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THE HEYS – youngbored&broke
Tracks (listen to MP3 audio clips)
01. fridaynight 02. elbowculture 03. pressure 04. brightenupmyday 05. youngbored&broke 06. don’t 07. arms&legs 08. hey 09. getiton 10. scene 11. aintwotUsay 12. clanprimate 13. breakdown 14. takeiteasy
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The Hedrons music is decidedly one part Ramones-esque brawn, one part femme-fatale roar, and one part ruthless guitar-driven nerve. Or as lead guitarist Rosie humorously puts it, “If you listen to us, you wouldn’t realise it was girls until Tippi starts singing – you’d think it was a bunch of big hairy guys playing.” And although the girls would personally describe their sound as the modern love child of the Foo Fighters and Joan Jett, they would also say that the very same is proudly godfathered by Iggy Pop & The Stooges.
In 2005 The Hedrons were formed in their native Glasgow. With a relentless gigging schedule, a UK Top 20 indie single and further back-to-back Top 5 indie singles chart success, the four-piece have established themselves as one of the country’s foremost emerging rock bands. This has only been further emphasized by the recent release of the band’s debut album ‘One More Won’t Kill Us’ which accomplished further indie chart triumph when it broke the Top 40 of the official UK indie album chart.
In the UK throughout 2006, The Hedrons were the focus of many a press feature and gained plenty of airplay, including from the likes of Radio 1 and XFM. The band was first tipped in the NME who said of them ‘an all-girl four-piece who sound like Patti Smith meets Penetration with a dash of early Blondie and a smidging of The Runaways… you have to hear this band!’ Off the back of this attention and all their touring, The Hedrons were confirmed to perform at several summer UK summer festivals including Download at Donington, T In The Park and Guilfest. Of particular significance, the band was invited by the band Alice In Chains to step in as special guests at their only UK show at the London Astoria. Overall, The Hedrons satisfied a healthy appetite of over 120 gigs by the end of the year, accomplishing sell-out status at many venues up and down the UK / Ireland and generally causing much fan frenzy wherever they appeared. One of those gigs gained special significance, when in October The Hedrons became the first British band ever to play a live, virtual gig as 3-D figures inside the virtual world ‘Second Life’ as avatar’s of the band performed in the customised venue ‘The Hedro Dome’ whilst the real band performed in Glasgow!
Release wise, the band’s first single ‘Be My Friend’ was released in July 2006 on Scottish indie label Measured Records and entered the official UK charts as a top 20 Indie Single, selling out of its limited edition vinyl pressing as did the second single ‘I Need You’ that was released in October and entered the same chart at number 5. A third single ‘Heatseeker’ was released in January 2007 and achieved identical top 5 indie chart success. The debut album ‘One More Won’t Kill Us’ was released in February and was met with an official Top 40 indie album chart position.
This year was kicked off in typical Hedrons fashion with the band hitting the road in the UK for yet another headline tour. The album has just been released in Japan to frenzied acclaim, and live dates there are currently being lined up. March will see them venture across the Atlantic for the first time as they fly in for a mini-tour across North America, including showcases at both Canadian Music Week and SXSW as well as dates in New York and California.
Although The Hedrons have just started out in their career, they have already made a healthy impact on the music scene. And, according to drummer Soup, one thing’s for sure, “For four girls, we make one hell of a noise.”
The Naked Apes are the brain child of Mikey M., a New Zealander, now living in London, UK. The songwriting began in the 1990’s, at Mikey’s London recording studio and, by the late 90’s, Mikey was writing songs with Davo, an old school friend from New Zealand, who shared the same birthday! They would travel the world together, get drunk on the beach and write songs. ‘Fantasy Girl’, ‘Little Nympho’ and ‘Life’s A Beach, Then You Dive’ were all written in this way.
Eventually, a band was formed, to play gigs in London but in the year 2000 the band split and Mikey had to find a new direction. On one of their infamous writing trips, Mikey and Davo, who had been drinking beer and writing songs on a beach in Mexico, thought of a name for a new band – The Naked Apes. Later in the evening they arrived at their cheap hotel and found only 2 books on the shelf in their room. These were The Naked Ape (by Desmond Morris) and The Bible! They believed this was a sign, and as there was already a band called The Bible, they decided on The Naked Apes.
TV, TOURS & RELEASES
Since the birth of The Naked Apes, the band have been recording their own demos and producing independent videos (with Davo’s help), which have appeared on MTV, Scuzz and Chart Show TV.
The Naked Apes were discovered by Hadyn Wood from UK indie label Airplay Records in June 2002, and have since toured the UK extensively, supporting the likes of Wheatus, REEF, Athlete, Fun Loving Criminals, [spunge] and Steriogram; and appeared at a variety of Extreme Sports Events, Festivals and College shows.
