About Us.
Marilyn & the Fine Apes, a 3-piece covers band, are a blend of Folk, Blues, Country and Soul. The band consists of Eddie Bowers (vocals, rhythm guitar, harmonica, accordion, banjo and keys), Joe O'Hara (cajon, percussion and vocals) and Frankie Scholfield (lead vocals and guitars) creating a colourful sound of summer.
The "Apes" draw their inspiration from Irish Roots, Country, Blues and Acoustic Rock genres, with a mutual love of Bob Dylan being their predominant influence. Although their setlist comprises mainly covers, the band have written a number of original compositions.
You will have to wait until we are on the Graham Norton show to discover who Marilyn is......
Frankie Scholfield
Lead singer and guitarist “Funtime” Frankie Scholfield has been strumming and singing on and off for 40 years. He has a broad taste across genres, but his main musical inspirations stem from the 60s, 70s and 80s, including Pink Floyd, The Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel, Supertramp, Alan Parsons, Bowie, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, The Police and Queen.
When not jamming with the "Apes" Frank likes Rugby, beer and family but not necessarily in that order.
Eddie Bowers
Veteran jazz and blues man "Medium Paced" EB has nearly 50 years of music making behind him. An apprenticeship with the Askari Stompers (East Africa’s only Dixieland Band) launched him onto the International music scene, with cameo appearances on the London circuit including the 100 Club, Alley Cat Club, 5 years as keyboard player in Stonewood and then founding member of The Fat Dog Blues Band. He is equally achomplished on guitar, banjo, piano, harmonica, accordion and trumpet. Influenced by jazz, blues, folk and real ale.
When not jamming with the "Apes" likes rugby, curry and walking in the country with "Mrs Pace".
Joe O'Hara
Rhythm machine “Jumping” Joe O’Hara’s earliest musical recollections were of Welsh choral singing and 60's & 70's rock. He grew up to the rich sound track of Bob Dylan, the Beatles, Velvet Underground and the Damned. A keen rugby player, "JJ" has maintained, from adolescence onward, the finest Irish traditions of post match singing, including joyful indulgence in a range of traditional Celtic folk tunes, regardless over his knowledge of the words.
This love of rugby and music led him by a circuitous route to meet the "Apes" and fulfil his musical destiny of singing and sitting on a box and hitting it rhythmically.