King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys

King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys are a British jazz band shown on the early 1997 episodes of the Teletubbies television series. They love to play Nursery Rhymes for both the children and for the Teletubbies. They are in episodes that usually are titled with a nursery rhyme. They made five episode appearances.

Episode Appearances[]

The Grand Old Duke of York (first appearance)
See-Saw
Humpty Dumpty
Hey Diddle Diddle
Hickory Dickory Dock (last appearance)
Nursery Rhymes (The Grand Old Duke of York and Hickory Dickory Dock)
Bedtime (Hey Diddle Diddle)

Gallery[]

Trivia[]

King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys are also shown performing in concerts off of Teletubbies.
King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys along with the Funny Lady are the best known Teletubbies TV Event.
When King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys sing a Nursery Rhyme, they come up with original lyrics to avoid repeating the same verse over and over again.
In some of the band's concert songs, the Biscuit Boys perform without King Pleasure (Mark Skirving's professional name), who is off the stage.
On episodes featuring King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys, the Pupils of Chuckery Infants School cheer and applause at the end of the video segment.
The first four episodes featuring King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys featured the longest-running Biscuit Boy, Christopher Shirley, and former members Alan Gare and Jonathon Boston. On their first four appearances alone, Mark Skirving wore a yellow double-breasted suit with black and white spectator shoes, Christopher Shirley, and former members Alan Gare, Jonathon Boston, and Daniel McCormack wore red double-breasted suits with black and white correspondent shoes. The other former members Paul Martin, Dean Beresford, and Paul Allin also wore red double-breasted suits with black and white correspondent shoes, however, the eight musicians appearing at Birmingham Botanical Gardens featuring the drums, the alto and baritone saxophones, the trumpet, Mark Skirving's saxophone and his neckstrap, the music instrument stands at Birmingham Botanical Gardens, and the appearances of Paul Martin, Dean Beresford, and Paul Allin were never shown in the final version of their first four appearances. In the band's fifth and last appearance filmed at Chuckery School, two musicians appeared when Mark Skirving wore a black double-breasted suit, and former member Daniel McCormack wore the same outfit from the band's first four appearances, which was shown at Birmingham Botanical Gardens.
At the time of their appearances on Teletubbies, the wardrobe trademark for King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys were the double-breasted suits and the black and white spectator shoes, which was their wardrobe trademark from the 1990s to 2002.
In 2002, King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys stopped wearing the double-breasted suits and the black and white spectator shoes, which were once their wardrobe trademark worn from the 1990s to 2002. However, in the early days of the 2001-2006 lineup, the band wore blue double-breasted suits previously worn in the 1999-2001 lineup, but three musicians, Mark Skirving, Christopher Shirley and John Battrum wore black and white spectator shoes, while the other three musicians wore black leather shoes. (See pic above)
Their first four appearances were filmed at Birmingham Botanical Gardens in Edgbaston, a region of the West Midlands, their last appearance was filmed at Chuckery School in Walsall, England.
Former band members Paul Allin, Paul Martin, and Dean Beresford (who departed between 1996 and 2001) were the only three former members not seen on their appearances in the television series, and the only former member who appeared in the episodes featuring the band was former member Daniel McCormack. Their musical instruments, consisting of Cootie Alexander's trumpet, P. Popps Martin's alto and baritone saxophones, and Bam Bam Beresford's drums were also not seen on the show, in addition to the music instrument stands. Although never shown in the final version of the Birmingham Botanical Gardens episodes, the setup featuring the music instrument stands was only possibly shown in either the deleted footage or bloopers.
King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys featuring the current Biscuit Boys John Battrum, Craig Sunderland, Matt Foundling, and Gary Barber (who joined the band between 1999 and 2008) performed at Birmingham Botanical Gardens with the remaining two founding members on 15 July 2012 as part of the 2012 Brum Jazz Festival. A series of photographs as well as two short videos are shown online.
At the time of their Teletubbies appearances, the band consisted of seven Biscuit Boys, being an eight-member lineup between the early 1990s and 2001. Now, the band consists of five Biscuit Boys, being a six-member lineup. Also, on their first four appearances, four of the seven Biscuit Boys were seen, on their last appearance, only one was seen. Although three of the eight members never appeared in the final version of the Birmingham Botanical Gardens episodes, the eight members appearing together were only possibly shown in either the deleted footage or bloopers.
King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys have also performed their nursery rhymes off of Teletubbies, such as (the now deceased) Christopher Finnes' 18th birthday. In addition, they have made appearances in other television shows, such as somewhat bizarrely, the now-defunct BBC Pebble Mill Studios in 1993, which closed in 2004 and was torn down in 2005. The now-demolished BBC Pebble Mill Studios ran for 33 years after it opened in 1971. The land that contained the now-demolished BBC Pebble Mill Studios once was the site of a fulling mill in the 16th century (1500s).
