About the Band
Minus-Sumthin started out in late 2000, when Jamie and Waddie used to perform together under the name
Pondlife. In July 2002, when the lads were going to Rotherham College of Arts and Technology,
they came across Nikki, their ultra-reliable female drummer.
Nikki was brought into the band, and they chose their new name - Minus-Sumthin. But why that name?! Well,
basically, because the band was always short of something or another. Sometimes it was new instruments that were
needed, sometimes it was new band members; they'd need a rhythm guitarist, or a full-time vocalist, or a bassist,
so Jamie could concentrate on the bits that actually mattered to him. All of which never happened, so Minus-Sumthin
really became minus something.
The band had their first gig just 3 days after the first rehearsal of the new line-up, and
considering they had only performed together once in those 3 days, the band performed impeccably. Hopes were
high back then, but optimism got the better of them; after a poor performance in their second gig at the Battle
of the Bands, they thudded back down to earth with a bang. All they could think about afterwards was getting some
new equipment (namely a PA system - they've still not got one, though Sillibus let them borrow theirs when the
two appear together).
The band continued in an inconsistent way with good gigs and then bad ones, and felt themselves jinxed whenever they
played a venue a second time. Happily, the jinx is now broken, with a run of gigs all going well. Minus-Sumthin are
once again confident, and feel they now have nothing to fear.
In June 2003, Sam Earl joined the band as full time bassist, enabling Jamie to concentrate more
on his vocals during gigs, and not having to worry whether he's just played the right note on
the bass. Sam has without doubt made the band a better one, and they really do seem to be coming together a lot
faster than what they were before.
In September and October 2003, the band took part in the Battle of the Bands, finding the judging process
less than crystal clear. They made it through to the final, and many people considered them to be the crowd's
clear favourite. For whatever reason, the judges took a different view, with Minus Sumthin coming third to
Everin and Mother Funkers, with an award of £400.
The band had recently released their first major demo, called 'We Got Left Behind', but the sound quality was never
going to be great on this one as it was made by a video camera, so with some of their prize money the band are to
produce a new 3 track demo containing their best songs. The day before the October final, the band played at The Boardwalk
in Sheffield, where they managed to sell all of their ticket allocation; they consequently landed themselves a gig at
The Leadmill in November. For the future the band are also trying to line up a gig in Liverpool at The Cavern Club - where
The Beatles played over 270 times.
The band are discussing bringing in former Cadence guitarist Lee Jones, which will make them a 5 piece band. Lee
would go straight in at Rhythm Guitar, allowing Waddie to do Lead Guitar. If it goes ahead, the addition promises
to add new depth and flavour ito Minus-Sumthin's music.
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