The band specialises in their own particularly authentic blend of northern soul, a genre made popular in the dance halls of Northern England around the late '60s and early '70s.

The band formed in the early months of 2009, swiftly making a name for themselves on the live circuit. Their shows are packed with energy and fluid musicianship as they escort their audience through some of the finest stompers, groovers, movers and shakers that soul has to offer.

Despite the relatively youthful average age of the Soft Tone Needles (25 years) their musicality, professionalism and collective CV shows a wealth of experience and talent of which any musician would be proud.

The Soft Tone Needles are: vocalist Bob Batterbee, one of the east of England's most unsung talents, whose recording and performing credits include work with Annie Lennox, Lisa Stansfield and gigs at The Roundhouse, Camden's Jazz Cafe and Radio 1s' Live Roadshow; female vocalist Abbie Matthews; drummer Dave Jackson, who is a busy full-time career musician, teaching and providing drums for numerous bands; bass player Chris 'Trip' Gunkel; keyboard player Ben Gunkel; guitarist Jack Johnson; the horn section comprised of renowned Jazz saxophonist Mark
Wilkinson and rising talent Lauren Young on alto.

The band's repertoire is a range of the best in '60s, stax, motown and northern soul, and is sure to get you on your feet.