BEV WRIGHT – Vocals, backing vocals and percussion

Takes every opportunity that comes along and worry later.  It was this approach to life and a dubious escapade involving a bottle of Southern Comfort and a friendly guitarist that got Bev into the music business.  Since then she’s never looked back in case someone unpleasant is in pursuit.  Many bands have passed under the bridge since then and have drowned in their efforts to get away.  Sadly, this band has not been so lucky as she has had the foresight to issue everyone with life jackets. Bev met her husband through the A.A. (Astrological Association) and since their marriage, the band has had to come to terms with her being “Wright” all the time. Bev is famous for her extensive wardrobe (early Georgian, she thinks) and describes herself as creative, friendly and easy going in spite of what the others might say.

BRIAN ROBERTSON (Robbo) - Vocals, backing vocals, acoustic guitar and percussion

The most talented member of the band combining virtuoso guitar with killer vocals are some of the comments made about someone else. Brian is more punctual than George and deserves credit for this. In his more extrovert moments he will admit that the others are jealous of his matinee idol looks.

RICHIE JEFFREY – Vocals, backing vocals and percussion

I first took an interest in music when I was four years old after getting a real record player for Christmas. I was always interested in music and upon leaving school I decided on a college course specialising in vocals and piano.

When the course finished I realised it would be a good idea to learn a bit more about the actual music industry so continued studying the management and marketing of the music business. This course lead to my current job in radio marketing.

I really enjoy singing in the band and I think the others like me being there to lower the average age a bit!

CATRIONA MACTAGGART – Tenor and alto saxophone, flute, keyboard and vocals, (and Director of Music)

Having a music teacher for a mother, Catriona had no choice but to get involved in music from a very early age. Playing piano and recorder from the age of about 2, she began a very varied musical career. She studied music at university, playing the flute, and went on to follow in her mum’s footsteps, going into music education. Now working as a music teacher, Catriona tries to find plenty of opportunities to play, sing and teach outside school, in particular, with various musical theatre companies. In an effort to lower the average age of the band even more, her uncle (you get to guess which one that is!) invited her to be the baby of ‘Hip Op’. She is having a great time playing and singing with the group, and is slowly trying to break the record for how many instruments you can play in the one band – starting with the one-note samba on the keyboard!

DAVID BAIN – Keyboards & Guitars

Dave was born in the Highland village of Helmsdale on the east coast of Sutherlandshire. By the time he was 12, the family could no longer cope with the cosmopolitan lifetstyle and so moved even further north to Orkney. This proved to be a musical awakening for young Dave because despite its isolation from the rest of the world, Orkney harboured a wealth of local talent and one or two musicians as well. Early influences included the Alexander Brothers along with Fran and Anna, and by the time he was 15, Dave realised his musical dream by winning a scholarship to the Les Dawson Academy for Gifted Pianists. The inspiration Dave drew from his time at the academy has underpinned all his musical ventures since and in the words of the late Eric Morecambe has “been playing all the right notes, although not necessarily in the right order”.

JIM FOTHERINGHAM (Fothy) – Drums (Band Manager)

Jim has been banging away longer than any other member of the band. His inauguration as a piano player with his original Fife band “The Pebbles” made such an impact that he found himself on drums several weeks later! The Pebbles released a gospel album in 1969 which is now a vinyl collector’s item. He appeared as guest drummer on several other unknown EP’s by gospel artists in the late 60’s, but reckoned this was to do with his services being free rather than the demand for an ace drummer! However, his 1975 Rogers drum kit is a true collector’s item. Jim reckons there can only be a few of its kind in the entire UK.

GEORGE WEST (Dod) – Bass Guitar

Whilst George is reticent about the use of `veteran`, the terminology is inescapable. He has been playing in various bands around Edinburgh and further afield for the past thirty years. Despite this, his enthusiasm and tone remain un-blunted (especially when his strings have been freshly poached in a little vinegar) Many mistakenly assume the term `Fender-bender` is the legacy of a rather devil-may–care motoring holiday which George enjoyed whilst researching traditional string renovation techniques in New Orleans but he’s a very careful and considerate driver.

One of George’s favourite bands of all time was the incomparable `Little Feat`. His own feet are really quite large in relation to his height but George reckons they’re damned near perfectly formed. Even if some of you disagree with this assessment, he is well known for keeping his shoes beautifully polished.

PHIL WHITTAKER - (Guitars, Vocals and Keyboards)

Phil took his first faltering steps on piano at the age of six and was soundly beaten for scratching such a fine instrument. After a brief encounter with clarinet, he found his perfect partner in the guitar just as puberty struck. Initially attracted to the classical playing of Julian Bream and John Williams, young Philip quickly discovered that the earnestly plucked Bach gavotte was never going to fast track him to a life of hedonistic pleasures. It would be easy to scoff and assume that the sole reason you now find him strapped to a Stratocaster is due to this adolescent revelation. Phil would of course vigorously deny this as he opens another bottle of Chateau Rouget and whispers sweet nothings in the ear of his latest “muse”.