Separated at birth, the four Covers Brothers, Max, Mutley, Leroy and Clayton were reunited in South Devon through their shared interest in music. Though brought up separately, the four boys each grew up to appreciate a wide range of musical styles. However, it was the late 1950s and the 1960s that had the biggest impact on four impressionable lads who were approaching their teen years and listening to popular music on their transistor radios.
Taking separate journeys along the road, which took them across England and to Europe, the brothers established contact with one another. First Mut and Clayton met up in Devon where both happened to be playing in bands. An advert in a newspaper brought a phone call from Leroy who moved from London to join forces in South Devon. A chance meeting with other musicians led to contact with Max, who had also been living in London and had felt drawn to move to the South West. The Covers Brothers Band was formed!
CLAYTON COVERS: Guitar, Vocals.
Born in Northampton, England, Clayton has lived and worked in places as far apart as Canterbury, Whitby, Cambridge and Hull before moving to South Devon. He picked up a Tatra Classic guitar when he was 14 and mastered the full F major chord when he was 15! He fell in love with Connie Francis and pencil skirts at an early, impressionable age but she didn't respond. "I used to listen to her show every week on Radio Luxembourg. She always opened with 'Who's Sorry Now?' and I was instantly gone!" he reflected.
The nylon string Tatra was used to copy the styles of Bob Dylan, James Taylor, Al Stewart and Ralph McTell as Clayton moved on to modern folk/rock music playing in pubs with mates for the beer! "OK, I was into the folk scene!" said Clayton.
The Tatra was replaced by an Eros steel string guitar in 1968 and that was sold to help pay the bills when he was a student. He later bought a Fender F-35 Flat Top Dreadnought in 1974.
"I have an eclectic taste in music," said Clayton. "Anything with a good melody, lyrics or harmonies whether it's Brian Wilson, Bach, Eddie Cantor, Pink Floyd, Archie Fisher, Elgar, Randy Newman, Shania Twain or Ralph McTell …I could go on! There's something new to discover all the time!" Clayton remembers buying his first 45rpm single in 1961. "Take Good Care of My Baby, Bobby Vee. Cost me 6/9d from Woolworths!"
When he's not playing music, Clayton can usually be found rustling something up in the kitchen or on the barbecue. "I've got too many cookbooks," he said. "I could really live on fish and seafood as long as there's a bottle of chilled Muscadet sur lie to go with it. "Have you tried barbecuing a leg of lamb? Delicious!"
Clayton's interests include cooking, eating, wine, books, films, travel, music, love and romance.
EQUIPMENT:
GUITARS:
Yamaha APX 4
1992 Fender Squier Stratocaster
AMP:
Vox Valvetronix AD50
Behringer V-Tone GMX110
STRINGS:
Newtone
Ernie Ball Super Slinky
OTHER:
SM58 Beta microphone, Boss CH-1 Chorus pedal, cables by Klotz and Planet Waves
MUTLEY COVERS: Drums, Percussion, Vocals.
Mutley was born in Exeter, England. "I was fourteen when I started to play the drums," he was heard to say recently, inbetween mouthfuls of chocolate, "and I really liked the style of Mick Avory of the Kinks." Mut developed his own technique of playing and is comfortable with any style of music from jazz to rock. He has played in many bands and has toured extensively in Europe, notably with the Mojos and Edison Lighthouse. One look at the state of Mut's drummer's throne tells the unwritten story of those heady days on the road. "Yeah, but it still does the job despite the wear and tear," laughs Mut.
Mut is also a classically trained pianist and can play the guitar too. But his latest toy is a cajoh or cajón. Mut explains, "Basically it's a rectangular, percussion box made of plywood that you slap with your hands, and if you want, your feet too! That's what the Spanish word cajón means - a crate or a box! It originated from African slaves in Peru in the early 1800s. It's great for Latin rhythms like rumba or flamenco and with modern acoustic guitar. Anyone want some chocolate?"
Mut really likes the music of singer/songwriter Ray Davies and is a dedicated follower of the Kinks. Brian Wilson is another of his all-time favourites. The other main influence on Mut's life has always been food and stems from his band touring days when he always seemed to go hungry! Mention the word "duck" or "tiramisu" and Mut is in heaven!
Apart from food, Mut's interests include more food, cycling and music.
EQUIPMENT:
DRUMS:
Tama Rockstar Custom.
Cymbals Paiste and Zildjian
Heads Reimo, Evans
CAJÓN:
Clearwater
OTHER:
AKG C5900 Microphone
LEROY COVERS: Bass Guitar, Vocals.
"Don't ask me how many bands I've been in, because I can't remember!" said Leroy, but I was 13 when I started playing guitar and then 15 when I started playing bass." Born in Plymouth, England, Leroy attended art college in Liverpool and still loves to be creative with his box of paints. "It would be nice to be well, hung, in the National Portrait Gallery, you think?" explained Leroy with a cheeky smile, "And get a few appreciative glances!"
Leroy gained a lot of experience playing in bands in London, Plymouth and Bristol. He also improved his guitar playing too. "Seriously," said Leroy, "I like most kinds of music but I guess some of my favourite artists include The Police, Olivia Newton-John, ZZ Top and Haircut 100. Is it OK to say that seriously?"
Whenever possible Leroy likes to take his boat along the coast and just relax cruising or fishing. "A golden sunset on the water and a plate of seafood is what it's all about. Perfect!" he reflected.
Leroy's interests include music, sailing and painting.
EQUIPMENT:
GUITARS:
Rickenbacker 4003 Bass
J & D 5-String Acoustic Bass
AMP:
1985 Trace Elliot 350 watt head
Bass Cab 4 x 10"
Bass Cab 1 x 18"
STRINGS:
DR Strings
OTHER:
Shure microphone and cables by anyone that's got a spare!
MAX COVERS: Lead & Rhythm Guitar
Max has lived and worked in Cambridge, Surrey, Cornwall, London, and Devon. He first picked up a classical guitar when he was 12, and has also enjoyed playing electric and folk guitars ever since. He used to really enjoy listening to John Peel on Radio 2. "John Peel played a great variety of music," said Max, "I really loved listening to his show!"
Influenced by Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, and George Harrison, Max has enjoyed playing rock, blues, funk, and jazz in various bands. Other guitars he has owned include a Custom Strat, Roland Guitar Synth, Squier Strat, Antoria Les Paul, and a Gibson SG.
"I have a varied taste in music," said Max. " I listen to Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, The Cult, Metallica, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Paul Desmond, Bob Marley, Vivaldi, and many more."
Max's interests include music, cooking and eating food from many countries, good wines, playing chess, swimming, cycling and walking.
EQUIPMENT:
GUITARS:
Gibson Les Paul Studio
Epiphone Dot
Yamaha APX 4
Santos Martinez SM 150
AMP:
Fender Frontman 65
Roland Cube 15
STRINGS:
Elixir Electric & Acoustic Strings
EFFECTS:
Boss BCB 60 pedal board with Chorus, Digital Delay, Digital Reverb, Phaser, Overdrive
& Distortion, & Chromatic Tuner.
