Insanity Heroes
Insanity Heroes was formed in the late October of 2004. I had stuck an advert on Generator (or some other Band website - can't quite remember), advertising my Bass services. I got a reply a couple of days later from a guy called Anthony Kemp in Eston saying I should join his band.
We met up at the Camel's Hump in Middlesbrough on October 30th '04. After a couple of frosty ones I decided I liked the guy & was impressed with his enthusiasm, so agreed to a rehearsal later that week.
We convened early November at his house with Guitarist Reno Uccellini, things went well, so we all agreed this was the band; we just needed a drummer.
Anthony had been in Bands previously, notably SPEED PUSSY, who apparently drew quite a lot of critical acclaim for their performances, particularly at The Arena. Reno was actually the Bassist of that Band as well.
The search continued for a drummer, and although we auditioned several, none seemed to fit what we (or rather what Anthony) was looking for. Tentatively he suggested Daniel Gibson; drummer in former bands SPEED PUSSY and NOISE4. After the initial meeting & discussions with Dan - we were at last a 4 Piece; rehearsing regularly in Anthony's bedroom, until we discovered the delights of The FORUM in Darlington, where we rehearsed from then on.
The first gig was at THE FORUM in Darlington on Sunday 14th May 2005, where we completed a 5 song set consisting of "The Wildest Dance", "Beauty Is", "Sexforce", "Last Mile to Liberty" and "Red Leather Girl" to a reasonable audience. The debut was quite a success and we followed up this with another 2 gigs at THE FORUM on the 30th May '05 and 12th June '05.
Sticking with The Forum, we recorded a 5 Track EP at the Studios there, mid June '05. Tracks being "The Wildest Dance", "Sexforce", "Heaven Has a Face", "Nicotine Love" and "Defy Gravity".
We also managed a Photo-Shoot with eminent Photographer Shirlaine Forrest in Blackpool, which will have been September time '05.
The pinnacle performance was undoubtedly THE CLUNY in Newcastle on the 9th November 2005 - granted it was a battle of the bands competition, and we didn't expect to win (nor did we), but just to play at such a legendary venue was kudos enough for us. It was a great night and probably our best live performance.
The next gig was a headline affair at the Star One Club at Teesside University on the 12th November 2005. Supported by The Colombos, we played to a virtually full house. However, it was not the triumph we had hoped it would be. Maybe it was because we had been waiting so long to take the stage, I don't know, but we were sloppy on the night. I lost heart at that gig, and I think everyone left feeling a little deflated by the whole experience.
Prophetically it was to be my last performance with the band. Tensions became frayed within the band & confusion reigned. So just over a year together, a 5 Track EP & 5 Gigs & I was somewhat harshly & unfairly ousted from the band.
They continued as a three piece & played The Red Rooms in Newcastle playing along to a sequenced Bass line. Apparently, it was an utter disaster, as they were headlining the gig, but everyone there had come to see the support act (who's name escapes me), and were left playing to around 10 people. I'm almost certain that that was Insanity Heroes last ever gig.
I was subsequently replaced on Bass but it was all moot and in vain anyway, as Anthony's personal problems & mental demons began to take their toll and he admitted himself to St Luke's Hospital.
Tragically on Saturday 16th September 2006, Anthony went missing from the Hospital and committed suicide.
Needless to say, that was indeed the end for INSANITY HEROES.
Write up by JayTeE for North East Live
Back to Step Back in Time
Prophetically it was to be my last performance with the band. Tensions became frayed within the band & confusion reigned. So just over a year together, a 5 Track EP & 5 Gigs & I was somewhat harshly & unfairly ousted from the band.
They continued as a three piece & played The Red Rooms in Newcastle playing along to a sequenced Bass line. Apparently, it was an utter disaster, as they were headlining the gig, but everyone there had come to see the support act (who's name escapes me), and were left playing to around 10 people. I'm almost certain that that was Insanity Heroes last ever gig.
I was subsequently replaced on Bass but it was all moot and in vain anyway, as Anthony's personal problems & mental demons began to take their toll and he admitted himself to St Luke's Hospital.
Tragically on Saturday 16th September 2006, Anthony went missing from the Hospital and committed suicide.
Needless to say, that was indeed the end for INSANITY HEROES.