Give 6 musicians from 5 different bands just 1 job: to come together to perform the greatest party anthems for a star-studded galactic evening at the 501st Legion Return of the Bash hosted by the UK Garrison and Jedi News on April 7th, 2023.
The Steel Bandtha’s are Claire Braund, Steve Braund, Charley Burling, Matt Lerwill, Mark Mulcaster, and Chris Tof (AKA Lee Batter in Europe).
Claire Braund — Claire has played piano for most of her life. Initially classical trained, she was later mentored by UK boogie woogie piano legend Big John Carter. She is currently producing two double boogie and blues piano albums featuring stars such as Jools Holland to raise money for UNICEF in Ukraine. With an insanely broad taste in music, she is as happy chugging out 80s hair metal synths as she is funking a 70s Rhodes sound.
Steve Braund — Former session singer and front man for rock band The Hoggz and Iron Maiden tribute Nighon Maiden, Steve has been singing since the world was black and white. His vocal heroes are Axl Rose, Eric Martin, Nev MacDonald and – no surprise – Bruce Dickinson.
Charley Burling — I was a dancer and singer on Jabba’s sail barge until it was destroyed by a Jedi, a Wookie and scruffy looking Nerf herder. After my boss was killed by a scantily clad Princess, I was free and left the hive of scum and villainy, also known as Basildon, behind. I haven’t sung since but when Steel Bandthas found me, drinking Hull Strippers in Takodana Castle, and asked me to join them, how could I refuse!
Matt Lerwill — A guitarist of over 30 year’s experience with an extreme love for guitar music since the hearing Flash Gordon soundtrack by Queen when he was 5, and then infatuation with his dad’s 70’s Record collection. Matt has played in bands since the 90s and has recorded and released 7 albums with various bands including Warmrain. His influences include Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Guns n Roses, AC/DC, Queen and Killing Joke.
Mark Mulcaster — Ex-Solsikk and Elixir bassist Mark Mulcaster holds down the bottom end for Bandtha Tracks. Having played the bass for more than a few years now Mark enjoys playing a wide mixture of musical genres, but his love will always be his main influence Iron Maiden. Having joined the 1980s NWOBHM band Elixir just before the pandemic Mark tends to play most his gigs in Europe where he has been told his guitar playing technique is exemplary.
Chris Tof (AKA Lee Batter in Europe) – Chris has been banging his drums hard for the last 20 years, playing in various indie bands through the Noughties and then once he realised fame is not abound, in one of the UK’s premier cover bands The Hoggz. He now finds himself drumming on the function band scene, where he plays more disco tunes than he would prefer…
