ROCK$TAR BIOGRAPHY
ROCK$TAR are the UK's No.1 tribute to 80's hard rock!!
From Bon Jovi to Whitesnake... we cover it all!
Do you wanna get rocked?? If you want nothing but a good time over on the wildside or you're still the youth gone wild forever young, or perhaps even you want to give a rebel yell on the highway to hell... ROCK$TAR are the band for you!!
Over the last 6 years ROCK$TAR have established themselves as the premier 80's rock experience, providing a full on show with lights, lazers, strobes, smoke machines, the glam-metal look and all the works!!! Playing tribute to all the greats - Whitesnake, Guns 'N' Roses, Bon Jovi, Aerosmith, Kiss, ACDC, Ozzy, Metallica, Iron Maiden, Motley Crue, Judas Priest, etc; but also along with a few special bands no-one else dare attempt nor a crowd expect such as Tyketto, Hardline, Europe, Queensryche, etc ROCK$TAR gives the FULL PACKAGE and THEN SOME!!
Based in the Midlands, featuring 5 of the finest professional and hardest working rock musicians the band have toured the length and breadth of the country playing at some of the most prestigious venues on the rock circuit whether it be Dudley JBs, London Underworld, the Wildside club in Nottingham or biker rallies and festivals such as "Rock Of Ages" - the band have been there and done it! A sample review of their appearance at Rock Of Ages had to say...
"Unlike most of today's tribute bands Rock$tar don't pick out one particular band, this band gone one further and play tribute to a whole generation of 80's bands! If this wasn't a feat in itself, they not only do it well, they do it with style."
"Opening up with Dokken's "Unchain The Night" it was plain to all those around that this was a band really worth watching, as the crowd truly swelled in population right from the first few chords of this classic."
Not only that, as testament to their status, commitment, and professionalism ROCK$TAR has been the touring band for Graham Bonnet of Rainbow's 15 date UK tour, and last year supported the legendary Jason Bonham's (Led Zeppelin) Airrace and was invited to be special guests on the Vince Neil/Tigertailz and Molly Hatchet tours! Further kudos and recognition came from US radio station 'Hairball John' playing ROCK$TAR'S version of Tyketto's "Forever Young" which resulted in the version being sent to Danny Vaughn vocalist with Tyketto and him personally commending the band on such an "impressive version".
2010 looks to be an exciting year for ROCK$TAR as they build on their fan base and success, with further large tour offers coming in and the launch of their original band project "PROMISED LAND" which we'll be announcing dates for shortly too!
TONY NICHOLL - LEAD VOCALS
AL WHITE - GUITARS
RICH OXLAND - GUITARS
MARK BAKER - BASS
ANDY CLARKE - DRUMS /PERCUSSION
ROCK$TAR - THE ULTIMATE 80S ROCK EXPERIENCE
MEMBERS BIOGRAPHY
TONY NICHOLL
Vocals
Tony has been performing in bands since he was 14 years of age (a long time
ago!) Originally coming from the Punk / Goth music scene in Birmingham with bands heavily influenced by such artists as Souxie and the Banshees, Bauhaus, Sisters of Mercy, The Death Cult (later to become The Cult) and some of the NWOBHM bands such as Iron Maiden etc. in the 80s some of the new wave punk/goth bands were to cross over into the hair rock and metal scene such as Billy Idol, The Cult, etc and this was to be the beginning of Tony's love for the whole 80s rock genre!
By the late 80s tony was to form his first glam/hair rock band 'Daylight Robbery' taking their influences from Cinderella, Faster pussycat, LA Guns etc. Fitting in nicely with a then very healthy rock scene in Birmingham with bands such as Gunfire Dance, Shotgun Wedding, Rattlesnake Kiss, Marshall Law, Skeleton Swing, Dawn After Dark, The Bounty Hunters, Shy etc. Plus being regulars at Birminghams ledgendary Edwards No.8 (don't go looking for it it burnt down a couple of years back!) With support slots with such giants as New Yorks famous tattooed sleeze gods 'The Circus of Power' and Sohos 'Kill City Dragons' Daylight Robbery were to have a firm place on the scene up until the dawn of the 90's when after many member changes (nothing changes!!) and many fall outs Tony would leave the band to look for pastures new.
After interviews with bands such as Dawn After Dark and other well known projects none of which were quite what he was looking for, Tony would be approached by Marshall Law's then ex drummer Mick Donovan regarding a project he was working on and to see whether he would be interested. Tony took his number and heard no more until a blast from the past would call by phone to arrange a audition - this would be old buddy Dazza who Tony had met at a support gig with Dazza's 80's band 'Kraze' where they both got on swimmingly with their very dark sense of humour but had just simply lost touch over time.
