Halfset, Groove Armada, Bent, Zero 7, Cymande, Trentemoller, Basement Jaxx, Daft Punk, Massive Attack, Chemical Brothers, LCD Sound System, Analogue Minefield, Decadence, Sex Pistols, The Clash, The Orb, Faithless, Jarvis Cocker, Paul Weller, Kasabian, Morrissey, The Smiths, Talking Heads, Velvet Underground, Stray Cats, The Ramones, U2, REM, Suede, Blur, Sinatra, Gorillaz, The Good The Bad & The Queen, The Cure, The Jam, Radiohead, JS Bach, Beethoven - As you can see an endless list and that's not the half of it!
Robbie Stanley Electric Bass, microKorg Eugene Somers Drums, Percussion and Programming Paul Maguire Guitars, Backing Vox Hazel Peters Vocals JMC MC & Percussion
Grades of Shade was conceived as a live band project mid 2007 stemming from Eugene Somer’s virtuoso at programming beats and skilful use of synths, bells and whistles! Eugene booked some studio time in Experimental Audio and recruited old friends Robbie Stanley, Barry Brennan and Mairead Heffron to complete a live band. Recordings went well (some of which can be heard on the bands Myspace site ‘Silk’ & ‘Come Home’)
The recordings were finished and Barry & Mairead both carried on with their own solo projects and Eugene and Robbie set about enticing permanent members to the assembly. Paul Maguire was the obvious choice on Guitars, he had played with Eugene & Robbie in prior outfits and auditions were set for a singer. Hazel Peters came along all the way from the Northside and impressed the guys with her powerful voice, complete confidence and got the job hands down.
The new 4 piece embarked on a few live shows in Whelan’s and Transformer to see how the sound went down. Herald AM sent a journalist to the Whelan’s gig and compared Grades to a cross between Massive Attack and Groove Armada, nothing short of perfect for the bands 1st review.
More recording were to follow and on board came JMC rapper extraordinaire, again from the Northside, just to even things out, originally for the song ‘Ejector Seat’ but the band soon realised his MC’ing could be used on numerous tracks so there he stayed and has recently developed the fine art of shaker shaking!
The band recorded a live session, thanks to Cormac Moore from www.pboy.ie and are currently doing the rounds as excellent live demos.
The bands debut double A side single will be released early 2009 accompanied by the ‘Ejector Seat’ Video that is currently at the editors desk at Wellboy Films followed by the release of their debut album as soon as funds dictate!
The band have enjoyed packing Eamon Doran’s, Whelan’s and other such venues in Dublin in the short time they have been together and are elated at audience participation and their sheer energy at live shows. If you haven’t been to one yet, better do so soon!
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Reviews:
Whelan’s 9/7/08
“the impressive Grades of Shade, fronted by vocal powerhouse Hazel Peters.
Grades of Shade are like a cross between Massive Attack and Groove Armada – one to watch” Herald AM
Tower Records 02/04/09
Dublin Band Grades of Shade entertained the customers at Tower Records with an hour of Urban Electronic indie sounds. They have a real nice laid back attitude and the lead singer Hazel Peters has a very soulful voice that blends into the electronic feel that the music gives off. New sounds is what bands try to make and originality is what most musicians set out to achieve but Grades of Shade have nailed it with a sound of their own, this could be the key to future success. The band got a real urban mood to it when rapper JMC jumps in to mc to the beat and electronic indie flavor coming from the rhythm section which keeps the whole sound just right for the ear. There are two tracks on the new EP the first song is "Reality" kicking in with 80's style pop guitar and electronic grooves. Hazel Peters voice taunts the rhythm with wailing catchy lyrics, excellent stuff! The second song on the EP is called "Ejector Seat" JMC leads this song with his hip hop styled vocals and Hazel Peters joins in with great catchy promo lyrics. Very clever from the band on this song, short but sweet, perfect for a B side track and a good one to spin to radio Dj's.
Review by T.Halpin Music Review Unsigned
Rank:***** 5 out of 6
Yeah, it's gonna be a blast, so busy at work these daze it'll be a purrfect chance to excorcise some demons! A few scoops n catchin' up would be sweet.
'Bout time we caught up with you guys, lookin' forward to playin' with ye, 'tis mad busy with me at work so we're lookin'forward to cuttin' up rough onstage. SHRED IT!!!
Hi, PSYCHO FEST this Sat 13 June / 2pm - late! The Twisted Pepper, Middle Abbey St. We'll be playing about 7.50pm. Full line up:
New Amusement / Humanzi / the Brothers Movement / Cheap Freaks / 202s / Boom Jackson / House of Dolls / The Hot Sprockets / Wounds / Sickboy / Hassle Merchants / Howlin’ Dowlin / Percolator / The Mighty Stef / Funeral Suits. with DJ’s Dandelion / Gib U:MACK and more
Hey sexy badger it's Jimmy The Fingers! If you haven't seen this video please take a peek... This is me singing my song "Grace." If you buy one mp3 this year make it a jimmy! BUY NOW – CLICK HERE!!!!!
sorry for the blatant plug but if i don't plug it, no one else will innit!
If you have no plans for June 6th, we would like to invite you to The Cobblestone. The Firegazers is playing a 30 minutes accoustic set. We are starting the night, as there are 2-3 more acts.
The facts: Date: June 6th at 8pm Place: The Cobblestone Bar (77 King St N., Smithfields, Dublin 7)
We hope to see you there! For more details you can contact us.
Everyone at indiecater records would like to wish you a happy summer and let you know that there is an indiepop song from the Very Most available to download FREE from our site!
yéé Ke onda Je viens t'informer que notre deuxième street album avc DANY DAN PHILEMON SALOON.. est désormais disponible gratuitement, je te laisse le lien qui te permettra de le télécharger
