skorchedearth

The history of Skorched Earth as we know it........

Back in the Summer of 2005 Snowie (Drummer)approached Mark (Chemist .....Guitarist)about forming a rock band with a twist. The 'twist' was to perform 'rocked up' versions of songs and rock songs that weren't the usual ones played by pub bands.

The earliest line-up that didn't gig anywhere included Snowie, Mark, Bear Withers bassist Joe and a female singer who answered an ad in the sentinel who's name can't be remembered!!

That fell apart with the leaving of the singer and bassist.

Next, Joe (current bassist) was approached since Snowie and Mark had heard he 'dabbled' on the guitar. (Dabbled being a good description!). Joe joined in summer 2005 having never gigged or played bass before.(Maybe the band should have been called 'Scraping the Barrel'!)

Next came Tracy. A new singer with a damn fine voice, precision and dedication. Skorched earth struggled along at practice sessions trying to get a set list together but struggled to choose songs due to Tracy's very clean and 'unrocky' voice. An additional singer was looked for to compliment Tracy but auditions brought Maggie (current singer) onto the scene.

Maggie, as those who have seen her will know, does exactly what it says on the tin. Maggie had sang a few years before this in another Stoke based rock band called On Parole.

The first 10 or so gigs were done with this line up, creating a lot of interest around the Stoke area giving band watchers something different to see. Different songs, a great female rock singer, great lead guitar playing and a heavy rhythm.

The band expanded their set list to include heavier songs, still sticking to the original rules of not doing the usual stuff. (i.e NOT 'Alright Now', 'Paranoid' etc etc.)

Next event was the leaving of Snowie which happened suddenly in December 2006

A replacement drummer was found in the shape of 'Phil'.
Ex 'Jealousy' singer and drummer of 'NV'.

Phil fortunately liked the existing 'Skorched Earth' set list and was quick to pick-up the rhythms and drum patterns.

Phil did 3 or 4 gigs with Skorched Earth. The set was tightened up a lot and things improved with Phil's 'big drum' sound. In April 2007 Skorched Earth were again looking for another drummer as
Phil's commitment to NV, work, etc meant that
we couldn't get together often enough for rehearsals to expand the set list.

Darren of 'Chemical Metal' fame (!!) kindly offered to help out until we found our own. Darren quickly learnt the set list and made the first time out with the new line up at the Master Potter a great night. With a bit of eye contact between us and Maggie's strange signalling we managed to keep things pretty tight. Big thanks to Darren.

Whilst trying out potential new drummers, some good, some not so good (!!) Darren kept us going in great shape until we had a gig that clashed with one of Chemical Metal's. Panic Stations!! Jon from Biglix asked if we'd tried Jason Callear, a well known, very skilled drummer from Uttoxeter. ( Jase is ex-Biglix, Bad reputation, Rear View Mirror etc etc, played in the U.S. etc etc) We got in touch, he learned the set list and with one practice we were out at Yamaha Owner's Club Rally knocking them for dead. All the amps were at number 11 to cope with Jase's loud drumming.
Proper rock'n'roll!! Whilst still looking for our own drummer with Jase and Darren helping out another date came along when both Jase and Darren weren't available. Bollocks!!
At this point we got in touch with another Jase (Jase2) who drums with Goldrush the fine and well respected band that covers Rush, Zeppelin Yes etc etc. Knowing that Jase 2 tutors drumming we thought he might know someone but he offered to drum himself. Marvellous. Another tricky situation got out of . Cheers Jase 2!!
Towards the end of 2007 we practised a few times with Jase 1 and quickly added a few new songs to the set list with the help of Jase's vocals including 'The Chain' , 'Nothing Else Matters', 'Pretty Vacant' and 'Saw Her Standing There'. With Jase not being with any other bands during that period meant having him drumming for most gigs. All of the gigs over the 'Jase 1 period' seemed to have some extra liveliness added plus some extra lighting, plus some extra volume, plus some extra electrical failures!! At the end of 2007 Jase warned us he wouldn't be available 'for ever' since he had his mind set on a new venture playing grungier material with some guys from the previous bands. More bloody advertising, more auditions, more dissappointment!
After auditionning some great drummers, then using Jase and Darren again and more auditionning we settled with Andrew.
Andrew, from Nantwich, was kitted out with a top notch Roland electronic kit. A brief PA nightmare but first night out at Ashbourne was a great success with a great sound. More on Andrew in a bit.........

Piczo