A huge thanks to the sonic seven, ex-BTN students who came together to perform their tribute to the late David Bowie by closing this year’s shows with ‘FIVE YEARS’ and ‘HEROES’. We’re sure that this mega influential artist would have been incredibly honoured by your awesome and heart felt performance. Many ex-students are now on positive pathways to achieving their goals and these guys are a great example of what the project hopes to achieve over time. See below!
These seven young dudes are all ex-students of Behind The Noise and came from different schools across Renfrewshire and Glasgow.
Front man and space cadet Stephen D.H Rees is now developing his own project with another two ex-BTN students. WEATHERSTON are a gritty, vintage sounding three-piece and all at BTN predict they are going to have an exciting and creative future. This 18 year old sounds like he has been on the road for 25 years, the grit in his voice and the depth in his lyrics are well beyond his years.
Beyond The Noise drummer TONI MCVEY is a truly dedicated rhythm machine. She is currently studying performance at Napier Uni and has recently been recruited by The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra. Toni just bought her first car to lug her kit around but unfortunately she hasn’t learned to park yet…oh well T, can’t be great at everything…stick to the beats!
CARA ROSE, who has a habit of turning up to rehearsals in her pyjamas, took on backing vocals in ‘Five Years’ and second lead in ‘Heroes’. She is studying song writing and performance at The Academy Of Music And Sound and recently performed a knock-out gig showcasing her material at St. Luke’s in Glasgow. She has an incredible tone and original character to her voice. We all look forward to hearing her develop. Cara’s first EP can be heard HERE.
Soundscape guitarist James Harker freaked out many of the older crowd at the shows with his own take on genius Robert Fripp’s iconic guitar line in ‘Heroes’. At just 17 James is developing a great ear for writing filmic guitar lines which can be heard with his band of ex-BTN students THE STATIC UNION. James has recently been accepted to study commercial music at the University Of The West Of Scotland.
Violinist RACHEL MATTHEWS is currently studying a music masters degree at Glasgow Uni. Rachel has a great ear for developing her own parts that sit beautifully within any mix. Rachel met her partner Daniel three years ago while taking part in BTN. Daniel took the stage that year with his band HETERODOX and rocked the audience while wearing a gas mask…it was love at first sight! These two have also formed a strong writing partnership, GNOSTIC are currently developing their performance, writing and production skills and plan to have their first EP available shortly. You’ll go a long way to find a nicer couple…could the first BTN wedding be on the cards?
On bass for Beyond The Noise was, as his business card states, ANDREW HERRINGTON, ‘Fulfilling all of your Andrew Herrington needs’, and that is exactly what he did. As with front man Stephen, it is suspected that Andrew comes from a wonderful planet far far away. When Andrew first took part in BTN he musically directed a rather strange and beautifully creative version of TEDDY BEAR’S PICNIC. Andrew is involved in RENTRAD, a collective of musicians promoting the traditional music scene across Renfrewshire. He has a particularly interesting musical spoon collection which he loves to demonstrate wherever he goes. This talented young dude puts the ‘sin’ in ‘syncopation’.
On keys and backing vocals Moss Taylor, with his infectious enthusiasm for all things musical, acted as a glue in bringing this group together. He has a wonderful ear for melody and a rather nice pencil moustache too. Ross is studying a commercial music degree at UWS and is involved in a number of original musical projects including EASY and HOLLOW ROOM. You can see Moss live with the band CRYSTAL in August as part of the Party at the Palace festival in Linlithgow.
