Music veterans band together

WIDE REPERTOIRE: Steve Trotman (left), Miles Reay and Roger Gordon-Wiles are The Elderberries. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

A trio of veteran Masterton musicians have taken on a new mantle as The Elderberries and will stage an Iberia at Night debut on Thursday.

The group features Steve Trotman on vocals and acoustic guitar, Miles Reay on bass and vocals, and drummer Roger Gordon-Wiles.

The trio formed about a year ago to play open-mic nights at Turkey Red Hotel in Greytown, Trotman said, and had since performed at private functions.

"The Elderberries is a very enjoyable off-shoot of the Verandah Band. We feature material the bigger band doesn't do, as well as the pick of the songs that still work as a trio," Trotman said.

"I didn't think it was possible to give my all to two bands at once, but I'm finding I can, without diminishing my enthusiasm for either."

Trotman started his performance career in a duo in early-70s Wellington, just as the singer-songwriter era kicked off, alongside the late Derek Archer, who wrote and sang the "everyone gets a bargain" Warehouse jingle.

Trotman played in several bands before travelling internationally. About 2000 in Masterton he co-founded the Verandah Band, which played regular gigs at The Lounge in Carterton and at Cafe Strada, Masterton. Trotman is the only original member left.

Reay was well-known in the Wairarapa music scene, Trotman said, and also had played the hallowed stage of the Grand Ol' Opry in Nashville as a long-time member of the Hamilton County Bluegrass Band, and performed at Liverpool's famous Cavern club, where he played Beatles' songs with a resident band.

In the past few years, Reay had played mainly with the Verandah Band, Trotman said, which was booked to play King Street Live in Masterton on August 8.

Drummer Gordon-Wiles is a veteran of the 1960s Auckland pop era. His old band, The Gremlins, scored a Kiwi No2 chart hit in 1966 with The Coming Generation, a tune kept from top spot by the Fab Four's Yellow Submarine.

When not playing with The Elderberries, Gordon-Wiles keeps the beat for The Cool Cats jazz combo and backs singers at country music clubs.

Trotman's partner, Diana, named The Elderberries when the trio were struggling to come up with a name that "tripped off the tongue and reflected our maturity". Their repertoire spans the rock 'n' roll genre from early Elvis and Buddy Holly to the Beatles and other 60s-70s singer/songwriters, such as James Taylor and Neil Young.

"We try and pick songs from all eras, but our common ground is definitely the earlier material," Trotman said. "We are really looking forward to playing at Iberia, as the atmosphere is great and our material is suitable for diners to enjoy while eating, chatting, and even the odd dance, if they so desire."