BRANDED started of life as an oxford based alt-country/country rock band in the 90's.


They were going along quite nicely for a few years when a change of direction somehow happened and they sold out and became a pub-rock band (probably due to them being able to earn more money). They did however retain some of the standard country-rock songs that made them fairly popular. Songs such as Steve Earle's - Copperhead Road, Johnny Come Lately, The Rolling Stones - Dead Flowers and the odd C.C.R number. Then they became an outfit of many disguises, they are just as happy doing a wedding gig belting out the standards for people to dance to as they are doing a folk festival playing a mixture of alt-country covers and original material. They could perform as a duo for one gig or a five piece for another (it's all about the money folks lol) Branded could still be persuaded for the right reason to perform again if there was a good enough reason to.
They went through many changes in personnel since the first formation this site will endeavor to give as much info as possible on past members and what they're doing now (if we can get in contact with them).

This site would welcome contact with any past members if they would like to add an updated Bio and or link this would be most welcome.


Mark Pidgeon - Vocals, Guitar, Mandolin, Harmonica. Founder member who did most of the donkey work, now performs solo and occasionally with the Acousticana outfit. Currently trying to get the newly formed Fagin's Gang up & running.

Ben Thorne - Ben replaced Little Matt on lead guitar sometime in 97 I think, just in time to help us record "The Phoenix". This was pretty cool because he was a lot better guitar player. Stayed for about a year then disappeared to do his own thing & I haven't seen him since. Hailed from Twyford (near Bicester) in Oxfordshire.
Bumped into his dad in 2006 and apparently Ben is in London Still doin' his thing.

Cathy Gannon - Cathy was one the earlier members of the band. She was caught singing along at one of the first gigs and then asked to join the band. Initially as backing vocalist and then progressed to singing lead on a number of songs. She stayed with the band until early 98 (I think). She then went on to front a great band called "Ticklers Twist".

Darrell (Junior) Walls - Darrell replaced Ben on lead guitar and played our first festival In 97. A good lead guitar player who I still bump into now and again. Does private guitar tuition in and around Oxford now. I have no individual photos of Darrell but if he'd like to send me one............
Darrell played lead on some tracks on the 'Demons' album.

Doug Davidson - Doug stood in as our bass man when Glen or Wayne weren’t available. At one point he actually joined full time but I think that only lasted for about a month cause of other commitments. We recorded the 'Same Ole Train' CD at his home studio 'Sox' in 1998. A thoroughly nice bloke and a cracking bass player to boot. We lost touch the following year and I’ve never heard from him since. Wonder what he's up to now......No individual Pic of him.

Glen Davies - Glen was our first player. I can't remember who told me about him or how we came to meet but he came along to a rehearsal and being a big 'Steve Earle' fan was enough for Matt & I to offer him a place in the band (the fact that we never knew any other bass players had no bearing on the decision). We all got along pretty well and Glen played bass on 'The Phoenix' Album. Nice enough bloke but let us down in a big way just before the 'Bitton Festival' so he had to go. I'd love for him to get in touch and let us know how he's doing. (No ill feelings and all that jazz).



Jess Mortimer - Jess is still called upon to see if he's available when I need a bass player. Also played with a band called 'Fast Forward'. Good bass man and backing vocalist (it's a pity he's a good looking bastard). Jess recorded 'Don't Give Up The Day Job' with us. Great bloke, lots of kids...............

Joe Chapman - Joe is a great drummer that has stood in for us (sometimes at very short notice) over the years. Always bringing with him and extra dimension to the songs we do (especially the reggae bits). Joe has a secret yearning to be a front man and yodel a bit and is often seen standing up behind his kit playing if he feels he isn't getting any attention.

Keith O'Connor - (16/08/50 - 29/11/0 Keith was the one & only honorary member of Branded & also my best friend. He only ever played one official Branded gig but we often went out together as a duo and in other guises. The photo's show gigging in Portugal where our last gigs together took place. Without taking anything away from the guitar players we've had Keith was the finest guitar player I ever played with. Keith died of a heart attack on the 29th November 2002 and is sorely missed. See you when I get there mate...............



Matt Kidney - (aka Little Matt). Founder Member of the Group. Left after about a year and half. Returned for the first Bitton Festival and then rejoined for a second spell. Left again and we’ve not heard from him since. Not the best guitarist we had but not a bad lad and a good vocalist.

Matt Roland-Jones - Matt had flitted in and out of the band as and when required in the early days. Pedal-Steel & Lap-Steel Guitarist. Another big Steve Earle fan. Nice bloke, but not seen or heard from him in years. Get in touch Matt.

Moz Cavey – Moz was the last and the longest serving lead guitarist of the band, joining the group in its pub rock phase in the late 90's. He was found strutting his stuff in that notorious den of sin called the Marlborough House in Western Road, Oxford. This is where we rescued him and he couldn’t resist the call to join a rock band again after playing in a Jazz Band for a number of years.



Pablo - Well what can one say about Pablo. Lived in London somewhere, had a bird in Reading, he joined us for about 2 months and managed to miss 2 gigs with car problems (but still managed to detour to Reading) so he had to go. Shame though he was a good drummer. No pictures & can't remember his surname so that about sums him up.

Paul Sibbert - Paul was a colleague who stood in for us on our first demo and at our first gig. Jazz drummer by trade and another very nice man. Also a session drummer who I believe played in some of the Riverdance shows.



Pete Cox - Pete joined in our final few months as a Country-Rock Band. Played at the 2nd Bitton Festival and stole the show with his versatility. Excellent multi-instrumentalist playing fiddle, mandolin, harmonica, and guitar. We started to some recording together a few years back but fell out over something trivial.



Simon Muggeridge - Simon was the last member to join the band. We needed another bass player and we found him playing in a kiddie’s band and told him he was far too old for them. He is however the baby of the band being about half my age and 10 times younger than Moz. Simon has discovered a whole host of new music like Rock 'n' Roll for instance and now knows what a cassette tape is. He still didn’t grasp the concept of an LP but we were working on it. Simon got into the band on the strength of having a pretty girlfriend and working behind a bar.

Simon Murdoch - Simon joined us in our first year and apart from myself is the longest serving member. Stayed for about 3 years and never let us down once. Still willing to play apart now & then and apart from being a complete and utter tart he's a great bloke. Simon taught Jeremy Clarkson to play drums for a Top Gear special and has also being some work with Alex James (Blur) recently.
STOP PRESS..........SIMON GOT MARRIED 2007

Toby Ferguson - Toby was our last drummer in the Country-Rock version of Branded. He'd been doing some gigs in Scotland before he moved to Oxford I found him living in a van outside my house. Good drummer, nice bloke but as the picture shows he doesn't know one end of a guitar from another. Came from somewhere in Yorkshire I think. Often wonder what happened to him.

Wayne Poulsen - Wayne started off as a stand in bass player who eventually joined us full time. Great high harmony and a real American boy. He eventually moved back to the states and we've not heard from him since.