After a near 2 decade hiatus West Cumbrian Deep Purple tribute band Perfect Strangers returned in 2010. Original Members Dave Brough and Ian Snodden reformed the band bringing in Mike Ames on keys, Jimmy Bell on bass and Iain Taylor on drums; quickly finding their groove the band attracted a large following due to their uncanny likeness to the classic rock of Ian Gillan era Purple. After a tonne of gigs including a headlining slot at Hensingham Rocks the band are ready to take their show out across the UK. Look out for Perfect Strangers rockin a venue near you soon.
The seeds of Perfect Strangers were sown as far back as 1994, (incidentally the year Steve Morse joined Deep Purple) initially by former Raw Deal members David Armstrong, Dave Brough and Mike Ellis with guitarist Ian Snodden and Keyboard player Steve McGuckin joining. The band gigged regularly between 1995 and 1996 playing venues such as Monroes Bar Workington, Captain Nelson Maryport, The White Hart Dumfries, and Haltwhistle and Consett Working Mens Clubs. Whilst you might think 'What,working mens clubs?' these places were the size of aircraft hangers, and full at every gig. North East appearances included Sunderland. This line up stayed together for nearly three years before people went their separate ways.
There were a number of line ups and changes over the ensuing years with Tony Steele and Stuart Ferguson replacing Mike Ellis and David Armstrong in 2001. The band started to play venues such as The Renfrew Ferry Glasgow, Liquid Rooms Edinburgh, The Loughgelly Centre, The Transport Club Rochdale, Moses Gate Bolton, The Duke Of Edinburgh Barrow -in-Furness before in typical 'Deep Purple tradition' Bruffey (vocalist) got fired; the band carried on calling it a day around 2004-5.
A chance meeting between Dave Brough and Iain Taylor in 2010 brought the idea of re-forming the band to the fore this time with Ian Snodden also re-joining and new members Mike Ames (Keyboards) and Jimmy Bell (Bass). The band rehearsed hard throughout the year before heading back out on the road in 2011 to headline the Mawbray Music Festival - a real eye opener and a great crowd to which to launch the comeback. New venues now included great evenings at The Venue Dumfries and Hensingham Rocks, shortly after which Iain Taylor left to be replaced by Jon Gash, who brought a fresh impetus from the drumming seat.
The band has gone from strength to strength over the past few years playing Kings Arms Egremont, John Paul Jones Whitehaven, Millom Rugby Union Club; 2014 has included headlining the High Cross inn Broughton-in -Furness Festival and playing Club Rock and The Redfern in Carlisle. In 2015 we made our first venture to the the Fletcher Christ[an Cockermouth, Ellenborough Social Club Maryport, the Swan Inn Stranraer and in 2016 The Kings Head Broughton-in-Furness as well as The Brickyard, Carlisle.
With the guitar of Andrew 'Spud' Sinclair a new approach, drawing in part on Spud's experience rehearsing, recording, performing and touring with Steeleye Span, again moved the band forward - to include some Steve Morse MKVII and MKVIII.
Ben Draper has taken over from Spud and the band is finally heading towards its intended Steve Morse approach to the music with Nev Holmes taking over the drum seat from Jon Gash.
Whilst other Deep Purple tribute bands tend to play predominantly MKII and MKIII, Perfect Strangers are embracing the Morse Airey influence on Deep Purple and revelling in it!
As singer Dave Brough Says: 'I feel this is by far and away the happiest that the band has ever been, it's fun and everyone just gets along so well and brings that something a bit special to the table.
Long may it continue.'
'Perfect Strangers would not be where it is now without the contributions from former band members, each line up bringing something different - and we've had some great times, thank you to all concerned, thanks for the happy times.'
The seeds of Perfect Strangers were sown as far back as 1994, (incidentally the year Steve Morse joined Deep Purple) initially by former Raw Deal members David Armstrong, Dave Brough and Mike Ellis with guitarist Ian Snodden and Keyboard player Steve McGuckin joining. The band gigged regularly between 1995 and 1996 playing venues such as Monroes Bar Workington, Captain Nelson Maryport, The White Hart Dumfries, and Haltwhistle and Consett Working Mens Clubs. Whilst you might think 'What,working mens clubs?' these places were the size of aircraft hangers, and full at every gig. North East appearances included Sunderland. This line up stayed together for nearly three years before people went their separate ways.
There were a number of line ups and changes over the ensuing years with Tony Steele and Stuart Ferguson replacing Mike Ellis and David Armstrong in 2001. The band started to play venues such as The Renfrew Ferry Glasgow, Liquid Rooms Edinburgh, The Loughgelly Centre, The Transport Club Rochdale, Moses Gate Bolton, The Duke Of Edinburgh Barrow -in-Furness before in typical 'Deep Purple tradition' Bruffey (vocalist) got fired; the band carried on calling it a day around 2004-5.
A chance meeting between Dave Brough and Iain Taylor in 2010 brought the idea of re-forming the band to the fore this time with Ian Snodden also re-joining and new members Mike Ames (Keyboards) and Jimmy Bell (Bass). The band rehearsed hard throughout the year before heading back out on the road in 2011 to headline the Mawbray Music Festival - a real eye opener and a great crowd to which to launch the comeback. New venues now included great evenings at The Venue Dumfries and Hensingham Rocks, shortly after which Iain Taylor left to be replaced by Jon Gash, who brought a fresh impetus from the drumming seat.
The band has gone from strength to strength over the past few years playing Kings Arms Egremont, John Paul Jones Whitehaven, Millom Rugby Union Club; 2014 has included headlining the High Cross inn Broughton-in -Furness Festival and playing Club Rock and The Redfern in Carlisle. In 2015 we made our first venture to the the Fletcher Christ[an Cockermouth, Ellenborough Social Club Maryport, the Swan Inn Stranraer and in 2016 The Kings Head Broughton-in-Furness as well as The Brickyard, Carlisle.
With the guitar of Andrew 'Spud' Sinclair a new approach, drawing in part on Spud's experience rehearsing, recording, performing and touring with Steeleye Span, again moved the band forward - to include some Steve Morse MKVII and MKVIII.
Ben Draper has taken over from Spud and the band is finally heading towards its intended Steve Morse approach to the music with Nev Holmes taking over the drum seat from Jon Gash.
Whilst other Deep Purple tribute bands tend to play predominantly MKII and MKIII, Perfect Strangers are embracing the Morse Airey influence on Deep Purple and revelling in it!
As singer Dave Brough Says: 'I feel this is by far and away the happiest that the band has ever been, it's fun and everyone just gets along so well and brings that something a bit special to the table.
Long may it continue.'
'Perfect Strangers would not be where it is now without the contributions from former band members, each line up bringing something different - and we've had some great times, thank you to all concerned, thanks for the happy times.'