The Old Boys Network

The Old Boys Network (OBN), started as an idea for a project - conceived around the end of 2005 by Bernie Fox and Steve Hampton - two old friends who have trodden the boards for as long as boards have been there to tread.

Both Steve and Bernie have had diverse musical histories, but were always threatening to cross swords one day.

Welcome to Chris Fretwell

Bernie and Steve both decided that an old friend, Chris Fretwell (bass) was the perfect compatriot to form a band, writing original material and having a jolly good laugh in the process. And so, The Old Boys Network was formed.

The debut album

Both Steve and Chris are writers and the amalgamation of the two completely differing styles were to prove helpful in finding a direction that would obviously manifest itself and bring about the songs for the First album ‘On the and of One’.

After writing and recording ‘On the and of One’ All three decided that the so called (project) had somehow attained a life of it’s own and maybe it might be a hoot to take the songs out and air them publicly. In the meantime, Chris had had enough of England and decided a move abroad. This threw a spanner in the works but both Steve and Bernie were more than up for carrying on.

The Whippersnapper!

Both the old boys then looked towards Robbie 'The Whippersnapper' Dwyer, - who had helped them record the album and spent hours with the band mixing and mastering and listening to all the foul language and tomfoolery.

Rob, being a guitar player and vocalist (harmonies) was a no brainer of a choice, as he knew the album inside out. This left the OBN with another problem, as a show with Wishbone Ash was rapidly looming! Steve jumped on Bass for the moment and an old friend Alan Earp (guitar) was drafted in to help get the OBN show on the road. Success…… the Wishbone boys were happy and became mates and the songs were well received by All. A good night was had.

Fairwell to Alan, Hello to Mike

Alan wanted to stay on but his own career took a turn that meant he had to leave. As luck had it, Mike Fowler (bass) was more than willing to join in the fray and The OBN became a unit once again, with Steve, going back to guitar and the OBN becoming a four piece.

 

Fairwell to Mke, Hello to George

The OBN had to say goodbye to Mike in 2010 as his own career and projects dictated his departure to fields anew. The OBN are now convinced that the bizarre drummer accidents of Spinal tap, are spookily in line with the OBN but with bass players instead!! but to the OBN 's knowledge, none of the old members have spontainiously combusted or died in freak gardening accidents.

So hello to gorgeous George (blue steel) Allen. strangely..... Steve has known George since the jurassic period and played in a band with George way back before records began! George has brought a new dimension to the OBN in as much as if only to proove, that care in the community really does work. Keep your eyes open for this one!!!!

Now.... here's a thing.........

The OBN are now under the illustrious wing of Mr Phil Finch who is now manager of the band. Any of you old rockers out there from Thin Lizzy, Deep Purple, Sprincsteen to Pavaroti will no doubt remember this name! So hello to the captain or "lonely" as Lemmie calls him and The OBN are looking forwards to whatever happens due to this illustrious nutter!!

Where we are now...

Since then the band has gone from strength to strength, with various shows and supports (thanks Millar) filling the bands itinery, a successful DVD launch and a new Album which should be ready in the first quarter of 2009.

So far to date, The OBN have released two albums........On the and of One. The first album, was a project put together by the original band members which led to the OBN realising that the whole coccept was more than a release of pent up energy or a midlife crisis and catapulted the ethic of the band into a fully formed and serious entity. Warm Glow, The second album, found a thread and a direction that the OBN could really relate to, thus enabling the band to take the ethos out into a wider spectrum and finding that audiences from young to old got the message. There is a new album on the boards and the OBN are starting to record this album in march of this year. "Cant wait!" is the general concensus of the band and this new album should bring an amalgamation of all the forces and influences that make the OBN what they are! The thread is even stronger and having heard some of the demos, this looks to be one hell of an up and savagly rootsy piece of work. Keep your eyes open for this one!

There is a DVD which will be released in April....Live at the Theatre Royal......beautifully captured and showing the appeal that seems to grow from strength to strength. Totally entertaining and proper old school live ethic in abundance. More than worth the watch!

This is a concise biography of the band but if you’d like to know more, get in touch with us by using the contact us form - and I think you’ll find that the boys will get back to you (which is more then some bands will do!)

 

Keep in Touch!

Thanks for taking the time to read this and please have a good peruse of this website. You’ll find loads of stuff that’ll keep you amused. Of course….. if you buy anything at all, you have the heartfelt thanks of everyone at the OBN family and don’t forget to get in touch. We want you to!