After some heavy drinking and smoking (always recommended for song writing!) and late nights in Dave Rothan's (now with Marshall Law) very smokey bedroom (very very smokey!!) thus was born 'Rock Candy Slam' an all singing all dancing sleezy hair rock band eyeliner bangles and all!!
With a well crafted sound and songs Rock Candy Slam would stay together for almost 4 years and eventually after many direction changes and the eventual break up of the final incarnation 'The Shape Of Rage' the band would finally call it a day after rock 'n' rolls fall from grace and the arrival of the grunge generation in the 90's. Dazza and Tony would go there separate ways again only staying in touch every couple of years with a phone call.
But their paths would meet again 8 years later when Dazza finally made the call that would see the beginings of 'ROCK$TAR'.
After trying to relight the fire with original drummer Si Bennet the duo nearly called it a day again as things just were not gelling! Tony thought they needed to find the other element that always worked back in the day and went home to see what ever happened to there old bud Dave Rothan and by the magic of modern technology he entered his name into Google and bingo there he was! After a very emotional reunion the guys decided now was the time to bring back all the great songs from the 80's and play them the way they should be to kick the very poor ass of a pantomime tribute scene!! 2005 would see the band support and play backing band to 80s Rainbow, Alcatrazz and MSG legend Graham Bonnet.
Also supports to members of Bad Company, Thunder etc. Perfomances at all of the great venues around the country including such great festivals as 'The Rock Of Ages' 2007 and support to the awesome 'House Of Lords' at ZRock festival 2008.
The end 0f 2008 is still to be lived so watch this space!! More suprises to come???? Rock for life!
| GEAR |
| Senheiser radio mics Digitech voice effects processer Nady in ear monitor systems |
| INFLUENCES |
| Geoff Tate Ronnie James Dio Danny Vaughn Jim Morrison Rodger Waters |
| FAVOURITE ALBUMS |
| Dokken - Under Lock And Key Dokken - Back For The Attack Ratt - Detonator Ratt - Out of the cellar Slaughter - Stick It To Ya Firehouse - S/T Tyketto - Don't Come Easy Queensryche - everything!! Pink Floyd - everything The Doors - everything And anything by Bauhaus, Japan, Souxie and the Banshees, and Joy Division |
| CONTACT |
| tony@rockstar.uk.com |
AL WHITE
Guitars
Who in this country is better placed to understand, to know, and to love the music Rock$tar pay tribute to than the man who setup and runs the countries leading glam-metal night Wildside!!!! So our latest member joins us with a wealth of knowledge and feeling for this greatest of musical genres, but also a lot of experience and contacts within the music industry and promotions which will help push the band even further forward!
Al has always had playing music in his life from a very young age, from completing all the grades on piano and then the same with the cello, it wasn.t until the age of 14 that he discovered the joys of electric guitars and amps that go up to 11! Raised on a diet of Queen, Status Quo and blues classics, when he hit his teens he soon enough discovered the delights of Iron Maiden (which he was fanatical about for many further years), Guns 'N' Roses and Def Leppard. After watching the movie "Terminator 2" where he heard George Thorogood's "Bad To The Bone" classic riff and GNR's fist-pumping "You Could Be Mine" the very next day he rushed out and bought his first guitar and amp, and knew that he'd be destined to playing this the rest of his life!!
After going through many bands in high school and college (his first gig was supporting Ed Tudor Pole - remember the classic "Swords Of A Thousand Men"? And he who went on to present The Crystal Maze after Richard O'Brien left? !!) it wasn't until he arrived in Nottingham that he formed Pyretta, where he wrote all the songs (think a de-tuned Iron Maiden tinged with classic hard rock arranged like Dream Theatre!) and after a few years of assembling a competent and committed line up they took to the stage many times at Nottingham in venues such as Rock City where they often completely filled 'The Rig' and 'Basement' rooms, building up a decent and dedicated local following with tour offers from big bands coming in. Unfortunately, for the usual reasons bands go tits-up the band was no-more a couple of years later and Al went on to re-build it with new members. During this time, after jamming with such bands like the legendary thrash band Sabbat and glam legends Tigertailz (Stevie Jaimz) and also writing music for bands Al setup Wildside and became more immersed in that over time helping out the unsigned UK talent of glam. Five years on and Wildside is a roaring success story with many huge names that have come through (LA Guns, Zodiac Mindwarp, Nasty Idols, Jeff Scott Soto) and a near sold-out festival (featuring Vain, Tigertailz, and more!). Now that Wildside is established, Al is ready to continue on his love of playing and to hit the stage again with the BEST tribute band to this music Rock$tar!
