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Straight Life have come a long way since the heady days of the
mid-eighty's. The line up of Rick, Stu, Keith and Chris, have done extensive live performances,
they have developed their own particular style and 'take' on the rock songs of our time, enabling them to be heard from a different
perspective while retaining the drive, power and invention that make
them rock.
The roots of Straight Life can be traced back to modern jazz: “Straight Life” itself is the name of a classic song by Miles Davis and provided the inspiration for the band to form back in 1986. The original line-up comprised guitar, bass, drums and saxophone and, after a number of live dates, the band had established themselves to the point where they were invited to tour with the Central TV roadshow. This continued for three years, during which time the band developed a loyal and discerning fan-base through their many live performances.
Time moved on and, as a result of changes in personnel and musical influences Straightlife evolved from mainstream jazz into an original rock act. Their first album, “Straightlife”, was a reflection of the music of the early nineties – the influence of Paul Weller’s “Wild Wood” period can be clearly heard on the title track “Anything”, as well as the anthemic “Blonde Headed Nightmare”.
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Straight Life originally
formed back in 1986.. Then it was a Jazz quartet playing modern
jazz standards, the name Straight Life comes from a classic
Freddie Hubbard song, the band then was ( Guitar, Sax, Bass, Drums
), eventually the band toured with the Central TV Roadshow
which ran for three years. It was a high profile act that
performed throughout the UK until 1989.
The strange and wonderful 1990’s allowed Straight Life
to develop from mainstream jazz into an original Rock act.
Their first album ‘Straight Life’ pretty much
summed up the era, you can hear influences from Weller’
s Wild Wood period on the title track’ Anything’
through to the obvious anthem Rock on ‘Blonde Headed
Nightmare’. y..
In 1993 after many gigs and road stories the band relocated
to Cornwall with some new players and influences. Their own
‘Summer of 69’ saw the band develop its now renowned
‘West Coast’ feel. Their original ‘Nobody
does it like you’ seemed more ‘Free’ than
‘Freebird’ but it encapsulates the ’93 Summer
breeze.
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( Straight Life)
A Rock Band
with a
massive sound. 2004
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| Present
& Past Musicians: |
| Rick Booth(Guitar, Vocals) / Keith
Thomas(Drums, Vocals) /Carl Gurney(Guitar)
/ Chris Ward(Bass, Vocals) / Stuart Hyslop (Vocals, Guitar, Keys) / Pat
Kyle(Bass) Mark Cooper(Bass,
7string, Vocals) / Stuart Keating(Bass,
Vocals) / Craig Gilligan(Sax, Alto/Tenor)
/ Martin Tight(Piano) / Andy
Dawson(Guitar, Vocals) / Rob Gilligan(Drums, Percussion)
/ Mark Booth(Bass) / Paul
Greaves(Bass, Vocals) / Bash(Drums)
/ Pete Walton(Drums) / Nige(Keys)
/ Keith(Superbass) |
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