1996-Present

A one-off performance for a private Christmas party in Sydney's northern suburbs at Epping on December 16th, 1995 provided the basis of what was to be the band for the next twelve months. On that occasion the bass slot was filled by Dean EDGECOMBE and this would be the only true difference in the band for some months to follow.

The Party Band
Rod ‘Beachhead’ JEFFERY – main vocals/leader
Will IRVING – electric lead & rhythm guitar
Michael 'Micky Magic' YOUNG - tenor saxophone.
Dean EDGECOMBE– electric bass guitar
Tim REEVES – drums

The first gig for the new 'regular' band in 1996 was a Sunday afternoon (January 14^th) at the Jannali Inn in Sydney's southern suburbs, booked through Yvonne Boekel and featured 'new' regular bassist, Raoul HAWKINS. Also, that afternoon, Michael's twin sister, Maddy turned up at the gig and sat in on guitar for a number of tunes. Sadly, Maddy is no longer with us, having taken her own life in the latter part of 1998!
The band played quite a number of gigs throughout the first half of the year, including numerous at the Commercial Hotel in Lithgow, however, Michael was more and more frequently NOT turning up at gigs and sending in 'deps'. The final straws were one at the Commercial where he went A.W.O.L. in the middle of a solo to be sick and then sending in an unacceptable replacement for a job at the Gearin in Katoomba. So he was sacked him and Rod decided to just go with a four-piece comprising himself, guitar, bass and drums. Tim complained that Michael couldn't be let go as he was the best saxophonist around and was, in turn, sacked as well.

The Band
Rod ‘Beachhead’ JEFFERY – main vocals/leader
Will IRVING – electric lead & rhythm guitar
Michael 'Micky Magic' YOUNG - tenor saxophone.
Raoul HAWKINS – electric bass guitar
Tim REEVES – drums

Adam's first gig with the band was at the Coronation Hotel in Portland in July 1996 and he then stayed on for all gigs up until Will Irving Left the band in August 1999 and moved to Queensland.
Among the performances during this time were several more at the Jannali Inn, Kurrajong Heights Hotel-Motel, the 1997 Manly Jazz Festival, 1998 Dubbo Jazz Festival, 1999 Thredbo Blues, the Royal Hotel at Oberon, the 1999 Bathurst Jazz Festival and a final performance for the Orange Jazz Club at the Metropolitan Hotel in Orange in July 1999 as Willy's swansong with the band before leaving for Queensland. There had also been a one-off in June at the Empire Hotel in Annandale that Adam had been unable to make and was filled in for by Sydney session drummer, Bob DONALDSON.
Of great interest and enjoyment for the band members at this particular performance was the appearance, out of the blue, by old friend and world famous jazz saxophonist, Dale BARLOW on a borrowed alto saxophone and Leon DENNIS on trombone. Both of whom sat in with the band for the entire gig.

The Band
Rod ‘Beachhead’ JEFFERY – main vocals/leader
Will IRVING – electric lead & rhythm guitar
Raoul HAWKINS – electric bass guitar
Adam 'Trev' BARNARD – drums

Nothing much happened after Will moved north and Rod eventually got around to asking 'original' BEACHHEAD guitarist, Gary DRYDEN to join.
He did and the band did a weekend of gigs in May 2000 starting with the Coronation Hotel at Portland on the Friday night (May 19^th) and then onto the Royal Hotel at Oberon on the Saturday night (May 20^th). Rod & Adam had worked at the Royal in March 1999 with 'FOUR BROTHERS AHEAD' when Adam's brother, Tony was home from England for a visit and the band had absolutely packed the place to the rafters from start to finish. So they were now welcome there anytime! This round of gigs, however. would be it for nearly three years unfortunately!
The next, and last to date (mid-2004), time that the band would play together would be when they were asked to perform at the inaugural Canberra Blues'n'Rock Festival in March of 2003.
They were hopeful of performing there again in 2004 but, unfortunately the festival did not go ahead. They were also hopeful of spots at both the 2004 BRUTHEN BLUES BASH and 2004 Australian BLUES FESTIVAL in Goulburn. Though neither of these was forthcoming for assorted reasons and currently the band is in limbo with nothing at all booked or planned at this stage.

The Band
Rod ‘Beachhead’ JEFFERY – main vocals/leader
Gary DRYDEN (a.k.a. Gary 'Guitar' DALE) – electric lead & rhythm guitar
Raoul HAWKINS – electric bass guitar
Adam 'Trev' BARNARD – drums

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