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Thotch

Thotch were a fictional band created by Simon Day (2) and Rhys Thomas for a series of online comedy shorts released in 2008 via the BBC. The character was later revived for the BBC4 television series The Life of Rock, with Brian Pern in 2014, going on to appear in two more series, Brian Pern: A Life in Rock later that year, and Brian Pern: 45 Years of Prog and Roll in 2016. Within the fictional universe, Thotch mirror the career of Genesis, and their frontman Brian Pern (played by Day), is their version of Peter Gabriel - initially fronting the band during their most experimental era, before creative differences cause him to leave and go solo, 'inventing' world music and having a handful of cross-over chart smashes. In the series, the rest of Thotch are portrayed by Paul Whitehouse (guitarist Pat Quid), Nigel Havers (2) (keyboardist Tony Pebblé), David Cummings (as the band's bassist, known only as John, in a joke referencing John Deacon), and Philip Pope (as drummer Mike Phillips). However, for the show's soundtrack, writer/director Rhys Thomas turned to his friend and frequent collaborator, comedian Steven Burge to compose and perform the music that would represent Brian Pern, Thotch and the various side projects in the false history of the series, with the various actors in the show - including Day, Whitehouse, Lucy Montgomery and Tony Way (2) providing vocals where required. During the series, Pern also appeared with early 90s Madchester band Stoned The Crows, and the second series featured Christmas songs by Pern's relative Lionel Perl, and Pat Quid & Tony Pebblé's side-projects. Again, these were created by the 'Thotch' band of Burge & Thomas, with assistance from Day and Whitehouse. Minus the television cast of Thotch, "Brian Pern" played one solitary live show in London featuring the television cast, alongside Burge & Thomas, entitled Only Live Only For Only One Night Only, at The Lyric Theatre in London on Monday 19th October 2015. The character would later appear in Simon Day's 2016 Edinburgh show and subsequent UK tour. Members: Steven Burge Rhys Thomas Simon Day (2) Lucy Montgomery Tony Way (2) Live Members: Simon Day (2) Paul Whitehouse Nigel Havers David Cummings Philip Pope Steven Burge Lucy Montgomery Tony Way (2)

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