Since the 1940s St James has been home to more than 20 steelpan bands, several of which are still functional today. It is no secret that the culture that is the national instrument has always been and remains a key aspect of life in the western district. One man who has been involved with the instrument since birth is Alexis "Lecky" Hope, from Fort George Road, the birthplace of Humming Birds Pan Groove.
"Here is a very cultural place," Hope said.
From a young age, Hope and his siblings were encouraged to play, not just pan, but musical instruments by their father, who was a founding member of the Humming Birds Pan Groove. Years later, Scrunters Pan Groove was formed. "They just came out as a band for kicks, just going and play for Christmas so people would take one side of the pan and they went around and play, and people used to call them 'scrunters', so the name stick," he said.
His father would go on to become the manager.
Unlike the other bands in the area, Scrunters has tasted success at Panorama in 1986 and 1996, winning the Traditional Single Pan title.
As the years went by, the younger Hope become more instrumental in the band and today holds several key positions, including captain and musical director.
The band has become youth-centric with the bulk of its players coming from Jeffers Lane where it is located or the parallel Fort George road. Hope explained that the aim is not only to teach the children pan but make them into all-round individuals. Though Hope is now 35-years-old, he still stands with the other much younger bandmates.
Outside of learning to play the instrument, the band also tries to teach not just life skills like cooking, but other trades like screen printing, music classes, and acting.
"We try to give them everything…Whatever they are into that is positive, we try to push them and motivate them," he said.
By day Hope teaches in the Multicultural Music Programme Unit but ensures he makes time afterward for the children at Scrunters.
"We have to be on these young people because you know the outside influences, anything could influence them, so I always have to be that person. If they come and say they want to go fireworks I have to go with them," he said.
He said his voluntary job was one he takes very seriously.
"I even went back and study. I can’t be telling them to go and further themselves and I’m not trying to do the same thing…We have composers already who composing their own calypso, their own soca. So I telling them if you want to be successful you must have the academic backing too," he said.
He said their academic achievements to date was proof that the system is working. He said pan practice was done between 5 and 8 pm so that the children could reach home on time to do their homework.
The stage side of the band comprises 12 youths between ages five and 17. This year they missed out on the semi-finals by one point. But as Hope explained, although they would have relished the opportunity it did not dampen their spirits.
"I was feeling bad for them because for some of them it was their first Panorama experience, but they were like 'Lecky, we beat people,' " Hope said.
It is for this reason and more that Hope always feels proud.
