Phil Upton
Drums (phil@blindboys.co.uk)
Phil runs Purple Leaf, a company that provides a range of initiatives to Market and Let prestigious commercial office space created within refurbished private Estates and Farm buildings.
With a background in Advertising and Information Technology, Phil also uses these skills to provide general Marketing, Creative and Website services to the business community at large. See www.purple-leaf.co.uk
The interest in drums is a very deep rooted thing with Phil and, much to the annoyance of his parents, he has been banging things since the age of 5!
Progressing from biscuit tins and cardboard containers, his first real kit comprised just a Snare drum and small cymbal when he was 10. By 12 this had been upgraded to a second-hand Ajax kit, which his Dad re-sprayed blue, and was his first gigging kit - well 1 real gig!
The teenage years saw the inevitable growth of stubble, bell bottom trousers and cow bells. The latter not on the kit but worn round his neck. How we enjoyed the 60’s and early 70's... Various attempts were made at forming bands which resulted in his first public performance with Peppermint Rainbow who were successful in winning a local talent contest going on to be placed 5th in the South East finals.
Early 20’s saw the arrival of a Pearl outfit but the onset of parenthood meant that the sticks, and the kit, had to go in favour of nappies and a vague attempt at being responsible.
Nearly 30 years later, and in the midst of his own mid-life crisis, Phil plucked up the courage, bought a nice new Yamaha kit and started playing again at the Sunday night jam sessions held in Richmond. It wasn’t long before he was back up to speed and playing regularly in a number of local bands.
Whilst all musicians have dreams of playing with their hero’s or hearing those magic words at a big concert – “our drummers hurt himself, is there anyone here that can play?”, The Blind Boys of Richmond enables Phil to live out his fantasy. Well one of them anyway...!
Phil's Kit
Yamaha Stage Custom kit in natural wood finish including:
- Bass 22" x 17"
- Tom's (Mounted) 12" x 10" & 9" x 10"
- Tom's (Hanging) 14" x 13" & 16" x 16"
- Brass Yamaha snare 14" x 7"
Sabian Cymbals including:
- 20" AA Medium Ride
- 18" AAX Crash
- 16" AAX Crash
- 12" AAX Splash
- 14" AA Hi-hats
Zildjian 16" Crash
Istanbul
Vater Los Angeles 5A sticks
Back