User:Autumn anno domini/sandbox

The Blacktop Clan or 'BTC' is a currently unsigned rock/indie/punk genre band from Leeds, England, made up of three young musicians; Richard Gorvin, Daniel Himsworth and Ryan Boulter. Formed in October 2010 [1], their humble beginnings of practicing with a few instruments in Ryan's garage did not stop them from writing their own 6 songs in the first year of The Blacktop Clan's creation and having performed at various different gigs including the prestigious O2 Academy in Leeds with the Amp Awards. They are best known for their song Making and Breaking which was co-written by members Richard and Dan and for gigging live in many places all over Northern England.

Bands and solo artists such as Blink-182 and Jimi Hendrix have been a huge inspiration to the band. However through writing their own music and lyrics they are able to retain their original sound and style. Although in possession of the 6 songs created in their first year, the band is still in the creative process in which they hope to make several more songs to be put on their opening album. It is a further ambition of the group to go on tour and spread their music as far as possible.

Richard 'Ritchie Oliver' Gorvin
Richard, the lead singer and electric guitarist of the Blacktop Clan, has a wide knowledge and experience of music due to having attended music college in Leeds after leaving Boston Spa High School in Yorkshire with good GCSEs. His talent has previously lead him to playing in the band Cronix along with his current band mate, Dan. (Other musical experience.)

Since beginning his musical career, he has been fully aware of his passions and influences. Understanding the punk genre as revolution of music in the modern world, he wished to harness this in his creations.

Branching out, Gorvin has additionally become a guitarist for the popular band Euthemia who will be releasing their first music video this year, and creates his own music under the name of 'Ritchie Oliver', which he hopes to develop in the not too distant future.

His instruments of choice are two (technical term?) Fenders, fondly named Lucy and Annabelle.

Daniel 'Himo' Himsworth
The bass guitarist and backing vocalist of the Blacktop Clan, Daniel Himsworth, began his love for music with... Not only has Dan got experience with, and is passionate about music (the formation and the success of the band Cronix, which he was an integral member of, is a good example of this) he has also shown himself to have talent in writing lyrics, having co-written Making and Breaking, Don't Hesitate and Beautiful Girl with his co-member Richard.

In terms of ambition, the bassist hopes to maintain a connection to music throughout his experience at Sheffield University which he gained a place at for September 2012.
 * Also a lyricist
 * Wetherby High School

Ryan 'Rybo' Boulter
The baby of the group, Ryan, plays drums for the band


 * Wetherby High School
 * Past musical experience
 * Having accumulated what the other band members teasingly refer to as 'The Rybo fan-club'
 * Ambitions - perhaps mention university?

History
Following the break up of his band, the Cronix, Dan called upon Richard - also a member of the Cronix - to help him form a new group. Richard accepted, agreeing to take on the role of front man, lead singer and electric guitarist - a role which required his confidence and experience. Ryan, who also had ambition to play music - specifically drums - was asked to make up the three. He additionally was attracted by the potential grouping and decided to join. In October 2010, The Blacktop Clan was created.

In the very beginning the band consisted of a 'drum kit, some practice amps, an electric guitar and a bass guitar' [2]: an admittedly limited stock of resources to draw on. However, each member had something to give which outweighed their difficulties. They found out early on that Richard had a profound talent for lyric writing and 'ripping a guitar to f***' [3], Ryan... and Dan owned the smooth stage presence of a natural bassist. In the set up of 'Rybo's garage, the newly formed Blacktop Clan - a name based upon the Fender's new range of electric Blacktop guitars - sat down and decided what the aims and styles their band would follow and, most importantly, what they felt was natural to them.

BTC started cautiously, uploading their home-recorded songs on the popular social networking site 'Myspace'[4] and performing at their local school talent competitions...

The Amp Awards
In the years 2011-2012, the Blacktop has successfully entered the finals in the Amp Awards. Auditioning at Wetherby High School, attracting a crowd of 'over 200 students and staff' [5] in the second year, they beat various talented music acts in a voting system and was consequentially invited to play at the O2 Academy in Leeds. In 2011 the trio beat 6 other finalists to come second overall and a year later 'BTC' was awarded 6 hours of recording time at... Both events were successful and the band shared in the accomplishment of helping Wetherby High raise 'nearly £500 for O2’s Think Big charity via ticket sales and merchandising' [6] in 2012.

Venues played at

 * The Black Bull pub in Wetherby
 * Wetherby High School
 * The O2 in Leeds
 * The Cockpit in Leeds
 * Fibbers in York
 * Briggate in Leeds

Related Musicians/Bands

 * Richie Oliver [7]
 * Euthemia

Ambitions

 * To gain a contract
 * To bring out their first album