Not only that, but Als strongest skills lie with his song writing abilities, opening doors to the possibility of an original band full of original material bristling with 80's hard rock riffs and attitude! As a player, you'll see from his influences he's a very natural player, going from extremes of chaotic to soulful soloing. Not confined to boundaries nor caring about learning every scale, perfecting sweep picking, etc Al is 100% self taught and all about feeling!
Al joins us on stage for the first time at the end of August and is looking forward to ripping it up the length and breadth of the country, bringing the music we.re most passionate about to those starved of quality and hell-raising anthems!
Live it long, live it fast
For tomorrow could be your last!
| GEAR |
| Ibanez guitars Jackson guitars Epiphone Les Paul (backup guitar) D'Addario KL .010" strings Line6 Vetta II HD guitar head HBV floor pedal Boss pedals + Cry Baby wah Behringer BG412H Ultrastack cab |
| INFLUENCES |
| Adrian Smith / Dave Murray Devin Townsend Steve Vai Eddie Van Halen Slash Richie Sambora |
| FAVOURITE ALBUMS |
| Iron Maiden - Somewhere In Time Devin Townsend - Ocean Machine Skid Row - S/T, Slave To The Grind Sleeze Beez - Screwed, Blued & Tattooed Danger Danger - S/T and Screw It! Dream Theatre - Images And Words, Scenes From A Memory Andrew WK - I Get Wet, The Wolf Spread Eagle - Spread Eagle Eagles - Hotel California Strapping Young Lad - City Queen - Greatest Hits |
| CONTACT |
| al@rockstar.uk.com |
RICH OXLAND
Guitars
Rich first started playing guitar and piano when he was 9 and The Beatles were his first real musical influence until he discovered rock music in the early 80's.
"I went to see Def Leppard at the old Birmingham Odeon and I was completely blown away!" He remarked. "That was December 3rd 1983 and I'll never forget it. When I got home that night I asked for a new guitar and amp for Christmas and the rest is history..."
Rich was influenced by Leppard, Van Halen and UFO in the early days, but later by Dokken, Ratt and eventually Danger Danger, Tyketto and Firehouse. His favourite players are the much underrated Andy Timmons and Brooke St James.
His first band in 1984 was Rat Salad (so named after the Sabbath track) and went on to join a local college band called Pathfinder, playing songs influenced by bands like Sabbath, UFO and Ozzy. After a couple of line up changes, the band changed its name to Crying Shame and became more 'commercial' sounding. They played Birmingham's rock venues like Edwards No.8, JB's, The Railway and the Barrel Organ with other bands of the time like Briar and Shotgun Wedding.
At the end of the 80's Crying Shame went their separate ways and Rich joined a new band - Las Vegas Crashed. After a name change to BlissFreak, they played original rock material at local venues for over a decade with radio appearances and showcases at high profile venues like the Jam House in Birmingham and the Hard Rock Cafe.
In 1999, they were asked to put together a few rock covers for a private Millenium party. This resulted in a series of bookings for weddings and other functions which he still plays to this day! Thankfully though, Rich was pulled from the 'non-rock' abyss when he was asked to join local AOR band ETA in 2007. After 2 years of melodic rock, supporting ROCK$TAR among others, the inevitable parting of the ways ensued. Rich formed his own covers band called Retribution, playing songs by Whitesnake, Thin Lizzy, Tyketto and a host of others.
After the unfortunate departure of Mark Beale from ROCK$TAR due to a perforated ear-drum (not nice btw and we wish him all the very best), Rich was ideally placed to take up the role as our new guitarist, already being a friend of the band and knowing most of the material.
| GEAR |
| Ibanez Guitars Ernie Ball Strings Bogner / Line 6 Amplification & effects |
| INFLUENCES |
| Andy Timmons Brooke St. James Michael Schenker Bill Leverty |
| FAVOURITE ALBUMS |
| Danger Danger - Screw It! Tyetto - Don't Come Easy Dokken - Back for the Attack Ratt - Out Of The Cellar Firehouse - Hold Your Fire UFO - Strangers In The Night |
| CONTACT |
| rich@rockstar.uk.com |
MARK BAKER
Bass Guitar
Started playing bass when I was around 17 years old, after many years of wanting to play, I'd final saved up enough money to buy myself my 1st Bass Guitar, it was an Encore, and it had the action you could drive a bus under, saying that it made my hands strong so there was a bonus in there somewhere!!!!
