It
all started in about November 1994. Matt Barlow called Jon Carter to see
if he would like to play bass in a band he was starting. Then-drummer,
Squib, failed to turn up until about January 1995 but Soulcraft did not
really kick into shape until the following May when Rob Mix finally got
out of the shower and and came to play guitar. Before they knew it, Squib
had booked a gig at The Pit in Witney with local lads Maniacal.Then Squib
was off to college - or was he? No, in fact he wasn't so Soulcraft was
definitely on....
 Matt
Barlow got the Soulcraft ball rolling
after singing in a few local bands. Matt rarely likes to practice which
has meant reading his lyrics from his notebook during gigs. However, when
on form, he really pulls it out of the bag and is often known to make up
the lyrics on the spot depending on his mood. Goes crazy while on stage
on a good night...
Is he really a relation of Gary Barlow? |
 Jon
Carter fellow founder member of pre-Soulcraft
and the responsible old git of the band - known as "Old Man Jon" to some
Soulcraft followers. Drawn to Oxford by something after playing in 3 bands
in Edinburgh and failing to start one in London. After not really getting
into Eynsham-based Stroppy (sadly, now no more) found that Soulcraft was
what he had been looking for. Jon likes to get the bass heavy but funky
and tries to jump around as much as the stage accomodation will allow. |
 Squib.
Well he's sort of back in the band
for the holidays for a few jam sessions, so here he is. Mad and fast but
very original and a hard act to follow. Now trying desperately to get into
the Guiness book of records for being in the most bands at any one time
as he always seems to have a new side-project on the go - and that's as
well as playing in Scribble and Manyeung! |
 Matt
Peek joined late 1996 - just in time
for a couple of gigs, the recording of the Soulcraft2 demo and 'Your Song',
December 1996. Having played for some time in local outfit, TSA, Matt was
invited to join by Matt Barlow when Soulcraft generally accepted that they
could not create the sound they wanted live with only one guitar.
Matt's other claim to fame is that his uncle was in US band America (of 'Horse With No Name' fame) which makes him the resident expert of the country lick! (ooer!) Matt can be held accountable for suggesting The Prodigy's 'Breathe' would be a good cover much to Rob and Matt B's regret it seems... Watch out for him and Jon doing their Status Quo impressions on stage! |
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Ed Scroggie
Got the job of replacing Squib when he finally went to college. For such a young guy he's played with a lot of bands - Janey followed by Especial K then passing briefly through Zinc on the way to Soulcraft. Ed likes his Drum ' n' Bass and does his best to "swing it" whenever possible and often tries to confuse everyone in the band by doing things like "turning the rhythm back on itself" and the like. He's managed to survive the first couple of gigs and some recording but he's a very keen bloke. If we don't get a gig soon he's going to explode. |
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Ben Tolladay
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Rob
Mix gives Soulcraft their hard-core
guitar edge but without losing any melody, especially with his very own
"Rob chords". Rob knows what he likes (usually lots of beer!) and so brought
focus and direction to Soulcraft in the early days.with his numerous ideas
- including the name of the band! Rob is now getting in to letting loose
with some wild guitar solos which are very individual.