Band History
Soul Shredder was the brainchild of Stu Gibson (lead guitar) and was first formed as a jamming band back in 2003. Whilst some material was written and the beginnings of line-ups were formed, the band never made it beyond the rehearsal room and eventually faltered in 2005 without a gig played. Never one to give up, Stu continued to play and write, all the time looking out and advertising for suitable bandmates to answer the call and take the project forward.
It wasn't long until Rob Backhouse answered an advert for a drummer, bringing his student housemate and fellow metal fan, Tom Collinson, along on guitar. Both auditioned, and with Rob's extreme metal beats and Tom's bluesy rhythms, the band once more began to pick up pace. In need of a bassist, Tom brought in friend and former bandmate, Ed Scrimshaw. An audition later and the band had acquired some classic rock inspired low-end. The lead vocal spot was eventually filled by Kyle Vine, a friend of Stu and drummer by trade, but eager hardcore screamer. The band rehearsed with new-found purpose, and a video was made for the song 'Prepare for Annihilation', but the band wasn't happy with the musical direction and parted ways with Kyle. Soon afterwards, Rob decided to relocate away from Sheffield and also left the band.
Not happy to let things fall down around them, the remaining members once again advertised and continued to work on the material they were convinced would eventully take them to the stage. Before long a drummer from nearby Chesterfield, Gaz Oldale, approached the band. It only took one audition to see that both his personality and individual style were perfect, and he was asked to join. The position of lead vocalist would, however, take considerably longer to fill. Many auditionees tried their hand at the pieces, but whilst many of them had some great attributes, none of them were right for the band. The search continued until Thumri "Cookie" Paavana, a medical student fresh in the city and looking for a band, answered an advert and offered to audition on the understanding that she 'couldn't scream'. Needless to say, the band weren't put off by this, and a couple of brandy-fuelled auditions later, were convinced that whilst she couldn't scream, Cookie could certainly wail! The line-up was finally complete once more, and all that remained was to get playing...
The perfectionist streak in all the Shredders kept them in the studios for well over a year, making sure that when they hit the stage, they'd be in the best form they could possibly achieve. Finally, on 26th Feb 2009, the band took to the stage for the first time in a packed Grapes gig. It was only a support slot, but over 70 came along, beer swilled, sweat dripped and the Shredder had officially started on its way!
2009 has been an incredibly busy year for Soul Shredder, playing a lot of the main venues in Sheffield and making a name for themselves and their style of music. Now on the verge of 2010 and with an invitation to Corporation, interest from promoters and new material, recordings and videos in the pipeline, the band is poised and ready to mark its first 12 months of live performance by reaping the rewards of its collective hard work and dedication over many years.
Soul Shredder are Cookie, Stu, Tom, Ed and Gaz, and they're looking forward to meeting you out there on the road, whoever you are, and wherever there may be...
Metal forever!
SS
