SLAM

Bio:

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We are a hard rock/turbo blues outfit, comprising four highly experienced musicians with a history spanning the past 20 plus years.

FRED BALL
Slam’s singer Fred started his career, at the age of 15, as a drummer with AMOEBA. Within a year or so he met PHIL COLLEN, (DEF LEPPARD) and together they formed several bands including CHEAP THRILLS, TUSH and DUMB BLONDES. After an audition for OZZY OSBOURNE, Fred then joined OCEAN, who featured guitarist RUDI RIVIERE. They were asked by STEVE GETT of KERRANG MAGAZINE to join SAPPHIRE and supported the legendary ALICE COOPER on his 1981 UK Tour. They released a single; “JEALOUSY” B/W “LET IT BURN”, and gigged in Europe. Fred then went on to form XFX during which time he can also be heard providing backing vocals on the 1987 DEF LEPPARD album HYSTERIA. And so on to SLAM, (it was JOE ELLIOTT (DEF LEPPARD) who suggested the name). From the late 80s to the mid 90s, SLAM’s original line-up of Fred, John and Dave with AL GODFREY, ROSIE ELSTON and MARK OSEMAN worked hard, writing, playing the rock circuit and recording two albums.

JOHN WIGGINS
Although guitarist John’s first notable band was DEEP MACHINE, his career really took off when he joined TOKYO BLADE in 1980 with whom he recorded the albums “TOKYO BLADE”, “NIGHT OF THE BLADE” and “BLACK HEARTS”. They toured Europe four times and played at a host of festivals including AARDSHOCK (Holland), HEAVY SOUND FESTIVAL (Belgium), BREAKING SOUND FESTIVAL (France) and EARTHQUAKE (Holland). These festivals also featured METALLICA, UFO, GARY MOORE, BLUE OYSTER CULT, OZZY OSBOURNE, VENOM, ACCEPT and HEAVY PETTING. TOKYO BLADE also played widely across the United States and recorded an hour long concert for LONDON WEEKEND TELEVISION which was aired on ITV as part of a series called “LIVE IN LONDON” to showcase new bands. In 1986, John joined PAUL DI’ANNO’S BATTLEZONE and toured the United States promoting their first album titled “FIGHTING BACK”. This tour also included support dates for STRYPER. The release of BATTLEZONE’s second album “CHILDREN OF MADNESS” led to more European dates this time with ANTHRAX and TESTAMENT. BATTLEZONE also shot a video in the US for a single from the 2nd album called “I DON’T WANNA KNOW” which received extensive airplay on MTV. John then joined SLAM before returning to TOKYO BLADE for one more album – “BURNING DOWN PARADISE” and thence again to BATTLEZONE, recording the “FEEL MY PAIN” album which led to extensive touring in Europe, a massive festival in Austria (attendance numbers exceeding 150,000) and follow-up tour in Brazil.

DAVE HORNE
Bassist Dave started playing aged 13 for teen band CRISPIE, discovered at a corporate gig by “Special Branch” actor George Sewell, they became development artists for EMI in the mould of Flintlock and Buster. At 16 Dave started training as an audio engineer with the legendary recording desk manufacturers Neve, on installations at THE WHO’S Ramport Studios, the BBC and for MIKE OLDFIELD. Dave formed fusion band ANON with American guitarist MARK WINGFIELD and drummer STEPHEN LAW. Whilst Mark had to return to the US, Steve and Dave joined melodic rock band C14 receiving major interest from A&M and CBS Records resulting in recording a 5 track EP at SPACEWARD STUDIOS for TOMMY VANCE & THE FRIDAY ROCK SHOW. Upon Mark’s return to the UK he, Dave and Steve along with C14 vocalist RICK LONGSTAFF formed the rock fusion band, CZAR - opening for WRATHCHILD on part of their STACK HEELED STRUT TOUR.

CHAS TOWLER
Last, but definitely not least, we have our big man behind the drums, Mr Charlie Towler. Chas formerly played in DEEP MACHINE with John and was a key component of XFX, providing flashes of genuine “percussion brilliance” across the backline!

Member Since:

December 26, 2007

Members:

Fred Ball, Vocals
John Wiggins, Guitar, Vocals
Dave Horne, Bass, Dobro, Vocals
Chas Towler, Drums


Richard Binder, Manager
07976 328431
slamthemanager@live.co.uk

Influences:

Photography John Price

Record Label:

Bramley.