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GOLDBLADE
by Philip Newall
John Robb - Vocals/Guitar
(JR)
Keith Curtis - Bass/Vocals
(KC)
Johny Skullknuckles - Guitar/Vocals
(JSK)
Rob Haynes - Drums/Vocals (RH)
Pete Brychmore - Guitar/Vocals
(PB)
As for factual stuff;
Goldblade were formed in 1996 when ex-Membranes frontman,
journalist, and some time TV pundit John Robb met up with a like
minded musician in a local gym. They were joined by ex-Membrane
 Keith
Curtis on Bass, and ex-Hounddog drummer Rob Haynes. The initial
line up set about shaking up the then stagnent live music scene.
Signed by Ultimate Records, they released a couple of low key
singles before 'Strictly Hardcore' hit the
UK national charts in March 1997. 'Hardcore' was taken from
the album 'Hometurf', and the Blade set about a relentless, and
still continuing tour schedule. A follow up single 'Hairstyle' was
released which was made Single of The Week on BBC Radio 1, the
band were invited, and appeared on Saturday morning TV; A second
album 'Drop The Bomb' was also released before the bands label
collapsed scuppering any chance of capitalising on their initial
success. A couple of line up changes took place, with Pete
GEORGEUS and Johny Skullknuckles being brought in on dual lead
guitar.
The band signed to a
small Scottish indie, who released a ltd edition single 'AC/DC' as
a taster for the follow up album 'Do You Believe In The Power Of
Rock 'N' Roll', but once more fate took an unhealthy interset in
the Blades activities, as this second label went bankrupt, thereby
making 'Do You Believe..' virtually unobtainable.
However none of this
dented the Blades passion for the live spectacle, as they toured
the UK, America and
Russia, being invited to appear at festivals and the like the
world over. At one of these festivals; Wasted, the Blade were seen
by the label bosses of Captain Oi! Records. In a break with there
usual style of putting out re-issues, they signed Goldblade on the
spot. 'Rebel Songs' was released in 2005 to enourmas critical
acclaim, and basically has not stopped selling since, becoming the
bands biggest release. In addition Goldblade have been signed to
SOS Records in the USA, with distribution by Sony, which is
helping them gain exposure in the States. 'Rebel Songs' has just
been picked up by German label KB-Records, and we are currently
negotiating with a number of labels for a Japanese release.
2006 saw Goldblade
release their first live DVD 'Testify' (Cherry
Red Records) filmed in Blackpool during Christmas 2005, it ideally
demonstrated the experience that is Goldblade live, the eneregy,
the chaos, the entire audience on stage!!
Goldblade then
toured with Stiff Little Fingers, The Misfits and The Damned, in
addition to performing all over the UK for their own headline
sets.
 Due
to the unavailability of the three early albums Captain Oi! took
the decision to issue a compilation CD 'Strictly Hardcore' and
bundled on a couple of tracks from 'Rebel Songs' - This release
has been very well recieved, though its caused the Blade to be in
the enviable position of being forced to make all their albums
available as digital downloads in an effort to meet demand!
As the year comes to a
close they are writing new material, a few of the songs already
making it to the live set, in preperation for a new album in 2007.
The album will be supported with a single release and a full UK
headline tour, plus a tour of America. Dates are already booked in
Holland,Germany, Austria and Switzerland, so things are certainly
not slowing down for Goldblade, quite the opposite as they are
tipped to break through to a much larger audience in the coming 12
months..
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