Nick Pride and the Pimptones

In the original line-up, Pride was joined by Oscar Cassidy (drums), Ian 'dodge' Paterson (bass),[2] Dave Wilde (sax and flute), and Alex Leathard (trombone). This first incarnation of the band can be heard on the debut release, It’s the Pimptones (Jazz Girl Records).[3]

In 2009, the band released the 7" single "Deeper Pimp" on Wack Records,[4] which went on to enjoy extended radioplay across Europe, including the Craig Charles Funk and Soul Show on BBC 6 and became the first of the group’s trademark "Live-Band Bootlegs", a unique approach to the Mash-Up genre and a show-stopping live feature. The success of the single helped ensure more live opportunities for the Pimptones, and promoters in the North-East drafted the group in to support touring acts such as Maceo Parker, Candi Staton, Youngblood Brass Band and Hot 8 Brass Band.

The departure of the first horn section and the arrival of the new horn section (Keith Nicholson and Tomas Quilliam) heralded the start of the new line-up for the Pimptones and a new tougher funkier sound. 2011 saw the release of the single "Waitin' So Long" featuring Jess Roberts,[5] and later the album Midnight Feast of Jazz[6] featuring Jess Roberts, Susan Hamilton and Zoe Gilby, both on Milan-based label Record Kicks.[7] This album was well received with reviews calling it "a very strong debut by Nick Pride here that you can dance to or just sit back and groove to",[8] "a refreshing blast of energy and musical enthusiasm" ,[9] "There’s so much below-average funk being made at the moment, and so let this be a sharp lesson to all of those bands. This is how it should be done. More please!",[10] and that "these guys are certainly capable of throwing a party in your living room as well as in the town hall of your city".[11]

The Pimptones third studio album, Re-juiced Phat Shake,[12] was released on Legere Recordings[13] on Valentine's Day 2014 and featured a host of guest singers creating a much more varied sound from the previous album "Midnight Feast of Jazz". Nick Pride states "I was always a fan of amazing pop songwriters like Burt Bacharach and Holland-Dozier-Holland, but on the other hand, being a dedicated musician, I love the raw energy of being on stage with a funk band".[13] The album was well received, with reviews saying "The emphasis is on songwriting backed with energetic, tight funky playing"; "an album filled with soulfully deep and satisfying recordings that are light on filler yet heavy on grooves to keep your body shaking to the beat";[14]"one of the most exciting albums of 2014".[15]

With the departure of sax player Tomas Quilliam to set up his own business [16] John Waugh was brought on board as the new full-time sax player.

With the sudden departure of John Waugh (sax) to join The 1975[17] both Alex Saxon (sax) and Beth Macari (vocals) were brought in to re-focus the band towards a more old school funk & soul sound. The result of this is the new album Go Deep recorded live in Newcastle upon Tyne in August 2015 at Loft Studios,[18] and being released on Légère Recordings in June 2016.

The group’s touring schedule has also taken them to many of the UK’s finest funk venues including the 100 Club, The Yardbird in Birmingham, Band on The Wall in Manchester, Hi-Fi Club in Leeds, the Jazzbar in Edinburgh, as well as festivals such as The Mostly Jazz Festival,[19] The North East Funk and Soul Revue and The Sage Gateshead International Jazz Festival.

Internationally they have played at the Imagina Funk Festival (2015),[20] Novara Jazz Festival (2012)[21] and Swingin' Groningen (2012)[22] along with various gigs in Italy and Spain.

In 2011, The Pimptones remix of The Breakbeat Junkie track "Rock The Funky Beat"[23] become a firm favourite of the BBC6 Music Funk and Soul Show, and was one of the most requested songs on RAI Radio 2’s Pop Corner (Italy).

Nick Pride also produces the Pimptones podcast designed to highlight up and coming music from the band and from other artists in the North East.

The current line-up for Nick Pride and the Pimptones is as follows:

• Nick Pride - guitar, vocals, songwriter
• Pete Lawson - drums
• Jimmy Brown - electric bass
• Keith Nicholson - trumpet / flugel
• Alex Saxon - saxophone / flute
• Eliza Lawson - vocals

The Pimptones have collaborated with:

• Oscar Cassidy - drums, percussion
• Ian Paterson - bass guitar
• Chris Hibbard - trombone
• Dave Wilde - saxophone, flute
• Alex Leathard - trombone
• Graham Hardy - trumpet, flugel horn
• John Wheeler - saxophone
• James Peacock - keyboard
• Paul Edis - piano
• Paul Loraine - keyboard
• Laurie Shepherd - guest vocals
• Zoe Gilby - guest vocals
• Jess Roberts - guest vocals
• Susan Hamilton - guest vocals
• Adam Sinclair - drums
• Tom Quilliam - saxophone
• John Waugh - saxophone
• Lyndon Anderson - guest vocals / harmonica
• Renegade Brass Band
• Karen Harding - guest vocals
• Dubbul O - guest vocals
• Courtney Valencia - guest vocals
• Thomas Lane Hewitt - guest vocals
• Beth Macari - lead vocals
• Sue Ferris - tenor sax, baritone sax
• Micky Moran Parker - guest vocals
• Renegade Brass Band - brass, vocals, percussion

• Bandcamp site
• Label website
• Nick Pride and the Pimptones on Myspace
• Nick Pride and the Pimptones on Facebook