•  The basis of what was to become The Roosters started when Jeff and guitarist Alan met in March of 1994 when Jeff answered an ad for a drummer following his departure from Northumberland based rock band Xposure. Jeff had originally been a drummer for some time prior to meeting Alan and with the addition of Vinnie Johnson on vocals, Kevin Weatherly on second guitar and Ivor on bass the band was born under it`s original name of After Hours (below).

• The bands only gig as After Hours at the Platinum Club, Newcastle United in June 1994 with Vinnie Johnson (front) and Ivor on bass (front right) and Jeff at the back on drums

Their first (and only) gig was a charity event at the Platinum Club at Newcastle United in the June of 1994 following which vocalist Vinnie decided to leave the band. The band split and a few months went by before Alan and Jeff got together again to try and resurect what had the potential of being a good band. At this time it was becoming difficult finding a suitable replacement for Vinnie so Jeff, who had previous limited experience of singing in local working men`s clubs, decided to give the vocals a go. Barry Fenwick was recruited on bass and Peter Shepherd on drums along with a second guitarist Kenny. This was the first outing of the band known as the Roosters and this line up successfully gigged for about 3 years.

As with most bands playing pubs, musical differences and general problems such as family and being poached by other bands began to creep in and Peter Shepherd left the band to pursue other things. Steve Glendinning replaced Peter on drums and not long after that Kenny was the next one to go. Martin the Makem joined the band and was a very capable rock guitarist. Again this line up soldiered on for about another 3 years. Steve the drummer left  and was replaced by Eric Glindon who had a wealth of experience as well as being the bands main supply of jokes (both of the sick and normal variety). tha bands bass player Barry Fenwick then left the fold to be replaced by cockney Andy who didnt last too long before being given his P45,  he was replaced by Big Al who is a legend in his own right around the North East pub circuit. In between Andy leaving and Big Al`s arrival, Dave Dowson who is the bands current bass player came on board temporarily to help out (he was committed to another band at the time).

• The Roosters, 1998 with Steve Glendinning, Barry Fenwick and Martin the Makem with Jeff and Alan far left.

• Big Al became the next "want-away" when he left the band to join Free/ Bad Company tribute Free at Last, enter Peter Fraser, a Durham based bassist who was part of the band for just over a year. Eric also decided it was time to move on and chose to rejoin his old mates in a local Tyneside sixties covers band. Steve Glendinning then rejoined the band allbeit briefly because he was accepted for training as a paramedic and could not commit himself to the bands schedule. Jon Hillas became the next recruit and had been involved with a soul band as well as other projects. Jon remained the bands drummer until recently - the longest serving band member other than Jeff and Alan. Peter Fraser then jumped ship and young Joe who was a barman at Sammy Jacks became the next bassist in the band. Joe was a vey capable musician and all seemed well until he decided to join the Royal Marines. That was after about a year which is when Big Al was brought back into the band on bass and remained in the band for 2 years until he decided to take time out from relentless gigging and semi-retire. Dave Dowson accepted a full time place in the band as bassist forllowing the demise of his band Scooby and remains in the band to date.

• The band in 2003 with Big Al on bass (back) and Jon Hillas on drums (right)

 Following Jon Hillas`s departure recently, the newest recruit to the Rooster fold is drummer Peter Hudson. Peter and bassist Dave Dowson had worked together in the past and it has only taken a couple of weeks to get the band ready to hit the road once again. Peter`s first gig will be a private function at the Metro Centre in Gateshead and then back on the pub circuit.