The Thieving Magpies

Paul is a well known and highly respected musician across Cumbria. As a solo acoustic performer he has played many a festival- Solfest, Kendal Calling etc, as well as innumerable bar gigs. He was in Rezzzonator with well known Cumbrian bluesman Phil Saunders, the infectious reggae band The Northern Reggae Generator, eventually going on on to co-front popular roots band Room Full of Mirrors. Still on the go, with three original albums to their name, the Mirrors have become immensely popular, sharing bills with everyone from the Peatbog Fairies to Midge Ure. The Thieving Magpies were formed in 2016 when Harrison felt compelled to return to the blues rock roots of his youth and the rest, as they say, is history... Paul is a well known and highly respected musician across Cumbria. As a solo acoustic performer he has played many a festival- Solfest, Kendal Calling etc, as well as innumerable bar gigs. He was in Rezzzonator with well known Cumbrian bluesman Phil Saunders, the infectious reggae band The Northern Reggae Generator, eventually going on on to co-front popular roots band Room Full of Mirrors. Still on the go, with three original albums to their name, the Mirrors have become immensely popular, sharing bills with everyone from the Peatbog Fairies to Midge Ure. The Thieving Magpies were formed in 2016 when Harrison felt compelled to return to the blues rock roots of his youth and the rest, as they say, is history...

Drummist Ben Steel

Ben has been around the Cumbrian music scene for some time now and is known for being infectious in the way he plays, thoroughly enjoying every single performance and loving what he does. He has played with a number of established local musicians such as Chuck Fish, Andy Halsey and Robin May. He also played with local band Mojo with Diana Denney and Dave Watson. He has appeared with Billy Bragg in a fringe venue at Kendal Calling. Ben is known for his enthusiastic style, fast fills and impactive performance.

Robbie jay coplen on bass.

Robbie has enjoyed many years of live performance after arriving on the Barrow music scene at the tender age of 13. He soon became a local favourite as one half of young acoustic duo ‘Jumbo Jamz’ who played throughout the Furness area persistently for the next three years. While studying music at Kendal College, Robbie joined forces with the Chadelics, becoming their lead guitarist and performing all over the country. Robbie also enjoyed busy festival seasons and has performed at some of Cumbria’s finest festivals, including a main stage slot at Kendal Calling. Shortly before completing a degree in Music, Robbie went on to try his hand at playing bass for another popular Cumbrian band, Serene, who have seen their own fair share of busy festival seasons and played all over North West. Now thumping grooves for the Thieving Magpies Robbie continues to bring an exciting performance to audiences far and wide.

Alan Whitmore on Keys and Backing Vocals

Alan has enjoyed travelling ‘all over the place’ playing all kinds of styles and genres for over 20 years.  Many different venues from the Blackpool Winter Gardens, the Sands Centre Carlisle, Birmingham Convention Centre to the Nottingham Playhouse.  Numerous Festivals as well as performances in Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Austria and Cyprus. 

Alan is mostly known for his role as Benny Anderson in the international ABBA Tribute band VOULEZ VOUS. He also played briefly in the same role with acts such a SWEDE DREAMZ and THANK ABBA OR THE MUSIC. He has also performed with other national touring tribute bands such as Kate Bush tribute act “Dreaming of Kate” and the motown band “Baby I need your Lovin’”

Alan has recorded for a numbers for music projects and recordings as a session musician in places such as Great Image Studios, Stockport Old Knows Factory, Presshouse Studio, Devon, Vulcan Studios, Liverpool ,  Cotyso Studios Manchester and Artisan Studios, Stoke-on-Trent.   

In 2015 Alan appeared on Pete Shirley’s album “Sunset Katy and other stories” which has been featured several times on BBC and Digital Radio stations including North American Radio.      

Alan now loves the fresh challenge of playing a different style of music and genre with the Thieving Magpies who he joined in early 2017.