In addition to the early 1997 episodes of the Teletubbies TV series and the now-demolished BBC Pebble Mill Studios in 1993, King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys have also appeared on What's That Noise? and Blue Peter in 1992, the unseen Non Stop Nosh TV pilot and the TV show featuring Cork Jazz in the 1995-1996 television season, Central News and ABC News USA in 1990, BBC Wales in the 1995-1996 television season and again in 2000, Central TV Premier in 1995, Scene Today and Challenge Anneka in 1989, the 14th episode from the first season of Live and Kicking to commemorate New Year's Day in 1994, and Mum's the Word, the 46th episode from the third season of Doctors in 2001, where Mark Skirving portrayed M.C. Ricardo. King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys have also made 75 radio broadcasts that have established them as the Kings of Swing in addition to more than 50 television appearances, as well as dazzling musicianship and riveting stage performances. They also made many albums.
In some shots of their first four episode appearances, crews with cameras and their other equipment were shown, which was considered a production goof on their first four appearances. In one shot of their last episode appearance, Mark Skirving's shoes were partially visible. Also, in their first four episode appearances, patrons of Birmingham Botanical Gardens can be seen, but from far away. In their last episode appearance, people were visible walking in the hall outside the room containing the piano. On their first episode appearance, a voice from off-camera was heard.
King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys was established in 1986 but officially became King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys in 1988. Since the mid-2000s decade, their wardrobe trademark is the blue single-breasted suits and the black leather shoes. On some occasions, they wear different outfits. From the 1990s to 2002, the band's wardrobe trademark consisted of double-breasted suits (different colours such as red, yellow, black, or tan before 1998, but blue as the main colour since 1998) and black and white spectator shoes.
In the early months of the 2001-2006 lineup, the band still wore the blue double-breasted suits whereas Mark Skirving, Christopher Shirley, and John Battrum still wore black and white spectator shoes. (See pic above)
The original lineup for King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys (which was under a different name) consisted of Mark Skirving, Christopher Shirley, Paul Martin, Peter Prince, and Stephen Page.
Before their appearances on Teletubbies, former members featured Peter Prince, Stephen Page, Lisa Lee, Paul Skan, and Al Nicholls.
At the time of their appearances on Teletubbies, the lineup for King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys consisted of Mark Skirving, Christopher Shirley, Paul Martin, Paul Allin (who continued to perform occasionally until 1997), Dean Beresford, Alan Gare, Daniel McCormack, and Jonathon Boston (who continued to perform occasionally until 1998), but they were the regular lineup in 1994 and 1995.
After their appearances on Teletubbies, former members featured Martin Winning, Michael Burney (deceased), Julian W. Greaves, Ray Butcher, Mally Baxter, Steve Tromans, and Dave Wilkes.
As of 2008, the lineup for King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys consists of Mark Skirving, Christopher Shirley, John Battrum, Craig Sunderland, Matt Foundling, and Gary Barber.
From all former King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys members, one former member (the late Michael Burney) is unfortunately deceased.
The children on their appearances were identified as the Pupils of Chuckery Infants School, who were approximately 4, 5, 6, or 7 years old.
The following musicians who appeared on the Teletubbies TV series were Mark Skirving, Chris Shirley, Alan Gare, Daniel McCormack, and Jonathon Boston (who continued to perform occasionally until 1998). Former members Paul Allin (who continued to perform occasionally until 1997), Paul Martin and Dean Beresford were supposed to appear on Teletubbies with them but never did, and they, for some unknown reason, never appeared in the final version of the episodes featuring King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys filmed at Birmingham Botanical Gardens but only possibly appeared in the deleted footage or bloopers.
In December 2016, when King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys celebrated their 30th anniversary, they sang Hickory Dickory Dock to a (now deceased) Teletubbies fan named Chris Finnes, in honour of his 18th birthday. The video is shown online. Sadly, after the video was filmed, Christopher James Finnes, who was non-speaking and autistic, died on 18 February 2023 at age 24. After the unexpected and shocking death of Christopher Finnes, a charitable foundation was established in memory of Christopher Finnes.
The band's 15th anniversary of its origins was in 2001, the year of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon in the United States of America. In the same year alone, three musicians were replaced and two musicians were removed, causing a total of five departures. The only two remaining founding musicians remaining since 2001 are Mark Skirving and Christopher Shirley who were the only two musicians who were part of the band for its entire run. The only other musician remaining since the 1999–2001 lineup is John Battrum, who was introduced to the band in 1999.
