The adage `No knowledge is wasted' has certainly proved true for Keith Phillips. Little did he imagine, when he signed up for guitar classes at the Warwick Community School in 1990, that out of the shared experience with three of his fellow students, Mark Burgess, Tommy Smith and Keith Dubois, would emerge a "singularly awful" band called the `Dischords', which also included Mr. Burgess' brother, Owen.

So raw were they, in fact, that they had no clue about performing successfully in public, including how to establish a stage presence and a rapport with the audience. Fortunately for them, two Bermuda Folk Club veterans and mentors, Paul Willmot and Andy Weir, came to their rescue and began smoothing the rough edges. Then, after several performances at the Folk Club, the bandsmen went their separate ways to pursue other interests.

It would be two years before Mr. Phillips' and Mr. Willmot's paths crossed again during an informal jam session at the latter's home, but meeting Dennis Eldridge there proved decisive - eventually.

"After a small eternity of procrastination I called Mark Burgess, and Dennis invited his friend and drummer Simon Payne, and we all got together and jammed," Mr. Phillips recalls. "This line-up was briefly dubbed `The Zebra Dots', but it lacked a true lead vocalist, so Owen Burgess joined us and `Last Rights' was born."

The name might be quirky, but there is no hidden meaning or message behind it. It simply evolved through discussion, and as it has worked for them so far, the band has decided to keep it.

Another consistency in Last Rights' history until the mid 1990s was the constant changing of drummers. No sooner had the band been formed than drummer Payne left, to be replaced by Dwayne Caines. He was succeeded by Allen Perry, who was followed, first by Sammy Moniz and then in 1995 by Jamie Petty, a Bermudian who had played professionally for many years in Canada, and who is still with them.

In addition to Mr. Petty, today's line-up includes Mark Burgess on bass, Paul Gibbons on guitar, Owen Burgess on vocals/harmonica, and Keith Phillips on lead guitar.

Over the years the musicians have become very proficient and polished, and have built up quite a following. Past gigs included two summer seasons at the White Horse Tavern.

"It was great," Mr. Phillips remembers. "St. George's is great when things are happening, but I think the closure of the bases dealt a death blow to nightlife in Bermuda altogether. Those people were great, they really liked to come out and listen to bands."

Someone else who enjoyed Last Rights' music was a young lady who was then working at the Bermuda Biological Station on a scholarship from the University of Buenos Aires. Particularly taken with the lead guitarist, today she is Mrs.Vivian Phillips.

In addition to its regular gigs, in 1995 Mr. Phillips, along with fellow band members Tommy Smith and Dennis Eldridge, organised the Jam for Life charity concert, which Last Rights also headlined. The event was very successful and raised several thousand dollars for the Allan Vincent Smith Foundation.

Today, the band's list of gigs is as varied as its repertoire, and includes public venues, as well as private parties, weddings, and other events.

Naturally, like all entertainers, the band has had its share of unusual experiences at such events. In particular, Mr. Phillips remembers a very wealthy client's birthday bash at which a young lady "flashed" the musicians.

"In a rock band that means you've arrived," he says. "We just had to keep playing!"

Basically, Last Rights' repertoire includes oldies, classical rock, blues and reggae, as well as some original music, but if a prevailing, popular tune fits into its mould, it will be included.

"Our repertoire evolved into these choices and we have been pigeonholed as an `oldie band," Mr. Phillips says. "Of course, we do make an effort to learn new songs, but we also try to make them our own."

Indeed, while a "set list" is drawn up for each gig, Mr. Phillips says the band is by no means rigid in sticking to it.

"We try to react to the mood of the people, keep them dancing, keep them happy, having fun and a good time," he says. "We are all music lovers, but as well as being musicians we are also entertainers and facilitators of fun and revelry. It requires a lot of talent, and musicians sometimes have to sacrifice their tight musicianship just to be fun and spontaneous."

Since all members hold day jobs, gigs and rehearsals are fitted into their spare time.

"For many years we not only rehearsed at the now-defunct Royal Air Force Association (RAFA) Club, but also were able to store our equipment there," Mr. Phillips says. "When it closed it was a sad loss for us because we could not then practise as regularly as we wanted to, but we're getting back into it again because we can now practise in an industrial building after working hours, albeit amid all the pieces of equipment."

1999 was a big year for Last Rights because, in addition to gigs, they also recorded their first single, `Chained to the Rock'. Written by Jamie Petty and engineered by Michael Spencer-Arscott at D.D.M. Studio, it has been favourably received and enjoys air play on radio station Mix 106.

Today, tracks are being laid down for an album which Mr. Phillips hopes will be completed by the summer. So far, they include `Irresponsible', `Watcha Got' and `Owen's Prayer' - all original material which is being played on radio stations Mix 106 and Power 95.

To be included in any `Last Rights' repertoire or album, each piece must pass a self-imposed litmus test. If it doesn't make it, too bad - out it goes.

"Between Jamie, Owen and myself, we have written literally thousands of songs, but any song we record not only has to be a good one but also one which works naturally with our band. The test is to get together as a band and try to learn and play it. After about 45 minutes we know if it is a good song for us or not. If it isn't right for us we move on," the lead guitarist says.

In fact, Mr. Phillips advises anyone aspiring to be a songwriter not to "get fixated on one song".

"I have written probably 500 songs in my life, but it wasn't until my 40th birthday that I sat down to record the first one that actually made the cut."

In fact, his love of music began in childhood, when he was regularly exposed to his mother's favourite music: jazz and ragtime. He also wanted to learn to play an instrument but it wasn't until he saw a guitar that he made his decision.

"I knew there was something about it that I liked," Mr. Phillips says. "When I was around ten or 11 I harassed my mother into buying me one of those little $25 guitars that usually end up in the attic somewhere, and I kept at it, but not too seriously. Later on, I studied with the late Leon Jones, and I also watch very closely every person I have ever seen play the guitar and try to learn something from them."

Looking back on the long road `Last Rights' has travelled, and what it has taken to get to where it is today, the lead guitarist encourages anyone aspiring to a musical career to follow their dreams provided they are prepared to compromise in some respects.

"Never stop playing. Because of the socio-economic realities of Bermuda today, the prospects of having a career here are pretty dismal, but on the other hand there are people who have left the Island to pursue their careers, and that is why I don't hesitate to say it is dismal. Have fun doing it because you want your audience to enjoy it, and they are going to take their cue from you."

In terms of the band's success, Mr. Phillips credits Mr. Spencer-Arscott of DDM with being "an important part of making us sound our best. He is excellent", and Jonathan Trott of Spanish Town International "who always thinks of us on his rota of bands."

As to the band's future, Mr. Phillips is reluctant to predict its long-term prospects.

"You are talking about five different people, and people's lives change," he says. "Right now it is important to us to get the album finished, and find the right balance during the summer between our day jobs and gigs. We are looking forward to periodic gigging throughout the season."

Tracks from Last Rights' forthcoming album can be heard on website mp3.com