Their music has been featured in a variety of Films, TV Shows and DVD’s, including 7 Episodes of ‘PUNK’D’ on MTV, ‘The World Wakeboard Championships’, FOX TV’s ‘Rebel Billionaire’, UKTV’s ‘Secret Life of the Gym’ and indie films in Japan and America.
In August 2003 and August 2004, the band released 2 limited run, independent singles to their growing fan base and scored 2 consecutive Top 20 indie chart hits in under 12 months.
Their debut album was recorded and produced by the band at Brit Row studios in
London, mixed by Dan Swift (Snow Patrol) and is due for release in USA/Canada through 4 West Records.
PERSONAL STUFF
Mikey M. – GUITAR + VOCALS
Born in India to New Zealand parents. Mikey went to school in India, then went back to New Zealand where he studied music and composition.
In 1992, he moved to London and worked in recording studios, engineering, producing and writing for other artists.
Favourite food : ALL OF IT
Favourite drink: Jack Daniels and Coke
Andy Shields – BASS + VOCALS
Born in Yorkshire, UK but went to school in India too! – although he didn’t know
Mikey at this stage. Andy played in many local bands as guitarist and vocalist and
moved to London in 1994. Andy ended up in a band with Mikey’s next door neighbour and being a singer songwriter in need of a studio, Andy was introduced to Mikey, who was thinking of starting a new band. Andy learned the Bass Guitar and joined the band as Bassist and backing vocalist.
Favourite food: Pizza
Favourite drink: Red Wine
Rusty Evans – DRUMS
Born and raised in Winchester, UK, Rusty has a very posh English accent and is a very nice chap. He auditioned for The Naked Apes THREE times, losing out on previous occasions to an attractive female drummer and a couple of session drummers who were all great musicians but lacked personality. Eventually it was Rusty’s determination, commitment and sense of humour that secured him the job.
Favourite food: Breakfast Cereal
Favourite drink: Guinness
Born in 1970 near Bremen, Germany, Christopher von Deylen found his musical calling very early on. Fascinated by albums by electronic artists such as Tangerine Dream, Kraftwerk and Jean-Michel Jarre and encouraged by an open-minded piano teacher, Christopher spent many of his teenage nights experimenting with synthesizers and sequencers. In his High School band he played the synthesizer and while still in school he also acquired his first recording engineering skills. After completing his Applied Cultural College Studies with a pre-masters course in Music in 1993 he pursued his music career dream in earnest.
A friend of the family, legendary German music publisher Peter Meisel, introduced him to the studio scene in Hamburg where he landed an apprenticeship in the legendary “Boogie Park” and “Chateau du Pap” recording studios, where he gathered valuable experience in studio work and used every spare minute to put his own ideas into practice. 1994 saw the release of his first single production under the pseudonym f.l.y.: “Feel the Rhythm”. The record flopped, but this didn’t put him off, and he continued on his musical path undeterred. He got involved with the most diverse production projects, conscientiously developing his sound.
From dance project TANK (“Can u Feel the Bass”, top 20 single charts) to creating electronic sequences for DIE PRINZEN, to the hit album “Golden Boy” by SIN WITH SEBASTIAN, produced together with INGA HUMPE (these days the voice of “2RAUMWOHNUNG”) – there were constantly new and exciting challenges. He even was asked to arrange the music for the MDR (mid German broadcasting company) talking book production of “Lord of the Flies”, produced a Remix of the 80s ICEHOUSE classic “Hey Little Girl” and released a cover version of the ART OF NOISE hymn “Moments in Love”.
Finally in 1998 SCHILLER was born. At first it was just a club-oriented project with dance elements. But already in the Schiller debut album “ZEITGEIST” (1999) there was a clearly audible urge to push the musical boundaries. Guest vocals by Hans Paetsch, Oliver Rohrbeck (“DIE DREI”- classic German children’s audio book series) and the duo Voelz / Pigulla (the German synch voices of the “X-Files”) introduced the spoken word element in SCHILLER’s world. With this direction in mind and seeking to do something unique for the approaching millennium, in 2000 von Deylen took a little break from music-making and embarked on a long road trip with his father from London to Beijing. The impressions of this 2 month-long journey are reflected in Schiller’s second album “VOYAGE” .
Released in the summer of 2001 in Germany, it went straight to number 1 in the album charts and stayed there for the rest of the summer – more than a month. The single “Dream of You” with PETER HEPPNER of WOLFSHEIM turned into the most successful Schiller single so far, and marks the beginning of a fruitful collaboration. As with the previous album “ZEITGEIST”, “VOYAGE” was recorded in the bedroom of von Deylen’s two room apartment in Hamburg. Television teams from ARTE, ZDF and RTL crammed themselves incredulously into the cramped attic to report on the phenomenon that is SCHILLER. “Voyage” was awarded a “Platinum Disc”.
