age, forming his first band when he was 18. Jimmy has gone on to do musicals such as War of the Worlds, Wedding Singer and Bugsy Malone. Jimmy’s last band, Salvador, gained quite a following and proved to be very successful touring around the country.
Dave Brough (Vocals - Harmonica, Congas)
Born in Workington, founder member of the band, Dave, has lived in both Northern Ireland and Maryport, listing his musical influences as: The Beatles, Elvis Presley, his Dad, Paul Rodgers, Robert Plant and of course Ian Gillan - Deep Purple MkII, and with Steve Morse Mk VII and the current MKVIII.
Dave sang in West Cumbrian Band Raw Deal from 1986-1991, the band having reasonable success (including a re-form briefly between 2009 -2012) performing regularly in Dumfries (White Hart), Workington (Munroes Bar), Lancaster University, Furness College, Sugar House (Lancaster), Sandpiper (Redcar), Sands Centre (Carlisle) and Brewery Arts Centre (Kendal); Radio Play on the Tommy Vance Show and supporting The Mission, Quire boys, Demon and Excalibur also formed part of the scene. Between 2007 and 2010 Dave sang with Blues/Rock band the Moonlighters who performed regularly at Maryport Blues Festival.
Despite being the only remaining original member of Perfect Strangers, (formed originally with mainly members of Raw Deal), when pushed Dave does quietly confess to having once been fired himself. Dave was however instrumental in re-forming the band and is enthusiastic about the latest line up, and looks foward to developing further, maybe even including MKVII and MKVIII material as well as MKII.
Born in Workington, founder member of the band, Dave, has lived in both Northern Ireland and Maryport, listing his musical influences as: The Beatles, Elvis Presley, his Dad, Paul Rodgers, Robert Plant and of course Ian Gillan - Deep Purple MkII, and with Steve Morse Mk VII and the current MKVIII.
Dave sang in West Cumbrian Band Raw Deal from 1986-1991, the band having reasonable success (including a re-form briefly between 2009 -2012) performing regularly in Dumfries (White Hart), Workington (Munroes Bar), Lancaster University, Furness College, Sugar House (Lancaster), Sandpiper (Redcar), Sands Centre (Carlisle) and Brewery Arts Centre (Kendal); Radio Play on the Tommy Vance Show and supporting The Mission, Quire boys, Demon and Excalibur also formed part of the scene. Between 2007 and 2010 Dave sang with Blues/Rock band the Moonlighters who performed regularly at Maryport Blues Festival.
Despite being the only remaining original member of Perfect Strangers, (formed originally with mainly members of Raw Deal), when pushed Dave does quietly confess to having once been fired himself. Dave was however instrumental in re-forming the band and is enthusiastic about the latest line up, and looks foward to developing further, maybe even including MKVII and MKVIII material as well as MKII.
Jonathan Gash (Drums)
Jonathan is versed in many musical styles, coming from a background of pulsating heavy rock, he learned early the importance of a solid back beat. Going on to explore the realms of jazz, pop, Latin, swing he continues to branch out into new musical areas, having held the drummer's seat on Cumbria's largest regional Christmas show for 8 years. Jonathan is mentored by Woody Woodmansy, Bowie's drummer of the famed Ziggy Stardust era. He is proud to have worked with: Maureen Nolan, Sheila Ferguson, Chris Elliston -The Bill, Hossam Ramsey -Led Zeppelin, Edgar Winter, Matthew Pagan -Collabro, Craig Chalmers -Joseph's Technicolored Dream Coat, Lloyd Warlby - Disney's Art Attack, Gareth Oliver -BGT Dani Harmer - Tracey Beaker. Recently having returned from a national theatre tour of Robin Hood with Andy Abrahams of X factor, and BGT winner George Samson, Jonathan is once more working with musicians of Cumbria in varied and diverse settings.
Jonathan is versed in many musical styles, coming from a background of pulsating heavy rock, he learned early the importance of a solid back beat. Going on to explore the realms of jazz, pop, Latin, swing he continues to branch out into new musical areas, having held the drummer's seat on Cumbria's largest regional Christmas show for 8 years. Jonathan is mentored by Woody Woodmansy, Bowie's drummer of the famed Ziggy Stardust era. He is proud to have worked with: Maureen Nolan, Sheila Ferguson, Chris Elliston -The Bill, Hossam Ramsey -Led Zeppelin, Edgar Winter, Matthew Pagan -Collabro, Craig Chalmers -Joseph's Technicolored Dream Coat, Lloyd Warlby - Disney's Art Attack, Gareth Oliver -BGT Dani Harmer - Tracey Beaker. Recently having returned from a national theatre tour of Robin Hood with Andy Abrahams of X factor, and BGT winner George Samson, Jonathan is once more working with musicians of Cumbria in varied and diverse settings.