Lead Singer

A woman who needs no introduction.. our resident Welsh dragon and the voice of The Anthems. A lead singer with a personality as big as her voice, her restless enthusiasm on and off stage matches the power of her incredible welsh pipes!

Always bubbly and beloved by audiences all over, she's the perfect front-woman.

Sam was born in Swansea, South Wales and began performing as early as four years old. As a member of performing arts schools and learning to play piano and violin through endless lessons and training, her musical foundations were built early. Performing arts was at the center of everything she did in her early years, participating in countless musicals, pantomimes, and variety shows.

After her first performance in Swansea's Grand Theatre, her love for singing and dancing was solidified. After finishing school, she moved to London to study Musical Theatre and was fortunate enough to perform in many shows and musicals throughout the city and west end.

After completing her Performing Arts qualifications, and completing multiple tours and performances, it was time to move on to the University of Chester, studying Popular Music Performance. It was there that she met Russ, and they were lucky enough to continue their music journey together. This course built the foundations of what was to become a life of perfoming in bands throughout the North West.

In 2022, Sam faced a serious neck injury that led to reconstructive surgery. The surgery severely affected her vocal cords and left her unable to speak, let alone sing, for a period of time. With retraining and therapy, and with the help of Russ, she slowly built her voice back up. They then began recording YouTube videos that gained popularity and before you know it she was back and better than ever.

Now, you can catch her performing all over the county with The Anthems, doing what she loves, better than ever. She's overcome a lot and is grateful to do what she loves with amazing people.

Sams motto in life? Life is too short!

Influences:

Bruce Dickinson, James Labrie, Idina Menzel, Michael Bublé, Lady Gaga, Etta James, Whitney Houston, Cher, Stevie Nicks, Debbie Harry and of course, ABBA!

Highlights:

Performing in the West End, and participating in numerous musicals, including Annie, Wicked, Les Mis, and of course, some Dylan Thomas for good measure, because I wouldn't be a good Swansea girl without it! Not going to lie... performing with The Chuckle Brothers was pretty banging too!

Drums - Vocals

Johnny Gash Known in musical gangster circles as the “Great Gashby”.

He’s the musical and philosophical Guru of the band. FIercelly loyal, dedicated and intelligent but also utterly daft and infectiously enthusiastic. Like everyone in the band, a one-off.

Johnny has a varied and star-studded drumming career tagging jokes for TV/Radio ventriloquists and comedians, like Dean Winter, Andy and Gareth Oliver, helping make the world a funnier place. He’s played in many musical settings with a long list of celebs including Sugababes Amelle Berrebah, Blue’s Anthony Costa, Maureen of The Nolan Sisters. From ITV show “The Bill” (and friend of the Kray’s london gangster scene) he’s accompanied Chris Elliston, and from East Enders Cheryl Ferguson. The cast continues with Sheila Ferguson of the glamorous Philadelphia soul group The 3 degrees. Not to mention Carlisle’s own Boy band pop star 911’s Lee Brennan. As well as a host of new stars who emerged from Britain’s Got talent and The X-Factor including George Samson, Ashley and Pudsey the dog, with 2 number 1 albums Collabro’s Matthew Pagan, and X factor runner up Marcus Collins. Eurovision Song Contestant Andy Abrahams. From BBC’s Tracy Beaker, Dani Harmer, Ben Hanson, Darrah Mortell and Connor Byrne. And from Disney’s Art Attack’s the nice chap Lloyd Warbey. Jonathan’s music education and taste is as wide in scope if not further covering every genre from Jazz, Rock, Pantmime, Latin, you name it, he’s got the t-shirt!

Saxophone

Roz is the soulful, stylish and snazzy golden tint on all things Anthems. A truly consummate performer with an illustrious career, we’re so very happy to have her in the family.

EARLY YEARS: Roz was born in South London and started playing music aged 5 on the violin, the clarinet became her second instrument at high school until she discovered the Saxophone aged 14. Various school ensembles and the county wind band proved a good grounding in band work until at 18 Roz left school for a career in graphics. Whilst working during the day Roz carried on playing in a variety of London based blues, rock, soul and jazz bands at nights and weekends, mostly in pubs and clubs and festivals. Studio session work also featured from her early 20’s on.

