Here’s a few words from the band about how each one of us started doing what we do and our influences:

Steve:
“I first picked up a guitar at junior school, but I was more interested in singing and spent time singing in church choirs when I was younger. I started playing guitar again as a teenager, which is when I really got into music. Very much a fan of indie/alternative guitar based bands, I love to hear new music and I’m constantly listening out for something new and interesting. Some of the bands that have influenced my early style of jangly guitar playing and songwriting included Teenage Fanclub, The Stone Roses and The Byrds, but I think I developed more of a rock-tendancy through the 90′s with Britpop, and I have a bit of an arty/experimental leaning influenced by artists like The Auteurs and PJ Harvey. Some of the other bands I love, and influence the Photobooth sound, would be Arcade Fire, The Killers, Interpol, The Strokes, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and a couple of my current favourite bands are The Gaslight Anthem and The National”

Russ:
“I got my first guitar at the age of 15. I hadn’t played an instrument before, so the learning was slow (and painful for anyone else in the house). Blatantly refusing to play covers, I started to write songs, and along with a drummer friend, set up my first band. Suffice to say, we weren’t all that good. We did however get a regular slot at the Hallamshire in Sheffield and could be found playing there most months back then. I was very much influenced by 70′s rock. I remember at a very early age listening to Pink Floyd, The Eagles & The Sex Pistols. As my guitar playing improved, my tastes changed and I tried to emulate the sounds of bands like All About Eve, The Mission, Curve, The Stone Roses & Pearl Jam (very eclectic!). I’m now a big fan of bands like The Arctic Monkeys, The Strokes, Muse, Athlete, 30 Seconds to Mars, and Biffy Clyro, to name but a few. I still can’t help going back to the odd bit of blues now and then for a bit of self-indulgence.”

Tony:
“When I was seven years old I had this driving passion in me to constantly tap on everything with pencils, stick, mum’s knitting needles – anything.

One night I was watching TV when a big band came on with Jack Parnell leading the band. Part the way through he sat on a drum kit next to his drummer Ronnie Varelle & embarked on a drum duet. That was it, right there. I knew that was what I wanted to do!
At eight years old I got an old kit from a cousin & proceeded to become the unsociable kid on the block. I played to everything from big band to chart music. I attended any gig I could & would spend all my time watching & learning. As an adult I played covers in many pub bands, always wanting to represent the original drummer well but at the same time putting my own mark on my playing. Drums became an obsession as did music – its hard to put an influence on music for me – it’s more about drummers & how they play, Phil Collins, Buddy Rich, Chad Smith, Ian Paice, Keith Moon & of course Jack Parnell to name but a few.
Then I met Steve some 12 years ago & started playing original music – this was my turn to put my playing & my stamp on music. It led to recording, radio interviews, music for film & a full page spread in the local papers – its all happened through original music. Photobooth is the band that allows us freedom to bring out experiences, influences & challenges. There are no egos, no fall outs & no pressure – my kind of band!“

Mike:
“I was in my early teens having been forced to do piano lessons & was given the option of a guitar or motorbike (the motorbike was NOT an option) by my dad. He was in a band at the time , so i got the guitar & joined the school band under the influence of a great teacher, John Cattermole! After leaving school i got together with a work mate & formed a band, it was at this point i decided to take up the bass. Took a few lessons then decided i could work it out for myself & could work out most bass lines by ear! We were a covers band & things progressed well until i took a break for 14 years. I joined ‘Photobooth’ in 2009 & haven’t looked back since! I love the music we write & play & my influences come from the 70′s, 80′s & 90′s from Dire Straits, The Eagles, U2, to Oasis & Paul Weller to name just a few. I am really into the live music scene & enjoy every minute of it!”