multi-instrumentalist neil innes, meanwhile, would prove pivotal to the band's continued existence, not to mention their later success. armed with a musical education and a philosophical bent, he would go on to marshal the band's disparate talents into something resembling cohesion, whether they liked it or not. however, cohesion and success both still lay some way ahead. innes has spoken often about his first meeting with slater and stanshall in a london pub—stanshall walked in wearing a victorian frock coat, checked trousers, pince-nez glasses and large rubber false ears on his head whilst carrying a euphonium under his arm.