Noise Pollution
119 plays
6,746 views
6,746 views
Band/artist history
The band started up just over a year ago when Joe Bryce and Alexander Mackie wanted to form a band ,where they would play guitar. They got in contact with Niall Geoghegan, a drummer, who in turn suggested Steven Reid as a singer. On bass, Niall suggested Kenneth Legge, as they couldn't think of anyone else who played bass.
The problems with this set up were evident from the beginning; Mackie, at the time, didn't have a gig-worthy guitar and Kenneth had only just started learning to play. After a couple of poor practices, Mackie left the band as it was going nowhere. Steven then took over guitar. Singing was now the problem.
A jam was organised in Joes garage, and Scott Murray (one of Joe and Mackie's friends) came down to help out with singing (for the crack). Mackie was supposed to sing, but when he arrived to do so, he decided he wanted to play guitar again. Also, Kenneth didn't have a clue how to play any of the songs.
Kenneth was jettisoned soon afterwards. Mackie ended up taking the bass spot, and Michael Widdrington was roped in as a singer. He lasted one practice. After which, Joe decided to try his hand at singing, and Scott grabbed a bass and played along. Aha, a line up was sorted. Now, a name was needed. Kenneth had suggested Live Free and Ride, and the name stuck for now.
Not. The next day, Mackie laid down his guitar and decided he would sing. This was on the day of a gig. The gig came and passed (they only played 4 songs) and that was that.
Over the course of the next few weeks a lot of changes happened. The band booked a gig in the Solid Rock cafe, and practiced up for it. Again, another line up change ensued. Joe swapped places with Mackie for this gig. (At the time it seemed like a good idea.) Another name change ensued - Undefined was their name now.
Again, the gig came and passed. Joe took a fair bit of stick for his performance, and decided he was going to quit the band. Steven took over vocals, and played guitar. This latest line up lasted about 3 days before they all decided at a practice "we're shit. Let’s just forget it ever happened." The band was no more, and they went their separate ways.
But....on that fateful Saturday evening, Joe and Scott had nothing to do. Niall was in town, and all of their gear was still in the church hall where they had practiced. They decided to go up there for a jam, for something to do. Joes guitar had no strings, so he used Niall's one, that he had taken over for Steve to use. He took up his own amp, as there wasn't one up there.
Their performance in the hall was spectacular. The decision was taken to start making a go of starting a band that could compete with other bands in the local scene, not to rush into gigs and put unnecessary pressure on ourselves. Within two days of hearing about this reformation of the band, Mackie decided he wanted to sing or play guitar with us.
They didn't really do anything until the New Year. On New Year's night, at a party, Joe got talking with Ray Taylor, a local renowned guitar god. He asked him to join the band, and he accepted. Now they had a line up that could, with time, kick ass. Mackie wasn't too impressed about not being able to play guitar now. So he just sang. They practiced for about 2 months with that line up, until one day when Steve came up the hall to see how it was going. When he heard Mackie's vocal howling, he had to leave the hall for fits of laughing. It was a shame, but it was a turning point.
Niall swapped with Mackie, and this became a final line up. They had almost everything - decent vocals, talented players, a name - Noise Pollution. Now for some gigs.
Just before the first gig, Mackie dropped a bombshell on them. "I'm quitting the band to become a professional golfer". Make of that what you will, but they found it a blow. They played 2 gigs with Mackie before he quit. Does anything work out?
After a month of moping, they had a solution. Niall was going back to drums, and they had going to look for a singer. But who? Kerry Lawson had always wanted to sing for us, but previous attempts at jams with her didn't really herald much success. So they approached local solo artist Rebecca Leitch to help us out. She accepted, and took over the vocals slot. Now the band had some proper stability. They played a number of gigs in this line up, before Ray announced to us at a practice he wanted to leave, due to his dislike of performing. Another one down.
The band soldiered onward, depleted now. They began to write their own material in the winter of 2003, and released an EP, entitled "There's a good reason for this.....really" in March 2004.
Swiftly abandoning said EP due to the fact it sucked balls, the band continued writing and performing original material into 2004...performing at esteemed musical events such as Macduff's Gig In The Grounds, which they headlined, and playing to a total of 6 people at a rather pathetic AUBL Easter gig at KEF. Also, they performed at the now legendary Dr Drakes HUBL gig in summer 2004, to great acclaim. Much naked-fat-bastard-bassist-ness.
Then the band's crowning achievement came....the goal they set out initially to achieve..(not really...they wanted global domination but this would do!)...to play to a sold out Lemon Tree in Aberdeen. Which they achieved by supporting Hells Bells, in what the band regard to be their definitive performance. Firing on all cylinders, the band had the 500 strong crowd in the palm of their hands.
Then!..A new recruit! Mackie rejoined the band on guitar this time. He lasted one gig this time, playing at the second Lemon Tree performance supporting Budgie in November 2004, before leaving.
To become a pro golfer. again.
The decline began in 2005; output had dwindled to 2 new songs in 7 months, and tension was high.
Disaster occured in April 2005 when Joe had a particularly serious accident, rendering him out of action....with a gig looming in a few days time. Unable to pull out of the gig, NP decided to move Scott onto lead guitar for the one gig (not their smartest move!), and look for a new bassist....but who?
In steps one of Scott's friends, Grant Fraser. He was trained up in 3 nights by scott in a rigorous schedule of alcohol, irn bru, and loud rock music.
The gig was a total success. so much so, that the band asked Grant to join the band on a full time basis, with Scott switching to guitar.
The decline since that gig has been swift and sudden, despite a triumphant KEF appearance where the band floored all other performers with an energetic and chaotic performance, including a cover of Girls Aloud's Love Machine.
The band split up in summer 2005. Expect to see future projects from many of the members!
gigs played: 29 (including Live Free and Ride/Undefined)
fave venue: dr drakes, aberdeen, played there 4 times.
fave gig: lemon tree, october 2004
worst gig: Any of the Bubbles gigs.
worst moment: realising the EP is shit.
least fave venue: Bubbles, Buckie.
Songs written by NP:
Hunting for Thrills (Bryce, Leitch)
Feel the Lava Flow (Bryce, Leitch)
Something (Murray, Bryce, Leitch)
You or Them (Bryce, Leitch)
Destructive Obsession (Bryce, Leitch)
Rock and/or Roll (Bryce, Leitch)
Give it All You Got (Bryce, Leitch)
Broxden Roundabout (Bryce, Leitch)
Chewin On A Stormcloud (Bryce, Leitch)
Rockin All Night Long (Bryce)
Stop/Start (Bryce, Leitch)
I Want,Always Get (Bryce, Leitch)
Give Up (Murray, Bryce, Leitch)
No (Bryce, Leitch)
End of The World (Murray)
119 plays
6,746 views
6,746 views
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