Band name:

Night Train (plus The Buskers Ball of Bolton — see below)

Members names, ages and where you are from:

Alec Martin from Bolton, Wally Rumsey from Chester, Rob Pusey from Blackpool, and Hadge Weller from Salford. We're all young enough to remember, all old enough to know better!

When and where did you form?

Night Train formed in the Dog and Partridge 1978 over a few pints when Alec was doing a blues music 'disco' there. Most of the bands at the time were either punk or heavy metal, so they decided to buck the trend and play the music they all loved.

What is your sound and who are your influences?

Although Night Train have had several line-ups over the years (Alec is original member) the actual sound of the band has changed little. A mix of old school 1950/60s British and US blues, with a psychedelic 'tinge'.

Influences are anything on the Chess/VeeJay/Blue Horizon labels, spattered with liberal helpings of Hendrix/Dylan/Doors/Beefheart etc.

What is the biggest gig you have played to date?

Night Train have played everywhere, from the smallest, dingiest of dives to blues clubs, universities, rock festivals and motorcycle rallies. Alec played the Charnock Richard Folk Festival which attracted 20,000 people.

If you are not already, is it your ambition to become professional?

Each band member either has been, or is, a professional musicians.

Is there anything unusual or interesting about the band?

The name Night Train was originally taken from a James Brown track, but has since been used by Guns N' Roses, Harley Davidson motorcycles and Vox amplification.

We have a CD album of original British blues, based loosely on Alec's life as a rocker in Atherton, Leigh and Bolton. It's a 'themed' album... a kind of British blues Bat out of Hell.

Alec Martin is responsible for starting possibly the first 'open mic' in the north, with his Buskers Ball which is still going strong after 20 years. Danny Jones performed regularly before going off to join McFly as did his sister Vix.

Rob Pusey was previously a drummer for Chicory Tip who had a huge number one hit with Son of Your Father.

Wally Rumsey was guitarist with the NWOBHM band Wolf/Kruizer. It's documented that they had a big influence on Metallica.

Hadge Weller was originally in the legendary band Santa Fe Reunion, but also gigged extensively with top north west soul band 'Otis Day and The Night Shift. He was also a wrestling promoter in the 1980's.

Forthcoming gigs?

We continually gig throughout the entire north west and beyond promoting our album 'The Silence Spoke...' We will be playing Colne Blues Festival again this year at The Rugby Club Roadhouse 10pm till midnight on Friday August 28.

The Buskers Ball open mic can currently be found at The Beaumont Arms, Ladybridge, Bolton every Sunday from 7pm.

Visit nighttrain.us for more info.