the trade Biog

WHO ARE ‘The Trade’?

The Trade are a 5 piece rock band hailing from Angus, Scotland who have been described recently by the News Of The World’s Tim Barr as a band who fire out music that is “misty-eyed ambitious stuff – inside is a world beating anthem fighting to get out”

The bands line up did not change for the 1st 4 years and was made up of, Ross Milne (Vocals), Bob Martin (Drums), Craigy “The Beard” Murray (Guitars), Liam Moir (Guitars) & Drew McLaren (Bass Guitar & Backing Vocals). As of June 2011 Craigy “The Beard” bowed out of the limelight and Stevie Morris has taken his place. Most recently, (June 2012) Sean Hollowmind has taken up the position of Drummer and is putting his mark on the brand new tunes as they are written. Bob Martin has moved on but remains, with Craigy, friends of the band!

The Trade have been touring extensively for the best part of 3 years up and down the country at some of Scotland’s best loved venues, putting their hearts and souls into every performance. As well as playing the best venues The Trade have also supported some fantastic acts over the years such as The Undertones, The Buzzcocks, The Stiff Little Fingers Ray Wilson & Stiltskin, The Twang, Dave Arcari, The Twilight Sad, The Xcerts, Chris Helm, Mark Morriss and The Underground Hero’s. 2011 proved to be one of the toughest years to date, as they headed into Chem19 Studios in Hamilton to record their 12 track album “Lie in the Dark.” As well as heading out on their first UK tour taking them the length of Britain and finishing at a packed night in The Doghouse, Dundee.

THE EARLY DAYS

The Trade began as a covers band 5 years ago hoping to make a bit of money on the wedding band circuit, It wasn’t until one night when guitarist, Craig Murray, couldn’t manage a rehearsal and instead of practicing cover songs with no lead guitar, they decided to write their own music. The songs that were written in the next few months came thick and fast though did not, and still do not, lack in quality. It was soon after the band entered The Den studios by Charlie Martin, in Alyth to record 13 tracks of a collection of these new songs called “Empire.” Over 2000 copies of the CD were passed out to fans and strangers and rapidly the bands fan base grew. During this time The Trade still gigged as hard as possible trying to make their live performances powerful as well professional. It was during this time that the band was approached by Andy Simpson who was later appointed as manager. Andy had worked for a time as the promoter at The Doghouse in Dundee but was delighted to join The Trade team and has stormed them from strength to strength in the past few years. The Trade are currently self-managed.

BODOG BATTLE OF THE BANDS & THE BREAKDOWN EP

In 2007 the band entered into what would be their first, and last. Battle of the band’s hosted by gambling giants Bodog. After the first heat the band and 20 others finalists were accepted to come back and play in Glasgow’s The Barfly in a quarter final. The Trade wowed the judges at the quarters and sailed through into the semi’s which took place at Glasgow’s Carling Academy (now 02 Academy). The band took two double- decker buses of their anxious fans. After a storming set the band and their fans couldn’t believe it when the judges read out their names to say they were heading to Manchester for the British final. Unfortunately their night in Manchester would be their last night with Bodog but their spirits were not dampened as their profile had been raised massively. After their experience with Bodog, The Trade went back into the studio to record their EP Breakdown which would feature 4 songs and their new video to their indie anthem “The Dealer.” Breakdown was very well received by the still loyal fans especially at the EP launch where The Trade army danced the night away at a sold out Doghouse, Dundee. A feat only ever accomplished before by signed Dundee lads “The View.”

BELFAST, DUBLIN & LONDON

After The Trades successful night at The Doghouse they decided to expand their fan base further with a weekend tour of Dublin & Belfast. With the help of Irish band The Varionis (who had supported The Trade at The Doghouse) the band were welcomed in both Dublin & Belfast with open arms and ears and went down a storm. Following their time in Ireland the lads got a taste for touring their music and played a weekend in London taking with them 30 diehard fans. They played a set at Piccadilly Circus in The Comedy Store and at the prestigious Dry Bar where they shared the stage with 4 other artists.

GIGS, SUPPORT SLOTS & VIRGIN ON DEMAND

The Trade have always prided themselves on their live performance and have worked extremely hard to perfect it. They have moved on dramatically since the first few gigs they played in their hometown of Forfar, to play venues such as The ABC in Glasgow, Moshulu in Aberdeen and The Voodoo Rooms in Edinburgh. The Trade have also played at The Royal Highland Show in front of 6,000 people, The Baxter Park Fireworks Show in Dundee in front of 15,000 people and supported bands such as The Undertones, The Stiff Little Fingers & The Buzzcocks at sellout shows in Fat Sam’s Live and The Underground Heroes in a jam-packed King Tuts in Glasgow. In 2009 The Trades video, to their stomping tune “The Dealer” appeared on the TV channel Virgin on Demand. This gave the band a massive fan boost and opened up doors to new Scottish promoters.

LIE IN THE DARK

After years of planning, The Trade entered Chem19 Studios in Hamilton to start work on their first album “Lie in the Dark.” The album would feature songs that the band had been working on since they began writing music. With the expert help of the ultra talented producer/engineer Jamie Savage, The Trade managed to capture a sound that they never knew possible. And after 3 gut-spilling weeks their first album was complete.

The album was released on the 14th of June on both CD and MP3 formats on sites such as amazon.co.uk, play.com, itunes.com & tescoentertainment.com. It in fact charted at number 49 in Amazons ‘Movers and Shakers’ chart and reached 121 in their overall chart. Following the release the band received nothing but great press and produced a TV advert on STV that was run over 2 weeks.

THE LIE IN THE DARK TOUR

Before “Lie in the Dark” was released The Trade booked themselves into a 12 date tour that ran all over England playing in such amazing venues as Zanzibar in Liverpool, London’s Death Disco, Durham’s Live Lounge and The Library in Leeds. Wowing audiences all over the country where Leeds Music Scene described them as “Difficult to pigeonhole” and “The possible sound of the summer.” The tour ended back in Scotland where they were joined by London based band The Foxes as main support. And The Trade played their hearts out to packed venues in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen which culminated in a sold out night at the Doghouse in Dundee.

FUTURE…..

The Trade are an exceptionally hard working and creative band, who are travelling the length of the UK, to spread their sound and are now just beginning to reap the rewards, with a rapidly growing fan base and interest from international online and digital radio stations. With a huge backlog of epic song’s and more exciting gigs lined up The Trade will be a band to watch out for in the coming years.

The guys are currently working on the new releases and their LIFELINES Tour will showcase the new tunes BEFORE they are are recorded!!

Not to be missed!!! See the updates and join the mailing list to keep on top of gig listings and happenings with The Trade!

 

THE HEADLINES

“It’s misty-eyed ambitious but inside is world beating anthems fighting to get out”
Tim Barr – News Of The World

“As meaty as a high quality bridie”
Jim Gellatly – Amazing Radio/XFM

“The Trade are exactly what new indie bands have to be like if they’re aiming to make their mark”
Christopher Hammer – allgigs.co.uk

“This is a mighty impressive debut”
thedigitalfix.co.uk

“Real get up and go music”
therockandrollreport.com

MTT