Headrush (band)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
This article is uncategorized.
Please help improve this article by adding it to one or more categories, so it may be associated with related articles (how?). Please remove this tag after categorizing. |
| Headrush | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Origin | Stoke-on-Trent, England, UK |
| Years active | 2002 – present |
| Genres | Rock Heavy Metal |
| Labels | Unsigned |
| Members | Andy Law Chris Khosa Dave Leese Tom Shaw Jimi James |
Headrush is an English rock band hailing from Stoke-on-Trent. The band take their influences from such groups as Guns N' Roses, Aerosmith and Motley Crüe.
[edit] Members
Andy Law, vocals
Dave "The Sleeze" Leese, guitars
Chris "The Tramp" Khosa, guitars
Tom Shaw, bass
Jimi James, drums
[edit] History
Spring 2002: Guitarist Dave Leese and drummer Tom Williams were playing the pub circuit in local band Target. Bored with playing covers and eager to write and perform their own music, they set about creating a new group. They recruited accomplished guitarist Andy Simpson, while Kaz Emery, a friend of Dave’s brother, was drafted in to play bass. Calling themselves “Headrush”, as the name summed up the feeling they were trying to create with their music, the search for a suitable frontman began.
Vocalist Andy Law was looking for a fresh challenge after previously singing in metal band Deadpan. Dave had seen Andy perform and enquired about his availability. A quick rendition of Bon Jovi’s “Wanted Dead or Alive” on pub karaoke was enough to secure Andy’s place as the frontman of Headrush.
So Dave Leese, Tom Williams, Andy Simpson, Kaz Emery and Andy Law spent the summer of 2002 establishing themselves on the local music scene with a set of classic rock covers. In the meantime, Dave and Andy Law set about writing the very first Headrush songs. “Perfect Drug” and “Fallin” were added to the set list and received positive responses from audiences.
In late 2002, while working at a distribution centre in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Dave met Chris Khosa, a fellow rock fan and guitarist. Around this time, Andy Simpson had made it known to his bandmates that he wasn’t really into the style of music they were playing and expressed his desire to leave. Dave wasted no time in inviting Chris along to a show and offering him the soon-to-be-vacant guitarist role. Chris went along to gig at Stoke’s Normacot Hotel, was impressed with Andy Law’s vocals and the strength of the original material, and accepted the offer the next day.
In the following 18 months, the new and improved Headrush lineup continued to make a name for itself on the regional music scene and was building up an enthusiastic following. With more original material being added to the set list, the band entered the studio to create their first EP. “Back Again Rock n Roll” sold over 1,000 copies independently within two weeks of its release.
On the back of their successful record, the band secured numerous larger gigs, playing before 2,000 bikers at Stoke Kings Hall and rocking a sellout Stoke Sugarmill. In autumn 2004, the band played a prestigious gig at London’s Camden Underworld, receiving many positive reviews from music press in both the UK and Europe.
Two more lineup changes in late 2004 failed to stop the bands momentum. Kaz Emery was replaced on bass by the talented Tom Shaw, while founder member Tom Williams laid down his sticks to be replaced on a semi-permanent basis by Headpress drummer Russ Gwynne.
The new lineup returned to the studio to record new tracks recently added to the set list. The EP “A Thousand Pictures” was launched at the Stoke Sugarmill in summer 2005 before a sell-out crowd. The gig was also filmed for the creation of the band’s first video, for “Perfect Drug”, which would go on to played numerous times on Sky music channel Scuzz.
Late 2005 was a hectic time for Headrush, with numerous gigs secured throughout the UK. “A Thousand Pictures” EP was receiving positive reviews in the national rock press, including the influential Metal Hammer magazine. Tracks from the EP were also being played on radio as far afield as South America and Eastern Europe.
Playing full-time in both Headpress and Headrush was taking its toll on Russ, so the band decided to up their search for his successor. Numerous potential drummers were auditioned but none were of the standard required. My Disorder’s Bob Myatt took over from Russ as the search for a full-time replacement continued.
Headrush, with Bob behind the kit, continued to impress at shows nationwide, including prominent support slots with bands such as the Glitterati and the Quireboys. It was at the latter of these gigs that the band was introduced to Macclesfield-based drummer Jimi James. His energy and style impressed the band greatly, and a permanent drumming position was offered.
2006 has proved a busy year so far for the band. A return to the studio to work with respected producer Stuart Epps resulted in the re-working of “Perfect Drug”, “Just Bring It On” and “Livin In A Fantasy”. Following sensational performances at showcases in London and Birmingham, the band secured a place on the bill for the prestigious Bulldog Bash festival.
