Dark Side Of The Wall are a Coventry, UK based 8 piece band who have just celebrated their 12th Anniversary year. During this time they have built up a substantial following and a reputation for recreating not just the music, but also the atmospheric live performances of one of the world’s most enduring rock bands, the legendary Pink Floyd.
DSOTW have experienced several line-up changes over those 12 years and these have enabled the band to stay fresh, and faithful to their original premise; performing live Pink Floyd music to dedicated fans throughout the midlands and beyond.
The band originally started back in 1996 when former lead guitarist John Wall decided to perform some Pink Floyd numbers at his 50th Birthday party. The event was so well received it seemed natural to expand the set and start hitting the gig circuit. From these humble beginnings the band gradually grew in stature, both in terms of their audience and the type of venues they were now able to appear at. The addition of live percussion and saxophone in 2001 took DSOTW from their regular 6 piece line up to 8 full time band members. It also took the band to a new level and they started performing regularly to sell-out theatres, halls and arts centres. A year later they brought onboard an intelligent lighting show to give the full Floydian effect, as well as several home designed effects such as the Comfortably Numb mirror ball and two inflatable pigs!
The band went through a watershed moment in their history at the end of 2004 with the departure of a couple of founder members, including the aforementioned John Wall and his son Michael, who left at the same time as the incumbent lead vocalist and the sax player - leaving just half a band!. Their final show was marked by DSOTW winning the prestigious Leicester Mercury ‘Performance of the Year’ Award for that year! However, despite many people fearing the end of the line at this point, a concerted effort was made by the four remaining members to find, audition and rehearse four new people for 2005. The very apparent enthusiasm these new members brought along simply added a fresh impetus to the band and resulted in the present line up going from strength to strength, including a further awards nomination the following year.
Two members with six years in the band behind them are Steve Chilton on bass and Pete Riley on keyboards. Following the retirement of his dad Barry in December 2006, Jody Page has now taken on the full drumming responsibilities from his former role of percussionist. The four 2005 recruits are Andy Nixon on lead guitar, Jon Murdock on rhythm guitar and keyboards, Sarah Price on saxophone and Mick Freeman on lead vocals. With six vocalists and a tendency to swap instruments depending on the demands of each song the band prides itself on it’s flexibility, something which is crucial in doing justice to Floyd’s amazingly diverse back catalogue.
Playing well over 2 hours of classic tracks in an almost reverent tribute to Pink Floyd, a Dark Side Of The Wall show is terrific entertainment and, despite the perceived seriousness of the music, they prove that a Floyd show can put a smile on your face! Entertainment is key and the priority is to ensure the audience have thoroughly enjoyed themselves. A superb moving light show and several special effects add to the overall visual spectacle, being an essential part of the band’s performance.
Whether you are a bona-fide ‘Floydie’ or just looking for a really good night out, a DSOTW show is a must for all genuine fans of rock music at it’s best and it’s most evocative.
DSOTW have experienced several line-up changes over those 12 years and these have enabled the band to stay fresh, and faithful to their original premise; performing live Pink Floyd music to dedicated fans throughout the midlands and beyond.
The band originally started back in 1996 when former lead guitarist John Wall decided to perform some Pink Floyd numbers at his 50th Birthday party. The event was so well received it seemed natural to expand the set and start hitting the gig circuit. From these humble beginnings the band gradually grew in stature, both in terms of their audience and the type of venues they were now able to appear at. The addition of live percussion and saxophone in 2001 took DSOTW from their regular 6 piece line up to 8 full time band members. It also took the band to a new level and they started performing regularly to sell-out theatres, halls and arts centres. A year later they brought onboard an intelligent lighting show to give the full Floydian effect, as well as several home designed effects such as the Comfortably Numb mirror ball and two inflatable pigs!
The band went through a watershed moment in their history at the end of 2004 with the departure of a couple of founder members, including the aforementioned John Wall and his son Michael, who left at the same time as the incumbent lead vocalist and the sax player - leaving just half a band!. Their final show was marked by DSOTW winning the prestigious Leicester Mercury ‘Performance of the Year’ Award for that year! However, despite many people fearing the end of the line at this point, a concerted effort was made by the four remaining members to find, audition and rehearse four new people for 2005. The very apparent enthusiasm these new members brought along simply added a fresh impetus to the band and resulted in the present line up going from strength to strength, including a further awards nomination the following year.
Two members with six years in the band behind them are Steve Chilton on bass and Pete Riley on keyboards. Following the retirement of his dad Barry in December 2006, Jody Page has now taken on the full drumming responsibilities from his former role of percussionist. The four 2005 recruits are Andy Nixon on lead guitar, Jon Murdock on rhythm guitar and keyboards, Sarah Price on saxophone and Mick Freeman on lead vocals. With six vocalists and a tendency to swap instruments depending on the demands of each song the band prides itself on it’s flexibility, something which is crucial in doing justice to Floyd’s amazingly diverse back catalogue.
Playing well over 2 hours of classic tracks in an almost reverent tribute to Pink Floyd, a Dark Side Of The Wall show is terrific entertainment and, despite the perceived seriousness of the music, they prove that a Floyd show can put a smile on your face! Entertainment is key and the priority is to ensure the audience have thoroughly enjoyed themselves. A superb moving light show and several special effects add to the overall visual spectacle, being an essential part of the band’s performance.
Whether you are a bona-fide ‘Floydie’ or just looking for a really good night out, a DSOTW show is a must for all genuine fans of rock music at it’s best and it’s most evocative.