The Soundcasters

The Soundcasters were formed in early 2008, when Tom James, 19 (Lead Vocalist/Guitarist) and his long-term friend Scott Russell, 18 (Bass/ and Vocalist), with school friend Simon Watson, 19 (Lead Guitarist and Vocalist) decided to form a band and advertised for a drummer. Matt Gibson, 20 (Drummer and Percussionist) auditioned and joined the band. From the first rehearsal, the boys formed a strong friendship and firm desire to be successful as a band.

Their individual tastes in music range from Punk to Jazz and this is reflected in the diversity of their songs. As young lads, this gave them an edge in today’s music scene and helped them to develop their unique sound. The Soundcasters are influenced by bands such as The Beatles, The Band, The Animals and The Arctic Monkeys. Not only have they been compared to The Arctic Monkeys but also The Kinks and The Libertines.

The Soundcasters began to seriously promote themselves in January 2009. They had a hectic summer, and quickly built up a strong fan base; playing private functions, many local and London venues such as The Fly, Bull and Gate, Hope and Anchor and the Dublin Castle, also performing at festivals such as The Lounge on the Farm, Infest and Togfest, as well as filming for a Documentary for Channel 4.

In March 2009, they produced their first EP which had a 60’s pop feel to it that had a huge response from a mixed audience with such songs as ‘Pauline’ in a blues/shuffle style and ‘French Habit’ with its Russian feel that audiences cannot fail to join in singing and dancing along to. The Soundcasters began the year 2010 with a more mature image, feel and sound and a busy and exciting schedule in place for the forthcoming year with plans to play private functions, charity gigs, festivals and further London venues such as The Half Moon, Putney. In March they successfully launched their second EP ‘Ban the Mind Reader’. The music has evolved into a slightly fuller, darker sound with grit, yet lightened with a little country rock. In May they wowed audiences at the infamous Cavern Club in Liverpool as part of the International Pop Overthrow.

The Soundcasters made their TV debut in August when the Channel 4 documentary ‘Amish: World’s Squarest Teenagers’ was shown. This prompted radio interviews and airplay along with many articles in local and national newspapers and TV magazines including the Daily Mirror and Radio Times.

The Soundcasters episode focused on the experience of a group of Amish youngsters spending a week with an artistic and musical family. During the week of filming, the band took their Amish guests to places of interest in Kent and shared with them their love of music, ending the week at ‘Togfest’, the music festival in Milton Keynes, where The Soundcasters played on the main courtyard stage. Clips of their music featured in the programme, causing a great deal of interest in the band, with much activity on their Facebook and MySpace sites helping to increase their fan base.

Following on from this experience, The Soundcasters look forward to writing and recording more of their songs and to continue performing and wowing audiences in and around the UK.