Hector the Toad: The One Man Ska Show from the founder of SKA FACE

One simple reason: If you can't afford / refuse to pay for Ska Face or you don't have room for Ska Face, I am the next best thing. I grew up with and love the music, I know the set inside out and I know how to get a crowd moving. Inter-song banter was my role in Ska Face and if there's a line - I'll rub my toe into it, sometimes I might even cross it a little...

Ever since starting Ska Face I knew that I wasn't done with the music. I've been in bands for years and thought "why not do my own thing?" Well I did just that - going out as 'Steve Fromage'. The set was schizophrenic - a random selection of tunes that I liked, not what I thought would go down well - just stuff I really liked. So that meant a set that went from 'Minnie The Moocher' by Cab Calloway to 'Song 2' by Blur - and literally everything inbetween! I seemed to be into it for a while, but I always secretly wondered what would happen if I just concentrated on the Ska stuff - so here that is! The Specials, Madness, Bad Manners, The Selecter and The Beat make up the majority of the set, with a few classics thrown in to boot! So if you're coming in off the street, and you're beginning to feel the heat, well listen Buster! You better start to move your feet, to the rockingest Rock Steady beat of Hector the Toad! One step beyond!!

Here's a 2 x 45 minute set list - I can occasionally add specific songs for private functions with enough notice (4 weeks)SET LISTGangsters​Tears of a Clown​Embarrassment​A Message to You Rudy​Monkey Man​Save it for later​On My Radio​My Girl​Mirror in the Bathroom​54-46Ghost Town​One Step BeyondLip Up Fatty​Too Much Too Young​Nite KlubBaggy Trousers​Night Boat to Cairo​Police & ThievesThe PrinceDreadlock Holiday​Town Called Malice​Wooly Bully​House of Fun​Skinhead SymphonyMadness​It Must Be LoveYou’re Wondering Now​Enjoy Yourself (It's Later Than You Think)New tunes get added now and again.

On the music page of this website. What you hear is exactly what you get live.

My name is Steve and I've been in bands for many years. As I had a PA in the garage, I thought I might as well have a go at a solo show. I play Ska, with a little bit of reggae thrown in for good measure.

Ahh I'm from the 'Las Vegas of Lancashire' - Blackpool on Sea. If you've never been, you should try it. I play all over the UK though.

I've been in bands for over 30 years, I'm scared to actually work out the exact number of years. I've played in many bands over that time, sometimes up front, sometimes on bass, mostly on guitar and backing vocals. Some original, some covers, some tributes. In terms of sheer popularity, I guess Ska Face were the most well known - so here's a blast from my past...

If it's a private function, planned ahead of time, yes. If you ask me on the night, it's going to be a no. I work to backing tracks so if I don't have the track, I can't do the song. 😃

The list is endless: From 'works Christmas parties' to flat roofed pubs to working mens clubs to casinos to private parties. You name it, I'll be there!

Yes - just let me know where you are and if there is any overnight accommodation available. If your mate owns a tasty little boutique hotel, that kind of thing always sways me. 😎

Please god no.

Yes - but it's on the proviso that I am utterly dreadful and everyone hates it. Contact me directly for more details. It's never happened yet, hence my confident offer!

Normally 2 x 45 minute sets is plenty. People in the target age group get tired fast and like a pint.

Yes - I'm fully self-contained: PA, amp, laptop, lights, mics, cables, guitar, pedals, that all important roll of Gaffer tape, a first aid kit and a Swiss Army knife. And a wee torch for if it's dark where I'm setting up. Head on over to the Gear page if you like geeking out to such information.

How loud would you like it to be? The answer's 'Yes.' Because everything is controlled from the desk, we can set the sound levels to suit the event. The only thing you cannot turn down is a live drummer.

There are live recordings from The Brew Room in Blackpool on the 'Music' page of this site...

Not much - a LOT LOT less than Ska Face... It depends on where it is. Things that reduce the price include luxury overnight accommodation on far off gigs. Things that increase the price are 2nd floor load-ins accessible only via a greasy fire escape. Please note that I am not interested in unpaid gigs which would be "great exposure for me" 🙄

I can bang a suitable playlist on in between sets, but can't 'DJ' in the truest sense of the term. Also can do this only if you have decent Wi-Fi I can hop onto.

I'm a night owl so that's fine by me.

Depends on the charity. Sometimes - use the contact page to get in touch.

Absolutely. Especially sales force events. I've been in that type of environment my whole life. If you have a bit of budget I can even write a song for the team or for an individual. Please allow 4 weeks notice for this!

No - but I am dead funny.

Absolutely: I will win them over with a combination of top tunes and witty repartee. Failing that, I'll leg it to safety.

I just love playing. The more the merrier as far as I'm concerned. Plus I'm only in one other project at the moment, and that's an Iggy Pop Tribute which does about 12 gigs a year-ish. So I've got room for a few more gigs! 🍔