Excited by the musical openness and pulsating life of the German capital, von Deylen moved to Berlin in the spring of 2002. After setting up his own “livingroom” studio, he embarked on recording the third Schiller album “Life”. With guest artists such as PETER HEPPNER, KIM SANDERS, SARAH BRIGHTMAN or VELJANOV he succeeds to refine the SCHILLER sound further. Again a big success the album earns another “Golden Disc”. Visuals always having fascinated von Deylen, it seemed only logical that he went on to compose film music for the first time in 2003. He collaborated on the soundtrack for the film “Gate to Heaven” by WIM WENDER’s student VEIT HELMER. The film starring UDO KIER won various awards at international film festivals and became a blueprint for STEVEN SPIELBERG’s airport drama “TERMINAL” starring TOM HANKS.
Following several solo appearances (ARTE TV’s MUSIC PLANET 2NIGHT and on the “Club ship AIDA”, an invitation from German President Rau to perform at his official residence SCHLOSS BELLEVUE (2002) and a concert in the Gehry building at the Brandenburg gate in Berlin, SCHILLER’s first live tour in the Spring of 2004 is inevitable. Schiller performs all the highlights from his albums at twelve sold out concerts. Due to the enthusiastic reaction from the fans and excellent reviews from the media another 9 live dates are scheduled for November of 2004. The according Live DVD received the DVD Champion Award of 2004 for best music DVD.
To top off an exciting year the fall of 2004 sees a series of rare SCHILLER remixes: After Sinead O’Connor and the voice of CLANNAD, MOYA BRENNAN, hardcore German rockers RAMMSTEIN come knocking at von Deylen’s door, and get a powerful emotional remix of their single “OHNE DICH”.
Most of 2005 was consumed recording the fourth original Schiller album “DAY AND NIGHT”. Von Deylen solicited contributions from new collaborators Moya Brennan, Mike Oldfied, Jette von Roth and once again Kim Sanders and Sarah Brightman for what turns out to be his most international offering yet. Success is imminent with a Top 5 Chart Entry and another “Gold Disc” to follow. On the back of the success Schiller embarks on a second tour of Germany, with a presentation so spectacular it receives a coveted Opus Award 2006 for best sound design. The according LIVE DVD is certified Gold.
Having opened up new markets in Europe, Asia and Eastern Europe in 2005 and 2006 Christopher von Deylen is now directing his focus on breaking SCHILLER in the USA. Already enjoying steady sales for his first three albums in the USA on Radikal Records and having enjoyed Top 10 Chart Success on Billboards Electronic charts with two Singles, the album “DAY AND NIGHT” – released by new label 4 West Records – will connect Schiller LIVE with a devoted fan community in North America. A handful of select appearances are planned for fall 2007 with a full tour being organized for the summer of 2008. If reaction to recent LIVE shows in Dubai, Russia, Albania and opening for Depeche Mode in Athens, Greece are any indication, the world is ready to embrace Schiller.
Born from a love of The Kinks, the Stones, The Who and The Jam, this British 4-piece wear their influences on their sleeves; Mod, Motown, Northern Soul, Rhythm & Blues, Punk attitude. The Heys have everything that a great guitar-pop band should have, three minutes of fuzzy major chords, full, rich bass, shouty, ominpresent backing vocals and an impossibly addictive chorus.
Tom, the singer songwriter in The Heys feeds off the tradition and passion of British 60’s beat music and combines it with incisive comment on modern life. Their debut album Young, Bored & Broke screams the frustrations and the simple joys of living day-to-day, hand to mouth. Bad jobs-good friends. A working-class band through and through.
The self-produced album was recorded underground in their basement studio in the UK. “This way it’s all about the music” says Tom. “We wanted an honest direct sound and we wanted to be in control so we did it ourselves”.
The first Radio 1 play by Alan McGee came after he received the demo from a guy in Reading. Winning XFM unsigned led to a headline appearance at the Budrising festival at The Waterats in London. June 07 saw the white label promo release of Pressure, through promotions company Upshot on 7″ green vinyl to massive DJ acclaim. Comparisons have been made with Elvis Costello, Ray Davis, The Who and The Enemy.
Following the myspace explosion, The Heys have had over 84,000 hits and have a dedicated fanbase. This has led to contact from Vinyl Junkie in Tokyo and the first vinyl limited edition singles sold in Japan. Numberonemusic.com/theheys was launched in March 06 and since then has received over 206,000 plays.
Whilst creating a buzz on independent North American radio shows such as KEXP 90.3fm in Seattle and X-103.3fm in Indianapolis, their killer tune “Pressure” has also featured on Record of the Day in the UK and the soundtrack for the Gumball Rally 3000.
Meanwhile in the UK pulserated.com (Sky) has picked up on Pressure and Friday Night with plays on The Session, The Mix and Hottrax. The Heys also received a feature On Steve Lamacq’s BBC6 Music radio show.
”I know absolutely nothing about this band, other than the fact they are very, very good.” Creation Records Guru Alan McGee on BBC Radio 1.
