ROGER VAN NIEKIRK (Drums)

Roger's clomping backbeat has graced many a band from London and has been the unsung hero behind the skins of many a hot-beat combo without the recognition he so deserves. Originally hooked up with Malcolm Chapman with the Bop Shack Stompers, a loud, thumping R&R, Surf, Blues band from SW London but was in the more famous (but sadly long retired) band called CAT TALK, which featured Chad Strenz on Vcls and Sam Crabtree on lead guitar. (Sam sold Malcolm his first guitar so it's all his fault!) He also appeared with The Scat Cats, Slapback & Carl Sonny Leyland's Sundowners, (not to be confused with the Sundowners that Malcolm performed with).
After the Bop Shacks split up, Roger & Malcolm teamed up with Boz Boorer (Malcolm's guitar teacher) and Nick Gilroy and formed the NICK GILROY COMBO who's first gig was at a Hemsby Weekender! Later he also joined Gilroy for the short lived Nick & The Hicksters, featuring Darrel Higham on guitar.
He was also part of the legendary band called the FRANTIX, fronted by Wildman Jerry Brill (which also included Malcolm & Neil Scott when they weren't too busy laughing or ducking!). When not playing alongside Carlos he also beats out a rhythm for the Boz Boorer Allstars, the Memphis Flashes (fronted by Carlos), the Folsome Four and Chrissie Grech's Rhythm Wranglers.

Like any top musician, he's also done his fair share of "dep" work with people like Number 9, Blue Rhythm Boys, Big Joe Louis & the Blues Kings (and with Little George), Darrel Higham & the Enforcers, Mac Curtis (with the Nick Gilroy Kombo in Vegas), Ben Hewitt, Huelyn Duvall, The Back Beats, The Lynch Mob, Sonny George and Rosie Flores.