Young Gifted Liars
a five-piece band with a difference
Eclectic music played with fire and passion
If you thought the Liars was just another covers band then think again.
What you get is the widest possible range of music excluding Classical and
Bluegrass, well actually there are some of those flavours in there. However,
don't be lulled into thinking this band is at the pop end of the spectrum
- wrong!
The roots of this band are securely in Rock and Roll; no not Chuck Berry
but the Rock and Roll lifestyle. Some of these numbers will tear your head
off, break your heart and leave you broken and beaten.
Imagine going to a show to hear the best Rock band, or Blues band or Pop
band or Country band, and they played one or two numbers from their genre.
Imagine going to the O2 Arena to see U2, Eric Clapton, Robert Plant, The
Traveling Wilburys, Beverly Knight, Edgar Broughton, Amy Winehouse, Brian
Adams, Gary Moore, Oasis, Muse and Coldplay on one bill! Get the idea?
No, this isn't a covers band; you would have to look far and wide to find
a band that can play with the same fire and passion.
"You'd better believe it..." says H
When H got himself over a pint in the summer of 2008 an idea popped into
his head - to start a band!
It began with an examination of what other bands did and the realisation
that this band should not do the same! In practice that meant quite a few
things, not least of which...
"If we stick to one genre then we limit our repertoire" H mused
So, it was agreed that the band would play anything and everything as long
as it satisfied one important criteria - it had to be good music!
This website is truly awesome and fantastic but you might also like to visit
the Liars 
FaceBook
or 
MySpace
sites!
The players
How many years between them?
Who knows but let's hear from each...
H (keyboards and vocals)
Born in Leeds
in 1962, he's a proud Yorkshireman!
Ever since
the age of eight, when neighbours gave him a small guitar from their holiday
in Spain, music has been in H's blood. They would be proud to know he still
plays the guitar.
H was
classically trained in the piano from the age of nine and the organ from
the age of twelve (though that hasn't sent him blind).
From his mid to late teens he was part of a successful five-piece band playing
pubs and working mens' clubs in the north of England; now that's a real
hard apprenticeship!
Since then he has continued to play and write music in all kinds of environments
and with all kinds of musicians all around the world.
His influences include Stevie Ray Vaughan, the Shadows, Santana, the Beatles,
Jimi Hendrix, Oasis, Beethoven and Mozart (yes, you read it right), the
Mavericks, Motown, much contemporary music and a whole range of eclectic
musical styles. Just take a look at his CD collection and you'd see what
that means!
In recent years he has been concentrating on writing and studio recording.
H has a remarkable ear (no, it's not stuck on) - he has the ability to listen
to a piece of music and analyse it accurately without reference to the score,
both in terms of key, chords and structure - quite remarkable really. Also,
his keyboard playing is quite likely to get the hairs standing up on the
back of your neck!
Email: h@younggiftedliars.co.uk
Carl (drums and vocals)
Carl started out in the late 80’s as singer in a Pet Shop Boys-style pop
duo. In a desperate bid to regain some street cred he moved to bass playing
in a band with some school friends but eventually moved to drums as there
was already another (better) bass player available and no-one else wanted
to be the drummer!
He likes great music – regardless of genre.
His only formal recognition of musical ‘talent’ was winning an EMI song
writing competition during school days.
Carl plays drums, along with bits of guitar, bass, keyboards, banjo and
of course, more cowbell!
There are far too many previous bands to list over the years (including
being in four bands at the same time during the early 90’s) but Carl had
reasonable levels of success with Korova (mid 90’s Britpop covers and original
material), Quelle Fromage (Irish tinged folk rock – original material) and
Bee Gees Fever (tribute act to the Bee Gees in case you hadn't guessed).
He has performed with the likes of Chris Farlowe, Suzi Quattro, Racey, Hot
Chocolate, The Foundations, Gareth Gates, Atomic Kitten, Busted, Diamond
Head, Pop Will Eat Itself, Robert Plant and Blue Weaver (Bee Gees Keyboard
player/co-writer from the 70’s).
Email: carl@younggiftedliars.co.uk
John (bass and vocals)
John's first musical experience was at St Mark's church, Leamington Spa
as a choir boy. This not only involved singing with the full church choir
for services, weddings and funerals but musical theory under the tuition
of the organist (no choirboy jokes please!).
Later musical introductions into popular music occurred when working school
holidays and evenings with a local gigging musician and saxophonist interested
in Jazz and Blues. Listening to BB King, John Lee Hooker and the "Beano"
album from John Mayall gave John his appreciation for Blues music. Starting
with the acoustic and then the electric guitar and moving onto bass with
his first band at the age of 16.
Involvement with a number of covers/Blues bands in the Leamington area continued
till his late teens when he decided to peruse other interests. Listening
to music was certainly one of them.
Following a lengthy interlude until the mid nineties when following the
attendance of gigs by Deep Purple, Clapton, Bonnie Raitt and Steely Dan
reignited his interest in performing. Taking up the guitar again and moving
back to the bass soon followed. After a number of attempts at joining or
starting bands the path and fate lead to YGL. So, what's the objective -
playing bass with musicians committed (they should be) to bringing their
own interpretation to music with plenty of passion.
Each live gig is a unique transient experience; John hopes you can share
it with the Liars!
Musical Influences: Stones, Beatles, Fleetwood Mac (the Pete Green days),
Hendrix, Clapton, Cream, Allman Brothers, Bonnie Raitt, Steely Dan, Doobies,
Jeff Healy, SRV, Motown, R&B and numerous Funk bands. On bass, there
are many great players but for John the main influence is James Jamerson!
Family: John has a wonderful wife, two daughters and a grandson.
Yabba…
Email: john@younggiftedliars.co.uk
Jas (vocals) 
Jas was classically trained in piano, clarinet and vocals all to
ABRSM Grade 8. Previous bands include HRT - a rock covers band specialising
in biker festivals and rock pubs. Prior to that she sang in a rock duo playing
clubs and pubs in and around London for eight years.
She has supported Paul Young! She has also sang backing vocals on an album
for "Praying Mantis" - a British rock band.
Jas likes to work at home in the studio, writing and recording songs and
orchestral pieces. Jas used to play golf but doesn't have the time anymore
- shame. She is a hard working solicitor by day but hey you can't have everything!
Email: jas@younggiftedliars.co.uk
Images
It wasn't until we saw ourselves in a mirror in Woolworths that we realised just how good looking we were. Some of our photographer friends helped make us look even better using copious amounts of Photo Shop. The results are seen here. Sorry mum! Click on your favourite Liar...
Carl
H
Jas
John
Young Gifted Liars
