Rob Perry
Rob started writing songs as a cathartic exercise with no thought of playing them in public . He moved up to Norwich and met Producer Steve Osborn . Steve formed a group around Rob and the band The Finals were formed . After a chance opening slot for the Poges Rob was quickly signed and moved back to London . Compared to prefab sprout and everything but the Girl, Rob had he’s unique writing and living style that was a struggle for marketing and the rest of the Finals. As a solo artist once again He opened for some real heavyweights such as Gill Scott Heron and John Martin and a range of chart artists of the 80’s.. Eventually the years of Alcohol and Drug abuse seemed to have ended his musical career . Struggling with sobriety he tried returning to music but ended up once again in institutions . After 20 years the need to produce soulful heartfelt real emotional music, he’s back with The Open Skies . This kind of Tempest in a soul cannot be contained .
As he once said in interview ” I am and always will be, at the eye of the storm .
Alan Sanford
Alan was always interested in music, and took up the Viola at school, soon becoming tired of learning by rote, he ditched the the dots and picked up the guitar. Early influences were the Stranglers, Blondie and the Police.
In the London subculture whilst at college doing music tech a collaboration with Phil Scheonfelt.
Notable Gigs included supports with Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds. Later they formed Spirithouse and gig widely in the London Post punk/goth scene.
Alan also work with Jim Clewes and Dill Hammond in the band ‘Tongue and groove’ a live Techno outfit, and played at underground rave scene events like Tribal Energy, Club Dog and The Optimist Creed
Alan and Rob met in 1999, introduced by a mutual friend they began collaborating on recorded material. Gigs included support with the Alabama 3. Extenuating circumstances led to a 10 year Hiatus, then another 10 years spent by lakes obsessing over enormous Carp with no thought of music.
In 2024 they embarked on a new project…
Wayne Chappel
Wayne Chappell first picked up a guitar at the age of six having been inspired by seeing Shakin’ Stevens and Adam Ant on the telly. Classically trained, Wayne is known for restrained, tasteful guitar playing across a variety of musical genres.
After years of frustration performing in countless pit bands, Wayne succumbed to the need for job security and regular pension contributions and made the bold leap into middle management within local authority children’s services.
Drawing inspiration from the likes of Andy Summers, James Honeyman-Scott, Robbie McIntosh, and Mike Campbell,
Wayne now brings his knack for writing carefully crafted guitar parts and a focus on always serving the song to the music of Robert Perry and The Open Skies.
Vivienne Kirk
Vivienne has a chequered musical past. Having forged a variety of pianistic skills as a 5 Star hotel and restaurant pianist during the 1990’s, she then toughened up her playing ability in the chapel of women’s prison Eastwood park. Since then she has been glimpsed on stage, living it up as Drag King accompanist to chanteuse Lorelei Delane in the alternative cabaret act “Stranger Than Fiction” and as one of the “Retro Dolls” in the whacked out Poundland alternative to Postmodern Jukebox.
She believes in an intuitive approach to playing, always searching for the golden thread that can bring yet another dimension of warmth, drama, depth and darkness to Robs heart filled song writing.
She teaches piano to adults and children for Coda Music & Arts Trust, and also uses music therapeutically for people with dementia and additional needs.
Vivienne first met Alan, Rob and Wayne when volunteering for local music charity Sound Solution in 2002. The charities aim was to bring those on the edges of society back to the enjoyment of music…. it worked.
Mark Kenniston
Bournemouth-based drummer Mark Keniston’s musical journey began around age five with a junior kit and a natural sense of rhythm. Subsequently schooled in the discipline of the Oakmead School brass band, Mark quickly transitioned to playing local gigs, forming his first band, Take 5, by his early teens.
Mark’s career is defined by high-energy performances and local acclaim. He was a driving force behind Beyond Belief—a staple of the South Coast circuit that famously supported rock icons Status Quo at the Bournemouth International Centre. Today, he continues that legacy with Brass Monkeys, a popular fixture on the regional gig scene.
A versatile session and “dep” player, Mark’s portfolio expanded significantly in 2026. After joining the covers outfit Chasing Midnight, and on the personal recommendation of Joe Musker (drummer of 80’s band Dead or Alive), Mark also joined Rob Perry and the Open Skies Band, adding original material to his portfolio. Mark continues to evolve his sound, bringing decades of experience and a passion for live performance to every project.
