Permanent member:-
Andyshades....songwriter, vocals, acoustic guitar.
Usual suspects:-
Jon Robinson....keyboards.
Eddie Armitage....violin.
Mick Reed....drums.
Fly by's:-
Atholl Ransome....Sax/flute.
Andy Wallace....Sax.
Bob Rose....guitar.
Matt Bond....Guitar.
Doug Scard....Bass.
Sally Edwards....Trombone.
Simon Edwards....drums.
Kate Rose....cello.
For all the rest who are scattered around the world....see 'People' page at www.us-and-beyond.com
Influences
Us are influenced by so many people it is impossible to even contemplate. Andyshades was personally influenced by:- Roy Harper, Nick Drake, Caravan, King Crimson, Gong, Pink Floyd, Belle and Sebastian, Velvet Underground, Tim Buckley, Echo and the Bunnymen, Electric Prunes, Teardrop Explodes, John Martyn, Ritchie Havens
Sounds Like
Many people say we sound like Jethro Tull, but then many people ask for another Bob Dylan song when I sing Lou Reed! I think we sound miscellaneous just like Gil Scott Heron.
To be more accurate, I sing more like Roy Harper and play like Ritchie Havens, write like shorthand Bob Dylan in the guise of Hunter S Thompson, close my eyes and shy away from the audience like an early Jim Morrison. I can bob along a melody like Belle and Sebastian in dark sarcasm, with satirical wit of Country Joe's fish, but perhaps more resemble Ian Anderson with acrobatic initiative when my guitar strap falls off.
"ANDYSHADES IS PERHAPS THE MOST INTERESTING UNSIGNED ACT I'VE EVER REVIEWED"-powpowpow
"ANDYSHADES IS A GREAT MUSICIAN WHO CAN ACTUALLY LIGHTEN THE HUMOUR OF A VERY DEEP TOPIC." - Barnsleysoundbites
Andyshades began live music as a songwriting busker in the mid 1980's and fronted the bands ... Backchoi, Drug Squad, Mutant Squid, Rainbow Bridge and Tranceform. Giving up bands in the late 1990's for travelling musical adventures in the great beyond he played venues in Thailand, Laos, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Germany and the beaches of Gomera. From then on gigs and recordings have been a collaboration of musicians from every continent in a truly spontaneous form with no strict line up and totally free expression.
So the concept of 'Us' was born. 'Us' is the free music collective where the songs of Andyshades as a central figure are given openly for capable musians to record their interpretations of his music in their own style towards a colourful array of cd's. No money is involved in recordings and only small runs of cds for sale at gigs to fund future projects. It is purely for free expression, and all recordings are completed at a very grass roots level, on the road or in modest home studio. Gigs are approached in the same way. The line up is very rarley repeated.
At present, many cd's are available from the past 10 years and many more awaiting completion. Andy spends summers at Uk festivals helping out as sound engineer for independent stages and performing on stage as much as possible with a variety of people.
Visit www.us-and-beyond.com for full history, cd's, photos and people involved in Us.
Also contact andyshades@hotmail.com
DISCOGRAPHY:.
Bigunending/Past Perfect Imperfections 1999.
Barefoot 2001.
Bare Arsed Cheek 2001.
Beyond Oblivion 2001.
Pai=mc2 2001.
Berlinights 2002.
Reach Around Sax 2004.
Pledge Your Eyes in Music 2005.
The World Before Tomorrow 2005.
All cds are available from RADAR Records, Byram Arcade, Huddersfield
THE NEXT "FUN IN THE FIELD PARTY FREE FEST THINGY"
JUNE 28. KICK OFF 1.00PM
GAIA* ANDY SHADES* THREE WISE MEN* HELIUM3* KATUS' *THE CONFEDERATES* THE BLUE GRASS BAND* ELLEN* THE DIRT* THE SEWER RATS, AND MORE ......Random additions may occur!
A 10 percent discount will be available to guests who want to buy pizzas or curries from Maxis . Delivered to the party! Free cury by me...for the starving
