In 2013, I got the chance to work (and continue working with!) some fantastic vocalists (like John Jeacock, who you’ll meet about below!). I’ve had the chance to help fix some issues for them, and often help them capitalise on some great things they are already doing. So I thought it would be fun to ‘meet’ some of these guys… so this week, it’s time for something a little different.
Let me introduce you to one of the fantastic singers I’ve been working with over the last year.
John Jeacock of Merrick’s Tusk
John’s been working with me since early 2013, and is the lead singer for a local rock band called Merrick’s Tusk (they rock, I can confirm it). They’ve been playing together for some time now, and the drive that they have to make the music they want to make is really inspiring.
In terms of songwriting, John is the chief driving force within the band, with influences from many 90s bands like Jimmy Eat World, Smashing Pumpkins as well as more current bands like Copeland and Circa Survive. I should point out that I get the distinct pleasure of hearing a lot of these songs before they hit the stage, to help tweak some things, perhaps shift some keys, but also I just have a lot of fun hearing these songs before anyone else!
Like me, he’s got a real love for hearing and writing songs that utilise higher vocal range, hence we’ve been working on nailing access and control in his higher ranges – he works hard on it and it really shows in his voice.
He’s got a knack for finding interesting vocal lines that flow over sometimes quite complicated but catchy guitar riffs… so why not have a listen and hear for yourself?
They’ve just been in the studio and the first album is in the mixing process. But til then, here is their first music video with their song ‘Persist’.