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Searching for Searchin' |
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The origins of the band came from when rhythm guitarist Steve started attending the Merseycats jam nights at the Marconi Club. He came back telling his brother Mike how he should go along with Steve with the intentions of getting a few songs together themselves. Mike had previously played guitar and was lead singer some years earlier with the band The Man With No Face. The band covered songs by amongst others, The Stranglers and Echo and The Bunnymen. Mike's influences were very different from Steve. He had his roots in C&W music with Johnny Cash; he picked up and played along to many of the original man in black's hits at home. Next to be lured to the jam sessions was Andy, Steve's son in law. Andy had been a regular Karaoke night crooner across Liverpool and was perfect for the project. The three got together in February 2006 finally went along together to see what Merseycats was all about. The Legion Club - early appearance from 2006 The first few weeks they didn't participate in the music, but were eager to have a go themselves and just needed a push in the right direction. At the sessions, drummer Dave Wilson offered to help the lads if they fancied getting up and showing what they could do. Dave was the main drummer at the jam nights and had many years experience to share with the new boys -it didn't take long for them to strike up a great friendship. Over the next few months the lads were regular attendees at the jam nights and were helped out by Dennis and Norman, two other well-known regulars and Merseycats members. Hard to believe, but Andy was the most reluctant of front men, it was Beryl who kept goading Andy into getting on stage and opening up his vocal chords. It was to be a different experience from organizing karaoke nights but Andy soon felt at home and has taken to being a front man and great singer with ease. The band just needed a bass player now to be able to get up in their own right and session bass player Geoff duly obliged. He told the lads he wanted to play bass for them and the line up was complete. Now the rehearsals could begin. April 2006 and the band (as yet un-named) found the nerve to take what they had picked up on the Monday jam sessions and play together on the Thursday night slot at the Legion in front of an audience. They had played a hand full of songs on the jam sessions including Bad Moon Rising, Walk In The Room and You Can't Do That. The band was heavily influenced by the Searchers sound and was affectionately referred to by some as 'the walk in the room boys'. With the first of the Thursday night slots under their belt, Mike, Steve and Andy got together at Mike's house on Sundays and would go through possible songs to play. Some are still in the current set list while others were shelved but could yet see the light of day. One of which is the Beatles "You're Going To Lose That Girl" which they could never get quite right. The Matthew St Fest -Fort Perch Rock, New Brighton 2006 The band was now attracting a bit of attention at the Merseycats Thursday night slot at the legion, with a little help from family and friends attending. The band's songs and style brought something a bit different to the evening. The vocal harmonies and melodies were refreshing and embraced by the Merseycats faithful. The band came next, they couldn't be known as the walk in the room boys forever -and they soon came up with the name Searchin'. The name fitted the bill; the band played searchers covers and indeed the song "Keep Searchin" was to become a set favourite over the coming months. Searchin's first live show away from the legion came at The Royal Navy Club in Kirkby. The band were joined by newfound friends The Kirkby Skifflers, another band formed from the Monday night jam sessions at the Legion. The Skifflers played their own interpretations of skiffle songs to the listening Merseycats membership. The night was a big success and Searchin' went on to play many more gigs throughout 2006. Highlights of these shows being the New Brighton Fort Perch Rock gig as part of the Matthew Street Festival and Makro car wash fundraiser -both outdoor shows. Now regulars at the Legion, Mike, Steve and Andy became Merseycats members and became more involved in fund raising events throughout the year, after all this is what Merseycats organization is all about -they raise money for sick children across the north west. The Cavern Club -Jan 2007 A charity gig at the Old Roan pub was to be the turning point for the band in November 2006. Geoff, the band's bass player was also a member of another band -Carol & The Memories and they also had a booking for the same night. So the band needed a bass player for the gig and it was down to Allan Woo, another regular at Merseycats to step in. Allan played with bands The Lackies and Spidermen fronted by John Partington and was no stranger to Searchin'. Allan picked up the songs within a week's notice and joined the band on stage at the Old Roan gig -giving Searchin' a bit more definition and energy. The band felt that they needed to move up a gear and Allan should join them full time. The band thanked Geoff for his help over the formative months and parted company, wishing him well with his other projects. This gave the band their current line up of Andy (vocals) Mike (lead guitar and backing vocals) Steve (rhythm guitar) Allan (Bass and backing vocals) and Dave (drums) and they play together as Searchin' - with thanks to Will at Merseycats for offering that one up. In early 2007 the band played at the world famous Cavern Club in Liverpool's Matthew Street. A fantastic experience and a new audience for the band to win over. Arty gets all hairy April 2007 A recent illness to Drummer Dave Wilson forced a temporary line up change with Arty Davies kindly offering his services behind the drum kit for a hand full of gigs pre booked. Arty slotted into the line up with ease and added his own style and humour to the band -famously wearing a wolf mask on stage during "Bad Moon Rising". Arty's contribution was appreciated by the band and don't be surprised to see Arty working with the lads again at some stage. We are happy to report that Dave has made a full recovery and is now back behind the drums, however the band will not be changing their name to 'Searchin' and the pacemakers'. This has been an eventful first year for Searchin' and they do not rest on past glories. The band are now comfortably playing over thirty songs in their sets and diversity suits their sound. They are their own strongest critics and often analyse the shows looking at ways to improve and develop. I have been privileged to be at most of the band's events and sometimes get called the sixth member of Searchin'. I am happy to take the photographs, run the website and help with PR. One day, I might just surprise them and join them on stage - just to see things from the other side. Latest line up -May 2007 CCH 2007
Photos from the Fundraiser on 11th May 2007 (click on image for larger photo)
Andy Mike and Cliff from Searchin'.
Dave Wilson back on the drums (right) in his first gig back with Searchin'
Searchin' (left and below) in full voice rockin the night away!
Alex's brother Mike (right) with Searchin'
WWW.THESEARCHIN.CO.UK
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