Robbie Stanley Electric Bass, microKorg
Eugene Somers Drums, Percussion and Programming
Paul Maguire Guitars, Backing Vox
Hazel Peters Vocals
JMC MC & Percussion
Grades of Shade was conceived as a live band project mid 2007 stemming from Eugene Somer’s virtuoso at programming beats and skilful use of synths, bells and whistles! Eugene booked some studio time in Experimental Audio and recruited old friends Robbie Stanley, Barry Brennan and Mairead Heffron to complete a live band. Recordings went well (some of which can be heard on the bands Myspace site ‘Silk’ & ‘Come Home’)
The recordings were finished and Barry & Mairead both carried on with their own solo projects and Eugene and Robbie set about enticing permanent members to the assembly. Paul Maguire was the obvious choice on Guitars, he had played with Eugene & Robbie in prior outfits and auditions were set for a singer. Hazel Peters came along all the way from the Northside and impressed the guys with her powerful voice, complete confidence and got the job hands down.
The new 4 piece embarked on a few live shows in Whelan’s and Transformer to see how the sound went down. Herald AM sent a journalist to the Whelan’s gig and compared Grades to a cross between Massive Attack and Groove Armada, nothing short of perfect for the bands 1st review.
More recording were to follow and on board came JMC rapper extraordinaire, again from the Northside, just to even things out, originally for the song ‘Ejector Seat’ but the band soon realised his MC’ing could be used on numerous tracks so there he stayed and has recently developed the fine art of shaker shaking!
The band recorded a live session, thanks to Cormac Moore from www.pboy.ie and are currently doing the rounds as excellent live demos. The bands debut double A side single will be released early 2009 accompanied by the ‘Ejector Seat’ Video that is currently at the editors desk at Wellboy Films followed by the release of their debut album as soon as funds dictate!
The band have enjoyed packing Eamon Doran’s, Whelan’s and other such venues in Dublin in the short time they have been together and are elated at audience participation and their sheer energy at live shows. If you haven’t been to one yet, better do so soon!
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Reviews:
Whelan’s 9/7/08
“the impressive Grades of Shade, fronted by vocal powerhouse Hazel Peters. Grades of Shade are like a cross between Massive Attack and Groove Armada – one to watchâ€
Herald AM
Tower Records 02/04/09
Dublin Band Grades of Shade entertained the customers at Tower Records with an hour of Urban Electronic indie sounds. They have a real nice laid back attitude and the lead singer Hazel Peters has a very soulful voice that blends into the electronic feel that the music gives off. New sounds is what bands try to make and originality is what most musicians set out to achieve but Grades of Shade have nailed it with a sound of their own, this could be the key to future success. The band got a real urban mood to it when rapper JMC jumps in to mc to the beat and electronic indie flavor coming from the rhythm section which keeps the whole sound just right for the ear. There are two tracks on the new EP the first song is "Reality" kicking in with 80's style pop guitar and electronic grooves. Hazel Peters voice taunts the rhythm with wailing catchy lyrics, excellent stuff! The second song on the EP is called "Ejector Seat" JMC leads this song with his hip hop styled vocals and Hazel Peters joins in with great catchy promo lyrics. Very clever from the band on this song, short but sweet, perfect for a B side track and a good one to spin to radio Dj's.
Review by T.Halpin Music Review Unsigned Rank:***** 5 out of 6
image hosting
Myspace Contact TablesGrades Of Shade http://gradesofshade1.bebo.com/
Broken (Promo Video)
Ejector Seat Video