In 2001, King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys, with the exceptions of Mark Skirving, Christopher Shirley, and John Battrum, completely changed its lineup when Mally Baxter and Paul Martin both departed, and the other three, Alan Gare, Daniel McCormack, and Dean Beresford, who also departed, were replaced respectively by Steve Tromans (replaced by Matt Foundling in 2006), Dave Wilkes (replaced by Gary Barber in 2008), and Craig Sunderland, who officially assumed the double bass role when Mark Skirving acquired the baritone saxophone role and John Battrum acquired the alto saxophone role, which were both acquired from founding member Paul Martin. Since 2004, Mark Skirving has been very popular on the baritone saxophone with the tenor saxophone scarcely played since then, and as of 2023, John Battrum has been very popular on the tenor saxophone without the alto saxophone being around.
Three of the former King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys members, Alan Gare, Daniel McCormack, and Dean Beresford, once worked with vocalist Jon Leonard as part of the band Electric Leg. The three men then worked with Irish singer Imelda May in a band of her own, but have all since departed from the Imelda May Band, Alan Gare served the longest. Daniel McCormack now performs with Mike Mcgrother, Dean Beresford works with Richard Hawley, and Alan Gare now performs with Fay Fife (as the Countess of Fife). However, the three men still share a friendship. Other associated acts that feature Alan Gare, Dean Beresford, and Daniel McCormack who previously performed with Mike Sanchez, are the Richard Heath Band, Oliver Darling Band, and others. In December 2010, The Dirty Robbers, a rock and roll band featuring member Oliver Darling (who sometimes performs with Daniel McCormack, Alan Gare, and Dean Beresford), filmed the Going F*cking Nowhere music video at Birmingham Botanical Gardens, the same location where King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys once performed The Grand Old Duke of York, See-Saw Margery Daw, Humpty Dumpty, and Hey Diddle Diddle (filmed in 1996) on their first four appearances.
King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys notably performed at Birmingham Botanical Gardens in the years 1996, 2012, 2019, and 2023. They performed there to entertain the Pupils of Chuckery Infants School while filming their nursery rhyme music video selections. They then performed at the same location as part of the 2012 Brum Jazz Festival. Nearly seven years later, they performed at the same location as part of the 2019 Swingamajig Music Festival. However, saxophonist Chris B. Aldridge in a black single-breasted business suit filled in for John Battrum, and almost four years later, they performed at the same festival featuring Gregory Coulson, who filled in for Matt Foundling.
On 9 April 1994, King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys (1992–1994 lineup) performed at a wedding where Francis Bigg married. The video is shown online.
At the 1996 Jazz uf em Platz Festival filmed on 13 July 1996 featuring King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys in Muttenz, Switzerland, then-member Daniel McCormack's suit trousers were missing.
Sometimes, King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys perform featuring a substitute musician, filling in for one of the band's usual members. In addition, at a concert in July 2017, Mike Powell, a double bassist in a black single-breasted business suit filled in for Craig Sunderland. On another occasion, when the band wore black dinner jackets in April 2017, Paul Corry, a saxophonist filled in John Battrum, with Craig Sunderland wearing a straight tie instead of a black bow tie. On different occasions, the band plays featuring honorary Biscuit Boys, who are substitute musicians wearing the band's wardrobe trademark consisting of blue single-breasted suits and black leather shoes. Sometimes, the substitute musicians do not even wear the band's wardrobe trademark.
Although the band's episode appearances at Birmingham Botanical Gardens were filmed in 1996, the music video selections were not shown on TV until 1997.
In rare videos filmed at the 2002 Riverboat Jazz Festival in Silkeborg, Denmark, Mark Skirving had his baritone saxophone stand onstage, alongside his tenor saxophone on its stand. Since 2004, Mark Skirving's tenor saxophone and its stand, alongside his baritone saxophone stand were absent, replaced by his baritone saxophone case with the baritone saxophone laid down on top of the case, then in the case with the open lid since 2011, for some unknown reason. The videos are shown online. At Mark Skirving's wedding in the summer of 2017, King Pleasure had both his baritone and tenor saxophones on stands, which made a rare scenario.
In rare photographs of King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys wearing black dinner jackets performing in the United Kingdom city of Norwich, England, Mark Skirving played his tenor saxophone with his baritone saxophone on a stand onstage, and played the baritone saxophone with his tenor saxophone on another stand, also onstage, meaning Mark Skirving had rotated between the baritone and tenor saxophones, since 2004, the scenario had been increasingly scarce, with Mark Skirving only having his baritone saxophone case onstage for some unknown reason. In the first few years of Craig Sunderland's tenure alone, there were four saxophone stands.
