About Us
Band history
We go back quite along way now. Rob, Kerry and Carl. They are the front line up for the band and have been playing together now for years. Initially we met through mutual friends in the Syston Social Club.
In particularly, the motorcycling lads and lasses from the Syston Biker “A” Group. They regularly meet in the Social Club. It’s a true fact that some of the best looking people in syston are in this biker group. Although, it’s more commonly known as the “horn” club.
Anyway the biker group are always out partying, biking, boozing etc,etc. Quite often during these events the guitars would come out and we would end up playing/singing. The three of us often performed for the biker group on special nights and on the acoustic evenings.
It was late in 2005 Rob suggested we get together and form a band just for a laugh at a charity event he was arranging. The timing must have been about right because Kerry had just finished with her solo career and fancied front lining for a band.
Carl had finished studying for his new career. Over a few pints it was quickly arranged.
One of Robs friends Mark Barker was a good drummer who would help out. Carl worked with Ian Booles who’s a good bass player. He had kindly offered to help us out. We all spent a lot of time practicing during those early months of 06. Along with Mark and Ian that was the band line out for the event in June 06. The charity event went down well we raised a lot of money. We got terrific support and encouragement from our friends in the Social Club.
Thanks must go to Mark and Ian for there very professional assistance running up to and during this event.
However after the event, Rob, Kerry and Carl wanted to carry on and develop the band still further. But they now needed a permanent back line up in the form of both a good drummer and bass player.
In October 06, Drummer, Ken Abbot joined the band. He fitted in well from the off and quickly picked up with us. In December 06 an excellent bass player Graham Pym joined us and we were back on track and sounding good.
It was about this time that the band became officially known as Kamagra. It was borne about when one of the band members (sssh it a secret) up late after band practice had a nasty incident with some confusion over taking some headache tablets. It lead to a most memorable night, never to be forgotten. We all laughed so long and hard about it, we eventually took the name on.
We’ve since found out from a very reliable source. (The bloke behind the counter in our local Chinese ) that its actually an ancient far east proverb that translated is meaning :- < He who is stiff >
Anyway A special thanks must go to Kevin Moore who at the start of the year, both designed and produced the logo for the band.
During early months of 07 we worked hard and added a lot more songs to our set list and did a couple of parties and gigs that went down very well. We also performed during another successful charity event at the club in the March 07 together with help from the Social Club raising some £680 for Rainbows charity.
Unfortunately in the May07 Graham left the band due to other commitments. He was a very popular likable bloke who would be sorely missed. However we had gigs booked and had to draft in a replacement player in a hurry to help us out.
During the June07 thankfully Local lad Malc Wagg helped us out playing bass with our gigs. Our Thanks go to Malc during this period.
In August07 Bass player Glenn Lewis has started with us. He’s another good bass player who’s fitted in well from the off. He has quickly had to learn our set for our next gig on October 26th at the Generous Briton in Melton Mowbray.
In September 07 Mark Newton from the Syston Social Club designed us a web page and associated links and set us up with a email etc. All of the band pass there thanks on for all the hard work he’s put in! Robs even promised to buy him a pint! Now that can’t be bad.
In June 09 Kamagra underwent a major change. Rob (lead guitar) and Ken (drummer) left due to other commitments. This blow really hit the band. They would be dearly missed after all this time together.
By Oct 09 and after extensive auditions the band was finally happy with the replacements. These came in the form of John Rodgers on lead and Mick Gregory on drums. Both these guys were absolutely fantastic and got kamagra back on track and ready to rock, for the ‘2010 RE-ERECTION TOUR’ !! well done lads!!
Finally special big thanks go to all Kamagra supporters/helpers. You’ve always been there for us even in times when the band has gone through difficulties. Sometimes, even at gigs far away, it seems like we have a whole army of great looking family, friends and friends who regularly turn up at gigs to see us. You’re all great, thanks!