Cannock Unsigned band Gorstey Lea Street Choir riding the airwaves
Tune into the exceptional BBC Music Introducing programme and you’ll most likely hear a band from Staffordshire.
The Gorstey Lea Street Choir, who hail from Burntwood, have been getting more than their fair share of airplay in recent weeks, following the release of their debut track, Lions. The same is true of Brum Radio, which has featured Gorstey Lea on rotation.
Formed by lifelong friends Michael Clapham and Russ Phillips, Gorstey Lea has been two years in the making, though some might say it’s been 34 years.
Michael first met Russ in 1985. Michael was 15, Russ was 19. Russ played in ‘the’ up and coming local band Soul Exit. Michael admired his musical craft and followed the band around the country. A gig in Manchester was planned. Michael needed to go and went to Russ’s house (on Gorstey Lea) with a gift, a tape in hand. On one side The Pale Fountains … From Across the Kitchen Table on the other Dexys Midnight Runners’ Don’t Stand Me Down. Russ welcomed Michael in and let him travel to the gig in the band’s van. The future was cast... the following year Michael formed his first band The Great Divide, inspired by what he had seen and the world of endless possibilities and free expression.
Fast forward some 31 years to August 2016 and a big birthday bash for Russ. Russ wanders over to Michael and pops the question... “It’s about time we got together and did some music Michael, what do you reckon? No pressure. I have converted my garage into a recording studio, you should come round and we’ll have a play.”
Michael was not sure, for 15 plus years he has not played an instrument, nor sung a song, not written down his thoughts. The conversation was left. A mutual friend lubricated the wheels and some months later – and 31 years since that first knock on the door – the brothers-from-other-mothers play a Friday night pub gig.
The reaction from the crowd and the landlord is overwhelming. Two songs turn to two hours and at the end of the evening the landlord books the duo to play the next month.
Since then, Gorstey Lea have recorded with production guru Gavin Monaghan, at The Magic Garden Studios in Wolverhampton. Lions is the first fruit of that harvest.
The duo are now putting together a full live band.
Michael says: “As Joe Strummer once said: ‘The future is unwritten’.”
Forthcoming gigs are listed on Facebook at TheGorsteyLeaStreetChoir. The band play The Horse and Jockey, in Lichfield, tomorrow.
