MUSIC
Sev left Asylum to form the folk rock band HOUSE, with Tony Backhurst and Tim Wheatley. They were very popular in the Guildford area, with their Monday night performances at the Kings Head in Quarry Street attracting full houses. They also played in London at the Rainbow Theatre, the Marquee and the Hope & Anchor. During this period Sev also recorded & played with HEADWAITER, a band formed by Doug Ferguson (ex CAMEL). In 1979 Sev joined australian singer DUFFO's backing band. He worked with Duffo for several years, and recorded 3 albums with him. He also toured with Stiff band ANY TROUBLE. This period saw Sev working more and more as a studio session musician, recording with many acts including MUNGO JERRY and TIM SMIT (now director of the EDEN PROJECT). In 1981 Sev joined MUNGO JERRY fulltime, and toured worldwide with them for 4 years, as well as recording several albums with the band. He also made several TV appearances with them. In 1989 Sev played keyboards in the Hurtwood Theatre production of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, and 2 years later was musical director for their original production of CYRANO. In 1995 he was approached by old friend Tim Wheatley to help record a new GRACIOUS! album with Tim and other original members Robert Lipson and Alan Cowderoy. The resulting album ECHO was released in 1996 by Centaur Discs. As well as playing keyboards Sev co wrote the material for the album, and also sang lead vocals. Towards the end of 1996 Sev played on the debut album by russian singer TANIA T BLAKK, produced by MOODY BLUES producer the late TONY CLARKE. In the 90s Sev was able to set up a home recording studio, and recorded 2 CDs of mostly instrumental music, NO SUCH THING AS SILENCE (1997) and MARINER (1998), released by Centaur Discs. In 1997 he also recorded an album with his old band from the 70s - HOUSE - entitled WATER UNDER THE BRIDGE. This was released by old friend and journalist JOHN TOBLER on his label RGF RECORDS. The beginning of the millenium saw Sev dividing his time between theatre and music. He recorded an album of songs for actress SARAH MILES, and also did a London run as sound designer with her one woman show THE WIDOW SMILES. He recorded and produced albums for NEW DRUIDS, TANIA'S KITCHEN and DON HOOLEY, ans well as providing the sound design and music for several theatre productions. 2004 saw Sev with new studio premises,and a new fully equipped recording studio. For nearly six months Sev was busy recording VIRGIN WARRIOR, a rock opera based on the life of Joan of Arc, written by singer/actor Zig Byfield. In April 2006 Sev released a new solo album - THIS IS NOT THE END. This collection of 10 tracks includes pieces that Sev composed for theatre projects. It is the 1st CD that Sev has released under his own name. In April 2007 Sev completed a 2 month UK theatre tour with DENNIS LOCORRIERE - ex Dr Hook. The tour reunited him with his old Any Trouble colleagues CLIVE GREGSON and MARTIN HUGHES, and resulted in a gold disc. The live DVD of the tour was in the top ten of the music DVD charts for several weeks. January 2010 saw Sev in the Dordogne, producing and arranging and playing on an album for old Headwaiter colleague TONY LEACH (ex Jackie Lynton). The album, entitled REUNION, was released in April 2010. February 2011 found Sev mixing tracks for Brighton band Jo Jo and the Go-Cats. 2020 - wrote and recorded a new DUFFO album during the first covid lockdown. 2022 - Sev continues to play occasional gigs in France with HOUSE, and is working on a live Electronica set. |
Sev's first paid musical job was as a church organist. During the 70s He played keyboards and occasional guitar in several Guildford based bands, before founding ASYLUM. The band attracted the interest of David Bowie and T Rex producer