amazing willie and the treehouse gang

The band formed way back in 1999 and made it’s live debut at a school battle of the bands. After several initial member changes, such as the incredible musicall talents of the likes of Mister C (responsible for such ground breaking tracks as Mr c 1, 2 and 3 and 20 B&H) and Rich Hackett who was responsible for the B-side "hanging all my dead pets from the tree in my garden", the winning formula was finally touched upon and for over a year Amazing Willie gigged around the Birmingham area supporting top rising ska bands such as [spunge] and Capdown. However, just as everything appeared to be looking rosy, disaster struck, as Kate and Si (the former Drummer and Guitarist, respectively) were forced to leave the band to tour with their other band “The Fight”. Cut down in their prime the Willie were in crisis, the wind had been taken from their sails and the rest of the band (with the exception of Stu and Boucher) decided that enough was enough and called it a day. For a few months a weil was drawn over the band as its respective members went their separate ways, until out of the blue Stu was approached by local promoter to see whether or not his band would be interested in supporting legendary ska icons “The Specials”! He immediately said yes before realising to his horror that he was no longer in a band. This was a crisis of epic proportions, but together Stu and Boucher rose to the challenge. With just a week remaining until the big night the band, (with little exception, as they exist today) met for the first time. The gig was an all-round success and the band clicked together instantly. Si decided to follow his heart and rejoin the band he once co-founded, Which brings us to today’s line up of Stu – bass, Si – Guitar, Jim – Drums, Boucher – Trumpet, Dan – Trombone, Russ – 2nd Trombone, and Cheska – Lead vocals. Heralded as the British “No Doubt”, they come from a variety of musical backgrounds, reaching as far as folk and jazz. Boucher can even be found singing in a choir (although he would probably deny it!). One thing that unites them all is their love for music and a determination to stand out from the crowd. Amazing Willie now have a very loyal local following and are branching out from their traditional venues into pastures new. April of last year saw the band enter the studio to make their debut recording “Lies will save the world.” – comprising of four original tracks the band thought best represented the group. Meanwhile regular support slots with bands Such as King Prawn, Lightyear and Farse (Full list below) have given the band valuable live experience. The bands live show has developed greatly over the past year and a half and is the main motivation for the group. The band have since recorded more material in the studio Stu (bass player) works in. The Treehouse Gang also took part in the National Battle of the Bands and made it all the way to the final where they landed 2nd place. The band also completed their first nationwide tour in july 2004 and are now looking forward to more of the same for years to come. Previous Supports: *The Specials *The Selector *Bad Manners *The Beat *Spunge *Captain Everything *Lightyear *Farse *4ft Fingers *Five Knuckle *King Prawn *The Killerest Expression *Goldblade *Adequate 7 *Capdown *No Comply *Big D and the Kids Table *Jesse James *Whitmore *Not Katies *Fletcher *Howards Alias *Mr Zippy *The Fight *MU330 And Many More… Our official website is amazingwillie.co.uk