Heaven's Basement

Heaven's Basement are a British hard rock & heavy metal band formed in 2003. The group originally went under the name Hurricane Party and then more recently Roadstar.

History

As Hurricane Party (2003-2004)

Formed as Hurricane Party in 2003 by guitarist Jonny Rocker and manager Laurie Mansworth (who met in a guitar shop where Rocker worked), the band soon recruited Rob Randell (who had previously played with Rocker) and the rest of the band members through adverts, the members bonded through taking influences from the same 1970s heavy metal and hard rock acts, such as Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith and Deep Purple.^[1]

On July 10, 2003 original vocalist Steve played his last gig as part of the band in London, the band briefly added a new vocalist named Cherry shortly after that, though this didn't last long. In October 2003, Richie Heavenz joined the band as the new frontman, and played his first gig at JB's in Dudley.

The band were discovered and signed by A&R man John Kalodner (who had previously worked with Aerosmith & Whitesnake) in 2004. Together they put out their debut release, an E.P. called "Get This" later that year.

After a series of strong hurricanes in the United States, resulting in the devastating Hurricane Katrina the UK rockers changed their name to Roadstar, which they used for the remainder of their career.

As Roadstar (2004-2007)

Roadstar toured alongside a number of high profile acts, such as Alice Cooper, Deep Purple, Thunder (band), Status Quo, Meat Loaf, Nickelback and The Darkness. They also took part in rock events such as Download Festival (in 2004)^[2] and Monsters of Rock (in 2006).

Their debut full-length album "Grand Hotel" produced by Kevin Shirley (Led Zeppelin and Aerosmith) was released in 2006. As part of the promotion for the album Roadstar toured with fellow hard rockers The Answer on a co-headlining tour, with 23 shows from October 4 till November 1 in 2006.

Roadstar won the Best New Comers award at the 2006 Classic Rock Magazine Awards, beating highly tipped Aussie band Wolfmother. Their second album "Glass Mountain" was released on 16 April 2007.

On the 24th April 2007 the band released a statement claiming they were splitting up and moving onto new projects. Although no reason was given the band claimed to no longer have access to their MySpace account. Rumours began circulating the split was due to disagreements between the band and record label Magic Hat Records over advertising and press coverage for the new album Glass Mountain. Both Grand Hotel and Glass Mountain remained on sale despite the split.

The Following was on the Classic Rock magazine website;

"It seems Roadstar (as we know them) are no more. Details are still quite vague, but the band have parted company with Laurie Mansworth, the former More/Airrace guitarist who for the past seven years has managed them and co-written much of their material. From what Laurie told Dave Ling, the winners of Classic Rock's Best New Band award plan to continue under a new name, but minus the benefit of his expertise. After seven years of tutelage, Mansworth is understandably choked by this decision, though resolute not to sling any mud. Coming just weeks after the release of their second album, 'Glass Mountain', the timing of the split is pretty astonishing."

According to an announcement on the band's myspace, the management team have formed a new band, with the name "God Sacks Man". The five members of Roadstar went on to form their own band, "Heaven's Basement".^[3]

As Heaven's Basement (2008-present)

In the last two years Heaven's Basement have toured with the likes of Buckcherry, Disneyland After Dark, Thunder, Black Stone Cherry, Shinedown and played at many festivals such as Bloodstock Open Air and Sonisphere.^[4] They opened for Bon Jovi at the City of Manchester Stadium alongside The Feeling.

In early September 2009, Heaven's Basement announced on their MySpace page that their bassist, Rob Randell, had left due to personal reasons.^[5] As the band had many gigs lined after for the month after this, Johnny took on bass duties for some of the shows. The band held auditions for a new bass player, it was announced late in October, also via their MySpace page, that Rob Ellershaw was to take over on bass for the band.^[6]

From the 6th October 2009 to the 14th October 2009, Heaven's Basement appeared live alongside Papa Roach ^[7] and Madina Lake during Papa Roach's Metamorphosis tour when they went through the United Kingdom, performing to audience's in, Wolverhampton, Nottingham, Glasgow, London, Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield. They will return to UK for a full headlining tour in December with Dear Superstar and New Device supporting.

Members

Current

• Richie Heavanz - Vocals (2003-Present)
• Jonny Rocker - Guitar (2003-Present)
• Rob Ellershaw - Bass (2009-Present)
• Chris Rivers - Drums
• Sid Glover - Lead Guitar (2008-Present)

Former

• Robin "Kreepy" Hirschfeld - Guitar
• Steve Pipe- Vocals (2003)
• Cherry - Vocals (2003 but didn't play any shows)
• Rob Randell - Bass (2003-2009)

Discography

Album

• Grand Hotel - (2006)
• Glass Mountain - (2007)

E.P.

• Get This (as Hurricane Party) - (2004)
• Heaven's Basement (as Heaven's Basement) - (2008)

References

1. ^ RockinUpAStorm.com
2. ^ DownloadFestival.co.uk
3. ^ HeavensBasement.com
4. ^ Heaven's Basement Official MySpace Page Blog
5. ^ Heaven's Basement Official MySpace Blog
6. ^ Heaven's Basement Official MySpace Page Blog
7. ^ egigs.co.uk

External links

• Heaven's Basement Official MySpace
• Heaven's Basement Official Website