Lets introduce the band..
On
Drums / Backing Vocals- Mr Dave Riley.
Born in Bolton ,Lancashire in 1956 , at the age of fifteen Dave joined
his first band 'Black Cat Bone'. Playing both rock and blues cover tunes
and a selection of self penned material, it was the latter that lead to
a meeting with Hughie Green and an audition for Opportunity Knocks.Then
on to form Stash, a progressive rock outfit which lasted 20 years. In
1996 The country band Redyey was formed playing venues throughout the
country changing lineup in 1999 - 2007 as Rustler..
2008 saw Dave regroup with the original keyboard player from Redeye Lee
Garrity, to form U.S. Mail.
On
Keyboards/ Backing Vocals - Mr Lee Garrity.
Born In Horwich 1969, Lee started his musical odyssey at the age of nine,
when given an old Organ by his folks, progressing into the exciting world
of Synths, Keyboards & Computers, Playing with various bands &
collectives throughout his teen years, In 1996 he joined Redeye on the
country music scene, After a musical beak he is now enjoying playing country
once more.
On
Bass Guitar - Mr Julian Godley
Born in 1960 in Rotherham, Jules first played bass, standing
in, at short notice,for school band zenith. He played rythym guitar and
keyboards and wrote most material for 80,s rock band Burgundy, and then
spent 20yrs playing with '60's soul group Otis Day and the Nightshift
('Brass Routes'). A series of gigs followed with blues band Night Train
in the mid 80's when the vocalist sacked most of the band and drafted
in a few friends (including Dave Riley) from other local bands. In 2008
Dave invited him to join U.S. Mail as their 'bass player' and now he complains
he's developed hard skin on the fingertips of both hands.
On
Lead / Slide Guitar - Mr Pete Barton.
Born on the Bayou in an undetermined year..Pete was raised
on the Croal Delta on a diet of Philly Gumbo n Crawfish pie. Well not
exactly ( More like Fish n Chips & Potato Pie ),
and as instructed by the Lyrics of the Byrds song - 'Do You Wanna Be A
Rock Star' -
He went out "Got myself a Guitar n learned how to play".
In his own words " I ain't packin it in till i break even....Yeee
Haaaa!"
On
Lead Vocals / Acoustic Guitar / Harmonica - Mr Chris Hayes.
Born in 1957 in Bolton,
Chris has been playing since picking up his dad’s
old acoustic guitar in his early teens. In his later teens he then went
on to play in several bands and was in the origial line up for Stash,
Chris retired
from music whilst he brought up his family,
but always maintained his love of live music. He was delighted to be offered
the opportunity to audition for U.S. Mail and the
rest is history, as the saying goes. Originally
a rock singer he’s fairly new to country music
and has recently turned to playing harmonica..
But its like they say – you’re never too old!
