It's all his fault

This is the legendary Tony Gisby and the band owes it existence to him. Tony contacted Dr Gran and asked him if he could get a band together for his leaving do from his job. Gran agreed and started to call up likely candidates. Quite a few were called and Gran finally coerced the current line up (with George on drums) to play. The deal was simple - Gran would organise a set list, sort out a couple of rehearsals and we would then go to the gig and hammer out some old favourites. The greatest lure being the free beer that was on offer for us doing so.

As the gig was several months off the putative band members got on with their lives until the fateful day that Gran called again and said "are you ok for the gig this Friday ?". Most of the band had forgotten the original arrangement as absolutely no mention of the gig had taken place after the original conversation(s).

Thus, the six members of the band turned up at the Florence pub equipped with no set list, no rehearsal..... and in a couple of cases no idea who the other people were. Gran took control.... "the beer is good in here" he said chirpily. It was - and it gave the band renewed hope.

The gig was packed with Tony's mates - many of them in an advanced state of refreshment. What had we to lose as a band apart from our reputation, friends, money, health etc ? So we launched blindly into the set. All of the old jam night specials were trotted out: High Heeled Sneakers, Mustang Sally, Walkin' the Dog, I Feel Good et al.

Amazingly the band played really well - and people began to dance. The beers flowed, people fell over, and the band began to rock. A strange alchemy began between the band and it seemed as if we had been playing for years as we nailed song starts - and more importantly the endings.

Two encores, hugs all round, triumphal beers, and the the night was done. Everyone was happy, including Mr Gisby who was beaming like a Cheshire cat. Several people came up to the band and asked what we were called. No one had any idea.

The following Monday most of the band attended Steve Hamptons superb jam night at the Eastney Cellars and the band discussed what the band should be called. One suggestion was 'The Deps' - a 'dep' being a deputy for another person. How about Jon's Deps ?........ It soon became 'Jonny Deps' and after a further three beers became 'The Sensational Jonny Deps' - and so the band and the name were born. Blame Tony Gisby !