Cold Flame was originally formed in Glossop,
Derbyshire in early 1984 by bass guitarist Patrick who teamed
up with guitarist Dave Conner and drummer Giles Fisher. Neil
Simons made up the original four piece line up on vocals. The band made a name for themselves
touring extensively on the Manchester pub and club circuit
playing their own brand of blues rock material together with
several rock standards. After a brief hiatus in 1986-1987 the
band returned with a new line-up including singer Andrew Mellor -
another Glossop recruit and Leicester singer/guitarist Barry
Stones. The band hit the road again enjoying success and
extending their travels to take in some of the more prestigious
venues in the Midlands and North West. At this time Leicester's
Mick Whatley was behind the drum kit but was replaced in 1993 by
Glossop drummer Vince Walton, a specialist in jazz and
progressive rock percussion work.
Cold Flame began recording several of their
original songs during 1992 and 1993. This led to the release of
the band's first album in December 1993. Entitled On Thin
Ice, the album contained 14 songs all written by Patrick
and Dave, many of them long time stage favourites. It was
recorded at The Basement Studios in Broadbottom, Cheshire as
featured in Guitarist Magazine and Channel-4 TV. Lead vocals were handled by Patrick and Barry. In the spring of 1994 Cold Flame began a major North-West
tour of blues and rock venues promoting the album. In fact, the
band returned in style very quickly establishing themselves as
one of the more popular and potent live acts around. During this
period drummer Vince left the band due to other musical
commitments as did guitarist Barry. Vince's full time replacement
was yet another Glossop musician - drummer Keith Bonthrone who
during the 1970s played with professional cult
band Janus a great favourite in the German and
Dutch album charts of the time. Two of their albums on the
Harvest record label went gold in Europe. Janus still record
albums from time to time and both Keith and Patrick were involved
in live and television work as well as studio recording with
Janus during late Autumn 1996.
In the summer
of 1995, Cold Flame underwent a further line up
change when original lead guitarist Dave was forced by pressing
work commitments to leave the band although he has continued to
guest with them since on a regular basis - both live and in the
studio. Cold Flame quickly recruited young
Macclesfield guitarist Daniel Hall as a replacement and after
intensive rehearsals, the band re-emerged in the autumn touring
extensively throughout the North West, breaking new ground
playing some of the country's premier live music venues and
introducing new tracks from Patrick's second solo album 'Sands of
Time' into their live shows.
Wishing to extend Cold Flame
music even further, the band recruited multi-talented local
musician Peter Cheetham. Peter added tenor saxophone, flute and
vocals to the overall sound. Having
learnt his craft in the pubs and clubs of Liverpool as well as
the North West jazz scene, Peter brought added experience,
enthusiasm and visuality to the band's stage presence. During
recording sessions for the 'Stormcloud' album, Buxton based
classically trained pianist Chas Duncan - a long time friend of
the band guested on several tracks playing Hammond organ, piano
and synths. 'Stormcloud' was released in December 1999 and
immediately consolidated the bands position as one of the more
respected rock and blues bands on the circuit. Three full scale
tours occurred during the year 2000 to promote the album which
gained critical acclaim in many market places and a signing to
EMIs Internet company - peoplesound.com
In July 2000, Daniel
announced his intention to leave Cold Flame at the end of the
year. Enter young Buxton lead guitarist
Simon Dowling whose previous claim to fame was that he happened
to be Patrick's cousin.Simon joined the band in April 2001 just
in time to take part in an extensive bout of gigging that just
about took the band everywhere over the next three months.After a
brief summer recess and the release of the band's first ever live
album 'Live at the Carnival', Cold Flame again ventured out onto
the north west gig circuit on a critically acclaimed two month
Autumn tour.
At the end of this tour
drummer Keith announced his decision to return to the cabaret
circuit and the band found itself in the unenviable task of
auditioning for a new member of the band for the second time in
less than a year.Stalybridge based drummer Dave Slater became the
4th percussionist to fill the band hot seat in Dec.2001 and looks
forward to a long musical future with Cold Flame. In Febuary 2002
the band re-released their first album 'On Thin Ice', re-mastered
at the Basement Studios in Broadbottom with the addition of six
previously unreleased bonus tracks from the same recording
sessions.
During 2002 Cold Flame toured extensively throughout the country winning over
new fans with a new musical and visual approach that owed much to the music
of Jethro Tull.In doing so they reaffirmed themselves as one of the premier
live music acts based in the north of England.In November 2002 the band released
their fourth album 'Still Burning the Blues'...a collection of new and previously
tracks recorded during the last few years at The Basement Studios,Broadbottom
and Shipwreck Studios,Glossop.
Throughout the spring and summer of 2003 Cold Flame continued to underline
their status as one of the most exciting and original bands on the north west
music cicuit.In addition the band expanded their acclaimed Jethro Tull tribute
show with major concerts in many the north and midlands premier venues.In September
2003 frontman Pete Cheetham quit the band after a five year stint and was replaced
by Derbyshire multi instrumentalist Ben Daglish.November of the same year saw
the release of a new studio album 'The Seven Seas' again recorded at Shipwreck
Studios and a return to live work promoting the album and a continuation and extension of the Tull tribute show.2004 has seen the band concentrate more fully on their Tull links as well as releasing a special mini-album 'Sports in Perfect Harmony' in June 2004 recorded with children from St.Philip Howard School in Glossop,the proceeds for which all go towards supporting the school's sports college status bid.
Davyd Simpson long time friend of the band ,local muso and multi instrumentalist
to boot officially joined the band in December 2004 ,primarily as the keyboard
player in the Jethro Tull tribute shows as well as occasional forays on acoustic
guitar within the bands acoustic/electric gigs.In the summer of 2005 the band went through massive changes in both personnel and direction.Flautist Ben and drummer Dave left the band to be replaced by the returning Peter Cheetham on vocals flute and saxophone back after a two year sabbatical, and drummer Phil Marke.Additionally wanting to develop the acoustic side of Cold Flame music, the band formed a seperate splinter group Cold Flame Acoustic and were joined in September 2005 by Glossop fiddler/ mandolin player Paul Newland.
In late 2005 Cold Flame toured the north west in both their electric and acoustic formats following this up in December with a trip to Italy to perform alongside ex Jethro Tull musicians Mick Abrahams and Cive Bunker at the 1th Italian Jethro Tull Convention.
1985 Patrick, Neil, Giles, Dave. |
1988 Patrick, Barry, Mick, Andrew, Dave. |
1993 Patrick, Dave, Andrew, Vince, Barry. |
1995 Andrew, Patrick, Vince, Dave. |
1997 Dave, Patrick, Keith, Andrew, Dan. |
1999 Peter, Patrick, Dan, Keith. |
2001 Keith, Simon, Peter, Patrick. |
2001 Patrick, Dave, Peter, Simon. |
2003 Simon, Patrick, Dave, Ben. |
2005 Peter, Phil,, Rob,Patrick,, Davyd. |
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