ALLIE
(Vocals, Percussion)

Allie is a trained singer, actress and director whose CV includes her own performance arts company and The English Shakespeare Company. She began entertaining in public aged just 13 and has sung many styles of music including rock, pop, 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 with and managing The Precious Things with running her own arts company, VIVID ARTS AND EVENTS. The company offers a range of services including drama & theatre projects and workshops at all levels; acting for live theatre, film, TV, voiceover, theatre & music tour bookings, project design, management and evaluation.

See CONTACT page for an email link or call direct on 01434 270 369 or 07979 488 276

DAVID
(Guitars, Keyboards, Backing Vocals)

After serving his apprenticeship on the North East rock and blues circuit from the age of 15 David was also a founder member, songwriter and soloist in the widely acclaimed jazz/funk band French Class. Moving to Oxford, he took a different musical direction by joining the city's top reggae band, working as a session player at local and London studios and playing freelance with various acts, including a stint improvising jazz guitar accompaniment for a performance poet.

David returned to the North East to concentrate on teaching, writing and arranging on acoustic guitar and Dobro (and occasional music journalism) until tempted to form The Precious Things. He brings an approach to playing which is much influenced by his musical heroes Frank Zappa, Stevie Wonder, Steely Dan and fusion guitarist John McLaughlin.

Equipment used:

PRS Mira Korina, modified Fender Telecasters, Taylor acoustic guitar. Mesa Boogie, Fender and Tech 21 amplification.

CHRIS
(Keyboards, Backing Vocals)

Chris completed his professional studies at music college before embarking on a long and impressive career as a live performer, session musician, composer and arranger in the UK and abroad. He has worked extensively with record producer Trevor Horn as well as performing with or featuring on recordings by, amongst many others, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Marc Almond, Shirley Bassey, Phil Lynott, Gary Moore and Barry White. Chris has played on both UK number one and US hit singles.

During a long period spent living in France, Chris was the principal keyboard player with the orchestra at Le Cabaret and the Sporting Club in Monte Carlo, home of the prestigious World Music Awards. He has also worked on various cruise ships as a solo pianist.

Chris’ influences are many and varied, including Frederick Delius, Keith Emerson, Art Tatum and Kylie Minogue’s bottom.

Equipment used:

Alesis QS8 stage piano and Korg T3 synthesiser.

ANDY
(Bass, Backing Vocals)

Andy trained as a classical violinist and got used to performing and playing in public as a child. As a teenager he made the switch to bass guitar and has appeared regularly with bands ever since, including three years with one of the north-east's top soul and funk outfits.

In addition to the usual pubs and clubs, Andy has played at many prestigious venues over the years including Newcastle City Hall and the main stage at the North Tyneside Fish Quay Festival in 2004.

He has a wide range of musical influences including Marcus Miller, Jamiroquai, Jimi Hendrix and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers.

Equipment used:

Fender de Luxe Jazz Bass, Fender Precision, Mesa Boogie M-Pulse amplifier with Mark Bass speaker cabinets.

WENDELL
(Drums, Backing Vocals)

Wendell was born into a musical family and first played the drums in his dad’s dance band. He turned professional after joining a cabaret act called Guys and Dolls which toured the UK and Europe and various holiday destinations in the Mediterranean. Returning to this country the band secured a recording contract with A&M Records and released a single called Let’s Talk It Over which enjoyed considerable regional success.

In the ‘90s Wendell was a member of a club band called Legend which was very much in demand on the club circuit from Scotland to South Yorkshire and which won the prestigious Band of the Year award in 1992. Since then he has worked as a resident drummer in a number of settings and also performed in a rock and blues band before joining The Precious Things.

Wendell has a wide musical taste spanning progressive rock to disco and funk and the ‘60s to the present day including Pink Floyd, Genesis, Toto, Ian Dury and The Blockheads, Kings of Leon, Kasabian and Coldplay.

Equipment used:

You name it, he’s tried it! Current favourite is a vintage 1960s kit, a Ludwig 400 in Blue Coral with Paiste and Zildjian cymbals.