Formed in May 2004 by five students with a passion for music and a tiredness of daytime television. The starting line-up (then called 'Spilt Milk') included Greg, Andy, James, Dan and Scott. They did a gig. Greg left (I'm not going into the sordid reasons why, we have to keep something for our 'VH1's Behind the Music' special). The band are still mates with Greg who is pursuing an acoustic based solo project as well as playing in 'Geko' (check out their Myspace, they rock).
With the departure of Greg in early 2005 the band looked for a new vocalist, they found it in the shape of Tom. His voice fitted the band perfectly as did his on stage antics (which usually ended up with a broken mic stand or two). The band also changed the name from 'Spilt Milk' to 'The Acid Test' After a few gigs the band was on the up, playing to at least four people a night. After a few more gigs the band seemed to have attracted a bit of a crowd. Some people even started singing along to the songs. Hurrah! Surely it was only a short hop from here to the world of private jets, fast cars, hard drugs and groupies.
Unfortunately the dream was not to be. In late 2005 James decided he wanted out. He cited musical differences and a desire to concentrate on his acoustic material. A week later Tom decided to leave, citing musical differences and a desire to concentrate on his acoustic material. The band noticed a pattern. Tom and James formed 'Lemonade Shade' to showcase their acoustic skills. Tom also began singing in 'Bodyhost', that rocked Winchester for a while and had Dan as their drummer for a time before they broke apart.
So with only three members 'The Acid Test' was stuck. As 2005 closed and 2006 started new members had to be found. Luckily for all involved they were. 'The Acid Test' welcomed Andy (or Sandy to his friends) and Matt.
The band had started off as a straight up rock group. The changes in members introduced new styles and the music 'The Acid Test' was creating a blend off all forms of rock, funk and even some metal.
For a while, the band prospered like a young man selling magic beans. Two excellent e.p.'s were recorded at Valley Studios, Winchester ("Drop Your Mind" and "Panorama Recoil"), with 7 tracks distributed between them - plus one available only online. Numerous gigs followed, many headlining venues in Winchester, Reading and Southampton, among others. Perhaps the highest point were the gigs played at the Half Moon in Putney, one of which was captured on CD to form the 'classic' live album, "Live at the Half Moon".
Unfortunately, there came a point where this continual rise towards stardom was bound to falter. It came in the form of mister Scott Bryant deciding he would rather serve his country from the ranks of the marines rather than serve his band from behind his mighty bass (and 4 x 12 stack, whatever the fuck that means). Unfortunately, The Acid Test were among the last to know.
So, it was with a heavy heart that the band began once more to search for a new member. Perhaps surprisingly, they found one within their own ranks. And so, the youngest member of the band with the most powerful voice and most luxuriously feminine disposition took on the dual-role of both bass player and singer. And he took it on with amazing capability and swift delivery, hungry to prove himself as a musician as much as a singer (as far as any member of the rhythym section can consider themselves 'musicians'! - Bam Bam gave up years ago waiting for that recognition).
Without realising it, The Acid Test was already complete. There is work to be done before the band can be recording new material, but there are literally a shed-load of new songs in the pipeline. After a hiatus that was far longer than any member would want, the gigs are beginning again. With the same mix of fun, hard rocking, funky, hard-hitting, sex-o-rama, jamming, ear-bashing, rambling, catchy tunes you have come to expect. Or that you should want from any band fucking your ear-pussies.
So, if they play near you see them. If they don't, move.
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