Always striving to be my own person, artist and influence. 'Always be yourself'

samh.bandcamp.com if you like

Organic lyrics with trance like repetitive rhythms and psychedelic overtones

Music written in dreams, on top of mountains and during out of body experiences

***All Pilgrym & Tony Drake tracks are written, recorded and produced by Andy Wells at Hydeaway Studios, except "Rush Hour" & "The Busker [Mr Majestic]" which were were co-written by TonyDrake/Andy Wells, I play guitar on all tracks ! Enjoy !!***
I was born on the 24th February 1950 into a musical [Brass Band] family. At 15 I worked in the local WMC's doing cover versions of the Rolling Stones, Pretty Things & old blues numbers, as THE IMAGE. The Guitarist in the band Brian Schofield was one of the best local guitarists and I learned so much from watching him play !! This line up eventually turned into the EARLY WARNING SYSTEM doing more sixties Psych/Blues and began to pick up good support slots.

In 1967 I was asked to join CKREED BLUES BAND as Singer/Harp player. The band included Dave Hewitt, later of Doc K's & Babe Ruth, and Gren Fraser later of Elias Hulk and Blow. We toured for 2 years with bands like Chicken Shack, Fleetwood Mac etc and were regulars at the legendary Builders Club in Huddersfield.

After my dad passed away in 1969 I went to London to try and "Make it" as a lot of young musicians did, I did endless auditions for bands like Uriah Heep, CMU, Mott the Hoople and King Crimson [Bob Fripp said I was great but the wrong star sign ??] I toured with IRON DUKE until 1972, included in this band early on was Laurence Juber [Wings] supporting The Herd, Yes, Black Widow, T Rex etc.

In 1975 I joined RUDY & THE ZIPPS, we toured and supported acts like Chris Spedding, Quiver, Be-Bop Deluxe, and recorded 2 sessions for EMI [Tracks like "Reborn" were written around this time]

I then had an horrific accident which squashed my middle finger, and put together with the accident at 5 years old, which took of half of my first [Bar] finger, I only had, and still have, two working fingers. Not thinking I would ever play again I sold some of my treasured Gibsons.

It took me 15 years and a kick up the arse from my two sons [now in EVILE] to develop a different style of playing I was happy with - hopefully you cant see the join !!!

In 2000 I met Andy Wells [Voyager, John Verity, Baby Taccoo, Berlin] in a Bradford Music shop, and I agreed to put some lead guitar on his "Lost the Will to Play"" album, that went so well we formed PILGRYM, initially just to record, but we released it on Transubstans Records in Sweden in 2004, with distribution through Record Heaven, to great worldwide reviews.I am lead Guitarist in PILGRYM & VELVET LAKE, currently working on re-releasing "Pilgrimage" and second PILGRYM CD "The Divide".

Thanks for all your awesome support and encouragement but especially OL & Matt my sons who are great guitarists in world touring EVILE ....hope to party with you all soon !! Tones.

“Vitriolic punk rock that’s vital and relevant to what’s going on today. Knuckle are one of the most accomplished bands on the circuit right now.” - Under the Radar

“Huddersfield may not have many hugely recognisable bands currently, but this album will surely change that” - Punktastic

“Sheer visceral attitude” - The Arts Desk

Here’s The Steeple is the musical handle of Dan Walters. Dan’s songs combine intricate textures and thoughtful lyrics with a wide range of folk influences, all delivered with a uniquely rich and soulful Northern voice to warm you up like a good cup of tea. Here’s The Steeple is supported by Help Musicians.

Here’s the Steeple has received support from BBC Radio 6, Fresh On The Net, and BBC Music Introducing on Radio Tees among others, and has supported artists including Scott Matthews, Will Varley, Rozi Plain, Tiny Ruins, and Steve Mason (The Beta Band). Members of The Unthanks have said “Your album sounds fantastic! I’ve had it on in my car for months!”

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