When thinking of a name various puns around the word pan were considered but they all been used before. The name Hammered Steel seemed to represent what it was all about; fashioning of instruments through hammering steel and then "beating pan" to make music come to life. Steel pans were first made in Trinidad in 1945 from abandoned fuel containers left over from the second world war. It is a complicated process making a full set of pans which can produce the same range of notes as a traditional orchestra.

From the beginning Hammered Steel was very popular with audiences, playing mainly Caribbean influenced music with calypso, soca and reggae rhythems and soon gained a reputation for high quality performance as well as reliability. The repertoire now includes pop, jazz and classical music. We are constantly seeking to learn more about pan, improve technique and strive for a higher standard of playing. All the players of Hammered Steel are very commited to these aims. Despite living in the sticks, miles away from London, Hammered Steel is now regarded by those in the know, as one of the top steelbands in the country and in the summer of 1988 were asked to represent Cornwall at the Royal Show at Stoneleigh.

The band have taken part several times in the Notting Hill Carnival in London, this has been an inspirational as well as educational experience for the players. In 2004 the band came joint first in the best steelband on the road competition, beating many of the top steelbands in the country a fantastic achievement for all concerned.

In 1995 a second steelband called Panic Attack was formed to cater for everyone in the community who wanted to have a go at playing 'pan'. A year later a second training band was formed called Warriors of Steel, players of this band would graduate to Hammered Steel making sure of the continuity of players to fill gaps in the main band as players left for further education and employment. Many of the present players in Hammered Steel have graduated from their training with Warriors of Steel.

In 1997 the band was successful in a bid from the Foundation for Sport and the Arts to provide a van for transport of the bands equipment and in 1998 became a Registered Charity enabling them to persue its aims of broadening cultural horizions and extending opportunities to those in the community who might not be able to afford these expensive instruments to learn to perform at a high standard.

Toussaint Clarke from the Rainbow Steel Orchestra in Bath is a great friend and mentor of Hammered Steel. Toussaint, an excellent tuner and arranger, has helped the band enormously by teaching, arranging and helping prepare for Notting Hill Carniaval. Through Toussaint the band came to know the great Earl Rodney from Trinidad, who has also taught and arranged for the band. We look forward to having Earl with us again next year.

Captain of Hammered Steel, Leo Everett, worked with Toussaint Clarke for some time now and under his mentorship has become an excellent tuner in his own right. Through Leo Everett Steelband Supplies he provides instruments, equipment and workshops to many schools and businesses in the South West and beyond and in doing so is helping spread the gospel according to 'pan'.