Any rock or metal fan that pays more than a passing interest in the south coast live music scene has almost certainly encountered The Mafia. The Mafia are THE definitive and longest running rock/metal covers outfit, formed in 1986 and still going strong. They can be found rocking out in pubs and clubs most weekends, rapidly approaching an astonishing fifth decade of regular gigging.

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Many musicians have played with The Mafia over the years and there have been a fair few different line-ups (about 26, at the last count!). But there was one incarnation, comprising Pete, Nob, Crow and Grapes that remained unchanged for an impressive nine years from 1998 to 2006, with Mayfield and Mr Piles sharing sound duties during that time. We recorded four studio CDs and one semi-live one, and played well in-excess of 1,000 gigs.

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That Mafia line up ended with Nob moving to France in 2006, Crow left the band in 2008 and Grapes (in a desperate attempt to earn some kind of long service award) played with them until 2013. Pete of course is Mr Mafia and still plays with them today. 

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After leaving The Mafia, Nob played with local bands Creep and Kranefly (commuting from France to do so!) and has recently joined Pete in Black Rose. Crow played with Kranefly, Carnage, Dr Rock and also The Underdogs while working and living in Derby, and can currently be found fronting Monster. Grapes played with Black Rose, Thunderstruck and Dr Rock. As well as continuing to fly the Mafia flag, Pete also plays with Black Rose and has taken Truffle back on the road for some reunion gigs. As for Mayfield and Mr Piles, it would probably be easier to list the bands that they haven't engineered in that time... 

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Having all gone our own way and despite us each continuing to gig regularly, apart from four songs played at The Mafia's 25th anniversary bash in April 2011 we hadn't shared a stage since 2007. We reunited in August 2022, first for a meal (sharing a room for the first time in eleven years!)...