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WageR History and Biographies.

Wayne            Alan             Daz            Nic            Brett

The WageR History (So Far).

WageR formed in the Autumn of 2001, when Alan Bell and Wayne Hughes met up to talk about recording some songs for a project Wayne had in mind. Not long into the discussion both Alan and Wayne decided to take the project a little further than just recording a few demos. Soon after hitting the studio, recording and experimenting with different styles, Wayne met soul legend Edwin Starr whilst taking a crafty fag break at his place of work.

Wayne passed Edwin a demo tape (he just happened to have in his top pocket) which was recorded the previous weekend. After a few days Edwin contacted Wayne and arranged a meeting with Wayne and Alan the following Friday evening.

Edwin, Wayne and Alan spoke about the material that Edwin had heard and decided to take WageR under his wing. He asked to hear more material which started the ball rolling, to help the guys record and produce a 2 track demo of "King For A Day" and "Fire And Ice". In the mean time Alan & Wayne put a 5 piece band together ready to record the two tracks.

Alan contacted three excellent musicians he had played with in previous bands and projects over the years. The band was now complete and the scene was set. Rehearsals were underway at Touchwood Studio's Cannock. Together with Edwin the guys rearranged  the songs and were ready to head to Network Studio's Nottingham to record the 2 songs

Shortly after Recording the 2 track demo Edwin took copies of the CD to The States handing them to a few Record companies and Radio Stations. The demo received airplay in Phoenix, Arizona and various other states that Edwin visited. After getting positive feedback from a couple of Record Companies Edwin stressed the need for more material to be written and recorded

Over the  following months WageR returned to the studio and Wrote an 8 track album called "Closing In On The World". Edwin kept a keen eye on the material and would visit regularly to see how things were going and shared his experiences and knowledge with the guys. It was now time for WageR to meet the public. With the album near completion a few small gigs were arranged and WageR took to the stage and performed valiantly. The gigs were a success and WageR were invited to be interviewed by Chris Mills for Centre Fm in Tamworth, Staffordshire, UK.

April 2nd 2003 Following a heart attack Edwin passed away at his Nottingham home and not long after WageR split. Meanwhile Alan and Wayne auditioned various musicians and continued to write and record.

After a few months Wayne and Alan stopped writing material together and took on some other projects. Wayne did some solo performances and Alan got involved writing and recording with various artists at his studio. During this time Alan also co-ran a small independent record label and entertainments agency. Alan soon realised that he was on the wrong side of the fence and decided to get back to where his heart lay "performing".

WageR was reborn.  The band, headed back into the studio and rehearsed a selection of Original material and Covers ready for gigging starting in September 2004.

Early September 2004 Alan received a call from Nic Smith a talented Pianist/ Keyboard player. After watching Nic play Alan & Wayne decided to invite Nic in the studio for an audition. The audition went very well and Nic became the bands keyboard player.  With a tight schedule ahead WageR were in the studio getting ready for their debut Gig 19th September 2004 at the Trent Bridge Inn, Nottingham.

April 2005, WageR had successfully performed 24 gigs since the 19th September 2004 in and around the West Midlands, Warwickshire and Nottinghamshire. Along with the gigs WageR had reports of their song "House That Jack Built" receiving airplay from a couple of UK radio stations. From then on the WageR following had started to grow.

Due to circumstances with WageR  Emmerson Todd (Drums) joined the band and rehearsals took place to make sure the Band was ready for their next gig 30th April at the Bagot Arms in Birmingham.

Since April 2005 WageR have been hard at work playing some excellent gigs throughout the midlands, including venues like The Shed, JB's, The Kingswood Tavern and many more excellent venues. One of WageR's personal highlights was playing at the Herbert's club 23rd September, A charity gig in aid of Leukaemia Research where the nights entertainment managed to raise just over £1,200 for the charity. It was an excellent night with some fantastic entertainment from Vicky, Vegas, a solo artist Michael and obviously WageR which was superbly hosted by Wardi. The highlight of the evening for me personally was playing Bon Jovi's Dead or Alive featuring the excellent Wardi on dual vocals with Wayne.

As word gets around about WageR, the band has had a lot of enquiries about playing at more and larger venues widespread throughout the UK. As a result of this, due to Mike's already busy career as a head teacher, it would no longer be possible for Mike to balance both successfully. Mike helped WageR until they could find a replacement and really saved the lads bacon. 

Currently WageR are back in the studio rehearsing and are back on the road gigging . Also WageR are writing new material for a twelve track album and debut release of their first Single which will hit the shops on general release in the early part of 2009.

WageR over the past 3 years have received various reviews from RPM Magazine and have toped the charts in July 2006 at SongPlanet a US based internet Radio Station with their song "If I" off their "Roll Of The Dice" Album.

WageR are currently recording their debut single for general release which will be in the stores in the second week of January 2009. Coinciding with the release of the single WageR will also be releasing their debut 12 track Album which will be available on general release in 2009.

More History to follow as it happens.