Bio

Four years ago, in the wake of pre-millennial neuroses, three young men with an ambition to record some transcendent widescreen pop music arrived in a Christchurch lounge and laid down five songs on a friendís 16-track recorder. To stave off the effects of cold weather, boredom and dreary part-time jobs, Myles Allpress (drums, backing vocals), Ben Eldridge (guitars, keyboards) and talented young songwriter Kelly Horgan (vocals, guitars) formed Heavy Jones Trio.

With long-time co-conspirator Olly Harmer acting as producer/engineer they recorded an EP, which was quickly snapped up and released by BMG records. Debut single 'Straight Into Your Arms' received a radio hits rebate from NZ On Air due to significant airplay and the accompanying video (shot in the back of the Wunderbar in Christchurch on a shoestring budget) went on to win a competition through bands.co.nz. (it still gets regular airplay on French Music TV channel MCM). Over the next two years, the band toured New Zealand extensively, giving triumphant home performances to full houses at Christchurchís Dux de Lux.

Fast forward to early 2002: Eldridge, Allpress and Horgan left Christchurch and original bassist Jo Barus behind them when they permanently relocated to Auckland. Upon arrival the band spent a hectic week making the video for new single 'Staring At The Ocean', a song that not only received video and recording funding from NZ On Air, but came in at #52 overall in the Radioscope 2002 New Zealand airplay top 100 after peaking at #12 and staying in the charts for 23 weeks.

Once the dust had settled the band hit the road with Scottish duo The Proclaimers for a tour of the main centres. The tour saw the band playing to a wide audience and receiving favourable press reviews.

After six months the band enlisted seasoned player Steven Shaw (bass, backing vocals), known for his loyalty to 1960s soul music and well-worn desert boots. With a completed line-up the band settled down in the practice room and busied themselves with the task of writing and recording material for their debut album, with Olly Harmer (now full time manager of Lab Recording Studios in Mt Eden) once again manning the mixing desk.

June 2004 and the band returns from a successful South Island tour to complete recording and mixing their self financed debut album. A track entitled 'Free', selected for inclusion on the NZ On Air Indie Hit Disc, is receiving major airplay on Channel Z and an accompanying video grant is also secured from NZOA.

With another tour of the South Island scheduled for early August and a superb album waiting for release, the stage looks set for Heavy Jones Trio to make their mark in the competitive NZ music scene.

Band Members:
Kelly Horgan (vocals, guitar)
Myles Allpress (drums, vocals)
Ben Eldridge (guitar, vocals)
Rob Collins (bass, vocals)