Jason Stevens
Guitar and vocals. Jason has been playing in bands in Peterborough since 1995. His first band was The Promise which was formed with his good friend Jamie Brown (a former Guard). The Promise included Martin French on vocals, Egg (Circa '73) on bass and Jason Hotchkin (Circa '73) on drums.
The Promise made one album and an EP and although they managed to find management and had a crack at some showcase gigs in London a deal never came. They were however a very busy band in and around Irish pubs in London. A great time but it took it's toll on the band. The Promise became Downstream without Jamie and Martin. Simon Blanchard took vox duties and the band did the usual venues for a couple of years before Jason Stevens left to study. The band has since morphed into Circa '73.
Jason and Dazza founded The Guards in 2006 with Jamie (guitar, keyboards and vox) and Abi Shafari on bass. The Guards did well for a couple of years despite Dazza taking a "long weekend" and Jason Hotchkin filling in for him (before Circa took off). Sadly for the band but happily for Jamie, he took himself off to America to marry and Abi decided that he wanted a break and to support his talented son who is launching a professional music career. So Jason & Dazza relaunched the band with Stu on Bass and Rob on vox and guitar.
Stu and Dazza have become a powerful rhythm section driving Jason and Rob on guitar and vox and the band has gone from strength to strength.
Jason is a solicitor based in Peterborough and Huntingdon and can offer legal advice regarding bands liabilities in respect Health and Safety, breach of contract and police investigations.
jason@the-guards.co.uk
Influences
Jason is a lucky man. Born to music loving parents he was raised on The Beatles, The Who, Free, Eric Clapton, Cat Stevens, Fleetwood Mac, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd...you get the picture. Whilst developing a love and appreciation for 60's, 70's music he always kept up to date with new bands and ranks Blur, Oasis, Nirvana, Guns and Roses, Stereophonics, Ocean Colour Scene, Muse, The Killers...(yep you get the picture up) there with the greats. Playing in The Guards gives Jason the opportunity to play the songs that he loves.
Favourite guitar players:
Steve Cradock, Matt Bellamy, Eric Clapton, Peter Green and Jimi Hendrix.
Equipment
Jason uses three electric guitars. A Gibson Les Paul Goldtop Classic, Fender Stratocaster and a Gibson ES335. Whilst the Les Paul has been the most used guitar, recent gigs have seen Jason rely more on the Cherry Red ES335. Jason also plays a Takamine G-Series Acoustic live.
Amplification - Mesa Boogie Lonestar Special.
Effects:
- Boss Overdrive/Distortion OS-2
- Boss analogue delay DM-3
- Boss Chorus CE-5
- Boss Chromatic Tuner - TU-3
- Jim Dunlop Cry Baby Wah Wah
- All effects housed in a Boss BCB-60 Pedal Board
