User:RicRodriguez/CityLights (UK)

CityLights UK

CityLights (UK) are an acoustic pop-punk band from St. Albans, Hertfordshire in the autumn of 2011, consisting on members Ric Rodriguez (vocals), Joe Shea (guitar, backing vocals) and Dan Burgess (guitar, backing vocals). They combine acoustic music with pop punk and modern folk music to form a sound, which the band, jokingly, call 'Acoustic Smilecore'. Their debut single,'Second Class' was released on the 11th November 2011. Their first 'mini-album' entitled 'Friendship' was released on 25th June 2012, with only one single,The Way I Feel taken from it, released on 25th May 2012.

Beginnings and Second Class (Aug 2011 - May 2012)
CityLights (UK) was formed over the Summer of 2011, starting out as a duo, between friends Ric Rodriguez (vocals) and Joe Shea (guitar, backing vocals). The first show, played as 'City Lights' was on Thursday 6th October at The Flag in Watford. Within their first week, the duo had already counted the auspicious Barfly] in [[London among the venues they have played live at.

On the Friday 11th November, their first single, Second Class, was released for free download, accompanied by a tour that started on the same date, entitled the 'Welcome To The World' tour, that lasted until the 1st January 2012. In early February, CityLights (UK) announced their first ever run of headline dates, but this had to be called off by the end of the month, due to Joe (Shea, guitar, backing vocals) being involved in a near - fatal car accident, which also set back the release of the act's debut mini-album 'Friendship'.

Friendship (May 2012 - Oct 2012)
The act announced the release for 'Friendship' in early April to be set for June, with the first single taken from the record released in May. Following a teaser video, released a week before, The Way I Feel, was released on the 25th May. 'Friendship' was then released on June 25th, following a sold out release party at the Good Ship in London, and featured 6 tracks, with a re-edited version of previous single Second Class.

The act then set out on a 30 date tour of the UK which lasted until the end of July. Returning from tour, the act announced their second single, which was to be 'Roses' before, a week later, announcing Joe's (Shea, guitar, backing vocals) departure, due to personal reasons and the temporary hiatus of CityLights (UK), following a one year anniversary, which saw them play alongside the new project from Paul 'Bonehead' Arthur of Oasis.

Change in Lineup and New Album (Dec 2012 - present)
The act announced in November 2012 that they would be heading out on tour in December, with a new lineup, which they did, with the addition of new guitarists Jess Ashton and Dan Burgess (who also took on vocal duties). They finished the year by playing at the prestigious London Borderline at a sold out show, alongside Tom Milsom and friends. In the new year, it was announced that Jess (Ashton, guitar) had chosen to leave the band, and she was replaced originally temporarily by Joe Shea, who it was announced was to become her replacement. On February 19th 2013, via their Official Facebook page the act announced a brand new single, to be released on the 26th April, as part of a full length album to be released towards the end of the year and alongside a 'mini tour' earlier in the month with One Stag. The act also announced that they would be embarking on a UK Headline tour in the summer, which is to be announced on the 22nd March.

Current Members
Ric Rodriguez - Vocals (Nov 2011 - present) Guitar (Nov 2011 - Oct 2012). Joe Shea - Vocals & Guitar (Nov 11 - Oct 12, Feb 13 - present). Dan Burgess - Vocals & Guitar (Oct 12 - present).

Past Members
Jess Ashton - Guitars (Oct 12 - Jan 13).

Albums
'Friendship' (Released 25th June 2012). 'Untitled' (Expected to be released late 2013).

Singles
'Second Class' (Released 11th November 2011). 'The Way I Feel' (Released 25th June 2012). 'Me, My Friends' & I (To be released 26th April 2012).