Earp and Betts

 

Beginnings

The setting was a cold blustery wet November day, at a picturesque park in a small Hampshire market town. Two men both in their early forties and from totally different backgrounds, met under a small bandstand, while sheltering from a torrential rainstorm. After the ice had been broken, with polite conversation, both individuals discovered they had a common interest, music and were at that particular time both playing in local pub bands. So began the long friendship that would give birth to the writing duo of Earp and Betts.

After twenty years of working together in several bands and countless hours spent in studios, the music of Roger Betts and lyrics of Peter Earp have somehow become the glue that holds this writing partnership together, creating a strange chemistry. Over the years both parties have claimed that since that fateful cold November day they had undergone countless hours of therapy, but they do say the proof is in the pudding. So why not join us on this musical journey of creativity, watch this space and hopefully enjoy.

Albums

 

 

Duncan Biscuit & the Rich T's

These are my good friends which have got together to perform music live as well as writing original material and recording at the Picco Studios. Every get-together is a truely fab time had by all - lots of beer and man-jokes. Love it.

The music we like to play is a bit off-the-wall helped by the type of instruments we play from banjo to pedal steel. We also love close harmonies. You can have our debut EP Songs for Tonto for free so grab it while you can!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The players, left to right:
Eugene Dabrowski:   bass guitar, harmony vocals
Marcus Lillington:   guitar, pedal steel, harmony vocals
Phil Hart:   lead vocals, harmonica
Roger Betts:   banjo, mandolin, guitar, harmony vocals

 

THE CHAH

Chanelle Aristide (THE CHAH) is a brilliant songwriter and vocalist. I first started working with Chanelle in the studio in early 2020 where I asked her to sing on the Earp & Betts concept album Gideon 2, Dreamscape Warrior. Her vocal performance blew me away. She sang the songs with passion and skill. I then discovered that she had written a library of her own material which I simply had to produce, and so the partnership THE CHAH & BETTS happened. Her debut album Stillness in Whispers was produced and recorded at the Picco Studios during the lockdown in 2020. It is truely a beautiful album of her songs and a must for your music library.

Her second album, SOMETHING STOLEN, was released in 2023 and reflects a songwriting journey through many experiences ultimately resulting in the joy of positivity. Again, every song is wonderful.

Albums

 

Visit THE CHAH Website

 

 

The Blah Street Gang

Recording artists The Blah Street Gang – songwriters, musicians and producers based in and around Fleet in Hampshire south-west of London, England - feature Roger Betts, Martin Creasy and Jerry Baker, supported by a number of other musical artists who record at Picco Studios.
Jerry Baker, Roger Betts, Martin Creasy

Martin said: "The three of us are the central hub of The Blah Street Gang, but we love to involve talented young musicians and singers on our projects. Ten people performed on our Hashtag album in the summer and we were delighted when Carley Aristide offered to sing Spirit Of Christmas for us - and did such an amazing job."

Albums recorded:

 

The Dogends

You never quite know what The Dogends will play next but you can be sure it will be a real foot-stomper.
Playing a wide mix of musical styles from Rock to Irish Fiddle and foot-tapping banjo together with their wicked sense of humour, you really would not want to miss their live performances.

The Dogends Are...

Roger Betts - Acoustic guitar, Banjo, Mandolin, Vocals
A decent bloke when he's not bossing people about. Roger runs a tight ship with an even tighter wallet and the other band members are more than happy to do as they're told.

Bowler - Bass, Extremely strong picked onions
Only the brave and foolish will drink with this man.

Arfa Kit - Drums, Cooking Tips.
Arfa was invited to join the band on the basis that he had never played drums before but has appeared on tv once in a spin-off from his "foodclub4real" website fame.

Stuart James - Drums. Joined (at the hip) in 2018
A true connoisseur of the drum kit. Keeps the band in time even when playing the wrong beat.

Rocket Reg - Guitars, Vocals, Wearing women's underwear.
Failed folk singer, deaf in one ear through sticking his finger in it. Rocket has gigged with Roger in the past at such illustrious venues as the Greywell Women's Institute and Minley Caravan Park.

Melissa - Violin, Percussion, Vocals
The baby of the band and by far the prettiest. Can down one pint of Magners in 4.4 seconds.

Albums

  • howbadjawonit  (Roger Betts, Steve Messenger, Bowler Hartnet, Richard Pyne)
  • More Than Ever (Melissa Lynch, Stuart James, Roger Betts, Steve Messenger, Bowler Hartnet)