BIOGRAPHY

In 2006 Jon started a three piece rock band project with Justin Dobson (Kline, Konfusion) and Gregg Hunt (Cherry Choke) called the ‘Dobson Jazz Theory’ who only ever played one gig, at The Charlotte in Leicester. The name soon changed to Anaconda and remained that way while the original members went their separate ways musically.

Jon and ‘Stickmaster’ Barsby started to jam again and quickly put together new tunes using riffs and lyrics that Jon had written for the previous Anaconda line up. About six months later Simo was back on board wielding the Tool of Ignorance.

Before long TOL were auditioning a series of vocalists, both male and female but couldn’t quite find a match to Jon’s voice. This was followed by a six month stint as a three piece including the first gig.

Si Shaw’s return from London and subsequent audition saw the line-up finalised as he added the finishing touch. By this time the band name was changed to Temple of Lies (TOL) after much deliberation and Jon continued to write riffs and songs to the rapidly growing repertoire of Temple of Lies.

The philosophy behind TOLs music is that pretty much anything goes, with no boundaries. As long as it rocks with a real groove that’s all that matters. The aim has always been to produce a diverse collection of songs, all completely different and unique in their own way, with that signature TOL sound and feel. The writing is very mature and all band members play their part in this process with drive and enthusiasm.

Following the release of TOLs first and self financed album ‘Monumental’, they are expanding their coverage, playing gigs with Kerbgrinder, Mage, Mentallica (Metallica Tribute) and Enraged (RATM Tribute)

Guitar: Jon Scranney

Name: Jon Scranney AKA: The Riff Machine Date of birth: 30th May 1974 Place of Birth: Leicester Previous bands: Konfusion, Anaconda, South of Heaven – Slayer Tribute UK Musical influences: The influences list is endless but would have to include Carcass, Entombed, Nihilist, Mastadon, Red Fang, Slayer, Kyuss, Soungarden, Sabbath, Testament, Forbidden, early Metallica, QOS, Clutch…………….. Other Interests: Kickboxing, Music Production, Horror movies and Snowboarding

Amps: Engl Cabs: Marshall Guitars: Gibson, PRS Pedals: Digitec, Boss, Korg Pics: Dunlop Mics: Shure Strings: Ernie Ball

Jon started playing guitar at 15 years old and soon began writing his own music. Then the four piece metal band ‘Konfusion’ was born and at 16 Jon was recording his first studio demo. ‘Mothers Day’, as vocalist, guitarist and song writer for the high energy thrash metal act. Further demos were produced: ‘Weird Unlimited (1993)’ and ‘Fumbling and Thrashing about (1995)’ both selling many copies at gigs all over the UK including the band headlining at the Leicester Abbey Park Festival in ‘96. Following major label interest in 1996 the album ‘Story from the Armchair’ was recorded. Unfortunately due to rights issues it was never released. Konfusion continued to play gigs and festivals and build a strong following in the Midlands, playing gigs with Fudge Tunnel, Lawnmower Deth, Cathode Nation, Godsend, Warpspasm, Cairo Journal, Gomorrah, Blastcage, Blaggers ITA, Violation and many more (sorry if we missed you off the list!!) before the band finally spilt due to family commitments.

Jon, writing in collaboration with Paul “Woody” Woodfield (Konfusion, Extreme Noise Terror, Mage) included ‘The Blister Sessions’ in 1999. Konfusion reformed briefly in 2006 playing headline shows in Corby, Leicester and occasional guest slots for Charity events. They also completed a mini UK tour supporting South American band ‘Criminal’.

Jon has maintained his writing addiction throughout and continued to produce music in different styles of Rock and Metal but also Dance Music and Drum ‘n’ Bass. With album projects including Fisheye (2001), Masters of Mayhem (2002), Pow White (2004) and BTK (2006).

In 2006 Jon started a three piece rock band project with Justin Dobson (Kline, Konfusion) and Gregg Hunt (Cherry Choke) called the ‘Dobson Jazz Theory’ who only ever played one gig, at The Charlotte in Leicester. The name soon changed to Anaconda and remained that way while the original members went their separate ways musically.

