A Little Bitter
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| A Little Bitter | |
|---|---|
 A Little Bitter 2007 band logo
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Northern Ireland |
| Genre(s) | Rock, Metal, Grunge |
| Years active | 2004 - Present |
| Website | http://www.alittlebitter.co.uk |
| Members | |
| Jonny Armstrong Seamy Donnelly Darren "Beano" Pilkington |
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| Former members | |
| Anthony "Keg" Campbell | |
A Little Bitter (often abbreviated to ALB) is a rock band from Coalisland in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland comprising of Jonny Armstrong on lead vocals and lead guitar and Seamy Donnelly on backing vocals and base guitar. Up until April 2007 the band also had Anthony "Keg" Campbell as the drummer, but he left in order to pursue a career in aviation that he had been working towards for years before joining the band. His replacement, Darren "Beano" Pilkington, joined the band in July 2007 and shortly after started touring with the band for their then current dates in Scotland. Although the band was formed in 2004, it's three original members had all known each other from their school days and had played and formed many bands before deciding to work together. The ALB sound has been described as rock, metal, and even grungy with a little prog.
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[edit] Band History
A Little Bitter formed in early June of 2004. Growing up in Coalisland, Co. Tyrone, Northern Ireland, three young musicians befriended each other in the early days of school when they met in the school's music room. Each of them had formed different bands, playing different instruments, and have for many years performed live gigs with many cover and original bands. In June 2004 the trio got jamming together and found in themselves a unique chemistry combined with perfectionist attitude and a common need for superior musicianship. Each member drives the others to be the best they can be and the band hopes that this is reflected in their music, but the people will judge that. Since then they have strictly spent their time writing material, crafting songs, performing their own music to appreciative audiences in Northern Ireland and in 2007 they travelled to Scotland and were well received. They have successfully toured countless venues bringing their material to appreciative audiences and played to packed out venues.
[edit] Debut Album
"The Blood" is the name of the bands debut album and was released in September 2006. The band underwent a tour of venues in Northern Ireland to promote the launch, entitled "The Blood-y Campaign". The album was produced, engineered, recorded and mixed by Neal Calderwood at Manor Park Studios. Jason Bullock completed the final album's artwork. The album contains all of the bands recorded material to date from their earlier limited release EPs. The songs were re-written, re-arranged, re-recorded or re-mixed, plus some brand new material was written to finish off the album. To support the release of "The Blood", A Little Bitter implemented a rigorous gigging schedule right across Northern Ireland.
ALB plan to record the follow up to "The Blood" with a late 2008 / early 2009 release, as recently stated on the main page of their official website.
[edit] "The Blood" Track Listing
- "Presence" - 0:48
- "Martyr" - 4:19
- "Someday" - 3:01
- "Punish" - 3:55
- "Nothing" - 5:33
- "Further I Crawl" - 3:26
- "Angel" - 4:49
- "Constantly Raining" - 4:10
- "Jebus" - 3:49
- "Are You" - 4:10
- "Over" - 5:11
[edit] Keg's Departure
On 18th April 2007, the following message was posted on the official ALB website:
"It is with a heavy heart that we are announcing the departure of Anthony from the ALB Drum throne. The split is a completely amicable one and has not been easy for all involved.
As some of you may know Anthony is a licensed Pilot and Flight Instructor in light aircraft. He has been presented with a once in a lifetime opportunity to become a resident instructor at the largest local airfield, since he has spent many years training for a position like this he has accepted. This commitment however has reduced his time for music and rather than do anything by half he has decided to leave A Little Bitter.
During our talks he said he would only leave if we promised to continue ALB so our search for a new drummer begins with his full blessing. Anthony has agreed to perform with us until a replacement is found so all dates booked will be fulfilled.
Jonny & I would like to wish Anthony all the very best for his new business and thank him for all the fun/music we have created."
In July 2007 the band recruited a new drummer Darren "Beano" Pilkington.
[edit] 2008 Gig Dates
The bands official website is currently undergoing a revamp and details of any tours they have upcoming will be published there and also here on their Wikipedia page in due course. Please note that due to the shutting down of Gildernews Bar in Armagh, the show on 2nd May 2008 has been cancelled.
| Date | Venue | Playing With |
|---|---|---|
| 25th April 2008 | Stans, Keady, Co. Armagh | |
| 26th April 2008 | Laurelvale Cricket Club, Craigavon, Co. Armagh | "Blackened" |
| 10th May 2008 | Common Rooms, Dungannon, Co. Tyrone | "Machinist" and "Dead Zebra" |
| 16th May 2008 | Bound For Boston, Derry, Co. L'Derry |
[edit] Discography
| Date | Name | Release Type |
|---|---|---|
| December 2004 | A Little Bitter Demo EP | EP |
| March 2005 | Misconstrued | EP |
| August 2005 | Nothing | EP |
| September 2006 | The Blood | Debut Album |
| June 2007 | The Blood - Live | Live Album (Download Only) |
| Due in 2008 | Untitled Studio Album | Follow-Up To Debut Album |
[edit] Current Band Members
- Jonny Armstrong - guitar, lead vocals (June 2004 - present)
- Seamy Donnelly - bass guitar, backing vocals (June 2004 - present)
- Darren "Beano" Pilkington - drums, backing vocals (July 2007 - present)
[edit] Previous Band Members
- Anthony "Keg" Campbell - drums, percussion (June 2004 - April 2007)
