The Grey Lady Music Lounge, Wednesday 29th February 2012

The Soundcasters were formed in early 2008, when Tom James, 19 (Lead Vocalist/Guitarist) and his long-term friend Scott Russell, 18 (Bass/ and Vocalist), with school friend Simon Watson, 19 (Lead Guitarist and Vocalist) decided to form a band and advertised for a drummer. Matt Gibson, 20 (Drummer and Percussionist) auditioned and joined the band. From the first rehearsal, the boys formed a strong friendship and firm desire to be successful as a band.

Their individual tastes in music range from Punk to Jazz and this is reflected in the diversity of their songs. As young lads, this gave them an edge in today’s music scene and helped them to develop their unique sound. The Soundcasters are influenced by bands such as The Beatles, The Band, The Animals and The Arctic Monkeys. Not only have they been compared to The Arctic Monkeys but also The Kinks and The Libertines.

The Soundcasters began to seriously promote themselves in January 2009. They had a hectic summer, and quickly built up a strong fan base; playing private functions, many local and London venues such as The Fly, Bull and Gate, Hope and Anchor and the Dublin Castle, also performing at festivals such as The Lounge on the Farm, Infest and Togfest, as well as filming for a Documentary for Channel 4.

In March 2009, they produced their first EP which had a 60’s pop feel to it that had a huge response from a mixed audience with such songs as ‘Pauline’ in a blues/shuffle style and ‘French Habit’ with its Russian feel that audiences cannot fail to join in singing and dancing along to. The Soundcasters began the year 2010 with a more mature image, feel and sound and a busy and exciting schedule in place for the forthcoming year with plans to play private functions, charity gigs, festivals and further London venues such as The Half Moon, Putney. In March they successfully launched their second EP ‘Ban the Mind Reader’. The music has evolved into a slightly fuller, darker sound with grit, yet lightened with a little country rock. In May they wowed audiences at the infamous Cavern Club in Liverpool as part of the International Pop Overthrow.

The Soundcasters made their TV debut in August when the Channel 4 documentary ‘Amish: World’s Squarest Teenagers’ was shown. This prompted radio interviews and airplay along with many articles in local and national newspapers and TV magazines including the Daily Mirror and Radio Times.

The Soundcasters episode focused on the experience of a group of Amish youngsters spending a week with an artistic and musical family. During the week of filming, the band took their Amish guests to places of interest in Kent and shared with them their love of music, ending the week at ‘Togfest’, the music festival in Milton Keynes, where The Soundcasters played on the main courtyard stage. Clips of their music featured in the programme, causing a great deal of interest in the band, with much activity on their Facebook and MySpace sites helping to increase their fan base.

Following on from this experience, The Soundcasters look forward to writing and recording more of their songs and to continue performing and wowing audiences in and around the UK.

Show full profile »

Formed in late 2009 by Mike Wilton, The Standard Lamps believe that it's about time that we took things back to basics. During the last two years, Mike has been experimenting with various musicians to produce ‘The Standard Lamps’ which consists of James Livett on bass and Matt Bennie (Goldie Reed, Billy Jupp) on drums.

Playing countless gigs in the South East, The Standard Lamps have been pleasing audiences since Early 2010. Their music can be described as a mixture of melodic tunes with a raw blues edge. With their first EP ‘Portland’ (2010) and debut album ‘Sell Everything You Own’ (2012) already under their belts, they are now planning the second album with a trilogy of singles to be released throughout Summer 2013.

The Standard Lamps believe in sounding where you come from. The Standard Lamps believe in variety. The Standard Lamps believe having fun with what you're doing. The Standard Lamps believe in giving you a good time.

Show full profile »

Billy Jupp is a songwriter from Kent. His music is heavily influenced by the likes of Tom Waits, Kurt Elling, Dr John, Bill Withers and many others. He and his band of inspiring musicians (The Black Market) are currently working toward the release of their Debut Album, recorded in a wooden shack full of a whole bunch of weird and wonderful instruments. This album seeks to explore the underbelly of human society, concentrating on the dark and extensively bad side of our nature. Keep your ears to the ground! Two live and FREE singles are now available on the website and on Bandcamp.

Show full profile »

Heyzeus is an Alternative Rock group, from the UK. The duo is comprised of singer/songwriter and guitarist, Jamie Andrew, and partner Jessica-Louise on the drums/percussion. The pair met after Jessica, from Berwick-Upon-Tweed, saw Jamie on an ITV1 Saturday night TV show, and decided to track him down and travel the length of the country to meet him!

Catchy melodies and real feelings, delivered by some beautifully raw, and edgy rock vocals, sung over riffy guitar parts, make Heyzeus a group like no other of their time. The genre, described by Heyzeus himself, is known as 'Etheric Rock'.

Jamie Andrew has been busking all over the world for the past few years, as a solo musician, performing his songs on some of the worlds most famous streets. Continual exposure through busking has earned Heyzeus some credible gigs at venues such as 'Ibiza Rocks' & 'Hollywood Roosevelt' Hotels.

Earn yourself a physical copy of Heyzeus’ acoustic ‘Unplugged’ album; out now.

Show full profile »