Recently christened ‘The Riff Machine’ by musical colleagues Jon continues to write music for the current TOL line-up that grew from Anaconda.

Allstars and South of Heaven– Jon shreds guitar regularly at Leicester Allstars shows, playing lead and rhythm guitar in covers acts with other local musicians. Born from the Allstars shows Jon headed the successful Slayer Tribute UK, South of Heaven, touring with headline shows in major cities including London, Manchester and Liverpool.

Bass: Simon Mitchell

Name: Simon Mitchell: AKA: Sim, Simo Date of birth: 21th August 1972 Place of Birth: Leicester Previous bands: Ultra Vires, Konfusion Musical influences: ELO, Queen, Metallica, Slayer, Nuclear Assault, MOD, SOD, Sacred Reich, Lawnmower Deth, Disciples of Power, most live music and various rap, some dance and more recently odd bits of drum and bass. Favourite’s still Metal though! \m/ Other Interests: Cars, Motorbikes and Drifting, Kung Fu and Martial Arts.

Amps: Ampeg SVT4 Pro, Hartke Kilo Rack FX: SansAmp RBI Cab: Ampeg SVT810AV Basses: Warwick: Infinity, Fortress Strings: Rotosound Pics: Dunlop

After being brought up listening to ELO and Queen, Simon was introduced to heavier tunes by one of the foster kids living with his family. Simon got into thrash late at 14, after some Americans he met while camping lent him some Metallica to listen to on tape! Gigs and live music rapidly followed including seeing Slayer at Rock City with borrowed ID (just in-case) and later listening expanded to include rap, some dance and more recently odd bits of mainstream drum and bass.

Sim’s first band was formed with friends and playing bass was the natural choice as they already had a drummer and two guitarists. First gig included the songs Cold Gin and Alright Now at a college review. After various attempts to get a full band together, Ultra Vires was born in Archways rehearsal rooms in Leicester and they wrote and recorded original material as well as playing Metallica covers.

After a brief move away from Leicester, Sim returned to hear chance mention of a high energy thrash metal band looking for a bassist, he polished versions of Anesthesia Pulling Teeth and his cherry red Rickenbacker 4001 and went down to do his stuff. After a scene reminiscent to something from the good the bad and the ugly, and blasting though the required list of covers and original material at the audition, he fitted right into the vacancy with Konfusion.

Over the years with Konfusion, he recorded and released various demos and EPs while gigging all over the Midlands and further afield, and played at various music festivals including headlining the Stayfree Tent at Leicester’s Abbey Park Festival in 1996. Simon contributed to the writing of some of the lyrics and tunes over the years, and following major label interest in 1996 the album ‘Story from the Armchair’ was recorded. Unfortunately due to rights issues it was never released. Konfusion continued to play gigs and festivals and build a strong following in the Midlands, playing gigs with Fudge Tunnel, Lawnmower Deth, Cathode Nation, Godsend, Warpspasm, Cairo Journal, Gomorrah, Blastcage, Blaggers ITA, Violation and many more (sorry if we missed you off the list!) before the band finally spilt due to family commitments.

Konfusion reformed briefly in 2006 playing headline shows in Corby, Leicester and occasional guest slots for Charity events. They also completed a mini UK tour supporting South American band ‘Criminal’.

Simon stayed close friends with the ex-Konfusion members. When the call came to join Anakonda, which swiftly became Temple of Lies, he was more than happy to dust off the Tool of Ignorance to play TOLs new tunes.

Drums: James Sereda-Barsby

Name: James Sereda-Barsby Date of birth: February 1974 Place of Birth: Warwickshire Previous bands: wot I did b4 I hit it big with TOL Musical influences: Listening to Rock, Metal, Jazz and Jazz Fusion. Influenced by so many great pro drummers James holds a particular admiration for the following drummers:- Billy Cobham, Vinnie Coaulta, Steve Gadd, Dave Weckl, Neil Peart, Gavin Harrison, Nicko McBrain, Abe Cunningham, Danney Carrie. Other Interests: Making own drums, Toilet Humour James presently plays a vintage premier APK kit in black wrap finish based around a 6 piece setup with an offset two up two down configuration.

