IF
Tim V (Sham 69), Rick Buckler (The Jam), Ian Whitewood (Sham 69) DD (Glen Matlock + Philistines), Al Campbell (Sham 69 + UK Subs)
if… is more like a natural phenomena than a manufactured concept. The friendship of Tim V and Rick Buckler was born out of them working together and, finding themselves at an idle moment, they decided it was time to get on the road.
if… is the idea of Tim V who, like Rick, loves the ‘anti-cult' of the late 60s, and with them both coming from bands whose credentials excelled in the anti-cult decade of the Punk era, it seemed ideal.
Rick Buckler of course was the iconic member of The Jam, whose sharp suits and power tunes stood out from the rest at a time when many bands were being pigeon holed. The Jam went on to have huge success, both live and in the charts until disbanding in 1982. Despite Paul Weller's media frontage the band was always credited as having a dynamic force courtesy of Rick Buckler and bass player Bruce Foxton. Rick then went on to form the band Time UK. It was when Rick decided to reprise The Jam songs with his band The Gift that his fortunes changed again, and during a show in Guildford he was joined onstage by Bruce Foxton. This in turn spawned the rebirth of the power section of Buckler/Foxton and the formation of the band FROM THE JAM. Rick enjoyed a couple of years of this but found that things were not going in a direction he would deem creative. So now after a year we see Rick back behind his kit with this new band if…
Tim V, well what can be said really? Tim V hails from South London and has the temperament to go with it. Tim fronted the legendary SHAM 69 for over 4 years and, from a situation where the band was dead in the water, he took it and breathed life back into it. The band went onto to perform the greatest number of shows in its history, as well as performing more shows than Tim V's previous counter part. The bands greatest achievement was to play countries the band had never visited before. China is one of the greatest examples as SHAM 69 was first major British punk band ever to have toured there! Tim's tenacity to fight on against the odds has been a credit to him, but his passion for live shows always shines through. Tim, who has a history that would shame Jack the Ripper, has never been backwards in coming forwards. Tim has always been in various bands since 1977, and has worked with many dignitaries of Punk and New Wave, most notable is Mark P from Alternative TV/Sniffin Glue. Tim has also worked in Television with the likes of Gerald Scarfe, the satirical cartoonist of Pink Floyds The Wall. All this following Tim's best selling books.
Ian Whitewood is on drums alongside Rick. Ian who started his pro career with the charismatic Bernie Torme band after which he then set the beat for SHAM 69 for over 25 years. Ian joined the band when it reformed in the early 80s recording the bands come back single Rip n Tear. Ian then went through a major hiatus with the band due to Jimmy Pursey's lack of commitment to play live. This concluded in the sacking of Jimmy, after which Tim V took over and, as a result, lead to the bands most successful live period. Ian learnt his skills banging biscuit tins as a child in his native Hull. Despite being in demand by many named artists to perform studio work he still lives for the buzz of playing live. Being in if… is like a new lease of life for Ian, especially as he's working alongside Tim V.
Al Campbell … Al comes from a fine pedigree of music within the Punk genre. Al started his career with the UK SUBS, and having travelled the world with them he ended his term after 13 years. Al proved to many that he was more than capable of handling all types of instruments and, as soon as word got around that he was free, he went on to work alongside other luminaries of Punk and Rock such as the iconic Jayne (Wayne) County and the Electric Chairs, as well as Marky Ramone. It was after a call from Tim V that Al joined SHAM 69 in 2009 at the height of the band's busiest period. Al is a true Scot, as such he treats his styles of playing as he does his passion. and has become known as Paisleys Pete Townsend, in no small measure due to his windmill antics!
David Donley , known simply as DD to his current band mates, has been on the scene since childhood, and as a multi-instrumentalist is a great addition to if… . In his late teens he spent time in the studio & rehearsed with THE CURE which led to him joining BAROQUE BORDELLO, France's equivalent of Blondie. The band IVY in the 90's brought tours, albums & Radio1 sessions. Since then, both on stage & behind the scenes, he has worked with the likes of ULTRAVOX, VIV ALBERTINE, KEITH LEVENE & MICK JONES to name just a few. In the last five years his guitar has been heard on stages worldwide, taking in over 16 countries and venues ranging from sweaty clubs to huge open air shows of 20,000 plus. Most recently he toured Canada and Norway with Sex Pistol GLEN MATLOCK in THE PHILISTINES, taking over from Javier Weyler (Stereophonics) alongside JAMES STEVENSON (Chelsea, GenX, The Alarm etc). DD's musical history, passion & unique guitar playing has earned him a deserved place in the line up of if…
Well that's the band, we hope you enjoy it! A new and powerful act that will truly earn its part in the history of music.
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