Biography
History
South East Essex - Late 90's. Burnham based band "The Ripsters" arrived on the scene. A successful two years of local gigs then saw the band members part due to job and family moves.
Ripster remnants (Glenn Relfe & Pete Elphinstone) and new friends (Roy Smith & Steve Pritchard) gave rise to the nucleus of a new band. Female vocals were added (Gemma Poston, Kerrie Angell & Katie Johnson), allowing a far wider range of lead vocal possibilities along with the obvious harmony capabilities needed for powerful live performances.
Several drummers came - several drummers went, until in early 2004 Neil Hogan joined the ranks. The line up was now complete, the name Nuff Sed. The early promise - evident, its evolution - exciting.
Great performances of energy, power and passion - CHECK 'EM OUT !!!
Members
Glenn 'Relfey' Relfe (Vocals/harmonica) - My early musical tastes were heavily influenced by the soul and Motown of 'big sister's' record collection. Teen years saw a personal discovery of rock, funk and, in my late 20's, rhythm & blues, particularly Dr. Feelgood (hence the harmonica fixation !) Always singing I became a late developer performing-wise. Having formed 'The Ripsters' in 1997 with Pete Elphinstone and Grant Garwood, I played my first live gig in February 1998 - in my 40th year !
Gemma Poston (Vocals) - Having only had "singing in the shower" experience I was really surprised when I was asked, while having my teeth done by Pete Elphinstone (he's my dentist!), if I could sing and if I would like to join a band!!! After a lot of doubt I decided to say yes and agreed to go along to a barn to meet them. I'm sure you can imagine what I was expecting in this barn, but as I opened the door I was pleasantly surprised - there on a stage were the band with all the necessary band gear. If you've ever heard your voice through a microphone you'll understand that it seems really weird and it still scares the hell out of me now. After months, actually about 3 years (much to Glenn's annoyance) I have finally found the confidence to want to be heard and not whisper through the microphone, having said that I have always had an overwhelming desire to get up and do it again, it's just so much fun - Nuff Sed!
Kerrie Angell (Vocals) - Kerrie started singing at a very early age and soon after showed musical promise. A keen pianist and flute player, she found her niche singing. Kerrie studied a two year performing arts course at a college in Southend, obtaining a distinction, from there appointed as singing teacher for the Mushroom Theatre company. Kerrie's theatre credits include Serena in Fame, Glinda in The Wiz, the lead role in Pandora's Box at the Palace Theatre, a showcase at the Cliffs Pavillion in Southend and many dance shows with choreographer Penny Bubb. Kerrie joined Nuff Sed in 2002.
Katie Johnson (Vocals) - I first met the band when I just happened to walk in on one their first gigs at a local sailing club. It was near the end of the night and so as you can imagine I was slightly trollied. I happened to notice the bands keyboard player was my music teacher from school so, when the night was comming to an end i walked over and said, slightly sluring and only half meaning it "Hi sir, if you ever need a singer gimme a call." And he did. I have always enjoyed singing and sang in school concerts but have always lacked the performing side (the term two left feet comes to mind). Any way, not knowing quite what to expect, I joined and have loved every minute - even picked up a few dancing steps!
Steve Pritchard (Keyboards) - I can't really remember anything earlier in my life other than struggling to learn the piano at about age 4. Once I had begun to get the hang of the piano, it was the squeaky plastic recorder at the age of 7, followed by the painful violin at about 8. Onwards - Dropped the violin in favour of the cello and discovered the Hammond Organ at about age 13 and was playing jazz and accompanying solo singers etc. in the clubs around my part of Yorkshire. I was lucky enough to have been offered a college place without the need for A level results, and so escaped from the Yorkshire coal field to Newton Park College just outside the city of Bath - wow, what a hot house of music talent and opportunity, got very good at the piano, got engaged, didn't get married, started teaching. (Still teaching!) I then moved around a lot. Started teaching in Bristol, moved to Fleet, could have joined Squeeze, but didn't, and left that bit in the hands of Jools Holland. From there to Devonand got into playing regularly with bands for the first time. Then I moved to Somerset and started playing at a Haven camp, for a change, where I met my future wife. I could have started to work on the cruise ships but didn't. Moved to Essex, teaching in Burnham, got married, had three boys in addition to meeting/teaching Kerrie and Katie. Marked my years at Burnham High School by remembering the order of school productions, all very good, some amazing including three new operas that I doubt will ever see the light of day again, which is a shame. Now divorced, looking after my boys and playing music with the bands. That's about it folks other than to say that it is only the needs of my three wonderful boys and the friendship in the bands that keeps me going. They say that if you have just one true friend, then you are a lucky man. In retrospect, I must be one of the luckiest people around with so many good friends.
Roy Smith (lead guitar) - I started playing guitar at 15 after I decided to quit the school brass band and swap my trombone for an electric guitar ! After playing our own songs with a few friends I have been in several Essex bands playing in the UKand mainland Europe(once playing with Mike Oldfield of "Tubular Bells" fame.) I have also played in a blues duo with Geoff Johnson from Southend based rock and blues band, "The Business". I was asked to play guitar with Nuff Sed in 2002 where I started at the same time as Steve Pritchard.
Neil (Drums) - Neil studied under the tutorage of Bob Armstrong. His professional theatre credits include Godspell, Crazy for You, Carousel, Fiddler on the Roof, Me and My Girl, Annie, A Slice of Saturday Night (starring Bernie Nolan) and the National tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Over the years Neil has been a member of many bands including The Rocking Devils, Starfish, Rio and a number of jazz ensembles. Neil's recording credits include Ain't Life Good (original cast recording), Tape's Rolling, The Way We Were and On The Road Again. Neil has also supported various artists, singers and comedians at cabaret venues and theatres across the country. Neil joined Nuff Sed in 2004.
Peter Elphinstone (bass guitar) - I first started playing guitar and bass in bands at university but later reverted to being a "bedroom" player for a while. I took up lessons with fusion guitarist, Tony Sandeman and then played bass with "The Ripsters" which I joined with Glenn Relfe in 1997. Following The Ripsters, Glenn and I formed Nuff Sed in 2002 and here I am, still playing bass and looking at the back of Glenn's head !