Band Members

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Derek Derek Wood (Guitars)
Founder member of the band back in 2001, Derek has seen the band grow from a duo to the band it is today. He is responsible for most of the songs and has written extensively with daughter Claire. The songs keep coming and with the development of the band into the electric version it now is, he is able to write to the strengths of the band members. The characteristic sound is largely based around Derek’s acoustic guitar. He is however quite short, but not as short as Claire.
Geoff Geoff Preece (Bass)
Geoff was there almost from the beginning joining the band back in 2002. He appeared on the last album ‘Enjoy The Moment’ and has contributed songs to the band’s repertoire. Not only the bass player but Geoff is also the key to the prominent vocal sound which has become a signature of 80 Degrees. He has played in numerous bands over the years and is now famous for having the longest hair and the biggest hat.
Claire Claire Wood (Keyboards)
Although temporarily out of the band having moved away from the band’s Plymouth base, Claire has contributed numerous songs and appeared on the first album having joined what was then Lang & Wood. This is her first and only band to date, but then she is 30 years younger than the rest of the band members. Currently involved in a new venture in Cambridge, Claire appears on the new album and will return to the band in the near future.

  

Rob Rob Williams (Guitars)
Rob plucked his first guitar string at the age of twelve, and has been delighting / annoying anyone within earshot ever since. Originally influenced by all the legendary guitar people that most other guitarists of a similar vintage are, but now just likes music in any style that’s pleasing to the ears and gets lots of attention attracts thoughtful comments from discerning listeners. His ambition is to be able to play music whilst wearing a beret and be so good that no one calls him pretentious. He has played in a variety of bands in the R’n'B, Soul and Rock genres, most recently in Joey the Lips. Formed ‘Blowing Cookies’ to play any music that he really likes, original or otherwise, and hopes that other people like it too.
Andy Hedges   Andy Hedges (Drums)
Joined the band March 2008 and not only has become the engine room of the band but adds excellent vocals too. He has been known to front other bands as the lead singer bringing both energy and a huge wealth of experience, not to mention his flawlessly handsome good looks and charm! A drum teacher in his spare time, Andy can not only entertain you but teach you how to do it as well!
  Andy Lawton (Keyboards)
First depressed a piano key (in more ways than one) aged 5, and, after gaining a music degree at Cardiff University, trained as a teacher. He soon developed an allergy to schools, turned to other ways of making a living, and dropped out of the music scene completely, at least in public.A chance conversation at the office coffee machine many years later led to a number of gigs with blues bands in the Bournemouth/Southampton area, and then to involvement in a variety of jazz, funk and soul bands, although hardly any became household names and did world tours. (OK, none did.) This story of runaway success was interrupted by a move to Plymouth, where another chance meeting, this time on a cricket pitch, led to him joining jazz rock band “Blowing Cookies”, and it’s ugly stepbrother the covers band “Taxi For Brown” which gigged regularly in the Plymouth area for 6 years until its break-up in 2007. Andy is now a full time musician and teacher and joined 80 degrees in May 2009.

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