In November 2014, British music fans mourned the death of saxophonist Michael Burney, a former King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys member who performed with the band in 1997. Although the band's episode appearances aired in 1997, the King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys music videos were filmed one year earlier when then-member Jonathon Boston (who continued to perform occasionally until 1998) was serving the role, filmed in 1996 (shown on television in 1997) at Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Former tenor saxophonist Jonathon Boston appeared in the band's first four episode appearances, he departed as a regular member in 1995 and continued occasionally until 1998.
The only former King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys member to have since died so far was the late Michael Burney, who died on 13 November 2014.
On 8 May 1998 in the Evening Telegram, under the headline The Pleasure's all ours, Mark Skirving said the band changed their name for the appearance where they sang the first four nursery rhymes, The Grand Old Duke of York, See-Saw Margery Daw, Humpty Dumpty, and Hey Diddle Diddle with a rhythm and blues version to different selections of Pupils of Chuckery Infants School, which were gangs of kids from Chuckery School at Birmingham Botanical Gardens in the city's West Midlands region of Edgbaston, but they regretted the name change when the show, which became the Teletubbies TV series, attracts a cult following.
On 12 March 1999 in The Walsall Observer, under the headline Swing Kings Back Their Roots, Mark Skirving said he wore the yellow double-breasted suit to sing The Grand Old Duke of York, See-Saw Margery Daw, Humpty Dumpty, and Hey Diddle Diddle at Birmingham Botanical Gardens, and strangely, the kids in the music videos were Pupils of Chuckery Infants School, however, their first four appearances were filmed separately from the four episodes that contain their music videos.
On 22 March 2002 in a British news company, under the headline Biscuit Boys in Tubblyland, Mark Skirving stated that after he met Teletubbies co-creator Anne Wood at a gig in Stafford, she asked the band to sing nursery rhymes on the Teletubbies TV series, so he rewrote the first four nursery rhymes, The Grand Old Duke of York, See-Saw Margery Daw, Humpty Dumpty, and Hey Diddle Diddle with a swing style by adding more lyrics, which were then filmed in 1996 (although not shown on TV until 1997) with the band performing them featuring the Pupils of Chuckery Infants School at Birmingham Botanical Gardens.
Sometimes, Mike Powell, a double bassist who fills in for Craig Sunderland wore black and white spectator shoes, the shoes that the band used to wear as their wardrobe trademark from the 1990s to 2002.
Some concerts featuring King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys feature saxophonists Chris B. Aldridge, Paul Corry, and Jon Taylor, who sometimes fill in for John Battrum's usual role. Also, different musicians such as saxophonist Jon Taylor and double bassist John Roy Potter sometimes fill in for the roles usually occupied by John Battrum and Craig Sunderland. Some other concerts feature pianists Justin Randal, Gregory Coulson, Phil Bond, and Richard Hughes filling in for Matt Foundling's usual role, as well as drummers Howard Smith and Dave Tandy filling in for Gary Barber's usual role.
The musicians who sometimes perform with King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys feature tenor saxophonists Chris B. Aldridge, Paul Corry, Andy Williamson, and Jon Taylor; double bassists Mike Powell and John Roy Potter, pianists Justin Randal, Gregory Coulson, Phil Bond, and Richard Hughes; and drummers Howard Smith and Dave Tandy.
In concerts since the early 2010s, Matt Foundling wore the blue double-breasted suit instead of the single-breasted suit, a double-breasted suit that the band used to wear as their wardrobe trademark from the 1990s to 2002.
On 11 March 2020, King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys announced that all of their gigs would be suspended until further notice due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
More than one year later, on 12 April 2021, King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys announced that the 2021 World of Music, Arts and Dance Festival in the town of Lancashire, England, United Kingdom, where the festival has held at Charlton Park since 2007 was going to be one of their first gigs after the shutdown restrictions caused by COVID-19 pandemic, where they would have been lining up alongside a great mix of bands from international countries on 23 July 2021. Their performance in the United Kingdom town of Solihull, England at The Core Theatre on 3 July 2021 was the first time since 11 March 2020 that King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys were shown performing in a concert, but only at a limited capacity.
- However, on 15 June 2021, the World of Music, Arts and Dance Festival team announced that they were unable to confirm the festival without understanding the realistic level of government support in the event of a forced COVID-19 cancellation, and the basis on which large-scale events are going to be allowed to proceed caused by the pandemic that began on 11 March 2020.
- On 18 June 2021, the World of Music, Arts and Dance Festival team announced that the 2021 World of Music, Arts and Dance Festival was confirmed to occur on 23 July 2021, after the festival team understood the realistic level of the United Kingdom government support in the event of a forced COVID-19 cancellation, based on which large scale events are allowed to proceed caused by the pandemic.