Joined my first band (TRIPLE AXE) and we wrote our own songs, and the first gig we ever played live was at a unsigned compatition at the Wulfrun Hall in Wolverhampton. After buyng new gear and looking for more dedicated members I finally joined a band call SPACE ANIMAL. We did mainly covers, but there was the odd original tune in there and it was going so well until the guitarist slept with the singers wife, so the singer slept with the wifes best friend (wow). So needless to say that was the end of that!
Then I joined / formed another band call MY LITTLE EMPIRE, we were often told that we sounded like a cross between U2 and Faith No More! We did originals and spent loads of time in the recording studio, to write and record our own material. Which I still own to this day.
After that I flitted around various bands in the Wolverhampton/Walsall area, but nothing seemed to come from these, so I did the unthinkable and sold my gear (boo)!
At this stage I was gearless and about 8 years went by, I still had the passion to play but no gear, then one day I went past a music shop in town and there was this Ibanez bass in the window and it was calling to me! I went in and found out that I couldn't play a thing!!! I still bought it though, and took it home and began to practice, and it all came flooding back to me.
A few months later, I saw an add on the internet, asking for a bassist to join The Ultimate 80's Rock Experiance playing all the great 80's rock songs. How could I resist? I called them up and arranged a meet, which then went onto a audition and I got the gig, and as they say... "the rest is history"!
I'm looking forward to this new stage in Rockstar.
PS remember - "if you loose the faith, it will one day come back and bite you on the arse"
Never give up!
| GEAR |
| Peavey Grind 5-string bass Peavey Millenium 5-string bass Ibanez Coaster bass Peavey 700w power amp Peavey 4x10 cab |
| INFLUENCES |
| John Taylor Eddie Jackson Roger Waters Nikki Sixx |
| FAVOURITE ALBUMS |
| Queensryche - Operation Mindcrime Duran Duran - Duran Duran Metallica - Metallica Megadeth - Rust in Peace Motley Crue - Dr Feelgood Def Leppard - Pyromania Guns n Roses - Appitite For Destruction Billy Idol - Rebel Yell Dream Theater - Images and Words Rush - Counterparts Tpau - Tpau Black Sabbath - Paranoid Dirty White Boy - Dirty White Boy Whitesnake - 1987 (the album that got me into ROCK) Bon Jovi - Slippery When Wet |
| CONTACT |
| mark@rockstar.uk.com |
ANDY CLARKE
Drums
I began playing drums aged 12 taking lessons from Jazz drummer Tony Richards during school hours. This led to playing in school and regional brass bands and orchestras.(Many thanks for all your time and effort Penny)
After going on to college I joined my first 'Rock & Roll' band called "The cosmic brief dancers!" We only did 2 gigs - one of which involved wearing Y fronts on stage although in all honesty I bottled it and put my shorts on! This believe it or not led to an audition with local punk band "Ritual" with whom I played for a while.
During this time my love of rock music had developed and I was listening to the likes of Maiden, Metallica, Anthrax etc. It was some time around now when I was asked if I was interested in joining/forming a local rock band called "Novascotia". This led to me joining up with my old football and brass band pal Mark Beale.
Unfortunately we never got the elusive record deal and after a few years I went on to join another local rock outfit "Wild Obsession" where again we looked for fame and fortune.
After this I spent a few years on and off playing alongside Mark in a rock blues band called "After the flood" and later in it's three piece format - "Beale St" During this time I also spent a while playing for another original band called "Silence".
Next on the agenda was back with Mark again in the successful Tribute to Gary Moore "The Garry Moore band". This was the second generation of the original tribute "Moore Or Less" which I wasn't involved in and brought Gary's rock stuff to the fore. Unfortunately Mr Moore didn't appreciate it much and threatened to take action against us. Shame!
Finally here I am with the Rock$tar boys. Hope you enjoy the show!
| GEAR |
| Pearl Drums Mapex "Black Panther" snare Paiste cymbals DW pedals |
| INFLUENCES |
| (Early) Tony Richards Ringo Starr Terry Lee Miall Chris Hughes (Later) Clive Burr Nicko McBrain Charlie Benante Uli Kusch Mike Portnoy Simon Phillips |
| FAVOURITE ALBUMS |
| Adam & The Ants - Kings Of The Wild Frontier Iron Maiden - Piece Of Mind Iron Maiden - Somewhere In Time Anthrax - Among The Living Queensryche - Operation Mindcrime Queensrcyhe - Empire Helloween - Keeper Of The Seven Keys 1 & 2 Dream Theater - Scenes From A Memory Ozzy Osbourne - Tribute Slayer - Reign In Blood |
| CONTACT |
| andy@rockstar.uk.com |
