IN BRIEF
(For the casual observer)
HALLION - Irish term - A rogue,
scoundrel or good for nothing
"Formed in 2002 after producing the solo album "Born Of Fire", Hallion are
a blend of hard rock, glam and metal, based upon the story telling
songwriting of frontman/guitarist Gav Ruadh. Their equally ferocious and
melodic style has impressed live audiences, where they remain at their
best. 2005 marked the release of "Rhythm N Bruise", an extension and
overall enhancement over it's predecessor. Attention in Hallion has moved
up a gear during this year. With a revised lineup, and a 3rd studio album
"Forgive Never Forget", Hallion now greatly
desires to play anywhere and everywhere for their loyal supporters, and
will no doubt gain many more!"
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IN
DETAIL
(For the true supporter)
In 2001, Gav Ruadh , while on
indefinate hiatus from a previous band Sweet Venom, decides to make an
ambition a reality.
To write and record an album solo.
Taking the spirit of artists as diverse as Prince, Blackie Lawless,
Michael Monroe and many others; Gav handled all instruments and took on the
role of recording and mixing the album. The songs arising from a
collection of material written over the years.
Building a studio and learning the recording process was to be an ongoing
but enjoyable process.
Before completion, Gav decided the project would be entitled......
HALLION - Irish term - A rogue, scoundrel or good for nothing
The resulting album was "Born Of Fire".
The title referring to the reason the album was made. A record conceived
of stories fuelled by positive and negative experiences. True life, personal
tales and observations.
This storytelling style of writing was to become the focus of HALLION from
this point on.
With "Born Of Fire" finished, it became apparent a band to perform the
material live was now very necessary!
A search went underway. As most band's in their infancy discover, the
search seems long. Amongst the search is a certain Mike-E-B (current
bassist), answering the call of guitar.
However, mislaid phone numbers and nerves prevent the union from
happening.
Offering the job to two friends of another side project "Dry Slap", enter
Jason Brown and Dane. On recommendation from Jason, Ali takes the drum
stool.
Dane's blues based hard rock style, met with the metal aggression of
Jason's bass. Ali's loose and almost hip-hop influenced beats were proving
to be an interesting enhancement to the HALLION sound.
Ali's time with Hallion was brief owing to other commitments.
Dane was to then enlist the services of Mark Vickers, who Gav had
previously played with in Sweet Venom.
Mark's hard hitting punk influence took Hallion up a gear or two. This
line-up continued for another 18 months, with Gav writing the 2nd album
"Rhythm & Bruise"
This 2nd album, written surprisingly quickly, was intended to be an
extension and enhancement over it's predecessor. More concise and hitting
harder in it's songwriting.
It's title, a tongue in cheek play-on-words and inspired by the
observation of how "R N' B" had changed from the raw emotion of Howlin'
Wolf and Muddy Waters to the slick pop of today.
However, recording the record was not so immediate, with the band members
experiencing various health and personal difficulties. After this line-up
slowly disintegrating, Gav decided to go ahead with this record in the
same way as before. Prevented from being a completely solo album by Dane
returning for a number of guitar tracks.
Upon release and aided by the growing phenomenon of Myspace.com, HALLION
began attracting supporters from around the world. Reaching audiences that
local shows and flyers of their website HALLIONUK.COM would have struggled
to achieve.
Adding to Gav and Dane's already burning desire for Hallion to become a
band again, another incarnation of HALLION was desperately being sought
out.
Mike-E-B had remained a friend and firm supporter since showing an
interest in the band years previous. Offering to switch from guitar to
bass was an offer that couldn't be refused.
Over the years, Gav had done session work and teaching at a music school.
The teacher of this also employed the services of a gifted young drummer,
Andy "The Animal" Edmonds...
More than impressed by his technique and feel, the band's future looked
very promising. Hunger and energy refuelled after the long period of
inactivity.
2006 had started with a bang!
The following year, saw them earning many new supporters along the way,
not only through performing impressive shows but also with the assistance
of helpful fans.
The Hallion Horde was created in their honour.
Featuring many supporters who went beyond the call of duty to promote
Hallion to the rest of the world.
"Born Of Fire" was re-released with a remix due to increased interest.
Despite its luke-warm reception and cult following on initial release, it
found appreciation at last.
It's mix of hard rock, glam and old school metal stories that were the
foundation for Hallion after all.
Hallion are now finding increasing popularity in the US and Scandanavia, resulting in
producing their own tv special there.
With writing for the 3rd album "Forgive Never Forget", the future of the
Hallion family looks bright....
To be continued...