Harty

Anthony’s solo shows include songs from his 39 year career and some personal favourites including some crowd pleasers. His incredible guitar playing is backed up by his great vocal capability, always leaving an audience wanting more……..

Biog -
Anthony Harty famously kick-started his career by striding into Paul Weller's Style Council auditions as a brash 16-year-old and landing the bass guitarist's slot in the legend's post-Jam incarnation. Since then, the 47-year-old multi-instrumentalist has played with a glittering Who's Who of memorable line-ups, over 100 artistes and bands, including SpecialBeat, Badfinger and The Truth.
Anthony was spoon-fed a whole host of excellent music from an extremely early age and got the guitar playing bug at the age of 8! Played in a covers band at the age of 14 and various bands with mates, until..................
His first proper gig was in 1983 at the age of 16. Just before he left school, Paul Weller had formed The Style Council and didn't have a bass player. He decided to write to him and enclosed a tape of him playing along with the first Style Council single. He replied in 2 weeks, He auditioned twice and was given the job. It lasted for 2 years, during which time it consisted of 2 UK tours, 3 European tours, tours in Japan and America, TV work and appearances and radio work and appearances. 1985 - 1987 was spent working with his own band. In 1987 he joined The Truth playing bass & proceeded to do an American tour promoting their second album and hit single both entitled 'Weapons Of Love'. The promotional video was regularly on MTV. They supported Squeeze, Eddie Money, and headlined numerous club dates. In 1988 he played on The Truth’s 3rd album, 'Jump', followed by tour supports in the UK and US with The Hooters & T’Pau. Late in 1988 he toured with The Duel supporting Five Star playing in the biggest arenas in the UK after 3 days rehearsal! In 1990 he played on The Primitives last RCA studio album with producer Tony Phillips. In 1991 he completed the line-up of the reformed Badfinger for Bob Jackson, an original member. The gig lasted for around 2 years, and as it ended he was asked by The Specials bass player, Horace Panter, to play guitar in SpecialBeat - an amalgam of The Specials & The Beat. They toured the US firstly with Steel Pulse, then with Sting on The Soul Cages tour. They also completed a lightening 6 date tour of Japan including some live TV, which was made into a live video. Between 1992 & 1994 I was spent writing and recording with singer songwriters Jim O'Neil, and Mike Roberts from King. He played guitar, bass and drums as well as singing lead & backing vocals on studio demos. They then formed a band to play the material live. Between 1994 & 1996 he played bass with Honeyboy Hickling & The DT’s, (Steve Marriots last band) touring the UK, Ireland & Europe. In 1996 he formed blues trio Box Of Blues with ex-Selecter guitarist Neol Davies & Specials bassman Horace Panter, this time filling in the drummers chair. They performed gigs, in-stores, & festivals in the UK & Ireland promoting own self-penned CD. In February 2000 he recorded 30 tracks in 6 days playing drums with Neol, Horace and other ex members of The Specials for two Trojan covers albums, commissioned by Trojan themselves. He played in The Subterraneans from 2001 to 2009; a Coventry band doing own material and covers gigs, playing to large audiences in big capacity pubs, colleges, corporate events, and private functions. Summer 2001, he recorded 28 tracks playing guitar with reggae legend Lee Scratch Perry, his first studio work in 15 years. Following worldwide success and a Grammy Award for best reggae album with the first release from the Lee Scratch Perry sessions, (the second album containing the 14 remaining songs from the original session having also received worldwide acclaim) the studio band recorded a DVD of a gig for Trojan Records featuring new & classic Lee Scratch Perry material for worldwide release, the first DVD to be released from this classic label. Played festivals & big gigs in the UK and Europe with 2Tone Collective, with ex-members of The Specials, Selecter, & The Beat. Early 2004, The Subterraneans were approached by Hazel O’Connor to be her band for a DVD of a gig in Brighton (Released Jan 2005), and to perform at Glastonbury. The marriage of the band and the legendary punk icon was quite successful; with 3 mini tours, live DVD, Glastonbury and other UK festivals. Also contributing to a track on Hazels album with legendary producer, Martin Rushent. Did a session for Trojan to re-record an old Lee Scratch Perry classic called 'Return of Django' to be used on a Tax Credit commercial! He played everything including piano, except Sax! Late 2009 he joined cover band The Sheratones after parting company with The Subterraneans after 8 years with them. He then joined Pauline Black's band early 2010, playing gigs/festivals in the UK, Europe, worldwide with Pauline and as The Selecter. Here's some of the artistes/bands he’s played with and supported;
Wipeout The Jaguars The Style Council General Public Madness Bronski Beat A Craze The Questions Tracie Young Billy Bragg X Certs Beachmantango Out The Blue The Truth Squeeze Eddie Money T'Pau The Hooters The Duel 5Star The Mossbacks The Walnut Conspiracy Badfinger SpecialBeat No Doubt Steel Pulse Sting Voice Of The Beehive Was Not Was The D.T.'s Steve Gibbons Flying Tortellini's Fate Bob Brolly Roy Wood Dangerfield Dave Willets Mike Roberts The Primitives Mask Party Bon Jovi The Specials Dangerfield Roy Wood Status Quo The Swains The 2tone Collective Dave Barker Lee Scratch Perry Box Of Blues Partners In Rhyme Boyce and Stanley Subterraneans The Selecter Human Cabbages Mr Ben Hazel O'Connor Pauline Black The Sheratones The Fortunes Gerry & The Pacemakers PJ Proby Steve Ellis (Love Affair) The Tremeloes Gary Puckett Wayne Fontana HighTones 9 Below Zero. Turned down Bros!