User:Marcefuchs/Merseystate

“Merseystate” is a South African Band founded by the brothers Wayne Joshua Hirschson and Shai Caleb Hirschson in 2009.

After having performed in various bands in previous years (most notably "Fahrenheit"), a meeting with Marcel Fuchs (A&R of Rivendale Records), resulted in a new band being formed (Merseystate) and their debut album "The lucky ones" being released. The name “Merseystate” was taken from the band's affection of the Merseybeat sound of the early 60's and their contemporary take of this time in their music.

The band then went to meet some of the majors in Germany and UK, who showed keen interest in the band, subject to the band moving to Europe, which at that time proved to be problematic for the band members. However upon their return, Rivendale Records managed to negotiate a marketing campaign deal with South Africa's largest TV station "SABC3", who from then on went onto a major promotion across all their TV and Radio station. Within weeks “Merseystate's” first single "New Jersey Girl" reached the countries TOP 40 charts on both 94.7 Highfeld and 94.5KFM, where it managed to climb to Number 6, remaining in the charts for 23 consecutive weeks and making it the countries longest ever running 1st single of a local band in South Africa’s International Top 40 charts.

With substantial media interest and various TV appearances to their name, the band started working on their 2nd Single video "Say Say Say" which upon completion was released on major TV channels by the end of 2009. The video had taken 4 months to produce and edit and the single immediately charted to No 6 on the local charts.

By the end of 2009, Merseystate’s “New Jersey Girl” was placed at No 20 on SA’s main radio stations 94.7 Highfeldt Radio as well as 95.4 KFM for the “Best of 2009” Top 40 Charts SA, which set a new record for a SA Band

Band: By the end of 2009, Merseystate had also completed their search for more band members and the band now included: Wayne Joshua (Guitar, Piano, Lead Vocals) Shai Caleb (Drums, Backing Vocals) Jason Reolon (Keyboard), Gorm Helfjord (Elecrtic Guitar) Rob Nel (Bass Guitar)

Discography: Merseystate “The Lucky Ones” - released June 2009 Rivendale Records SA Blood in the water New Jersey Girl Say Say Say Clean The Pledge She gets it when she goes Come laugh with me The Lucky Ones Never alone The Final Hour