After learning classical guitar as a spotty youth, Pete played in a whole range of outfits beginning at Portsmouth Polytechnic in the late seventies with a band of surveyors aptly named Hedley Byrne and the Disclaimers.  (That’s an ‘in joke’; ask a lawyer, or a surveyor to explain!)  With a three chord repertoire the set was limited to rock n roll and blues covers.  Still playing rhythm guitar in those days the reputation of the band greatly exceeded its ability but for a short while it pleased a small but discerning audience!

Post college, the early eighties were spent hankering after prog rock with Ipswich based Semper Eadem.  Latin scholars may feel this is apt!  There was a lot of practicing and some recording but not many gigs.  Hardly surprising as the rest of the world had moved on in the era of new wave and new romantics!  Some Genesis covers and songs written by the band kept them (but few others) amused for hours.  Most sessions were interspersed with football, tennis and nights spent in Butts, drinking Bud.

A few short years were spent playing bass with Tuned In, a support band for a young person’s choir, of all things.  There was a bit more song writing before Pete decided his talents were better used in the secular world.  Examples of their work are deliberately kept under lock and key.  Don’t bother Googling for them; Pete has made very sure you’ll draw a blank!  High point – playing at the Albert Hall.  Low point – the rest of it!

After a period doing very little in the mid nineties Pete met Nick Dow (ex Mean Red Spiders) and joined his Music Workshop.  The old enthusiasm returned and Band Substance was the eventual result.  This is a 3 piece band featuring Pete Tidmarsh (ex Sweat Band) on guitar and the then 16 year old Oliver Betts (now Black Carrott) on drums.  They play a range of R&B and party covers.  (That’s R&B as we used to understand it, not what the youngsters of today believe it to be.)  Ten years on and now with Oliver Bland on drums they’re still together having played a wide range of gigs and have also branched into the function market.  The most bizarre was playing in Williams & Griffin department store on a late night shopping evening.  It was all very well until they were asked to play in Ladies Clothing (on the third floor that is)!  High point – headlining the John Peel Tribute night at his local in Stowmarket.  (Sheila was very kind.) Low point – being upstaged by Muff & the Divers at Hachfest 2007!

During that period Pete also played with The Head Hunters.  An interesting fusion of ethnic and cutting rock styles gave the Head Hunters an original feel.  The line up included a very talented (and tattooed) fiddle player. Well crafted tunes blended with Nick Dow’s humorous and cynical lyrics gave the band something different.  Alas it was a bit too different to have much of a chance commercially.

 Pete is married with three children and lives near Framlingham in Suffolk.  Moving to the area and getting involved with Hachfest lead to Muff & the Divers which has become Boulevard Blonde. 

 The rest is history!