- On 28 June 2021, Peter Gabriel, the founder of the World of Music, Arts and Dance Festival, cancelled the 2021 festival due to the founder blaming a lack of support from the nation's government. As a result, the 2021 World of Music, Arts and Dance Festival was cancelled altogether due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As a result of the 2021 World of Music, Arts and Dance Festival being cancelled completely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys' next gig was at the Powder Monkey Brewing Company in Gosport, England, United Kingdom, which took place on 14 August 2021.
In the year 2021, King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys unofficially celebrated its 35th anniversary but was officially celebrated in 2023.
The tables shown are Current Band Members at the top, and Former Members at the bottom.
Music video selections from the album Live At Last are shown online, published on 7 March 2013 by Big Bear Music UK titled The Atomic King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys.
On 18 February 2022, King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys announced that their gig at The Night Owl in Birmingham, England, United Kingdom, previously scheduled for 19 February 2022, would be sadly rescheduled to 20 August 2022 because Mark Skirving fell ill after having tested positive for COVID-19. The gig at The Night Owl in Birmingham, England, United Kingdom was rescheduled by a total of six months. On 20 August 2022, six months after the announcement, King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys performed at The Night Owl in Birmingham, England, United Kingdom, featuring pianist Gregory Coulson filling in for Matt Foundling and saxophonist Jon Taylor filling in for John Battrum.
On 26 April 2022, King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys announced that they would perform at the 2022 Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival in the United Kingdom market town of Colne, a civil parish in the Borough of Pendle in Lancashire, England, United Kingdom, which occurred on 28 August 2022. It marked the first time in 32 years since 1990 when the band performed at the Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival, during the events of the first Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival in the United Kingdom market town of Colne, a civil parish in the Borough of Pendle in Lancashire, England, United Kingdom that took place in 1990. At the 2022 Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival, King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys performed featuring Paul Corry and drummer Dave Tandy.
In photographs and videos featuring King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys at the 2022 Jazz Festival in the Italian region of Umbria, pianist Gregory Coulson in the navy business suit filled in for Matt Foundling, where double bassist Mike Powell wore a blue double-breasted suit, which King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys used to wear as their wardrobe trademark from the 1990s to 2002.
On 29 July 2022, King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys cancelled their performance during the 2022 World of Music, Arts and Dance Festival. After they cancelled their 2022 performance at the World of Music, Arts and Dance Festival, they instead performed at the 2023 World of Music, Arts and Dance Festival on 28 July 2023 near Malmesbury, United Kingdom.
In the first several years of John Battrum's King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys' tenure, John Battrum sometimes wore eyeglasses.
Before their appearances on Teletubbies, Christopher Shirley's trademark guitar was a Hofner President, which was Shirley's trademark guitar from 1987 to the early 1990s.
At the time of their appearances on Teletubbies, Christopher Shirley's trademark guitar was a Guild X160, which was Shirley's trademark guitar from the early 1990s to 2004.
After their appearances on Teletubbies, Christopher Shirley's trademark guitar is a Gibson L5, which has been Shirley's trademark guitar since 2004.
In May 2015, music fans mourned the death of American blues singer Riley B. King, professionally known as B.B. King who was the artist of "You Upset Me Baby", a song from 1956 that King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys acquired in the 1990s to perform in concerts. Mark Skirving (as King Pleasure) painted a canvas painting of B.B. King in 2014, shortly before Riley B. King died on 14 May 2015. The late Riley B. King once worked with King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys in the 1990s. The band paid tribute to the late B.B. King after his passing. The 1956 song "You Upset Me Baby", which was acquired by King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys, has been performed in concerts throughout the band's existence.
On 30 April 2023, King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys performed again at Birmingham Botanical Gardens as part of the 2023 Swingamajig Festival, nearly four years after they performed at the same festival, nearly 11 years after the 2012 Brum Jazz Festival, and 27 years after they filmed their music videos performing the first four nursery rhymes. Richard Breedon (as Velum Break), a synthesist who appeared as one of the kids from the Pupils of Chuckery Infants School on an episode of Teletubbies featuring the band at Birmingham Botanical Gardens, later relived the experience at the 2023 Swingamajig Festival, 27 years after he appeared in a nursery rhyme music video. However, pianist Gregory Coulson filled in for Matt Foundling's usual role.
After leaving King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys, the band's former members Jonathon Boston and Martin Winning later played clarinet.
Since the late 2010s, King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys' albums have been under the name Big Joe Pleasure, the album 35 Years of Swingin' The Blues was released on 20 May 2023, to help celebrate King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys' 35th anniversary. However, the band's name was introduced in 1988, two years after the establishment of its origins.
