Big Muffin Serious Band
Purveyors of fine (and often silly ) ukulele music in Hamilton and New Zealand since 1983. General musical classification; country-punk-skiffle/barbershop rock. Instrumentation incorporates ukulele, tea-chest bass,snare drum, home-made gadgets, various toys and miscellaneous non-musical implements. Also known for shadow-puppetry, stilt-walking, ludicrous costumes and general clowning.
Founding members are Graeme Cairns, Jim Fulton and the late Ian Coldham-Fussell. First performance was at the Waikato Winter Show, May '83. Numerous lineup changes include the following-
- Graeme Cairns: 1983- present
- Jim Fulton: 1983- present
- Ian Coldham- Fussell: 1983
- Chris Allen: 1984
- Mark Walles: 1984
- Keith MacMillan: 1985-86
- Peter (P. Bagg) Caldwell: 1986-88
- The Naughty See-Monkey (original go-go dancer): 1986-88
- Paul VanWering: 1988-89
- Trudy Kendall (go-go): 1988-93
- Bryce Galloway: 1989-90
- Alec Forbes (go-go): 1989-95
- Jeff Howell: 1991-92
- Steve Matich: 1990-95
- Matthew Shirley: 1993-95
- Adrian (Droid) Holroyd (go-go): 1995-99
- Bevan (Baz) Galbraith: 1997-present
- Tony Wyeth: 1999
- Craig Beere (go-go): 2003-2005
- Adrienne Carthew (stilts): 2004
- Nick Clothier: 2004- present
- Adam Fulton: 2005- present
Recordings:
- Jabberwocky Goes To Town. On vinyl in 1987 and Re-released on CD 2003.
- Heavens To Murgatroyd on CD 2002.
- Mostly Harmless CD
Shows:
- The Eggplant that Ate Otago. Shadow Puppetry/Theatre/Music.
- The Complete History of Music. Radio Broadcast/Live Seminar
- Homemade Instruments for Beginners. Workshop
Side Project Recordings:
- The Instrument of Love CD by Serious Ukulele Ensemble: 2000
- Dead Serious CD by Serious Ukulele Ensemble: 2001
Some of these recordings are available from the University Library.
External Links
For a more complete bio, pictures and info on associated instrumental ukulele groups see [1]
