About Us
The Beartones don’t ease in. We hit hard from the first track and don’t stop until the lights come up. No ballads, no fillers—just a sharp, relentless set built to move bodies and shift drinks. We’re not background music. We’re the reason people stay longer, shout louder, and come back next week.
We don’t do requests. We’ve already done the work. Every song we play is there for one reason: it goes off. From the first note of ‘Mr Brightside’ to the last hit of ‘Need You Tonight’, it’s wall-to-wall belters—tunes that spark recognition and trigger chaos. Not your usual covers. No wedding band energy. Just bangers, back to back.
If you want polite musicians in matching shirts, we’re not your band. But if you want a room full of people losing their minds to songs they forgot they loved, sweating pints and screaming choruses—book us. Simple as that.
Here’s a little bit more about each member of the band:
Mark Harris (Lead Vocals and Rhythm Guitar)
Mark isn’t your typical middle-aged frontman still clinging to faded dreams of being the next Robbie Williams. He’s the guy next door who’ll have a beer with you at the bar, share a laugh, then casually stroll onstage and deliver one of the best live nights you’ve had in years. No ego. No over-singing. Just a damn good vocalist who knows how to read a room and bring it to life.
Happy, humble, and clearly loving every second, Mark brings a calm confidence to the stage. After more than a decade away from the music scene, he’s back—and loving every second and it shows.
Formerly the rapper of Yookay and The Jack Nosey Band, Mark went on to collaborate with Freakpower’s Ashley Slater and BBC Radio DJ Jarren C. That led to regular spots at legendary venues like Ronnie Scott’s, The Jazz Café, and Brixton’s Plan B.
These days, Mark’s not chasing fame—he’s here for the music, the moment, and making sure you walk away thinking, “That was a bloody good night.”
Dom Palmer (Bass Guitar)
Dom Palmer isn’t your average session guy hiding behind the bandstand. He’s the laid-back pro who’ll chat gear over a pint, swap road stories with a grin, then step into the pit and hold down a show like he was born to do it. No drama. No fuss. Just pocket-perfect playing from a bassist who knows exactly how to serve the song—and the story.
He’s not chasing limelight; he’s been in it quietly for years. From the raw energy of Fame to the sweeping romance of Mamma Mia, Dom’s been the heartbeat of some of the West End’s most iconic productions – The Beautiful Game, Lust, and Les Misérables.
Offstage, Dom’s shared grooves with true musical royalty—playing alongside The Supremes, Martha Reeves, and Bad Manners. Whether it’s the soulful sway of Motown or the enigmatic energy of a ska legend, Dom brings the same rock-solid feel, musicality, and easy-going presence to every note.
He’s not about flashy solos or chasing applause—he’s here to make the music feel good. And whether you’re in the front row or behind the curtain, you’ll feel it.
Ranj Kanagasundaram (Keyboards and backing vocals)
Ranj isn’t your typical classically trained pianist. Sure, he’s got the chops—the years of scales, sonatas, and serious study—but growing up, he was just as likely to be found jamming along to chart hits blasting from Capital Radio.
From laying down lush chords with funk and soul outfit Payback to pulling inspiration from the likes of Billy Preston, Earth, Wind & Fire, and Stevie Wonder, Ranj brings groove, heart, and a whole lot of feel to every gig. He’s not about showing off—he’s about making the music move, lifting the room with exactly the right touch at exactly the right time.
When he’s not behind the keys, you’ll find him out on a bike, or pounding the pavement on a run. A die-hard cricket fan with a serious case of wanderlust, Ranj dreams of spending his golden years following England’s test matches around the world—ideally somewhere with a beach, a cold drink, and a decent Wi-Fi signal.
Alex Steer (Lead guitar and backing vocals)
Alex Steer is the kind of guitarist who can do it all—and make it look easy. With 39 years of playing under his belt, he brings taste, tone, and versatility to every performance. Whether he’s reading down a chart, improvising something fresh from a chord sheet, or sliding into a solo that feels like it’s been there all along, Alex plays with the kind of touch that only comes from a lifetime of doing the work.
A graduate of London’s Guitar Institute and a Jazz Performance major from the London College of Music, Alex isn’t boxed into one style—he speaks all of them fluently. From the finesse of Chet Atkins and Joe Pass to the fire of Eddie Van Halen and Stevie Ray Vaughan, his influences read like a who’s who of guitar legends. And when the groove calls for it, he brings that Nile Rodgers funk or Jeff Beck swagger with total authenticity.
Off stage, he’s equally at home in the studio or the classroom, teaching all styles of guitar and adding his signature sound to a range of recording projects.
No showboating. No fuss. Just a seasoned pro with great ears, killer tone, and a lifelong love for the guitar.
Ben Harris (Drums and backing vocals)
Ben Harris isn’t just the drummer in the band—he is the engine. One of the founding members of Payback, he’s been driving the groove for over 25 years, laying down rock-solid rhythms that have powered dancefloors across the country since the band kicked off in 2000.
A drummer since the age of six, Ben’s spent decades deep in the pocket—playing soul, funk, disco, and pop with a feel that’s equal parts precision and pure instinct. Whether he’s locking in with the bass or lifting the energy with tight backing vocals,
On stage, he’s the calm behind the kit—focused, unshakeable, and totally in sync with the music. Off stage, he’s just as grounded. A fan of rugby, a bit of a DIY whiz, and a proud family man, Ben brings that same dependable, all-in energy to everything he does.
No ego. No gimmicks. Just decades of experience, a deep love for the craft, and a groove you can’t help but feel in your bones.