Toms: 8”x8, 12”x11, 13”x12, 14”x14 Floor, 16”x16 Floor Kick drums: 20”x16, 22”x18 Snares: 14”x5.5” Dixon hand hammered brass Artisan series snare. DDrum 14”x7” black coated steel shell with shield lugs Premier 14”x5.5” Chrome on aluminium 2000 series Cymbals 14” Sabian Xs20 Medium Hi-Hats 16” Sabian Xs20 Medium Crash 18” Sabian Xs20 Medium Crash 20” Sabian AAX Rock Ride 14” Sabian AA China 20” Sabian AAX China 8” Sabian AAX Splash 8” Sabain AA Metal Splash Sticks: Millenium 5As – Maple Hardware: Millenium hardware, Millenium PD-222 Pro Series double kick pedal, Vruk Drum Master pedal attachment’s Heads: Snare – Remo Ambassador White coated, Toms – Remo Ambassador Clear, Kick Drum – Evans EMAD2 Clear Monitoring: Phonics 6 channel mixer, T.bone EP 4 in ear monitors

Taking up the drums aged 12 James desired to play in a band and during secondary school started his first group with friends mainly playing covers of 80s rock and metal acts. After getting hooked on heavy metal and thrash bands, James soon realised the direction he wanted to go in. An invite from fellow school friend Jon Scranney to join his band ‘Konfusion’ started a whole new journey into music and allowed James to finally find the right outlet for the style of loud, fast, aggressive music he was driven .by

Konfusion enjoyed local success with a strong fan base playing Leicestershire and Northants venues and released a demo album, however shortly after James decided to leave the band to go to university.

In early 2008 James got back in touch with Jon and James became the drumming power house for TOL. The pair started writing new music together and jamming at James’s house. It soon became apparent that the material was too good to just jam as a hobby and soon enough Jon and James tracked down Konfusion bass player Simon Mitchell to cement the early forming of Temple of Lies.

Vocals: Si Shaw

Name: Simon Shaw AKA: Si Date of birth: 20th October 1978 Place of Birth: Leicester Previous bands: Naysayer, The Bus, The Kinells Musical influences: Metallica, Black Sabbath, Mastodon, Red Fang, System of a Down, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Queens of the StoneAge, Them Crooked Vultures Other Interests: Zombie Movies, Drinking too much beer Simon’s first involvement with music was playing rhythm guitar and lead vocals in the metal band Naysayer in his early teens. Other members included Ross Hillard (Magic Number, The Orchard) on bass, Kris Karloff (Kasabian, Black Onassis) on guitar and Paul Lacey (The Scribes) on drums.

In his early 20′s Simon moved to London and started a recording studio called Urban Digital with his oldest friend and musician Sam Goddard (Nuke on Route, The Skuzzies, AOS3, Headjam). In this time they both performed and wrote in several projects ranging from acoustic and electric guitar based music to hard drum and bass with crossovers in most genres in between. Simon also sang in the band The Bus with Matt Klose of Crazy P(enis)

With an old schoolmate Simon Ali (The Tea Leaves), Simon started recording and producing demos for the project that was eventually to become The Kinells who performed all over the UK. The band also included Dayle Smith (Move) on drums and Paul Staples (Orange Boodle) on bass. Simon Shaw played harmonica and sang joint lead vocals with Simon Ali, they both also played lead and rhythm guitar.

While in London Simon worked as a backline technician at the legendary John Henry’s, specialist suppliers to the entertainment industry, who’s list of clients is like a who’s who? including The Who!

Simon moved back to Leicester with his soon to be wife and heard of a project with the working title Anaconda. After listening to demos and hearing that the band were currently looking for a lead vocalist, he put himself forward for auditions. He gelled with the band immediately, and soon after Temple Of Lies was born.

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