Ministry of Beaver

Formed in 1999 around the Coventry/Leamington Spa areas, Ministry Of Beaver built up a bit of a loyal local following and became a formidable force on the rock covers circuit.

Drawing from a wide range of influences, the group worked hard. As well as playing the classic standards, the band wasn't afraid to push the boundries of the rock genre and give the gig-going public something a little different, always opting for the slightly less obvious songs rather than those played by countless other cover bands.

Sometimes a bit tongue-in-cheek, but always committed to getting it right, "the Beaver" treated its music seriously and had a professional approach, whilst ensuring that the audience enjoyed themselves and had as much fun as the members of the band.

I joined the band on drums and backing vocals in 2008 on an invitation from vocalist and former Beaver drummer Mark Yates, who we'd recruited into the covers band Kill Clouseau.

Below are a couple of YouTube playlists of the band performing live.

Ministry Of Beaver - Live on 22nd October, 2011

Recorded live at The Longford Engine, Coventry, on Saturday, 22nd October, 2011.

Ministry Of Beaver - Live on 18th July, 2009

Recorded live at The King Billy, Northampton, on Saturday, 18th July, 2009.

John Chivers