- - - As Mad As I :: Bio -

The formation of As Mad As I began in a school in Leicestershire, where James Trotman (Wacky) and Sam Bealez first met. United through commonalities of music and recreational habits (!), their friendship did not fully blossom until Bealez arrived at Sheffield University to study, a year after Wacky. Deciding in the previous summer to attempt to form a band upon Beales’ arrival, Wacky utilised his network of friends, acquaintances and contacts to provide the framework for the magic to begin. Inviting Rich Knight, a versatile guitar demon, and Jenifer Lewis, multitalented drummer and vocalist, we soon began to bond. Early practises were fraught with absent instruments, damaged equipment, and some embarrassing sessions of cover calamities. Nevertheless, we persevered, adding vocalist Sam Clarke to allow greater freedom for the rhythm sections to develop their melodic cohesion and concentrate on making the music, and also because there was initially no clear choice to be front-man. Practising weekly during early 2004, our development became slightly interrupted by work towards the end of the university year, and the band was unable to gain the momentum to play a gig before the semester was out.

However, the idea for a summer gig for friends appealed, where we would have more time to practise and (hopefully) less pressure, in what was to be our first performance in front of more than 2 people! Scheduled for early July, the absence of Bealez’ parents allowed us to rock out in the garden with a barbecue and a house party. However, the will of the gods was not on our side, as the heavens opened moments after everything was plugged in. Hurried covering of drums and amps with duvets and bin liners protected anyone from electrical shock and a huge insurance claim, and it was on a slightly soggy lawn that we played our first. A set mixed with a couple of our own tunes, and a smattering of covers, we rocked through a short set, despite the nerves and the wet feet.

After the summer break, the band returned to Sheffield, but we now had begun to construct a home studio of sorts in Rich’s bedroom. Gradually rearranging his stuff to allow maximum practise space, minimum living space (bed, desk, wardrobe…that’s it), and more regular and intense practise could be done. Jen’s drum kit took up refuge in one third of the room, and has remained a constant fixture ever since. Another pressing concern was our first proper gig; a baptism of fire almost; the opening slot at Ranmoor Hall Fresher’s Week Beach Party. Organised in the summer by Bealez through Ranmoor contacts, this would be our first real test! Although not as intimidating as a hall full of angry rock and punk fans, it was clearly a daunting yet exciting prospect in store for us. The band tore through a set, probably too fast but definitely not without passion and spirit. Dwarfed in organisation and tightness by the headline act, we maintained the moral advantage through playing some of our own tunes! A fantastic experience, as we revelled in the rapturous applause bestowed by the Fresher’s.

Finding time for a few other gigs before the end of the year, As Mad As I played to an almost empty Earnshaw Hall Bar, less the lead flare of Sam due to university commitments, and a somewhat busier and friendlier Stephenson Hall. Building on the momentum of increased practise, improved overall quality and a greater closeness between us, we travelled across the country to play a gig in Lancaster, at the Bobbin pub. It was a chance to play outside our own backyard, and was a good experience and a tight set, but we discovered the draining effects of traipsing across the country carrying heavy amps and guitars – Lancaster and Sheffield must be the hilliest cities in the country, or at least they feel like it!

The recording of our first demo CD, “The Crookesmoor Sessions”, was completed before Christmas. However, there were mixed opinions about the quality of the EP, and its relevancy to current musical style and ability is becoming less apparent. Nevertheless, this recording allowed us to learn lessons for the future, and to take heart in the fact that we could actually create something original, and not think it was amazing; an easy mistake if one lacks modesty. The original CD resides on our wall in our living room, although the glass frame has sustained significant damage from BB-Gun fire (it wasn’t Bealez, that’s for sure…)

The new year of 2005 would spell mixed feelings for the band. Bealez got a Gibson and Wacky got a new bass amp, but it was clear that despite good intentions, the band would struggle to maintain a consistent level of regular practising as a result of university work. Nevertheless, the band announced a gig in Leicester, a good homecoming for local boys Wacky and Bealez. Supported by two local bands, we blew the rest of the stage with our passion and from the rapturous support we received from a (largely friendly) audience. This gig would mark a change in As Mad As I for the long-term. Through a combination of factors, it became apparent that Sam and Jenifer would be unable to find enough time to practise with us as a result of large college workloads and prioritisation; Bealez, Wacky and Rich either didn’t care enough for their degrees, or were blessed with a useful combination of procrastination and blaggage. Since the date, As Mad As I have not played live.

Unfortunately for the timing of the band, the end of university came to quick for some; Wacky and Jenifer finished their degrees in June 2005, though Bealez and Rich do not finish until 2006. The summer break was disappointing in many respects, as creative juices and itchy guitar fingers wait for no man; the quartet needed to return to practising soon. However, once university resumed, it became apparent that the non-students would have much less time for practising than previously hoped. It would be rather difficult to hold evening practises in the home studio because of the neighbours, and daytime practises depended on absence from work. What the band lacked in regular practises was more than made up for in the quality of recent song-writing. Writing with greater expression and vision, the boys began to accrue more developed, mature music and lyrics, boosted by improving guitar skills and a tenacious self-belief. Sadly however, it became clear that Jenifer our drummer was intending to travel abroad in March 2006, and may not be returning to Sheffield upon her return. The hole left by Jen has yet to be filled, but production for home demos will carry on using the rudimentary drum skills of Rich and Bealez. Unperturbed, extra drumming practise and a shifting dynamic of dual-jamming for the guitarists has allowed personal confidence in ability and originality to grow. Christmas 2006 brought the band a huge cabinet amp and a new bass, as well as the purchase of crucial kit for the home studio, studio condenser microphones.

And so it was in February 2006, Jenifer left Sheffield to pursue an adventure in Costa Rica. With practise time hindered by full-time jobs, and the increasing urgency and importance of Bealez and Rich’s degrees, As Mad As I are currently concentrating on their education, at least until June. We hope to move in together, set up another studio in Rich’s bedroom, practise with demon-like dedication, and begin to convert the undoubted potential of the demos and jams written so far. We hope to have our first official EP release at Xmas 2006, with extensive touring, both local and national, expected in 2007.