Biography 2020 Paradise 9 formed in 1997, from out of Gregg McKella playing his songs at songwriters’ nights in London. At the “Acoustic Revolution” in West London he teamed up with bassist Andy McDonald (ex-The Children/ex-Sex Gang Children). Steve Teers later joined on djembe, keyboards and backing vocals. The trio then spotted Wayne Collyer, drumming for heavy rock outfit Deepskin, and invited him to join them and the band was born. In 1999 the SHOWTIME' album was recorded at Quo Vadis studios, in North London and was self-released. In 2000 Paradise 9 split, playing their last gig at West One-Four in London. Wayne left for Australia, and Gregg took a sabbatical. In 2002 they reformed for a one off gig. It went down well and so the band reformed now with Carl Sampson from Casual Affair on drums. They played many gigs in and around London for the next 3 years. In 2007 Andy McDonald left the band and Matt Szul stepped in on bass duties for the next year. In 2008, Gregg recruited his old bandmate Tyrone Thomas (Olympic Clamp Down/ Jeanette Murphy band/ex-Alternative T.V./ ex-Image Wot Image), on lead guitar giving the band an edgier feel. In 2008, Matt left, and another Casual Affair member Neil Matthars took over the bass reins. In 2009 the EP 'Nothing For Tomorrow’ was recorded at Liscombe Park Studios, mixed by Steve Rispin (Lifesigns). Steve Teers left in 2010 to bring up his family. In the summer, Jaki Windmill (Pink Fairies/ex-Space Ritual/ex- Whimwise) joined the band, on djembe and backing vocals. In 2011 they released the EP 'State Of The Nation' with Judge Trev Thoms (Inner City Unit/AtomGods/MOAB) guesting on the title track and 'Distant Dreams'. Sadly Trev passed away in December 2010 and so the EP was dedicated to him. In 2013 they released the studio album 'Take Me To The Future’, featuring two tracks with Judge Trev and his old band mate, Nik Turner (Space Ritual/Inner City Unit/ex-Hawkwind) on sax and flute playing on the title track. Again recorded at Liscombe Park Studios with Steve Rispin. This was closely followed in 2014 by the DVD 'Live At the Onboard the Craft Festival 2013’ filmed and produced by Qwoonsweird Productions. In the summer of 2014, Carl left to take a break from music, and Jaki left to join the Pink Fairies. The band welcomed Jonas Golland as drummer in July 2014. In 2015, the band brought out "Live at the Amersham Arms 2014” CD. In 2015, Jonas got the call from The Tiger Lillies, and left the band in April 2015. So Wayne Collyer re-joined on drums in June. From this date to present this line-up remained as a tight 4 piece. In 2017 the band celebrated their 20th anniversary, with an extended set at the Half Moon in Putney, that included most of the previous members and guests of the band and came with the release of their double “20th Anniversary 1997 ~ 2017 Live” CD. Tel: (44)7795 347062 Email: [email protected] Website: www.paradise9.net www.soundcloud.com/paradise-9 www.twitter.com/Paradise9band www.facebook.com/pages/Paradise-9/73323509813 Biography 2020 Since their incarnation, they have played hundreds of gigs and played many festivals including Glastonbury Festival, A New Day Festival, Cambridge Rock Festival, Bearded Theory, Kozfest, Green Gathering and Small World Festival to name a few. Their next studio album “Science Fiction Reality” is due to be released late 2020. Paradise 9 are now; Gregg McKella on vocals, guitar, glissando guitar, clarinet and space FX’s (Daevid Allen’s Glissando Guitar Orchestra/Judge Trev Band/ex-Monty Oxymoron Band/ex-Dreamfield/ex-Image Wot Image) Tyrone Thomas on lead guitar and backing vocals (SpacedOgs/Jeanette Murphy Band/ ex-Image Wot Image /ex- Alternative TV) Neil Matthars on bass (ex-Casual Affair) Wayne Collyer (ex-Men Are Dead/ ex-Deep Skin) on drums. Press: “...What makes this record special, though, is the lightness of touch that moves it effortlessly between psychedelia, punk, reggae, dub and just all those musical genres that represent facets of the counter-culture as a joined-up whole...” IAN ABRAHAMS – Space Rock Reviews “Paradise 9 creates songs of beauty that are about appreciating the world and the people in it. Whether it is the upbeat, explosive space punk of “State of the Nation” or the deeply moving acoustic folk-psychedelia of “Falling for You,” McKella’s brilliant signwriting is at the core of each tune on this album. It is so strong that the high level musicianship that is represented here almost seems secondary…if only for that intense rhythmic drive, the gliss guitar and those tonal colors that call out to the universe…” Jack Gold-Molina - Its Psychedelic Baby “Paradise 9's punk spirit and angry, disillusioned social commentary does much to challenge popular stereotypes of psychedelic music….” Kim Harkin - Bliss aquamarine webzine “Paradise 9 is an English psychedelic rock band keeping the British festival spirit alive. I have not heard their first EP, but Nothing For Tomorrow is a very nice EP with four tracks bringing to mind at least Magic Mushroom Band, Gong, Pink Floyd and Hawkwind. “ Dj Astro, PsychotropicZone “a brand new 4-track E.P. called 'Nothing for tomorrow', by your friendly neighbourhood space rockers - Paradise 9. The EP is that good, that all four songs are now being featured on The Overflow, our favourite being the last track 'Points of view', measuring up at a lengthy 11 minutes long and so it should!” Garry Lee's Starship Overflow Radio - CD of the Week. “Nothing for Tomorrow”, “Crystalized Moments” and “Broken Promises” are standard speed-up space-rock tunes with a punky attitude (imagine a mix of Hawkwind, early Clash and a little bit of New Model Army.…..“Points of View” with its 11 minutes length, the numerous space-effects, the dynamic full of energy drumming and the up-from-the-skies clarinet, is a well-executed experiment that could stand out as a 45 single….” TLM Timemazine ### Tel: (44)7795 347062 Email: [email protected] Website: www.paradise9.net www.soundcloud.com/paradise-9 www.twitter.com/Paradise9band www.facebook.com/pages/Paradise-9/73323509813 .