The News
MEET THE NEWS

Graham

Graham ‘Golden’ Bates until recently  has been better known for his drumming and backing vocal skills playing in numerous bands from the age of 17.

It wouldn't be long before his talent for singing, coupled with his huge personality, would get him out from behind the drums and push him to the forefront.

Graham’s lead vocals experimentation never got any further than the occasional "open mic" night, until one day, after a visit to Mark ‘I really do use all these pedals’ Williams guitar liar, he was offered a chance to have go at the old singing lark! And the man hasn’t looked back since…………..

He is now enjoying fronting “The News”. His change of direction is proving to be as successful as his drumming days that earned him great favour with all his audiences.

Mark

Mark, or "Cousin It", as he was often called by a former band mate due to his ability to grow and retain head hair, is the band's skilled purveyor of riffs, leads, killer rhythms, fret tapping, feedback and wah-wahing, all enhanced by an array of effects pedals.  Along with a regular posse of drooling guitar pupils you'll wonder how a single lead guitar can fill out a song so much!
 
Mark is no stranger to performing live having played in bands since the age of 15. As a teenager he played in Citadel in accompanied by "Baz" on bass guitar.

Later on, local band-watchers will recall Stormchild and Sanction, with drummer Micky Owens  (Metal Micky), in which Mark supported the Tom Robinson Band, Hawkwind and New Model Army.  Subsequent bands included Loaded Dice and from 1986 to 1992 Misdemena that eventually evolved into the early Stagefright that played in the Shrewsbury area for many years before breaking up in 2004.

Mark and Paul set about forming a new band and after a few months were rehearsing with previous singer Jim and Eric - and The News was formed.  Apart from playing a mean guitar with The News Mark is also a full time professional guitar teacher.

Paul

Paul "I didn't get anywhere but I had a great time getting there" Palladini was a professional drummer at 18 but is too modest to mention the many bands he's played with over the years throughout Europe.  Though the fact that he once found himself waking up in a garlic field somewhere in France suggests that poor recollection may account for his inability to name Names.

However, Paul would like to thank very much the excellent bands that he's had the privilege of playing with over the years - whoever they were.

He revels in long drum finales following which the older members of the audience might have forgotten which number they were listening to.

Paul is a connoisseur of classic wines and fine drums as you'll see when you behold his beautiful DW kit!

Eric

Eric is a very experienced bass player, but started off as a vocalist when he joined The Breed in the late seventies; first gig was at Tern Hill army camp that went down like a desert storm.

His first meeting with Mark "yes, I do use all those pedals" Williams, was when he became a member of Sanction after accidentally sacking their bass playing vocalist over the phone.

After his stint there he was in and out of Shropshire bands with memorable names like Justice, Krack on Daft, Bucket for the Drummer - and pubs like The Yorkshire House, Loggers, Nags head etc.

The singing career ended after just two gigs with R&B band Sandy Beach and the Deck Chairs involving a room of mirrors and a fuzz box.

In jazz blues trad' combo Moscow Underground in 1995 he played bass for the first time. After various Indie Rock bands, ending with Addictive Nature, he retired from playing in 2003; only to become a member of The News in 2006.

This was after he was stalked by "Stiff" Palladini because he needed somebody in the band who was almost as loud as he was!