Other than King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys themselves, the boogie band for Big Joe Pleasure also feature Jim Merris and Gregory Coulson, who sometimes perform in the band's concerts, Bryan Corbett who plays trumpet, the musical instrument that used to be part of King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys from 1987 to 2001, Fats Antonio, Mike McGeever, Skullduggery, and Richard Wood.
King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys are based in Birmingham, England, United Kingdom, in the region of the West Midlands. The band's name was formally established in 1988, two years after its origin.

Current Band Members[]

Current Band Member	Years Serving Since	Musical Instrument	Facts About The Current Band Members
Mark Skirving (as King Pleasure)	1986	vocals, baritone saxophone (tenor saxophone scarcely played since 2004)	Acquired the vocalist role when Lisa Lee departed in 1990, and he then acquired the baritone saxophone role when Paul Martin departed in 2001. Since 2004, Mark Skirving has been very popular on the baritone saxophone, with the tenor saxophone being scarcely played. Since 2001, Skirving and Christopher Shirley are the only remaining founding members of King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys, they both performed for the band's entire run.
Christopher Shirley (as Bullmoose K. Shirley)	1986	guitar (double bass in 1986 and 1987)	Moved from double bass to guitar in 1987, when Peter Prince was replaced by bassist Al Gare, who served as the double bassist from 1987 to 2001. When Alan Gare departed in 2001, Shirley played the double bass, the musical instrument he originally played in the band's origins of 1986 and 1987, which continued until Craig Sunderland arrived. The longest-running Biscuit Boy, Christopher Shirley is the only other remaining founding member of King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys since 2001.
John Battrum (as Boysey Battrum)	1999	tenor saxophone (has sometimes played alto saxophone since 2001)	Acquired the alto saxophone role when Paul Martin departed in 2001. The second-longest-running Biscuit Boy, Battrum is the only other musician remaining from the 1999–2001 lineup. Alongside former pianist Daniel McCormack, Battrum performs with Roy Wood (former member of In The Move and ELO) featuring Paul Corry, who sometimes fills in for Battrum's role featuring King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys. In the first several years of his King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys tenure, Battrum sometimes wore eyeglasses. As of 2023, Battrum has been very popular on the tenor saxophone, without the alto saxophone being around.
Craig Sunderland (as Shark Van Schtoop)	2001	double bass	Succeeded Alan Gare in 2001; strangely, however, Craig Sunderland shares the same birthday as his predecessor, Alan Gare, but Sunderland, though, is seven years younger than Al Gare. Before Sunderland arrived, guitarist Christopher Shirley (as Bullmoose K. Shirley) played the double bass, the musical instrument he originally played in the band's origins after Alan Gare departed. Sunderland officially assumed the role in 2001 when the band became six members, and before that time, Sunderland served as an unofficial member.
Matt Foundling (as Mighty Matt Foundling)	2006	piano	Succeeded Steve Tromans in 2006; Foundling was the second-most recent musician who was to introduce King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys.
Gary Barber (as The Enforcer)	2008	drums	Succeeded Dave Wilkes in 2008; Barber was the most recent musician who was introduced to King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys. Barber was first introduced when he took the drum reigns from Dave Wilkes.

Former Members[]

Former Member	Years Served	Musical Instrument	Facts About The Former Members
Peter Prince (as Dixie Prince)	1986 and 1987	guitar	The guitar role was passed to Christopher Shirley, who acquired the role after moving from the double bass, succeeded by double bassist Alan Gare (who served from 1987 to 2001). Prince was the guitarist when Chris Shirley was the double bassist, Peter Prince was also one of the founding members of King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys (which was under a different name). Alongside Stephen Page, Prince was one of the first two people to depart from King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys.
Stephen Page	1986 and 1987	drums	Stephen Page was the first drummer and one of the founding members of King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys (which was under a different name), succeeded by Dean Beresford (served 1987–2001), Stephen Page resides in Dubai, an emirate and a city in the United Arab Emirates, which is an Arabic country. Alongside Peter Prince, Page was one of the first two people to depart from King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys.
Paul Martin (as P. Popps Martin)	1986–2001	alto and baritone saxophones	The alto saxophone role was passed to John Battrum, who also plays tenor saxophone, and the baritone saxophone role was passed to Mark Skirving, who also plays tenor saxophone; Paul Martin was one of the founding members of King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys. Paul Martin then worked in the private sector after he departed from King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys in 2001. As with other former members Paul Allin and Dean Beresford, Paul Martin never appeared in the final version of the band's first four appearances.
