MEET GLENN
Probably the coolest member of the band, aside from the girls…
Tell us a little about yourself in your own words.
I'm one of the lucky ones who gets to stand on a stage and face an audience - it's a privilege, it's life affirming, it's addictive - and with The DekkerTones it's great fun and the more we do, the more I want to do. By day, I do something a bit more sensible, but by night, I get to make music with The DekkerTones! I love listening to all types of music, with passions for jazz, heavy rock and metal, with an occasional sprinkling of classical. I love to play ska, soul, funk and jazz - and whilst I know people are loving vinyl at the moment, digital services means that everything (almost) is at my fingertips.
How did you learn to sing/play your instrument?
Bit of a mix of stubbornness and passion, really. I started noodling around on the sax years ago, fell in love with it, and just never stopped. I loved the sound. The practise that people found boring, I loved. The way it makes you appreciate music, the legends to admire, and the joy of learning more and finding there is always more to learn. I’ve taken lessons here and there, a lot of trial and error, and a lot of playing along to records and then lockdown and YouTube! Still learning. Always will be.
What inspired you to get into it and who are your biggest influences?
There’s something about ska and 2-tone that just grabs you — the energy, the message, the community. The 2-tone era hit when I was in my teens, and I liked it then (secretly, because I was into heavy metal at the time). As I grew older, I saw the importance of that music at the time and it still resonates today.
What’s your favourite song to play live?
Tough one, that. It changes gig to gig, but when we hit the first few notes of Rudy or It Must Be Love, you just feel the whole place lift. That moment is magic. I love the ones where the brass really takes over - especially if I can squeeze in a bit of jazz on Take 5 with a 4/4 beat and a skanking vibe.
What’s your favourite thing about being in the band?
That moment just after a song starts. When the count in starts - on stage the only thing you hear is the click of the drumsticks - then the magic happens and suddenly there is music! There’s something really special about looking across the stage, seeing everyone in the groove, sharing the odd smile, working together to play that song and knowing that out there there’s people dancing.
What’s the worst thing to happen to you at a gig?
Ah, there’s been a few classics. Equipment failure (bass guitar) just as we’re about to start – cue a soldering iron and 7 people holding phones with torches on to fix it! (Hertford Corn Exchange). I remember once when my wireless mic was picking up the local taxi firm (Great Yarmouth). But hey, it’s all part of the fun.
What’s your favourite lyric and how does it relate to you?
"“This town is coming like a ghost town / All the clubs have been closed down.” I love the song, anyway, but this lyric still resonates today, even more powerfully. It's a warning or a call to action... come on people let's move forward with a bit of "peace, love and understanding", and build communities again! Oh, and of course, if you want music to be played live near you... support those gigs! See ya there!
If The DekkerTones were stranded on a desert island, who would you sacrifice first?
Depends who forgot to pack the IPA. (Kidding. Probably.) Instead of sacrifice, I'd encourage vegetarianism, and healthy diverse diet - so we could keep the band skanking... I mean a coconut has fur and produces milk, so is it a mammal? I may have been drinking some of that IPA.
What would you say to someone who thinks ska is music for old timers?
I’d tell them to come to a DekkerTones gig and ask 'em to dance for as long as we play and keep up with the rest of the crowd. The energy is amazing. It’s joyful, rebellious, inclusive and has a strong message of unity and peace - that's timeless in my book, and it just makes you wanna dance. Plus, it's got horns. What’s not to love?
If you had to pick a different genre to play, what would it be and why?
Probably funk or soul or jazz. Something with groove and heart. Or maybe Northern Soul — those floor-fillers have so much emotion and drive.
What’s your drink of choice on gig night?
I'm an IPA drinker but tend to focus on water during the gig. But to be fair - I drink almost anything if it's being shared with the crowd. Wanna buy me a drink - let's do it!
If you could collaborate with any ska legend, who would it be?
That’s tough. So many choices – but here goes…
Toots - soul and depth
Pauline Black – icon!
Lee Thompson - I reckon he might be a laugh…
Suggs – delivery, cool, also might be a laugh
Bad Manners, party vibe… and tons of horns
The Skatalites on stage just to jam with
The Specials to write a song that matters and still resonates decades later...
and oh … and last but by absolutely no means, least, I would love to play sax for Susan Cadogan - Hurts So Good.
If you could enforce any band rule, what would it be?
Keep the availability calendar up to date. Never judge a song in the rehearsal room - judge it on stage and by how the crowd reacts.
If The DekkerTones were a TV show, who would be the villain, and who would be the hero?
The villain would be dodgy sound systems oh and noise limiters. The hero? The crowd for coming along to gigs, dancing the night away and having a great time. It’s symbiotic – if they have a great time, we have a great time. That gives us the motivation to keep the wheels on the crazy bus that is being in a band.
What ska song would you be happy to never hear ever again?
Err - I don’t know. There’s such a rich and varied back catalogue. The ones I would be happy to never hear again, I’ve already forgot. Even a song I don’t like to play can feel great if the crowd love it…