... July 2011: We reform as a 5 piece, joined by Catherine on vocals and Frazer on 2nd guitar/harmonica - new look and sound for 2011

...December 2009: We reform as a 4 piece with Amelia centre stage on vocals and a new look and sound for 2010

...March 2009: We hit the road with new drummer - it's going to be a big year...

...February 2009: Tony plays with F2B for the last time

...June 2007: The new line line hits the road

...April 2007: Redders leaves F2b and the band takes on a new look and starts rehearsals with two new members

...October 2006: Pops Callaghan leaves F2B and a new chapter begins... watch this space

...December 2005, 4 years on from those early rehearsals back in December 2001. Things are very different now. As we approach the New Year we already have gig dates throughout 2006. More songs, new equipment, new guitars...

...but what of us...

July 2011:

Well, we’ve had lots of fun since the last update, new gigs, new experiences, and we are excited to announce that Fade2Black has a line up change.

We say goodbye to Amelia, and give a warm welcome to Catherine Cross on vocals, and Frazer Barnes on rhythm guitar and harmonica.

On meeting Catherine and Frazer we instantly knew they were perfect for Fade2Black, Frazer is steeped in the traditions of the blues, and Catherine has taken to the blues with an astonishing appetite, and both have worked tirelessly to get Fade2Black ready for re launch.

This unique combination means the Fade2Black experience continues in a way that we are sure you will all enjoy. I for one cannot wait!

April 2009:

I can’t believe that we have been together as fade2Black for over eight years now, and so many things have happened since I last updated these pages in June 2007.

 Tony is now fully focussed on The Call, and we welcome Steve Paling as our new drummer. We wish Tony all the best for the future, and thank him for all he has done to help establish the band.

 Steve and I were both in the rock band Kymaera some years ago, and I knew his personality and exceptional ability as a drummer would make his introduction an easy transition. At the time of writing this Steve has had two stonking gigs with Fade2Black, and he plays with a natural flair that would make you believe he has been with us from the start.

 There have been some memorable experiences in recent times, it was an absolute pleasure to play at Weston Park last summer, it was a day full of nostalgia reflecting on the summer Sundays of my youth, hanging around the park watching local bands, and I’m delighted that we will play there again this summer. We had a fabulous time at the Art In The Garden event in the Botanical Gardens, but the highlight for me personally was our mini tour of Germany last year.

 We continue to play our favourite spots such as the excellent New Barrack   Tavern and Rotherham Blues Bar, but we have spread our wings a little and can be seen playing in Greater Manchester as well as West Yorkshire venues on a regular basis.

 Coming up we are playing the MAG Farmyard event this summer, and that should be another exciting experience.

 So, we have a settled line up that has an impetus to make the music we love, in a friendly, supportive  and expressive way that can only bode well for the future, I can’t wait!

June 2007: Exciting times! I could not have imagined writing about two new band members when we last updated the band history back in December 2005, but this demonstrates the dynamics of being in a band I guess!

Pops and Redders played more than a significant role in the shaping of Fade2Black, and we wish them well for the future.

But fate is a curious and wonderful thing. I had asked Amelia to join us for my birthday bash at the New Barrack Tavern at the back end of March 07, she accepted, and brought the house down with her vocals and guitar playing. We found out afterwards that she also plays violin.

Shortly after this event I was surfing the net and I came across the details of a singer looking to join a band, and after a few exchanges of e-mails we met Willow for the first time……only as it turned out I had met him a few years earlier when I was involved in another band.

 So F2B have two new members and an exciting future, we have a front man with a big voice who is not sure if he is man or ape (take a look at the promo photos he sent us!), and a versatile musician and vocalist who brings a fresh dimension to the band.

 I’m looking forward to launching the next phase of F2B, I hope you will enjoy it as much as we will!

December 2005: The last four years have passed so quickly, which sadly is a sign of old age - or too much beer!

We have experienced all the highs and lows that you would expect playing in a local band. Playing to a gathering of two! - who did become firm friends by the end of the evening - to over two hundred full on rock'n'blues fans, all gigs are good - some are awesome!

What never fails to amaze me is the extent of the knowledge the people have when it comes to music. Whatever number we play, no matter how obscure, there is always someone there who can real off all the artists associated with the song, along with the dates it was performed and the equipment used.

