In an in-depth feature, Garry looks at the year of a hard working Midlands Rock band
Today’s music industry can be a tough place, those days of money being thrown around willy nilly have long gone…..and most folk who grew up in the 70/80s can’t quite get their heads around the youth of today who feel like they shouldn’t have to pay for their music.
When a band like Iconic Eye come around and are prepared to put in the hard miles travelling to and from gigs (and not just local gigs either) you have to admire them and bands like them, it’s been a wonderful 12 months for the guys in the band…it all started in May 2015 with the release of the excellent debut album ‘Hidden In Plain Sight’….an album filled with great melodies and real good songs played real well such as ‘Let It Rain Down’, ‘You Make It’, ‘Every Little Thing’ & ‘In A Broken Dream’…..it’s an album that works at home, in the car and in the live venue….it is what it is…..a damn fine AOR album.
When you look at what the band have achieved over the last twelve months….it really is quite staggering…..just a month after the debut album was released the band appeared at the Download Festival 2015 when they opened up proceedings on the 4th stage on the Saturday…..it shows what can be achieved if you ask the question.
Other prestigious events followed such as Rockingjam in Nottingham as support to The Treatment and also the brilliantly organised HRH AOR event in North Wales alongside such legendary names as Quiet Riot, Joe Lynn Turner, Dan Reed Network & Tyketto…..the guys were certainly getting their name around in all the right circles.
In April 2016 the band turned in a fine performance at the Inaugural ‘Wolverhampton’s Mayor Rock Fest’….an event that bandleader Greg Dean was incredibly hands on with….the year long tour came to an end at the start of June with dates in London, Birmingham and a slot at the Sophie Fest in Tamworth.
Not only are Iconic Eye a real fine band and a worthy addition to any bill they are also a real nice bunch of guys and in the cut throat business of the modern day Rock world if you can be known as a decent bunch, fine musicians and incredibly accommodating then more often than not…..doors will open for you.
The local music scene is looking good again after a bit of a dip three or four years ago but with bands like Iconic Eye….you feel that things are moving in the right direction…..
Iconic Eye:
Greg Dean: Guitar/ Keyboards
Gary Slater: Bass
Neil Fraser: Guitar
Tim Dawkes: Vocals
Paul Emery: Drums
Garry Foster:
Unchained: Tuesday’s 10pm-Midnight
Prog Rock Files: Thursday’s 10pm-Midnight
101.8WCR FM & www.wcrfm.com
