The Ant Hill Mob were formed in 1989 by Tom Palmer (vocals) and Tony Parsons (guitar), the original line up also featured Steve Agutter (drums), Steve Munroe (rhythm guitar) and Alan (bass). After a series of rehearsals the band made their first public appearance in 1990, gigging at various pubs and clubs along the south coast from their base in the Worthing area of West Sussex. In 1994 founding member Tony Parsons left to pursue other interests to be replaced by Jimmy Niccol, Tony was to later rejoin the band in 1998 when Jimmy moved away from the area. Over the years the band has had half a dozen bass players, Dave Smallbone, Mark 1 & Mark 2, Mick Power, Kevin (now playing with Mad Max), as well as several drummers and other guitarists including Geoff Eagle (ex Quarterpounders), Angus Wigg, ex-Desperate Dan band member Fraser Wigg on keyboards and Wandering Wilf Taylor (ex Blackjacks and Ray Guns) on harp and keyboards.
The current line up of Tom Palmer, Tony Parsons, John Dawes (drums) and Joe Allenby-Byrne (bass), have been together since December 1998. During this time the band have gigged regularly and are continually reinventing the set lists to try and capture essence of good Rhythm and Blues without succumbing to the clichéd and overplayed blues that some outfits fall prey to. Picking more obscure tracks by Blues artists such as Ike Turner, Chuck Berry and the Fabulous Thunderbirds as well as blues oriented/influenced numbers by less obvious artists such as Ian Dury and the Blockheads. Recent outings have seen the band perform at the 2006 Adur festival with Dr Feelgood, and this year supporting the superb Blockheads, a great night was had by all. We will be continuing our regular gigs at a host of thriving Sussex Taverns.
