The ‘Badgers’ play a mixture of covers and original numbers and our set includes songs by Rory Gallagher, Z.Z.Top, Cream, SRV, Joe Bonamassa, Jeff Healey and Free.
Phil and I have been playing together in bands since our school days (many years ago!) and were recently joined by ace drummer, Steve Aitken, who has featured in many, popular, local bands.

Geoff started his career On leaving college in 1974, Geoff started his career teaching Modern Languages at Littlemoss High School in Droylsden, where he remained until September 2000. During the summer holidays of 1976, he was able to visit, Maryland, Washington, where he bought his dream guitar - a tobacco sunburst 'Gibson Les Paul Standard'

Geoff continued playing with semi-pro bands throughout the 70's and teamed up again with Phil Cawsey in 1980 to form Teacher's Pet and then Niff Naff with friend and Piccadilly Radio, Radio 1 & 2 DJ and T.V. presenter Mark Radcliffe, (Wonder what became of him?) sitting in on drums when commitments allowed.

After a couple of years playing together as a duo (or trio), Geoff and Phil joined one of Stockport's best ever bands, Eric & the Frantics, where they remained for over sixteen years! This gave the boys the opportunity to play Geoff continued playing with semi-pro bands throughout the 70's and teamed up again with Phil Cawsey in 1980 to form Teacher's Pet and then Niff Naff with friend and Piccadilly Radio, Radio 1 & 2 DJ and T.V. presenter Mark Radcliffe, (Wonder what became of him?) sitting in on drums when commitments allowed.

After a couple of years playing together as a duo (or trio), Geoff and Phil joined one of Stockport's best ever bands, Eric & the Frantics, where they remained for over sixteen years! This gave the boys the opportunity to play with many talented musicians, such as Brendan Day (Steve Gibbons Band, Pete Maclain), Steve Rawlins (Gene Therapy & the Chromosomes) and John Fisher (Martin Barre, John Fisher Jazz Band, Blue Bishops, Audience).

After the demise of the Frantics, Geoff formed The Blues Widows, playing his favourite style of music, Chicago blues, with another old friend and ex-Frantic, Martin Mavers. Geoff and Martin had first met whilst playing in Glossop-based progressive rock band, Matrix, in 1983, and immediately hit it off both musically and socially. and immediately hit it off both musically and socially. Since their meeting, Geoff and Martin have played in a number of bands together - Matrix, Eric & the Frantics, Red Rock, Blues Widows, Pete Jackson Band, Reunion Blues Band and Jellyhead. Phil Cawsey also featured in the Blues Widows line-up, replacing Paul Zetter on bass whilst drummer, John Wallwork, later played with the Frantics during the mid 90's.
Coincidentally, during a brief spell as lead guitarist with the Paul Jackson Band in 2001, Geoff had actually played with Steve Aitken, although, neither realised this until Steve had successfully auditioned for the vacant drummer's seat with The Badgers in May, 2009.

In the summer of 2002. following his short stint with Pete Baker, Geoff formed stellar blues band, Jellyhead, with ex-Fat Cat Bobby singer and harp player, Paul Westwell. Geoff & Paul were soon to be joined by Martin on rhythm guitar, Eddie Taylor (Steve's Garage, Blind Melons) on drums and Matt Benson on bass. Jellyhead were to be an integral part of the local blues scene for the next five years until the band's demise in 2007.

After a year off from playing, Geoff teamed up again with fellow Frantics, Steve Rawkins, Paul Hambley and Phil Cawsey, following the tragic death of great friend and ex-Frantics drummer, John Fisher in late 2008. While rehearsing for three gigs in John's memory, Geoff and Phil rediscovered their love of playing together and immediately decided to form a band to play the music they enjoyed when they first played together in the early seventies.

Thus, The Badgers was born, they will play two 45-minute sets on the Saturday 27th February