Biography
The Orbiteers high energy, guitar driven anthems and occasional flirtations with pop, country, and the blues have won them a devoted following across Surrey and Hampshire in recent years.
Formed in 2016 and combining the musicianship and creativity of Jakey Miller (Guitar), Al Zarth (Keys), Mitch Veness (Bass), Andy Lodge (Drums) and Paul Huggett (aka Billy Liberator – Vocals/Guitar), the Orbs – as they are affectionately known – draw their repertoire from a pool of self-penned songs and hidden sonic gems, mined from the depths of nearly half a century of musical history.
No standard pub fare for these lads, The Orbiteers early set lists were populated with obscure classics such as ‘Gravedigger’ (Dave Matthews), ‘Something Good Comin’ (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers), ‘Strength’ (The Alarm), and ‘Let it Ride’ (Ryan Adams and the Cardinals).
The band began to gain traction in 2019 with notable appearances at Farnborough Football Club and a summer headlining show at The Star in Guildford. Plans were made for the recording of a debut EP early in 2020, but the onset of successive lockdowns in the wake of the Covid outbreak scuppered any chance of the Orbiteers entering a recording studio together.
Nevertheless, the five members were able to produce a brace of ‘socially distant’ lockdown videos in the Spring of 2020 before finally reconvening for a exceptionally well received open air performance in September which included ‘stripped down’ live favourites ‘Rome at Last’, ‘Do I Know You?’ and the obligatory ‘American Girl’.
During the early months of 2021, Paul/Billy has continued to write in anticipation of future Orbiteers recordings and further ‘lockdown’ videos are on the horizon.
© 2021-3 Billy Liberator