Blackout (musical group)

Blackout are a Rock Against Communism (RAC) band, originally from Merthyr Tydfil that formed in February/March 1990.[1]

1990–1992

The original line-up was Roger Watkin (also known as Rog) on vocals, Jason Smith (also known as Miffy) on guitar, Andrew Raymond Lewis (also known as Stinko) on bass and Acky on drums. The band’s name was suggested by Lewis’s partner Sarah Anne Evans.[1] Blackout played gigs supporting the RAC bands Violent Storm, No Remorse, Squadron, Skullhead and Celtic Dawn. Following the deaths of three members of the band Violent Storm in March 1992, Lewis and Smith folded Blackout and along with Nigel Bartlett (also known as Billy) and Clarkey (both from Violent Storm) formed the RAC band Celtic Warrior.[2]

1998

Sometime around 1996 David Brinley Braddon (also known as Brad) joined Celtic Warrior and after a short time Lewis suggested that the two of them, along with Jason Lawrence Freeman reform Blackout.[3] In early 1998 Lewis reformed Blackout with Braddon on guitar and Freeman on drums. Two songs were recorded - Hey Racial Brother and Kill Me Before I Die (with Lewis on vocals). Both songs appear on the Voice of Britain compilation CD (released by Unity Records). They already had enough material written for a full-length CD and during these recording sessions the idea of recording a CD was discussed but due to the deterioration in Lewis’s health the project was abandoned. It was promised that the songs would be recorded in Lewis’s honour, with all the royalties going into a trust fund for Lewis’s children.[4] Braddon and Freeman also recorded two Blackout tracks - Freedom Of Justice and Stand True - under the name P.O.W. (Pride of Wales) which appeared on the Voice of Britain Volume 2 compilation CD (released by Rampage Productions).[5]

Lewis died on 18 August 1998 at 9.50am. He had fought a three-and-a-half-year battle against bowel cancer.[4] Blackout was once again folded.[3]

2005–present

In 2005 Blackout re-formed as a five-piece band.[3] The line-up was Braddon on vocals, Andrew Lee Heggie (also known as Eggy) on lead guitar, Mart on rhythm guitar, Stephen J. Deverall (also known as Steve) on bass and Freeman on drums.[2]

Around late 2014 band underwent a line-up change when their lead guitarist Eddy decided to leave the band whilst Mart had started being slowly replaced by Adam from early 2010 due to illness. They were replaced by Dean and Adam Turner respectively.[6]

Blackout have played gigs throughout Europe including the Czech Republic[3] and Sweden.[6]

Previous bands (etc)

Members of Blackout have been involved in other bands and projects - Lewis played bass with RAC bands English Rose and Brutal Attack.[4] Acky played drums in Celtic Warrior, he also played bass in RAC band Avalon. Braddon played guitar in Celtic Warrior for over 10 years. He has also played guitar in the Brutal Attack since 1997.[6] Freeman has played drums for Celtic Warrior and White Lighting. Deverall played bass in short-lived RAC band Battle Standard.[3] And Heggie had previously played guitar in Merthyr Tydfil punk band Foreign Legion, he also played guitar on the Celtic Warrior album We Will Never Forget.[7] Both Freeman and Heggie have done some studio work for Brutal Attack.

Discography

Compilations

Ken McLellan (from Brutal Attack) sang on the band’s cover of the Brutal Attack song End of My Race on Blackout’s debut CD Spirit Of The Warrior.[3]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 R. Forbes & E. Stampton, “The White Nationalist Skinhead Movement: UK & USA, 1979 - 1993”, Feral House, 2015
  2. 1 2 "Blood & Honour issue 35". Blood & Honour. 2006.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Interview with Blackout". RAC Skins. January 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 "Blood & Honour issue 40". Blood & Honour. 2008.
  5. ↑ "Blood & Honour issue 30". Blood & Honour. 2004.
  6. 1 2 3 "Brad Blackout/Brutal Attack/Celtic Warrior". Midgård Magazine. February 2015.
  7. ↑ Celtic Warrior – We Will Never Forget (CD cover)
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