About

I was at a loose end music-wise and needed to find an outlet for my guitar playing, so I intermittently started meeting up with Joe H to let loose and ROCK. After what seemed like no time at all, we soon realised that our guitar styles (if slightly odd) seemed to fit in an intriguing way.

I have been heavily influenced by the punk scene in previous years, as can be heard from the play style of the choruses in some MirrorGrinn songs.

After being in a few different punk & rock bands, I felt it only right to up the ante and look for a heavier sound, and to try out new techniques.

Joe H's songwriting style has really pushed our limits — the writing process is ‘alternative’ to say the least. I'm not suggesting it involves a darkened room, a spatchcocked chicken (look it up) and a sacrifice… but it ain't far off.

I had been writing songs for about 5 years when I met Rob H (thanks to my brother) and we started jamming in a leaky, rusty old shed when something just clicked.

It all started with a very rough song called ‘Black Widow’, when Rob and I accidentally played completely different harmonic chords, which created a beautiful, soulful dissonance. It was from that… an accident, that ‘Black Widow’ was created.

From then, we started looking for more musicians. Warrick was the first name to come to mind — we had played guitar together before, covering extremely cheesy songs (very badly). He offered to pick up a bass guitar, and I'm so glad he did — he was invited to join not long after.

When Rob mentioned Joe A to me, I had heard his name through family but we had never met. I'd like to believe we became instant friends when he came to audition — he had an incredible voice, rough enough to shake your spine, but trust me, he can sing like a wee angel if you ask nice enough, ha ha.

Joe A was auditioned because we wanted a contrast — two vocalists — and he had everything we were looking for (plus a great beard). Me and Rob knew instantly that we were going to invite him to join, but we left it for about a month, including a couple more practices with him, just to let him stew, ha ha ha.

Anyway, yeah, that's how it all started. We were writing new material and perfecting it, all ready to get to the stage… for over 2 damn years.

But I have loved every fu£%ing moment of it!

Hanging out in a slightly damp shed on a chilly evening with a couple of acoustic guitars playing to some rock, I don't think me and Mr Joe Hasemore could have believed how much we could achieve and be a part of in a couple of years' time. To have thought creating a strong, tight setlist powerful enough to spawn a micro moshpit (complete with a medieval shield-wielder) and an enthusiastic crowd joining in with our call and repeats, accompanied by amazing feedback upon our very first gig, may have been laughable. But it happened!

Me and Joe H would continue to strum along to numerous rock & metal tracks, self-written quirks and various other oddities, until we struggled to find time to jam because of life, work and various other projects happening at the time. I'd been tempted to pick up the bass guitar alongside playing electric and acoustic but couldn't justify buying more gear, taking up more space, just because I fancied it. That was until I got a message asking if I wanted to join Joe H's new upcoming project with his mate Rob. Only thing was, they both played six strings — they NEEDED a bass player, there was my excuse.

Finding my way around the bass guitar for the first time, playing along to these brand new, complex, louder songs than I was used to, may not have been the ideal starting point. Or maybe not exactly how and where I should start. I'd stumble along through these songs over the coming months, until my skill & confidence became passable. Joe H & Rob would never judge or even give me a look if I messed up — they were very encouraging, and still are.

Introducing Joe Andrews as the lead singer lifted the weight from Joe H's shoulders, freeing him to concentrate on hitting those riffs & solos spot on every time, while also having time to help me find a bass line to suit our next emerging concoction. Joe A picked up the sticks & I was impressed how quickly he could learn on the job — something I felt I had to do when I started with these guys.

There's a massive deal of communication, support and laughs between us, and that's what helps us gel. I hope that helps us bring a lot of ourselves into the music. Every practice is a delight. Our steadily growing fan base's positivity can only encourage us to push forward with our work and fun.

Things can only get better! (Including my bass playing…)

I was invited to audition as the MirrorGrinn vocalist in January 2016, which consisted of a rendition of AC/DC's ‘Highway to Hell’ and MirrorGrinn's ‘Bringers of the Light’. With a successful audition, I was invited to become a permanent member of the band that month.

I have been a huge fan of rock & metal since secondary school, with influences ranging from Nu-Metal and Groove Metal to Progressive and Black Metal — these influences can be heard in my vocal style and songwriting structure.

Later that year, I became MirrorGrinn's official drummer whilst still maintaining the position of vocalist. This gave me the experience of providing rough & clean vocals, whilst creating a piercing yet rhythmic drum loop with exciting fills.

Becoming a member of MirrorGrinn has allowed me to enhance my musical skills as part of a group instead of flying solo; relying on the opinions of others provides a stronger foundation to achieve perfection.

I was born with drum sticks in my hand and have been influenced by music since an early age, so when I saw the post about MirrorGrinn looking for a drummer, I figured why the hell not.

After them sending me a load of their songs and giving me time to get to know them inside out, I auditioned. They left me to stew for a week or so before calling me back for a second audition, before they all voted for me to join. I didn't know until after that audition that they had already decided I was going to be the new member — they just wanted to make me sweat! FML.