Something that has helped us is being listed on independent music web sites that provide invaluable information for bands and punters alike, check out: www.rockofthenorth.com

I can’t help but notice the diversity and quality of music that is now available in local pubs and clubs, often organised by great enthusiasts - such as Les at the King Of Diamonds in Shirebrook - and without them we would not get the same opportunities to play the music we love so much

July 2011:I was starting to get paranoid, since joining Fade2black people have wanted to leave ( ahhhh ) but i have been reassured its not personal. I really enjoyed working with Willow and Amelia, thanks guys and all the best for the future. Moving on "Wow!" we have been presented with two new members, and both Frazer and Catherine have added a new dimension to the Fade2black sound. We now have a very talented Harp blowing hairy rhythm guitarist and a very youthful crackin vocalist, who's feeling for the Blues belies her years. The new material is going to be awesome. Come as see us soon.

July 2011: For me, the last couple of years have been a blur, a mix of highs and lows and great change. Separation and divorce is not a road I would want to travel again. But it has certainly  provided an emotional focus for my playing!

As a band we played some wonderful and enjoyable gigs. Now a new dawn rises with a new line up and different variation - a 5 piece with female lead vocalist: welcome Catherine & Fraser.

In the past we have had members with multiple band connections but now this is our first dedicated 100% F2B line up - giving us the chance to really take our music forward - uniquely following the F2B way.

Since the band started - my attention and great joy has been the 'ensemble' sound and playing with great musicians who get what the band 'is all about', a very special feeling - the new vocal blend of Catherine and the "Stratmeister" that is Frazer - is music to my ears

December 2009: It is a time of endings and beginnings both personally work and band-wise - 2010 is going to be a big year. The early rehearsals as 4piece have been a joy - and the new format has given us a new twist on some old favourites and the opportunity for new and different songs too.

I remain touched and humbled by the loyalty and support we have received and the genuine affection people have for the band - and something I value greatly... thank you to everyone.

April 2009: The last two years have been great fun. New venues, new audiences and even a new country to us - Germany. Our mini-tour experience will be one I remember always. The cliché band experience is trailing many miles up and down the A1 in a ford transit van - the making and breaking of many a band before us.

However, the really nice thing about F2B is that we get on so well - all of us a bit quirky to be sure - and on top of all that - we make a great sound. I think our playing is getting stronger year-on-year. Playing and performing is an emotional affair - the stage is a place of highs, lows and drama... trust and belief in each other is the key... and in that we are well blessed.

A new person joining adds a new dimension too - and with Steve P now on drums it both refreshes the familiar and stimulates the new... so look and listen out for a lot of new songs over the next year.

I am amazed that the 8 years have past - am humbled that people have come to see us regularly over all those years, enjoying what we do and how we do it... am excited (and sometimes nervous) by new places and people - hearing us fresh for the first time and hopefully discovering something in our music that touches them.

The thing is - it still touches us!!

When Andy first approached me all those years ago - we talked a lot about the kind of band we wanted to be... the sound, the feel, the music and our approach to making music - the F2B way.

We have grown... evolved - but at the same time remained true to what brought us together in the first place... a love of the blues.

... and long may it be so.

June 2007: I guess deep down, you know things will change - but you can never be sure exactly how and when. So here we are - a new F2B - with Willow and Amelia now in the band - and we have just played our first full gig together. A mix of old favourites but played in a new way and some new songs altogether... and more new stuff to come.

Playing with Redders and Pops was great and we got to know each other musically very well... and that made playing a pleasure. Now, with two new members, we are discovering what we can each do and what magic we can be bring to F2B - and that is a great pleasure too.

My playing is evolving and with our past success to build on there are some exciting times ahead... for those that have stayed with us over the years - thank you - I hope you love the next phase to F2B - and if you have only just discovered us... then I hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

As for life in general, more change, more drama, more restructuring - but hey, I am still here... admittedly with slightly less hair - that blues for you!

December 2005: The last 4 years have seen some big changes in my life with all the emotional highs and lows that family dramas, illness and loss can bring - alongside company restructures - leaving job, no job then getting new job! Blues is the business of life!

Band-wise, we are in a very different place as we have grown and know each other musically so much better now - playing many gigs and many songs. Some songs are still with us from the beginning - others are new ones forged along the way. We do not always agree on stuff - but we do agree that we make a great sound together. 

If it's been a bad day and you are trying to get it together for a rehearsal or a gig - once the stresses of plugging everything in  are over (trust me on this - wires is a tricky business!!) - you hear the count and click of drumstick 1.2.3.4... the snare drum beat, Pop's sweet Fender Stratocaster kicks off, the Bass powers in, Redder's voice swells to the opening line and all I want to do is play my heart out.

One of the joys for me is that we can move freely from beautiful, tight controlled arrangements to the magic of "in the moment" improvisation. Add in a few jazzy moments due to some creative memory chords or riffs wise and no two gigs are the same - and that works for me.

I hope it works for you too.