Rock At Night is happy to introduce another discovery. We are totally digging the “classic rock” sound of the UK band RavenEye. Please check out their videos and look for upcoming LIVE show reviews from the UK portion of their tour.
Members: Oli Brown Aaron Spiers Kev HickmanGenre: RockHometown: Milton Keynes, UK
RAVENEYE, the UK-based rock trio featuring critically acclaimed guitarist/vocalist Oli Brown, drummer Kev Hickman and bassist Aaron Spiers are eyeing a take-over of the U.S. rock scene when they release their debut EP, “Breaking Out” on April 28th via Rook Recordings. Amazingly, formed just a year ago by 25-year old multi-award winning guitar/singer Brown, the band has already assailed European audiences with their signature rhythmically-heavy riffs and incendiary live performances. The reviews have been stellar and the band has been featured a number of times on the BBC.
Before forming RAVENEYE, Oli Brown spent ten years touring the world under his own name and in that time he released four albums, establishing himself as one of the most formidable guitarists/front men on the UK scene. Classic Rock Magazine called Brown “one of the best and brightest guitar heroes performing in the world today.” His work as a solo artist prior to RavenEye also earned him supporting gigs alongside such artists as Jeff Beck, Buddy Guy, Johnny Winter and Joe Satriani, but being part of a band was what Browncraved.
“I’ve been looking to find the right people to get together with for so long; it’s something we’ve all had a craving for individually,” says Brown, “I’m finally performing with two killer musicians, who are wicked on stage and are also close friends, it’s amazing how music can make people connect so differently.”
The EP’s first single, and title track, “Breaking Out,” evokes thoughts of early Kyuss and Soundgarden – hard melodic rock with thoughtful lyrics that will stick with you long after the song ends. As soon as the song was recorded, it defined what RavenEye’s musical foundation would be – heavy, hard and fuzzed out rock. The song is about “breaking out” of personal conformities. The lyric, “I am the soldier of my war inside” represents the constant battle between what you feel you should do and what you really want to do. Sometimes it’s so easy to obscure your own visions because of other people’s formalities.
RAVENEYE will be breaking out in the U.S. very soon, tour dates to be announced shortly.
OFFICIAL VIDEO of the Title Track “Breaking Out”
EUROPEAN TOUR DATES
April
22 London O2 Academy Islington (supporting Blues Pills)
23 Cardiff Globe (supporting Blues Pills)
24 Manchester Academy (supporting Blues Pills)
25 Dublin Voodoo Lounge (supporting Blues Pills)
27 Belfast Limelight (supporting Blues Pills)
28 Glasgow Cathouse (supporting Blues Pills)
29 Nottingham Rescue Rooms (supporting Blues Pills)
30 Bristol Bierkeller (supporting Blues Pills)
June
1 Oslo Sentrum Scene (supporting Slash)
28 Bucharest Arnele Romane (supporting Slash)
July
2 Vienna Castle Clam (supporting Slash)
4 Geneva Arena Geneva (supporting Slash)
5 Nice Theatre de Verdure (supporting Slash)
**US dates are forthcoming
RavenEye BIO
RavenEye, the UK-based rock trio was formed in 2014 by 25-year-old, multi-award winning guitarist/singer Oli Brown, along with drummer Kev Hickman and bassist Aaron Spiers. Since then, RavenEye has been slamming Euro – audiences with their signature rhythmically-heavy riffs and incendiary live show performances.
It may sound like the beginning of a good joke, the two Englishmen and an Australian…but the truth is, all three have traveled different paths, literally and geographically, up until the band’s formation last year.
Hear another song from the EP “Get It Started”
Oli Brown has spent ten years touring the world under his own name and in that time, he signed to the Ruf Records label, released four albums and established himself as one of the most formidable guitarists/front men on the UK scene. His work as a solo artist prior to RavenEye also earned him supporting gigs alongside such artists as Jeff Beck, Buddy Guy, Johnny Winter and Joe Satriani. Brown states, “I’ve been looking to find the right people to get together with for so long; it’s something we’ve all had a craving for individually. I’m finally performing with two killer musicians, who are wicked on stage and are also close friends, it’s amazing how music can make people connect so differently.”
Kev Hickman has also seen his fair share of international touring, honing his unforgettable stage presence into an intense, hi-octane performance. Hickman’s natural abilities have taken him through working with two-piece hard rock bands, to the passionate performances of the studio sessions, to the journeyman’s live session work for various different artists/bands. As well as performing in all these various manners, Hickman has showcased his drumming in a series of YouTube videos, collecting over hundreds of thousands of views to date.
Aaron Spiers packed up his life in Australia, charging into the UK in 2012 looking to break into the European market. Since then, Spiers has established himself on stage as a force to be reckoned. He has also released several solo albums, written several orchestral scores in Australia and played live shows extensively. According to Spiers, “RavenEye is really trying to make our live show the greatest thing about the band. We obviously are focusing on writing songs, aim to have amazing recordings and try to look dashing in our band photos, but what we really want, is to be the band that can melt faces with our live show. We want to create an energy that you cannot deny – that will convert everyone and anyone to the way of the Raven.”
RavenEye’s new EP, featuring five amazing tracks, is scheduled for release in April 2015. “Get it Started” was written as an opener, to get the whole thing kicked off. It’s been killer to play at festivals. We’re new to many areas, so people don’t automatically know what to expect. It’s fun to crash in loud and in your face. “Breaking Out” strengthened the band from a songwriting perspective. As soon as the song was recorded, it defined what RavenEye’s musical foundation would be – heavy, hard and fuzzed out rock. The song is about “breaking out” of personal conformities. The lyric “I am the soldier of my war inside” is a representation about the constant battle between what you feel you should do and what you really want to do. Sometimes. it can get so easy to obscure your own visions because of other people’s formalities. “Run Away” is about how hard it can be to realize who’s dragging you down until you take a step back and have a look; “Hold your breath to the will of the hopeless.” Brown wrote “Hey Hey Yeah” with the intention of capturing that “summer-fest” feel. Its tempo has you rocking your head and singing about having a good time, doing who-knows-what without a care in the world. Brown says, he wanted “You Got It”, the live show finale, to really be something different. The EP recording is one version, heavy with a short lead break, but since using “You Got It” to close our shows, the energy vibe is picked up by the end and it all gets a little wild.
Soon after their initial meeting, these three talented musicians knew this band would be their musical future…so, began the wild and exciting journey of RavenEye.
HEAR MORE of RavenEye’s great CLASSIC ROCK sound
I grew up in a household full of rock music, studied journalism in college, and then became a scientist.Although my science career has served me well, music has always played a major role in my life. I grew up reading "Creem" magazine; I play several musical instruments as a "hobby";and it seems a camera has always been in my hand. Now, I am combining what I love the most--music and photography--serving as editor of Rock At Night. I travel between the US and UK seeking my dream! My motto: life is short...no regrets. Chyrisse
