Al Ellison
Rhythm guitar and backing vox.
Al started out his Punk Rock n Roll career at 15 years old. His first guitar came from his mam’s mail order catalogue and cost him 20 quid. It was 50 bob down and 10 bob a week and the interest rate was extortionate but Al didn’t care, he’d seen the Pistols on telly and he was having some of it. His first band consisted of members that went on to become Chumba Wumba. Over the years Al has performed with many outfits selling many different genres of music, his heart however is firmly in the camp of punk and ska. Al still plays with the X Rippers today, an old school punk band who have toured with the likes of UK Subs, Slodge, Angelic Upstarts, The Vibrators, The Negatives, Goldblade and many many more.
Barmy Surplus is Alan’s baby, he eats, craps and breathes the band and is a good laugh to be around. A fitness fanatic with a tight streak means Alan jogs every night of the week in a pair of cardboard pumps fashioned from a box of Alpen!
Stuart Farrell
Bass guitar.
Stu’s love of music holds no barriers, his ipod is probably the most eclectic mix of tunes you will ever come across if you’re given the chance to flick through. Relatively new to the live scene, Stu reminds his fellow band members of the late John Entwhistle (The Quiet One as he was known to his friends and fans) Quite austere on stage, and if he throws you a glance cos you’ve made a mistake in rehearsal, you know he means it! Stu hails from Hemsworth just over the West Yorkshire border and is a keen rugby league follower.
Live; Stu’s bass licks have the ability to shake you clean out of your dockers, he means every note and can slap and pluck with the best of em yet could probably hum your baby to sleep with his rhythmic softer edge. The contrast in his playing ability is testament to his many many influences.
Paul Farrell
Lead guitar.
At the time of writing (Late March 09) Paul (Faz) is awaiting the imminent birth of his second child. His first Lilly (less than 2 years old) can be seen at local Barmy Surplus gigs bouncing away down the front with the rest of the Barmy Army faithful….like her dad she is a character and everyone attending the gigs know and love her to bits
Faz has been killing guitars since he was a youth, and like his little brother Stu, has many many influences. He has the ability to improvise anything you care to throw at him from classic rock to The Bay City Rollers, and has a collection of guitars hanging in the stair well at home that Slash would be proud of.
Eddie Connoly
Drums and percussion.
Eddie came into the band in late 07, straight from Ponty punk stalwarts The Yorkshire Rats. He met the band on Tuesday, rehearsed Wednesday and Thursday and was on stage the following weekend. From the offset, the lads knew Eddie was going to be just what they were looking for. Eddies understanding of music brought another dimension to rehearsals. Because of his experience and background he could advise on structure and arrangement of the bands own tunes, and when putting their stamp on covers. Eddie has invaluable input that means time isn’t wasted. Versatile and committed, Eddie has picked up the ethos of Barmy Surplus and like his kit….given it a damn good smacking!
Jethro
Lead vox, trumpet and harmonica.
Jethro was the first person Al (Ellison) approached with regard to putting a ska/punk band together. His love of ska and reggae in all its formats has formed the basis of his music collection since the early 80’s, and can get quite geeky about who sung what and when??
Jethro was no stranger to the microphone having flirted briefly with stand up comedy and bingo calling, but in terms of performing live with a voice, it was largely restricted to drunken strummings with friends on campsites or at friends barbecue’s through the summer months. Barmy Surplus was Jethro’s first shot at the full live band thing. He has been described by Scootering magazines Nik as ‘effervescent’ …which kinda leaves him puzzled yet strangely flattered. Often a little ‘ranty’ on stage, Jethro is passionate and believes what he is singing to be true and right. His flat cap is his trade mark unless his daughter Lucy does him a make over with the hair strengtheners prior to a gig and he is a loyal and active member of Dearne Valley Scooter Club in South Yorkshire (as is Faz incidentally) …Jethro is simply up for it!
Al Stevenson
Keys and backing vocals.
Al is the latest member to be signed to team Surplus. A regular attendee of Barmy gigs and an active member of The Barmy Army (Official fan club) Al has followed the bands progress from the offset. He has always been a fair critic of live performances and his suggestions and understanding of live music has always been an invaluable asset to the band.
Whilst toying with the idea of introducing keyboards to the Barmy sound, it made complete sense that Al stepped in. Al has performed live for years, he is talented and has a vocal range Demis Rousos could not match (For those old enough to remember him!) His understanding of 3 and 4 part harmonies has brought a quality to rehearsals that previously the lads thought was unachievable. Together with his keyboard expertise, the Barmy sound feels whole. Al has one hell of a sense of humour and can crack the lads up with one throw away comment in rehersal….just when they need it most!
