When The Scoobs take to the stage at the Victoria Inn in Colchester on Sunday 23rd August, they’ll be bringing with them more than three decades of local music history – and a recently expanded eight-piece line-up.
More Than 30 Years of The Scoobs
The band was formed in the summer of 1991 by guitarist Tony Woodley, drummer Gary Newland, and bass player Dave Wiseman. Their first appearance came at the North Tuddenham Green Fair in Norfolk, while rehearsals back at Colchester’s Legend Studios helped shape the sound that would become The Scoobs’ trademark – original music influenced by funk, reggae, Afro-Latin rhythms, ska, and musical traditions from around the world.
Within a year, vocalist Sally Theobald had joined alongside saxophonist Paul Kidd Stanton and percussionist Luc Adams, with Danny Sceats later completing what many remember as the band’s classic 1990s line-up. From the outset, The Scoobs focused on writing and performing their own material, producing songs including Mister Mister, African Rumba, The Rainforest, and Didg Thang.
As the decade progressed, they became a familiar sight across Essex and East Anglia, playing festivals, universities, arts centres, village halls, and community events. Although the occasional cover found its way into the set, original songs always remained at the heart of what they did, helping the band build a loyal following across the region.
Like any band with a long history, the line-up evolved over the years, but the commitment to original live music never wavered. Guest musicians from countries including Cuba, Brazil, Senegal, and The Gambia joined them on stage at various points, reflecting the international influences that had shaped the band’s music from the beginning. The band also released the studio album Is It Now?, capturing the sound they had developed through years of live performance.
One constant throughout much of that journey has been Sally Theobald. Having joined the band in its early days, she remains part of the line-up today. Fittingly, she’ll begin the afternoon at the Victoria Inn with a solo performance before returning to the stage with The Scoobs.
The Scoobs at the Victoria Inn
Getting everyone together isn’t quite as easy as it once was, with members of the band now living across three counties. The Scoobs have also recently expanded to an eight-piece, adding extra percussion and trumpet to the line-up.
“Because geographically we are spread across Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk, we don’t get to see and play together as often as we’d like,” says Tony. “We recently expanded the band with additional percussion and trumpet, so I’m looking forward to hearing the new eight-piece line-up at the Vic.”
The current eight-piece line-up is:
Sally – guitar/vocals
Myke – sax/flute/vocals
Tony – guitar/vocals
Gary – percussion
Toby – trumpet/vocals
Andy – bass guitar
Danny – drum kit
Dave – percussion/vocals
More than three decades of gigs have taken The Scoobs from corporate city events to festivals and parties, but Tony believes the reason they’ve lasted so long is actually quite simple.
“All the concerts we’ve played over the years, from corporate city events to festivals and parties, all merge into one big smile, and I think that’s the reason for our longevity. If it ever stops being fun for us and the audience, that’s when we’ll call it a day.”
Fortunately, there’s no suggestion that’s happening just yet. The Scoobs and Sally Theobald play the Victoria Inn on Sunday 23rd August. Entry is free, with donations to the artists encouraged.