Lisa Lee (as Sugar Lee)	1987-1990	vocals	The vocalist role was passed to saxophonist Mark Skirving; Lisa Lee was the first vocalist for King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys.
Paul Skan (as Piano Man Skan)	1987–1991	piano	Succeeded by Daniel McCormack (served 1992–2001), Paul Skan was the first pianist for King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys.
Paul Allin (as Cootie Alexander)	1987–1996	trumpet	Paul Allin was the first trumpeter for King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys, succeeded by Ray Butcher (served 1996). Paul Allin is now a self-employed director for his property maintenance company and now resides in Dove Holes, England, a village in the United Kingdom. Although Allin departed in 1996 as a regular member, he continued to perform with King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys occasionally until 1997, one of the performances featuring the late Michael Burney. As with other former members Paul Martin and Dean Beresford, Paul Allin never appeared in the final version of the band's first four appearances.
Alan Gare (as Slap Happy)	1987–2001	double bass	Preceded by guitarist Peter Prince (who served in 1986 and 1987) and succeeded by Craig Sunderland (as Shark Van Schtoop), serving since 2001. When Gare departed, guitarist Christopher Shirley played the double bass, the instrument he originally played in 1986 and 1987 until Craig Sunderland (as Shark Van Schtoop) arrived. Alan Gare, Daniel McCormack, and Dean Beresford then performed with Irish singer Imelda May, but have all of them since departed. Gare who sometimes plays bass guitar, once performed with Irish singer Imelda May until he departed from the Imelda May Band 2017, seven years after Beresford and McCormack departed following a tenure of 15 years. Strangely, Alan Gare shares the same birthday as his successor, Craig Sunderland, but Alan Gare is seven years older than Craig Sunderland. Alongside Beresford and McCormack, Alan Gare previously worked with vocalist Jon Leonard as part of the band Electric Leg. Gare was the first person to serve as double bassist with Christopher Shirley as guitarist. Imelda May appeared as an entertainment celebrity guest on different talk shows where Gare (now-former bassist of the Imelda May Band) and the other members of the Imelda May Band appeared. Gare, who departed from the Imelda May Band in 2017, seven years after McCormack and Beresford departed, now performs with Fay Fife (professionally as the Countess of Fife), Daniel McCormack now performs with Mike McGrother, and Dean Beresford now performs with Richard Hawley. In the year 2012, Gare was introduced to Kat Men. Alan Gare and Beresford also perform with Richard Heath as well as Oliver Darling (a member of The Dirty Robbers), alongside Daniel McCormack. Gare, Daniel McCormack, and Dean Beresford still share a friendship, but now usually perform in three different bands. Alan Gare, Daniel McCormack, and Dean Beresford had also performed with Mike Sanchez, alongside King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys' former tenor saxophonist Al Nicholls. On 11 January 2024, Gare was introduced to Deke McGee's band, led by Scottish saxophonist Mark "Deke" McGee. Previously, he worked with Sir Thomas Jones, a Welsh singer, the late Geoffrey Beck (an English guitarist who died 10 January 2023), Brian Setzer, and others.
Dean Beresford (as Bam Bam Beresford)	1987–2001	drums	Preceded by Stephen Page (served 1986 and 1987) and succeeded by Dave Wilkes (served 2001–2008), Dean Beresford once performed with Irish singer Imelda May alongside Alan Gare and Daniel McCormack until both Beresford and McCormack departed together from the Imelda May Band in 2010. Alan Gare departed from the Imelda May Band in 2017, seven years later, after a total of 15 years. Beresford now performs with Richard Hawley, Daniel McCormack now performs with Mike McGrother, and Alan Gare now performs with Fay Fife (known as the Countess of Fife). Alongside Gare and McCormack, Beresford previously worked with vocalist Jon Leonard as part of the band Electric Leg. Other than Richard Hawley, he and Al Gare also perform with Oliver Darling (a member of The Dirty Robbers) as well as Richard Heath, alongside Daniel McCormack. Beresford, Alan Gare, and Daniel McCormack still share a friendship, but the three men now usually perform in three different bands. Alongside Alan Gare and Daniel McCormack, they had also performed with Mike Sanchez, alongside King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys' former tenor saxophonist Al Nicholls. As with other former members Paul Allin and Paul Martin (whose first names are both Paul), Dean Beresford never appeared in the final version of the band's first four appearances.