LATER: Moving to Cumbria for a new start Roz soon discovered a local need for saxophone tuition and decided to go to Leeds to study for a BA in Jazz, part of her study also took place in America. Back in Cumbria Roz then studied for a teaching qualification.

NOW: Roz now teaches saxophone and flute and runs workshops from her base in Carlisle, she plays in a variety of bands and acts as a stand-in for many others as she both reads music and improvises with ease.

MAIN INFLUENCES: Paul Desmond, Dave Sanborn, Jay Beckstein, Wilton Felder, Cannonball Adderley, Michael Brecker, Bob Mintzer.

GEAR: King Super 20 saxophones, Jumbo Java mouthpieces, Green Java reeds.

BAND HISTORY: London: Trick Of The Light, The Loose Moose Band, Be-Bop Banana, The Albino’s. Leeds: The Duke Ellington Repertory Orchestra. America: The UMA Tour Band. Cumbria: Midnight Shift, Ol’Bones, The Cliff Eland Big Band, The Olly Alcock Band. Jazzoo, The Lounge Lizards, Smooch, Fusionhead, The MK Soul Band, The Big Shoes Band, Evolution, The Anthems Party Band.

HIGHLIGHTS: Playing at the Royal Albert Hall, being on TV every Saturday night for 3 years having recorded the Blind Date theme, being part of the TV series ‘On The Road’ with The Olly Alcock Band, playing to start the musical relay ‘Hadrians Wall of Sound’ with national media coverage, playing with original Ellington Band members at the Leeds Festival, playing with Pee Wee Ellis at Lanercost Priory. And of course every gig I've ever played!!!!!

Lead Guitar

Coming soon..

Bass guitar, Vocals , Acoustic Guitar

Russ is the jolly giant, with his soulful harmonies and banging bass lines. From the very beginning Russ has been the backbone to The Anthems with his unwavering enthusiasm, joyfullness and sheer talent.

Quite often our audiences tell him he’s the best bassist they’ve seen, and of course we entirely agree! He brings something very special with his bass lines which sets us apart from the rest!

EARLY YEARS.

Russ was born and raised in Carlisle and started playing music at the age of 7. He wanted to play the Trombone but had to start on Trumpet until his arms were "long enough". He played in the Carlisle wind band and Carlisle Youth concert band, until he discovered the Bass guitar at the age of 13. Using his ability to play by ear from years in orchestra's, Russ totally absorbed everything from Classic Rock to jazz to exteme Metal. At the age of 17 he attended Cumbria institute of the Arts to study music. There he formed a student band called The covers who would play many gigs in Cumbria. Russ decided to study music at Chester university. This was invaluable experience as he was playing in multiple bands and having to learn extensive material from every possible style. After 2 years He decided to return home with his then future wife, Samantha and start a family.

LATER.

After a couple of years off, Russ began to gig professionally when he joined Super-fly with local legends Mark Kendal, and Stevie D. It was here he'd forge an alliance with the axe maestro Mr Danny Wood. Playing extensively in the North of England began to make him a household name. In 2017, the two of them would join Highly Strung and would go on to play countless weddings, parties and festivals accross the north/west and Scotland. Russ would go onto play several shows with Almost pink and The Irish tribute theatre show, "one night in Dublin". NOW Russ now teaches bass at the Rock project with legendary guitarist Andrew "spud" Sinclair of Steeleye Span. Alongside performing with The Anthems, he also records and performs regularly with Steel Foxes and Thieving Magpies.

INFLUENCES- Steve Harris, Geddy Lee, Chris Squire, Martin Turner, Geezer Butler, Jaco Pastorius, James Jamerson, Billy Sheehan, Flea GEAR Fender American Jazz bass Squire Vintage modified 70s Jazz bass Ashdown Rootmaster 500 Tech 21 sansamp Rotosound strings Yamaha Acoustic guitar Sure SM58 microphones

HIGHLIGHTS Playing Wannasee Penrith for the first time to a massive crowd and through and Ampeg SVT. Playing the old theatres with One night in Dublin, particularly the Swansea Grand Theatre. Teaching a new generation how to play. Playing Keswick beer festival and with his own band- The Anthems. Being able to continue to play and perform music.

Keys - Vocals

The Maestro! Alain is the virtuoso and our level-headed Musical and Technical director. A true pro in every sense of the word. Alongside our brass section, Alain’s keys elevate the Anthems to the next level.

Trombone

Coming soon…

Trumpet

Coming soon..