Artist description Bitumen River are a Grung/Punk/Metal band from the Shetland Islands. They formed a number of years ago but have never fulfilled their full potential due to imigration laws and a lack of continuity. They now look set for mild success with a new sound due to considerable changes in personnel and a new sense of "energy". The band have recorded a demo and have a few gigs coming up.

Music Style Grunge/Metal/Punk

Musical Influences Nirvana,System Of a Down,Bad Religion,Tool,Pearl Jam,Pennywise,Black Sabbath

Similar Artists Nirvana, Pearl Jam,Pennywise,System of a down,Tool,Dead Kennedys,Alice in Chains

Artist History Bitumen River was first formed in 1996 by founding member Andrew Clubb. He was later joined by Drummer Angus Goodlad who had enjoyed mild success with Shetland Heavy Metal gods Northeren Rage. Ross Munro and Toby Mercer were later recruited on bass and vocals. Andrew already had three songs ready for the studio, Discredit, Evar Palindrome and Punk Panther, which were recorded in December '96. These tracks received extensive airplay across the UK, with much interest from Radio Scotland's Beat Patrol. All of this had happened before the band had even played live. This first incarnation Bitumen River's premiere live performance was on the occasion of Andrews birthday, the 12th of April 1997 at the Mukle Roe Hall, in Muckle Roe Shetland. Pretty soon, the Clubb tune factory was on overload, the band returning for a stint in the studio to record early versions of Satisfy, TT, Bully's Crown, and Can't happen Has. Extensive plugging by the band resulted in interest from several labels including London's Music for Nations who invited the band to London to play a showcase gig infront some of the industries top A&R. Cracks started to show in the band as the pressure of the metioric rise started to show on some of the members. These differences resulted in the band staying in Shetland, and missing out on their greatest oppertunity to date. The band returned to the live scene in Shetland, Gigging in Scalloway, Brae, Whalsay and back to their spiritual home at the Muckle Roe Hall. The band's visit to the Scalloway Hall was notable in that the band were so loud that they were told to leave the stage after 6 songs. It must be remebered that in '97 the UK was in the grips of Britpop, and that the emergence of the Nu-Metal Movement was still 3 years off: not the first time a forward looking band victimised by ignorant officials. These problems were causing dissolusionment within the band, and Toby left his vocal duties in late '97. Unpeturbed by the loss of their vocalist, Andrew and Ross sat down with the four track and drum machine and wrote the 9 minute epic that became into the rock behemoth, Concrete Mattress. The Band went into a period of hiatus during '98 as they searched for a new vocalist equal to the challenge that the back catalogue posed. It was not until 1999 that the band found their man. A manic Aussie by the name of Dave Kok joined the line up. His rasping vocals and uncontrolable stage act firmly cemeted the heavier direction that the band was taking. Dave quickly slotted into the line up, and within a couple of weeks, the band recorded their first demo with this Tazmanian Devil on vocals. The band then gigged extensivly, mostly in the pubs Captain Flints and the Welcolm Inn, much to the detremnet of the audiences eardrums and the pub's decor. Several pieces of furniture, including chairs and toasters were martyred by Mr. Koks energetic stage act. The Band fell fowl of the Immegration Laws, as Dave's Visa Ran out and he had to return to his Family's raddish farm in Tazmania to gather in the crop. He returned breifly in September 2001 to marry his Shetland Girlfreind, fitting in 3 farewell gigs in his short stay at Captain Flints, Klub Revolution supported by Insertlabelhere and the Welcome Inn. Andrew then approached the Singer of Bitumen River's only ever support band Insertlabelhere, Kevin Tulloch. Kevin was a fan of Bitumen River and he obliged politely. Andrew and Kevin were forced to re-assemble the band from scratch as Angus was now playing in metal band Moder Dy and Ross decided not to be involved in reforming the band. In July '02 ex Roostie Nails bassist Adam Priest was recruited and in November '02 drummer Blair Grant joined but left the band in a mutual agreement, basically Blair was too busy to meet the strict practice regime enforced be Andrew,Kevin and Adam. The tenth member of Bitumen River has now been recruited, Danny Inkster,the ex munchies drummer who is Adam's first cousin and Andrew's nextdoor neighbour has fitted in quickly and the band are finally getting a couple of rehersals a week and look set to be at the forefront of the local music scene.

Group Members Andrew Clubb - Guitar, Adam Priest - Bass, Kevin Tulloch - Vocals, Danny Inkster - Drums,

Albums Discredit appeared on Bleatbeat records compilation cd XS Sessions which was recorded during the Dave era

Additional Info If you want a copy of our Demo Cd sed us an email and we'll arrange it

Location Lerwick, Scotland - United Kingdom

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