Phoenix River Band
Chris Melhuish (lead guitar and vocals)
Chris started playing guitar at 12 years old – a white rosetti ‘jazz’ acoustic and then later his first electric guitar – a vox – bought from his paper round wages! For recording these days, Chris uses a number of guitars – Les Paul, Strat, Tele and his old favourite the PRS custom. Amongst his acoustic guitars, the Taylor is used mostly for recording and the mandolin and a few notes on a pedal steel have made it on tracks too.
Chris has been writing songs for most of his life – even as far back as late 70s for Carlin Music. The band has recorded at INFAR and now Old Tavern Studios and Chris has engineered, produced and been the main tea maker on the last five albums!
Jo Melhuish (vocals/backing vocals)
Jo joined PRB in 2011 and has been the mainstay in the BV (backing vocals) department as well as singing main vocal on some of the new tracks. Jo’s been singing since she was three (plastic microphones singing along with Culture Club! – where is that photo?). At 15, Jo played bass in local bands on the Bristol gig circuit. After performing backing vocals in a band while at university, Jo returned to Bristol and joined AFGM in 2007 as a backing vocalist, later becoming part of PRB.
Dave Dunster (drums and vocals)
Dave has been playing drums since he was given his very first drum at the tender age of three years. Major inspirations when growing up include Jeff Piccaro and Steve Gadd. Dave’s favourite bands include Toto and Steely Dan, to mention but a few. Dave has played in many bands over a long drumming career and, now in PRB, is also putting his vocal talents to good use too!
Shelley Dunster (backing vocals)
Shelley grew up in a musical family and has had a keen interest in music since taking up the keyboard and cornet at age seven; since then taking part in many musical performances in choirs and singing groups over the years. Shelley was thrilled to be asked to sing and record with the Phoenix River Band in November 2014.
Tim Martin (bass guitar)
Tim has been a musician most of his life, starting with the usual piano lessons following which he graduated onto the French Horn, where amazingly he managed to achieve Grade 6. Discovering the guitar aged 12 he quickly moved towards the double bass and started playing electric bass aged 16, on an ‘Audition’ (Woolworths) instrument! This resulted in membership of many bands, both covers and originals, and an apocryphal story is that he once received a call from Van Morrison’s management to stand in as the bassist had gone AWOL – sadly, after he’d rehearsed with the band on stage, the bassist turned up, much to Tim’s annoyance! Having developed a melodic style of playing, he cites key influences as John Entwistle, Chris Squire and Geddy Lee. Indeed, he was once introduced to John Entwistle by Jim Marshall (yes, THAT Jim Marshall). Since 1986 his main stage bass has been an Ibanez RB960 and he also has a Fender Precision. Amplification is courtesy of Mark Bass and Bergantino.
A founder member of AFGM (with Chris) he has once again returned to help drive the band forwards and contribute once again to some new material with PRB.
Andy Allpass (keyboards and vocals)
Andy Allpass was educated (and was also a choir boy) at Bristol Cathedral School. Then he went to The Royal Academy of Music, London for two years. When he returned home he started playing with various local bands, and has continued this trend throughout his continuing music career. He also works as a professional Music Director in various theatres. Andy has also had his own original music published for children's educational purposes. Andy loves all aspects of his music life - if his mother hadn't forced him to do his piano practice, where would he be now?! - so eternally grateful to his mum for that!
Robert Craven (guitars)
The newest recruit on six strings, Rob cut his teeth in school bands around South East London — one lineup even featured Neil and his sister, the late, great Kirsty MacColl. After moving west, he ran RCA Sound Studio in Bath and tore up the local pub and uni circuit with a string of homegrown bands. His weapons of choice: a Martin acoustic, a Gretsch resonator, and his ever-faithful Fender Strat. Influences: The Beatles, The Stones, Steely Dan, early Fleetwood Mac.
