Nothing happens by chance. The Schooner Boys did not, one day, happen upon each other in Portbello Market for example. Aside from distant family connections between Howard and Barty, they were effectively strangers to one another when they first attended Club Beretta, which became the catalyst for an extraordinary fusion of thoughts, cravats and Edwardian elasticated boots.
Club Beretta was, is, the brainchild of DJ Martinelli, son of an Italian soho coffee shop owner. Martinelli wanted a place to play his unique collection of mod flash, London Punk and Apres Ski sounds to his friends. Club Beretta benefitted from a strong of mouth reputation, there was no explicit advertising or marketing. If you knew the right people you would find out about Beretta. To maintain the air of exclusivity, Beretta continually changes venue to deter the ‘fly by nights', who come dressed as Sherlock Holmes in an attempt to appear socially sophisticated and debonair. Only the trusted are kept informed.
Each of the Schooner Boys came to Beretta through separate routes, and only after several months polite ‘chit chat' and mutual appreciation of each other's taste and fortitude, did a bond appear between the four. It was Martinelli who dubbed them the Schooner Boys, due to their habit of having Wilson, the club butler, bring them a decanter of Sherry and four schooner glasses to their table each night.
It was also Martinelli who cajoled them into forming a house band to perform a residency at the Club. Their somewhat curt and aggressive ditties, seemingly out of synch with their refined aspirations, provided the perfect stimulus for a burgeoning attitude of exclusivity through a brash and trim sound. Beretta's biggest problem remains dividing the genuine from the interlopers - and there are several, none so bold as Albie Scuffy aka ‘Ponce', a crafty cocknefied proletariat who continually tries to insinuate his way into Schooner affections. Dismally failing each time.
ATTENTION! SCHOONER BOY PODCAST NOW AVAILABLE!
The Schooner Boys are pleased to announce that the first of their renowned radio plays is now available as a podcast. 'The Camp Gene' is the story of the day when Barty's camp gene was activated deviously by his Uncle James (Mr Jim). The ensuing chaos caused by the tantrums and camp frolics provokes Howard, Ernest and Gilbert to employ the services of a Camp Exorcist, enter Cuspington Rusper....
To hear the podcast Click here
The following instructional tale of hope springs eternal featuring Schooner hero Alf Tupper is the work of the master animator, Charlie. We owe him our deepest thanks
"THE CAMP GENE" GOES ANIMATED
Again courtesy of Charlie: Hope Springs Eternal
made with the Cosmoedit Myspace Editor
All Schooner Boys material ©Cheambeat Communications 2007-2008
except for "Tough of the Track" courtesy of Charlie 'Hope Springs Eternal'
