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Graham’s influences are wide ranging – from Bach to Cher and from Joseph Locke to Jacques Brel, who Graham believes to be his greatest influence, citing his words as poetic and thought provoking, and his music as highly evocative. Graham is also inspired by the way that Meat Loaf acts his songs – and relates to the emotion that the singer feels on stage.

“When I am on stage I feel relaxed, confident and (generally) in control! I love the opportunity to do something I enjoy and am good at, for the entertainment of others. I see it as an escape from the more serious, problematic side of life. The adrenaline rush, and the laughter and applause of the audience are highly motivating and thrilling!”

My most memorable moment with the band so far has been the experience of performing in Dubai – particularly at the end of each show with the whole audience up dancing and singing. I feel that we have a lot to offer and can add a lot more to our range to get an even better response at future performances!”

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HARRY CONNOLLY was just 10 years old when he sang solo in front of 3000 people in Leeds Town Hall. Ever since then, Harry has enjoyed the attention and adrenalin rush that performing on stage brings; “I come alive when I am on stage! Give me an audience and I feel like ME! If anything was possible, a gig at Wembley Arena or Birmingham NEC would be a dream come true – or maybe as an act in the next LIVE AID singing to half the planet. Alternatively, lets just get one song right!!” (He’s joking!)

Like many people, Harry cites The Beatles as his favourite band. My first musical memory was listening to The Beatles and singing "She Loves You (Yea Yea Yea)" on the upstairs of a bus while coming home from my Auntie Philis’s house at Christmas 1963! Beatles music which is always good background music, and I like to sing along as I know all the words. They were and are still the best – their music was so ahead of it's time.”

“My favourite single of all time would have to be Marvin Gaye – I Heard it Through the Grapevine. If I could only ever listen to one song again, it would have to be The Beatles’ 'Yesterday' because if I really could only listen to one song, something terrible must have just happened...so it looks as though all my troubles are here to stay!” n

Harry’s worst moment was during a performance when he started singing George Michael’s ‘Faith’ when the mic wasn't working and Steve’s Guitar amp wasn't switched on, and they had to do half a song unaccompanied! “My most memorable moment on performing with the band was watching Merv trying to play his bass when his Guitar strap snapped.” Ever the professionals, Harry and the boys carried on in their trademark ‘the show must go on’ spirit that makes each OLD PECULiAR performance unforgettable!

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Mervyn plays bass guitar and 6 string guitar, and was in his first band at college. “I met a guy who asked me if I wanted to be in a band, and I then started playing in a 1960s cover band.

“In terms of music, the Beatles, Sting and David Gray are my main sources of inspiration. I also listen to classical music, particularly Vivaldi. If there were only one song or band I could ever listen to again it would have to be the Beatles because the diversity of the sound and song writing techniques that is evident in their songs. The song would probably be something like 'Golden Slumbers' (Beatles - at the end of the Abbey Road album) - it is several songs put together, and is a fantastically evocative piece of music.

Like all the others, Merv cites his experience of performing in front of sell out audiences in Dubai as his greatest moments with the band, and his most memorable was receiving a standing ovation in Milford Haven. Not all his performances are ones he cares to remember however – “in my previous band, we used to do a Full Monty section and one night my bits were hanging out of my thong in front of about 400 people. It happened again with Compact during one of our plays!” Who says lightning doesn’t strike twice!?

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PHIL HURST particularly enjoys musical theatre and has been singing on stage and in school and church choirs since the age of 7.

Phil was first introduced to music by a cleaning lady who brought him a new record each week. “My brother invariably got something by the Rolling Stones (one of the top acts at that time of course) and I received similar (!?) -- Val Doonican! I have been trying to walk tall ever since.

To me there is no feeling like the warmth of an audience and the sound of applause or a belly laugh -- that's why I do it! I feel at my most confident on stage and feel that is why drama is so important, especially for children.

My dream for the band is to become "regular" performers; it would be nice to earn a living from it! I would also love to work with a top producer in a top studio.”

Phil’s favourite band has always been Genesis – this love is due to Phil Collins’ superb voice and tremendous stage presence. His eclectic tastes also include Adagio for Strings by Samuel Barber adapted and performed by William Orbit to relax to, and Elton John’s "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" whose earlier work Phil grew up on and enjoyed.

“My greatest moment on stage has to be travelling to idyllic Dubai and going down a storm! The worst moment was sharing a room with Merv - an asthmatic warthog has got nothing on him and I still couldn't get to sleep outside the hotel room at the other end of a long corridor! Apart from that, I have had some of the happiest moments of my life on tour with the band and I just hope there are a lot more to come.”

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STEVE DOLTON trained in English and Drama at Trinity College, Carmarthen and has been involved in music and theatre ever since.

Steve lists his favourite performers as Neil Young, Bob Dylan and many original blues, R + B and Soul acts, but can’t have music on while he is busy “I just have to listen! If there was only one band I could ever listen to again however, it would be The Band. They take me straight back to my late teens and their musicianship still sets me off!”

Steve is a big fan of music that evokes memories, in particular ‘This Old Heart of Mine’ by the Isley Brothers – the song he fell in love to. “My first musical memory is my father singing “The Lion Sleeps Tonight (Whimoweh!)” and he will still slip into it if you don’t stop him!”

Steve plays the guitar and drums and is particularly proficient on the biscuit tins, which he started playing aged 10 when he and his friends tried to be the Beatles. Sadly, he has not been able to include this unique instrument into the band’s current repertoire!

“I feel better on stage than anywhere else which is what makes me want to get on stage and perform - I always enjoyed playing with my mates when I was little and this way I still get to do that! Being on stage makes me feel high and exhilarated but also afraid. The first time I did some stand-up in one of the Compact plays and then sang our musical director’s original song straight after was truly terrifying, to the point where I felt I was having an out of body experience! Saying that, I would love to support Clapton or Van Morrison or Neil Young on a stadium tour!”

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Terry first performed professionally overseas in the early 70’s as a singer with ‘Midnite’, a cabaret band. On returning to England he began his long association with musical theatre, performing with a number of companies, and eventually joining Compact Theatre.

“Working with Compact Theatre and developing into OLD PECULiAR has been a great experience, and working overseas with the lads in Dubai and Abu Dhabi has been the icing on the cake!

I really look forward to performing whenever we have a gig, but I particularly remember the Lowry in Manchester and playing to capacity audiences in the Theatre By The Lake in Keswick.

My most embarrassing moments include falling off the stage in a blackout and picking a harmonica in the wrong key to play the solo; both these disasters were made worse by the obvious mirth of my fellow actors on stage!!

I enjoy working with the rest of the team, never a dull moment, and the reaction that we get from our audiences gives me a real sense of fulfilment.”