We were asked to play a wrap party for the British writer and director Richard Curtis. It was in a posh members club in London with all the cast and crew of his latest film The Boat That Rocked. It was great to see actors such as Rhys Ifans, Kenneth Branagh and Bill Nighy in the audience!

Artist Name: The Austin Beats

Genre: 50's and 60's British Beat / Rock 'n' Roll / Soul

Covers or Originals: Covers

Website: www.theaustinbeats.com

Who's in the band?

Lee Chapman - Vocals and guitar

Andrew Robinson - Keyboard and vocals

James Burrows - Bass and vocals

Ulrich Decruz - Drums

When and how did it all start?

The band formed in 2005 after our previous project, The Len 'n' McCartney Band, finished. It had always amused us that, despite being billed as a Beatles tribute band, people would ask us to play The Kinks or Rolling Stones songs. The Austin Beats therefore, takes us beyond The Beatles and allows us to play songs from all the great artists from that era.

How did you decide on your name?

We wanted something that sounded retro but with a modern reference, and The Austin Powers reference was the obvious choice.

What was your first gig?

We dived straight in at the deep end with a 12 night run of busy Christmas party nights at The Wherry Hotel in December 2005. It was hard going but the band got really tight through it.

What's your favourite song to perform?

Hey Jude - It's really great to get everyone singing along for the finale of the show.

Where's the best gig you've ever done?

It has to be when we were asked to play a wrap party for the British writer and director Richard Curtis. It was in a posh members club in London with all the cast and crew of his latest film The Boat That Rocked. It was great to see actors such as Rhys Ifans, Kenneth Branagh and Bill Nighy in the audience! We were even asked to perform a song with James Corden.

Where is your next gig?

We are playing every week for private parties, functions and corporate events with performances this weekend in Norwich and Lowestoft.

What are your hopes for the future?

To continue to play many different types of venues and events, and hopefully some more celebrity parties.

Your band summed up in three words: Groovy music baby!

If you are a local band or singer-songwriter and want to be profiled in Sounds of the East Coast, email richard.wood@archant.co.uk or call 01502 525834.