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Desert Smile was originally formed by Simon Kippax (Kip) and Andrew Lamey (Lamey) in 2004. Lamey was fresh out of music college with very itchy guitar fingers and, after hearing a demo Kip had made, he knew this was the singer he had been looking for. After meeting regularly for nearly a year, Lamey’s guitar riffs and Kip’s lyrics had produced a good amount of original material.
Enter John-Joe Gaskin (Jeo) in 2005, who took the programmed drum parts and added a harder, more driving feel to them, thus creating the backbone of Desert Smile. Next, a musician was added who was an accomplished drummer, bass, keyboard and guitarist. The new band needed a bass player and Nick has been driving those bass riffs ever since. Finally, when guitarist James Gilbert (Jimbo) became available to join in with Lamey’s frenzied guitar, the line-up was complete.
Through intense rehearsals in the summer of 2005, Desert Smile now developed the 8 0s based rock sound they were looking for but with their own distinct style, especially when playing their own original compositions. They also set themselves a high standard, determined that whenever they went on stage they would be known for producing a top quality, professional performance.
Although any gig they play is built around their own songs, the band knows that rock fans also love to hear well done rock covers and are regularly adding these to the act so that their set can be adapted to any venue and any audience. To more than fifteen Kippax/Lamey compositions have been added covers as varied as Guns ‘n’ Roses “Mr. Brownstone”, Poison’s “Look What The Cat Dragged In”, Free’s “It’s Alright Now”, Sweet’s “Ballroom Blitz” and even a rock version of Chuck Berry’s “Johnny B. Goode”. Two big favourites with the fans are always Bon Jovi’s “You Give Love A Bad Name” and a driving version of Metallica’s “Enter Sandman”.
Four band originals can be heard in full at www.myspace.com/desertsmileband including “Sing Bobby Sing” which seems to have become the band’s anthem and “The River Is Open” which is the title song of the band’s first CD. This was released in February 06 and has seven original songs on it. It’s available from the band at gigs or through the website shop at www.desertsmile.co.uk, where you will also find latest news, a gigs list, songs and lyrics, a photo gallery and the chance to contact the band.
Desert Smile is now playing virtually every week, and sometimes more often, across the Midlands. Wherever they go, they establish a reputation for bringing driving rock beats and some slower rock ballads to an ever-wider audience. In October, they will play Sheffield for the first time in the Global Battle of the Bands competition at The Boardwalk.
Most of all, these guys just love playing rock music, whether it’s to 10 fans or a 1000. And wherever they play, they get invited back! Take a look at the gigs list on the website and come and join in – the band promises lots of driving rock beats, lots of flying hair and lot’s of fun!
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