Daniel McCormack (as Ivory Dan McCormack)	1992–2001	piano	Preceded by Paul Skan (served 1987-1992) and succeeded by Steve Tromans (served 2001–2006), Daniel McCormack once performed with Irish singer Imelda May alongside Alan Gare and Dean Beresford until he and McCormack departed from the Imelda May Band in 2010. Alan Gare departed from the Imelda May Band in 2017 seven years later, after a total of 15 years. Daniel McCormack now performs with Mike McGrother, Alan Gare now performs with Fay Fife (known as the Countess of Fife), and Beresford now performs with Richard Hawley. Alongside Gare and Beresford, McCormack previously worked with vocalist Jon Leonard as part of the band Electric Leg. Daniel McCormack performed with McCormack's former band King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys in 2015 as part of a special performance. McCormack also performs Oliver Darling (a member of The Dirty Robbers) as well as Richard Heath, alongside Alan Gare and Dean Beresford. Daniel McCormack, Dean Beresford, and Alan Gare still share a friendship together, but the three men now usually perform in three different bands. Alongside John Battrum, McCormack performs with Roy Wood (former member of In The Move and ELO), featuring Paul Corry, a tenor saxophonist who sometimes performs with King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys. McCormack also now works as music arranger, music producer, as well as music conductor. Alongside Alan Gare and Dean Beresford, Daniel McCormack had also performed with Mike Sanchez, alongside King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys' former tenor saxophonist, Al Nicholls.
Al Nicholls	1992–1994	tenor saxophone	Succeeded by Jonathon Boston (served 1994 and 1995); Al Nicholls was one of the King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys members from the early 1990s, Nicholls served as an unofficial member in 1991 and 1992. Al Nicholls had also performed with Mike Sanchez, alongside alongside three of the band's former members, Alan Gare, Dean Beresford, and Daniel McCormack.
Jonathon Boston (as Jumpin Jonny Boston)	1994 and 1995	tenor saxophone	Preceded by Al Nicholls (served 1992–1994) and succeeded by Martin Winning (served 1995–1997), Jonathon Boston was one of the King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys members who served in the mid-1990s. Jonathon Boston now performs in a band of his own, which was established in 2005 in London, England, the national capital of the United Kingdom, where Boston once resided. Boston's three bands feature The Jazzuits, a heavenly jazz gospel, the duo featuring his partner Gert-Jan Scherff, who also performs with Boston in a quartet featuring musicians Pierre Dunker and Tom Nieuwenhuijse, Jonathon Boston is the founder of the three bands; although Jonny Boston departed from King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys as a regular member in 1995, he then continued to perform with King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys until 1998. Jonathon Boston now resides in the Netherlands town of Hoofddorp, which is in the Haarlemmermeer municipality in the Netherlands province of North Holland. Other his trademark musical instrument, Boston plays a clarinet.
Martin Winning	1995–1997	tenor saxophone	Preceded by Jonathon Boston (served 1994 and 1995) and succeeded by the now late Michael Burney (served 1997), Martin Winning was one of the members of King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys in the 1990s. Winning had also played a clarinet.
Ray Butcher	1996	trumpet	Preceded by Paul Allin (served 1987–1996) and succeeded by Mally Baxter (served 1996–2001), Butcher was the second trumpeter for King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys. As with the now late Michael Burney, Ray Butcher never served as an official member of King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys but served as an interim after Paul Allin departed as a regular member in 1996.
Mally Baxter	1996–2001	trumpet	Preceded by Ray Butcher (served 1996); Mally Baxter was the third and last trumpeter for King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys until 2001, when the role was disestablished. Nearly 20 years later, the trumpet role was revived, this time in King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys' expanded lineup. Big Joe Pleasure.
Michael Burney (deceased)	1997	tenor saxophone	Preceded by Martin Winning (served 1995–1997) and succeeded by Julian W. Greaves (served 1997–1999); Burney was notable for his tenure in the early 1970s glam rock band, Wizzard (ran from 1972 to 1975); Burney died from cancer on 13 November 2014. Burney was the only former King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys member so far to have since died. As with Ray Butcher, the late Michael Burney never served as an official member of King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys but served as an interim after Martin Winning departed in 1997.
Julian W. Greaves	1997–1999	tenor saxophone	Preceded by the now late Michael Burney (served 1997) and succeeded by John Battrum (as Boysey Battrum, serving since 1999. From 2007 to 2010, Greaves temporarily performed with King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys as a subsitute musician.
Steve Tromans (as Crab Claw Tromans)	2001–2006	piano	Preceded by Daniel McCormack (served 1992–2001) and succeeded by Matt Foundling, serving since 2006, Steve Tromans was the second-most recent person to depart from King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys.
Dave Wilkes (as Dangerous Dave Wiles)	2001–2008	drums	Preceded by Dean Beresford (served 1987–2001) and succeeded by Gary Barber, serving since 2008, Dave Wilkes was the most recent person to depart from King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys.