The Charlie Speed Band

Roy Whyke - drums

Roy knows a lot about grooves and dynamics. He thinks about it before just slapping any old beat down. He is always trying something new and pushing the band as well as holding it together.

In the past, I've auditioned drummers who set up their kit and play some amazing stuff on their own. But put them with a band and they can't cut it. It's kind of selfish in a way for a musician to walk over everything without regard for what is needed. The most important thing is to listen to what's going on and add to it.

Jon Short - bass guitar and backing vocal

Jon and Roy together are my Sly & Robbie. I first met Jon when we (Roy, Jon & I) toured with Paul Buckley. We all hit it off so well that this line-up (minus Paul) became the nucleus of my new band.

Jon also supports me on vocals which really strengthens what we are doing. He sits in quite a few camps playing in various bands, but always puts a lot of effort into whatever he's doing. A joy to be around, he's always willing to listen which I find refreshing.

He also does my website - so I have to say nice things about him!

Jon Burr - harps

Jon Burr is a star. He's a quiet lad who lets his music do all the talking. I often catch myself chuckling with glee as he blows the harp. He's the real deal! He comes to gigs with his little case full of harps, quiet as a mouse. But you can feel his depth when he plays - and he really plays from his boots!

Jon plays in various bands but he's always there for us. You can see he loves it. He can break your heart when he's hot to trot, then soon as the music's over he's gone into the night never to be seen again until the next show.

I'm in the process of putting a DVD together. Without doubt he is the star of the show - and he's so f***ing modest with it.

Johnnie Hardcastle - guitars and lap steel

Johnny "guitar" Hardcastle is a good foil for me.  We have similar taste in music with some exceptions. He's more traditional than me and a bit of a buff when it comes to knowing who did what and which guitars were used. He has a good knowledge of early blues styles which is a good thing. Really, he adds a lot to our sound, playing electric rhythm, lead and acoustic guitar when needed.

Also, he's a really good slide player. He knows how to hide in the songs but as soon as he's not there you can tell that something is missing. He is a consummate player and more and more we seem to fit together very well.

When I'm not feeling too good, he's always there to lean on. He can trade licks with me at the drop of a hat and never gets in the way.

Johnnie is always #1 on my team sheet - cos we rehearse at his house!

Dave Bowie - upright bass

Dave Bowie has also involved with me for many years now. Sometimes we go out as a two piece, me on steel or acoustic or maybe a Gibson 335. He plays groovy upright acoustic and electo-acoustic bass. He's also a master on the electric bass.

A lovely bloke to be with, Dave has a broad grasp of a lot of styles. He can be stubborn sometimes but usually he's right! When I play with Dave, anything can happen. We can take songs anywhere. As there are only two of us, it's easy to play around with the arrangements. This is really good fun as it kind of puts the songs in a different light. It's good to explore the tunes and find they can be interpreted in so many different ways.

Charlie Speed - guitars and lead vocal

And then there's me.

So that's what the Charlie Speed Band is all about. We are a team of enthusiasts who travel around the country playing together. We have a load of fun, and we know where all the best fish & chip shops are. But the music is always the most important thing on the menu.

I count on all the members of my band as soul brothers. We read and understand each other so well. It's a pleasure to be around them all in one way or another.

Oh - and they all like curry. Which is a real plus if you want to be in my band!