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FORGOTTEN ROOTS are the rock band the naughties have been looking for. Over the course of a few months Forgotten Roots have become one of the hottest groups in the North East of England. Forgotten Roots have played at numerous venues all over the country and are one of the few bands to play Newcastle Carling Academy without major record company support. They provide an outstanding live performance which excites the audience and is sure to get the crowd jumping around and singing along.

Forgotten Roots are as exciting to watch as they are to listen to. The band is four talented musicians doing what they love – writing and making music from the heart, influenced by their lives, and taking nfluences from bands such as Alkaline Trio, Madina Lake, Green Day and Bayside, Forgotten Roots’ music is a blend of alternative/darker punk rock and melodic styles of punk.

MARK SHAW, on vocals and guitar, at 21 is a well known musician within the North East area and has played in many bands. Mark is an amazing songwriter, and takes influence from Green Day as well as darker sounding bands such as Alkaline Trio, and is the driving force behind much of Forgotten Roots' music.

GRAHAM TOMILIN, on guitar and backing vocals founded the band alongside Mark. Graham incorporates speed and impact in his playing with great showmanship. Graham also assists on vocals, and his song writing ability blends well with Mark’s. Together they create much of what is Forgotten Roots.

SEAN BENHAM, on bass guitar and backing vocals, has also played in numerous bands in the North East area and aged 18 he is the youngest and newest member of Forgotten Roots, and along with Tony, provides the backbone of the band. Combining slick bass fills with solid rhythm; Sean forms the spine of Forgotten Roots' music.

TONY HARDY, on drums, at only 19, is highly energetic and very dynamic. When Tony plays the drums, nobody gets to rest. Along with Sean, Tony provides the very structure for the rest of the instruments to sit on and loves to mix things up, to add a new level of excitement when performing live. He is the final piece of the puzzle.

FORGOTTEN ROOTS take influence from every day life when writing songs. Through their music they discuss issues such as relationships and alcoholism which affect them and other people on a daily basis. Each member of the band brings their own ideas to the table and every suggestion is taken on board, having four heads when writing songs is better than one.

Career highlights include:- supporting the UK Subs at Middlesbrough Town Hall and supporting RX Bandits at Newcastle Carling Academy 2. As well as this, the song ‘Autumn’ received radio play on The Northern Uproar on BBC Radio Newcastle and the band have played headline shows at Newcastle Carling Academy and various pubs and clubs in the North East and further afield to a great response from the crowds.

In September 2009 the band toured Austria, Italy and England with Poison Tree Records label-mates Fancy Frenetix, again to a great response from the crowds! Their 2007 EP Crosses and Circles is available on Itunes through Poison Tree Records from October 1st 2009!

The band play together whenever possible and shares a mutual passion for the music they create, record and play. Whether they’re playing to a capacity crowd at the Carling Academy, or playing to a smaller, yet just as busy crowd, at their local pub, they can always be seen displaying energy and passion within their music. New material is now appearing in the live set and it shows how this band have grown so much in such a short period of time. With more tours being planned, and a brand new EP release sheduled for May/June 2010, things don't show any sign of slowing down for F'roots!