ALLIE (Vocals & Percussion) Allie is a trained singer, actress and director whose CV includes her own successful performance arts company and THE ENGLISH SHAKESPEARE COMPANY. She began singing in public aged just 13 and has sung many styles of music including musical theatre and jazz. Blessed with a wide vocal and dynamic range, Allie has been compared to singers as diverse as Cyndi Lauper, Debbie Harry and ... Meatloaf! She has been involved in cross-arts teaching and arts development work regionally and nationally and now combines performing & managing THE PRECIOUS THINGS with running her own arts and events company, VIVID ARTS & EVENTS. (See Contact Page for an email link.)
DAVE (Guitars, Keyboards, Backing Vocals) David served his apprenticeship on the North East pub and club circuit from the age of 15 and was also a founder member and main songwriter and soloist in the widely acclaimed Hartlepool jazz/funk/rock outfit FRENCH CLASS . Moving to Oxford in the '80s he took a different musical direction by joining the city's top reggae band, working as a session player at Union Studios and playing freelance with various local and student acts. David returned to the North East, concentrating on teaching, writing and arranging on acoustic guitar and Dobro until tempted out of retirement to form THE PRECIOUS THINGS. He brings an approach to playing which is much influenced by his musical heroes Frank Zappa, Stevie Wonder and fusion guitarist John McLaughlin. Equipment used: Fender Telecasters and Stratocaster, Taylor acoustic, Aria Pro II slide guitar. Mesa Boogie, Fender and Tech 21 amps.
DEREK (Keyboards, Backing Vocals & Percussion) Derek was keyboard player for prog rock group CIRKUS in the '70s. Their first album, 'Cirkus One' received critical acclaim and is now a collector's item. He toured extensively in the '70s & '80s with the likes of Mud & Sweet. Derek considers 1967 the most important year in pop history and embraced the psychedelic fall out until the advent of punk in 1976, leaving Cirkus redundant. He worked for RCA Records in London for a while then came back to the North East and worked the club circuit with a reformed Cirkus. He keeps in touch with the guys and they still collaborate occasionally. Derek now works at Q Music (see CONTACTS PAGE link) has his own studio and programmes midi files, ringtones and backing tracks for HitTrax in Australia. Derek's main influences are King Crimson, early Genesis, early Floyd and The Who. Equipment used: Yamaha DGX305 & Yamaha CS2X.
KARL (Bass, Backing Vocals) Karl first turned professional with Birmingham group Choice in 1971, singing and playing bass around Britain's coastal resorts. In 1973 he joined (wait for it!) a very unusual comedy act called The Mutton Chop Banjo Band who at the time were topping the bill on the busy Club and University circuits as well as making live appearances on TV shows such as Granada Reports and BBC's Pebble Mill At One. Karl shared stages with The Drifters, Tony Christie, Marty Wilde, Jimmy Tarbuck, The Grumbleweeds and many other old-school entertainers. "Even a very nervous Jasper Carrott once supported us at Leeds University." His influences include bass players Ray Brown and Noel Redding, harmony group Singers Unlimited and Spike Jones. Equipment Used: Fender Precision bass and Carlsboro amplification.
MIKE (Drums, Backing Vocals, Percussion) Mike began playing drums at the age of eleven at a Newcastle Grammar School and was brought up on Jazz and Glenn Miller big band sounds. On leaving school he joined rock band Fan Heater and played a number of very prestigious venues, including The Marquee in London and Covent Rock Garden. Fame proved elusive and after playing back in the North East on the Club / Pub circuit for several years with well known Rock, Pop and Reggae bands, including The Genes and Legend, he took a few years out to concentrate on his non-musical career and family. Mike is now making up for lost time by exploring an incredibly wide range of musical styles with THE PRECIOUS THINGS and helping to develop local talent by supporting a number of buskers' nights in the region. His influences include Stewart Copeland (The Police) Chester Thompson (Genesis) Neil Peart (Rush) and Phil Collins to name just a few. Equipment used: DW/PDP Pacific drums in wax cherry and Zildjian K / Sabian HHX cymbals.
IAN (Sound and Lights) An accomplished musician in his own right, Ian is currently taking a break from performing and providing expert sound mixing and lighting services to THE PRECIOUS THINGS.
PAUL (Sound and Lights) Paul has been involved with bands since the '70s and has some interesting stories to tell (including some shady tales involving Dave and Ian!) He shares sound mixing and lighting duties with Ian.