User:JamesDocker/sandbox/Second Cities



= Second Cities = Second Cities are a Post Hardcore/Alternative Metal band originating from Birmingham, United Kingdom. The band originally formed November 2016 and currently consists of Lead Vocalist/Synths Jay Martin, Lead Guitarist Tony Mac, Rhythm Guitarist Jimmy Docker, Bassist Zach Edge and Drummer Tommy Holden. In September 2017, the band signed to MAS Records an artist development label founded by Robert Plant from Led Zeppelin, using the valued resources offered to practice at JJM Studios in Walsall, a local town near Birmingham.

2014-2017: Pre-Formation & Formative Years
Second Cities was formed by Lead Vocalist Jay Martin and Lead Guitarist Tony Mac. Jay and Tony both attended Access To Music College 2013-2015 on two different courses - Jay on Music Technology and Tony on Music Performance. They met through mutual friends and became smoking shelter buddies during there college lunch breaks. It wasn't until 12 months later that Jay and Tony decided to start writing music together after Tony's previous band, that Jay had produced for, split up.

The band started with Jay and Tony writing riffs together with a fill in drummer named Jordan Mottram who helped the band by providing beats for Jay and Tony to play too. During the formation of the band, Jay (who was playing guitar at this stage of the bands formation) and Tony would write the bands first song "Falling In" ready to use to audition people for the final line up.

A few weeks after writing Falling In, Jay and Tony auditioned Tommy to join the band. The audition was held at Robannas Studios (Known as the founding place of Second Cities) with success. Around the same time as Tommy joining the band, Zach who was auditioning for another band that Tony played in, was asked to audition for the Second Cities Bassist position; in which he was successful. It was during this period of time of having 4 members that the band composed "Tides" and "Not For Anyone". After auditioning different vocalists without much success, Tony, Tommy and Zach asked Jay to take on the position of vocalist, which Jay agreed too on the condition of no longer playing rhythm guitar so that he could focus on vocal duties. This left a rhythm guitar position in the band available. It was at this point during mid April 2017 that Jimmy Docker auditioned and successfully obtained the position of rhythm guitarist. This is when the line up known as "Second Cities" was formed.

=== 2017: The "We Are Second Cities" Demo === In May of 2017, Second Cities recorded there first 3 songs for there Demo EP "We Are Second Cities" as a staple-point of where the band wanted to go with there sound. This EP was recorded in 48 hours at Robannas Studios (known as the studio where Second Cities formed) by in house producer Bob Cheel. The 3 songs that were recorded were "Falling In", "Tides" and "Not For Anyone". The band released this EP for free to use as material to secure shows with The Catapult Club and other Birmingham promoters.

September 2017: MAS Records
In September 2017, Second Cities auditioned for Andy from Mighty Atom Smasher (MAS) Records and successfully signed onto MAS Records Artist Development scheme. MAS records was established by Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin with aims to help unsigned artists have access to the correct information and tools to be able to find and engage with people who would enjoy the bands music. This meant that Second Cities now had additional practise hours and the chance to work with professionals from the Music Industry.

May 2017: The "We Are Second Cities" Demo
In May 2017, Second Cities recorded there first demo with Bob Cheel at Robannas Studios located at 54 Cliveland St, Birmingham B19 3SN. The band spent 48 hours on recording 3 tracks "Falling In", "Tides and "Not For Anyone". It has been reported that during this 48 hours, Second Cities broke a Peavey 6505+ Amplifier and finished the last two songs with a Peavey 5150 instead.

Recording Equipment List:

Tommy Holden (Drums):

DW Shells

TAMA Lars Ulrich Snare

Mapex Falcon Direct Drive Double Pedal

Zildjian A Series Cymbals

Sabian Chad Smith Signature China

Tony Mac(Guitar):

PRS SE Zach Myers LP Style

Peavey 6505+ Amplifier Head ("Falling In")

Peavey 5150 Amplifier Head ("Tides" and "Not For Anyone")

Marshall 1960A 4x12 Cabinet (Whole Demo)

Fender Twin Blackface Twin Reverb (Clean Guitar Parts - Whole Demo)

Jimmy Docker (Guitar):

Ibanez S771PB-NTF Electric Guitar

Peavey 6505+ Amplifier Head ("Falling In")

Peavey 5150 Amplifier Head ("Tides" and "Not For Anyone")

Marshall 1960A 4x12 Cabinet (Whole Demo)

Fender Twin Blackface Twin Reverb (Clean Guitar Parts - Whole Demo)