In the late 60's a young band called Free came onto the music scene, rocking the world with songs like, "Fire & Water" and "All Right Now". A few years later, the band would evolve and become the legendary rock band, Bad Company. Thirty plus years later, a young band from the UK, Get Vegas are here to make their own mark. Influenced heavily by the late 60’s and early 70’s British blues. They’re making classic rock sound as fresh and alive as it did back then while taking and developing the sound into the 21st century - a massive sound of soulful blues and gritty rock.
Since their debut in August 2006, Get Vegas have rapidly built up a huge following, helped along by having tracks placed on the All Right Now website - the official website of Free and Bad Company. Get Vegas also received the distinction of winning the 2006 Insangel Enigma Battle of the Bands followed in 2007 by winning the Red Bull Sponsored Battle of the Bands.
August 2007 saw the band play the Main Stage at the Bulldog Festival (Europe’s’ biggest bike festival) alongside bands such as Status Quo and the Damned. September saw the band record their debut 4 track EP containing tracks: “Burning Soul”, “Lying Dreams”, “Nobody Else” and “Love Hound”.
In January 2008 the track “Lying Dreams” was featured on the Classic Rock cover CD - “Bands You Need To Hear In 2008”. It has generated an amazing reaction from fans and the media with consequent radio plays and press in Europe and the US and a stream of fans desperate to get hold of more material. So, who is this band called GET VEGAS? Let us introduce you to the band, vocals, Jonny Cole, age 20 on guitar, Ric Gingell, age 18, on bass, Adam Laing, age 20 and on the drums, Martin Saint age 20.
How did Get Vegas evolve? Martin Saint and Jonny Cole met at secondary school and have been friends ever since; they played acoustic gigs together. They met Adam later at college who had just begun playing bass. Ric was added on guitar when Martin took a part-time job at his father’s music shop. Coming up in May, Get Vegas has been asked to tour with Bad Company. A passing of the torch? So the journey begins.
The Rocker and I, had chance to ask the guys a few questions and here is what they shared with us.
AAM: How long have you been together as a band?
Jonny Cole: We’ve been a band roughly 18 months.
AAM: How did you come up with the name GET VEGAS?
Jonny Cole: It was just a catchy name that we thought was unique and open to interpretation.
AAM: Have any of you been to Las Vegas?
Jonny Cole: Unfortunately not, but mentally I’ve been there a lot! (Hahaha!)
AAM: As side from the songs that are posted on your MySpace page, how many songs have your written so far?
Jonny Cole: To be honest we don’t really keep track of how many songs we’ve written, we’ve probably got enough to fill three albums.
AAM: How many of those songs will be featured on your debut release?
Jonny Cole: We’re currently writing a new demo, which will feature new and unreleased material.
AAM: Your sound has been described a throwback to the "Classic Rock" sound of the 70's. How would you describe your sound?
Jonny Cole: Of course we take influence from many artists from the late 60s to early 70s. This is not the only factor that contributes to our sound; we also take major influence from contemporary jazz, blues, R&B and folk.
AAM: Who are your musical influences?
Jonny Cole: Otis Redding, John Lee Hooker, Free, Joe Cocker, Rod Stewart & The Faces, Jason Mraz, Tom Waits and "The Boss" Bruce Springsteen.
Adam Laing: The Rolling Stones, BRMC, White Stripes, Cream, Savoy Brown, Mountain and Led Zeppelin.
Martin Saint: Feeder, Humble Pie, Reef, The Band and John Mayer.
Ric Gingell: Thin Lizzy, Jimi Hendrix, Eminem, Joe Bonamassa and Cactus.
AAM: Are there any bands out right now that you like listening to?
Band: Amy Winehouse, Duffy, Feeder, Jason Mraz, The Dave Matthews Band, BRMC, John Mayer, the list is endless.
AAM: When you do get to tour the States, who would you like to tour with?
Jonny Cole: I would like to tour with a band that is unique and performs in a soulful manner. That could of course range from any genre and any style of music.
AAM: What can the fans here in America expect when they see you guys live?
Band: A lot of youth, energy, stagecraft, an entertaining performance and money well spent.
AAM: Are you getting radio play in the UK?
Band: Yeah we’re getting some radio play in the UK.
AAM: What about satellite radio like Sirius or XM?
Jonny Cole: Not that we are aware of.
AAM: What goals have you set for yourselves as a band?
Band: This year, our main aim is to get a record label and begin recording what could potentially be a debut album.
AAM: "Lying Dreams", which is an amazing song, has received nothing but positive response from what we can see. How do you feel about the response?
Band: Obviously a positive response is always welcome but we don’t want to delude our fans by making them think that "Lying Dreams" is our strongest song. Our song-writing is progressing at such a rate that every song we finish is better than the last.
AAM: Have you guys shot a video for the song?
Jonny Cole: As yet we have not shot a music video for any of our songs.
AAM: Complete this sentence..- You should checkout GET VEGAS because...
Band: We offer something that is unique both in our live performance and our recordings. We are still only 18 months into the game and therefore an audience can see the progression between each gig and each record we release.
AAM: Any parting comments?
Band: Thank you for your interest in the band we hope to see you soon in the USA.
Cheers.
The Rocker and I along with All Access Magazine would like to thank the guys in Get Vegas for sharing their time with us. This is indeed a band you need to hear in 2008! Get Vegas is one amazing band that is destined for great things. You can bet on it! For more info on GET VEGAS:
