Meet the band 6 – Veronica

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What instrument(s) do you play? “My voice is my instrument” (sponsored by VocalZone throat lozenges). I can also have a bash at three chords on the guitar and a few more on the keyboards when required.

Do you have any other role in the band? Providing snacks and coffee for rehearsals.

Do you have a favourite tune in the Skamonics repertoire? Vocal – Tainted Love. Instrumental – Eastern Standard Time

What’s the best gig you’ve ever played with the Skamonics? with other bands? Hootananny’s always fun. And the Last Days of Decadence in July 2010 – we seemed to go down well! With City Lit A Cappella, St George’s Bloomsbury – joined for a spine tingling Stevie Wonder song by the wonderful Ian Shaw.

How did you learn to play? I was a very late and shy starter, but the City Lit rock and pop singing classes sorted me out.

What else do you do musically? I sing with the City Lit A Cappella under the direction of the very wonderful Della Rhodes.

Who are your musical influences on your instrument – and more generally? Singers who are brilliant at putting over a lyric: Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Scott Walker, Lizz Wright and Ian Shaw and for ska/two-tone: Terry Hall. The lyric writers themselves: Elvis Costello, Tom Waits, Paul Simon, Cole Porter and Ira Gershwin. Keyboards: Linda McCartney.

As well as ska, what other types of music do you like, and who are some of your favourite bands or musicians? I love a wide range of stuff: jazz, country, rock, but I am unswervingly devoted to Bruce Springsteen.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to (where you weren’t playing?) Any of the many Bruce Springsteen gigs I’ve been to; New Orleans jazz and heritage festival a few years back – an amazing weekend with some stunning sets, everyone from Lizz Wright and Cassandra Wilson to Ornette Coleman, Fats Domino, Dr John, Ellis Marsalis, Lucinda Williams, Buckwheat Zydeco, oh and Bob Dylan (with the usual unrecognizable tunes and indistinct lyrics)

What do you do when you are not playing music? Most of my waking hours are spent as a dedicated civil servant. Walking the streets of London looking at old stuff.

What about you would surprise other members of the band? I used to play the cornet in the Ramsgate town band. That it was the third cornet would be less of a surprise.