About Junction-25

The concept for the band was first discussed in 2010 by good friends Nick Malysz (Guitar) and Paul Mills (Vocals and Keyboards). With both members having significant musical experience across a wide range of genres they decided the local live music scene was ready for a truly dynamic and authentic covers band.

The two ‘founders’ of the band set about adding the other critical elements, starting with an experienced and, more importantly, disciplined drummer. Using his knowledge of musical theatre Paul identified Ben Marples as an ideal candidate and, following a speculative approach, was delighted when Ben agreed to join the venture.

The trio took some time deciding which ‘direction’ the band should take and soon realised that, despite the attraction of writing ‘original’ music, modern covers was the way forward. All had experience of listening to other covers bands playing little known ‘hits’ from their favourite artists and this led them to the belief that their covers band should play music that people want to hear and dance to, not just songs that band members liked themselves. The success of the band is testament to this theory.

Thus, an ethos grew: modern covers, well known songs, iconic timeless anthems spanning several generations, which anyone who has listened to a radio station in the last 20 years has heard, maybe knows backwards and can sing and dance along to.

Now the band had a route to follow they needed a bass player to complete the line up.Paul delved into his knowledge and came up with the name Chris Banks, who not only played the bass, but also sang a bit as well. Chris was renowned for being ‘a bit busy’ but Paul tentatively asked the question. To Paul’s surprise, after a couple of days thought, Chris agreed to give it a go. Chris left the band in 2019 and has now been replaced by Mark Parkins a musician through Ben's work providing a new style of bass to complement the line up of Junction-25.

With four strong musicians, committed to the band and its success, there was only one major hurdle left to face: the name. The ideas came thick and fast, but nothing really stuck. It took a dull and crowded Monday morning drive up the M1 for Chris to latch on to the idea that all of the band live pretty close to Junction-25, and perhaps giving people a flavour of where they call home is not such a bad idea. The name stuck.

Since late 2010, Junction-25 has been entertaining weddings, parties, beer festivals and pub crowds to critical acclaim. As the set list grows so does the passion for performing another great gig and the enthusiasm of the band is as strong now as it was at the beginning.