'...they're not a heavy metal band, they're not an indie band, they're not a bluesy rock band - yet they are all these and more - and that's why their audience is out there’ Andy Garibaldi, Independent music journalist
Having just completed their first self-funded & self-promoted tour of England, Wales & Scotland, they are currently locked in a studio working on a single due to be released under Two Thumbs Records later this year, the band can't help but attract attention. Featuring heavily in magazines, newspapers, radio stations and on the internet the band are being swamped with requests to play the length and breadth of the UK . This is no surprise given the remarkable success of gigs outside of Dundee in the past. Although they have only selected a few to satisfy their own, as well as their fans needs. A personal invite came from Rick Witter(ex Shed Seven) & The Dukes to support on the current leg of their Scottish tour in Glasgow’s infamous King Tuts Wah Wah Hut and an end of year party in their hometown of Dundee along with a Stone Roses cover band kept them busy until 2006 came to a close.
Comprising of 4 tight knit friends the band has never been stronger. Kevin Johnston (Bass & Vox), Alan Turner (Guitar & Vox), Andy Beattie (Drums) & John Nicoll (Lead Guitar) have travelled, played and danced the UK to its knees yet still want more. Seriously starting as a band in September of 2005, The Rise were crowned Global Battle of the Bands (GBOB) Best New Band in Scotland within 2 months and then 2 months later came 3rd in a World Final in London’s Astoria in front of 1500 people which included the best artists from another 23 countries. When Radio One came to Dundee in 2006, the band was selected to headline the unsigned fringe festival in The Doghouse to a capacity crowd.
The Rise have built a strong following both at home and away with their powerful blend of indie/dance/rock. The music is an eclectic mix of traditional rock and roll blended together with pounding beats, screaming vocals and driving rifts. This is all held together with strong dance based ethos.
Support requests then flooded in from bands such as Proud Mary, !Forward Russia!, Air Traffic, The Upper Room, The Casuals, Blackbud, Rick Witter, The Feeling, Kasabian, The Sunshine Underground, The KBC and of course many gigs with fellow Dundee upstarts The View.
Playing at highly rated venues across the UK including King Tuts Wah Wah Hut, The Cavern, Islington Academy , The Garage, several Barfly's, Club Ifor Bach and opening a custom built gig venue in Scotland ’s Highlands , The Ironworks, to 1000 fans.
Requests to play from Alan McGhee (Creation Records), Dave McGheecan (DF Concerts) and BBC Radio 1, have kept the band in the music fans ears.
The Rise are a big part of the Dundee music scene and not just in Dundee , they also have many out of town fans spreading the word about their fast-rising musical talent
'...a monumental wall of rhythm guitar riffing, sealing lead guitar and mighty rhythm section to which no rock or punk or indie audience could fail to be carried along with - this is music to which you just HAVE to dance. It was phenomenal!'