Cry Freedom: Rough & Ready EP by Growing Old Disgracefully

I am the front man and lyricist, while John writes the music and does the musical polymath thing. He can reach into my brain and drag out music for the lyrics I write. Making music with John is an incredibly rewarding experience. If I am the brain of G.o.D., John is certainly the heart. John and I have made it our task to surround ourselves with people we like, who are also musicians. Rob and Jon certainly fit the bill. Even better, they can both sing as well! And then, there is Mitch!

Tom: The band should exist because there is a world shortage of fun! The whole concept of G.O.D. is about having a wonderful time with people I care about.

Why are we doing the music we are doing?

John: 'Cos it's music we all love.

Rob: The music we're doing is powerful, has lots of hits and licks, and is easy to get down and play with - no major time or chord changes here!

Andrew: G.o.D. plays blues based rock & roll that is generally positive and upbeat. Its meant to be fun and catchy as stink. Too much of today's adult rock is whinging and miserable. Why should Busted! and McFly have all the fun? What the hell is wrong with singing about sex, drugs and rock & roll? Music is supposed to take you away from your problems, not remind you of them. The most important thing is that we enjoy ourselves. As soon as it becomes a chore we will stop. If G.o.D. does not put a smile on our faces, how is it ever going to do it for anyone else?

Tom: The music we play is very positive, full of life and upbeat. I have had enough of the depressing quality of a lot of current so-called contemporary music. What I want to do is to be a part of something much more positive and fun.

Where we are headed

John: The Stars would be clichéd . Sitting in my own studio writing music, sipping JD 'n Cokes, would be nice.

Rob: The band's a laugh - if anything comes out of it, I'll be pleasantly surprised. If I get to become a supreme bass player and singer out of it, all the better!

Andrew: I would like G.o.D. to produce an album of originals ( all of which we certainly have, as we have over 30 songs already) and see where it goes. If it catches on, I would like the band to tour the music in some form or another. I rather doubt the people involved could undertake a Maiden-esque world tour, but festival dates and/or a few date tours of various places would not be out of the question. We have the talent to do something special with this band. If we are given the chance, I have no doubt we can deliver.

Tom: As to where we are headed, I don't know, but I am sure that we will have a good time and make a lot of people happy on the way.

Group member bios:

John Haithwaite: John started learning Piano from age five. He gave up those lessons at thirteen, deciding that classical piano was "boring" and "learnt" to play piano. Received schooling at Shrewsbury where he took part in multiple European music tours to Venice, Berlin, Hamburg and the South of France playing Percussion, Bass Guitar, Keyboards and Vocals. John left Shrewsbury and went on to Leeds University where he got into a band called "The Recliners" playing Drums. He really wants to beat his "record" of 3000 audience through this band

John, after Uni decided that he was fed up with being part of the Rhythm Section and taught himself to play Blues Harmonica. He has jammed on stage with people such as Buddy Guy, Sweetleaf, and Roadhouse. Then he moved to London, where he attempted to live life without a Piano before he discovered a beat-up upright in the Alexander Pub in Wimbledon. Derek, the Landlord left him play. Several years later, in a late night gaming session with Andrew, he "discovered", after years of taking out his angst on his piano, that he could, in fact, write original music, so Growing Old Disgracefully was, if not born, given the wings to fly. A few more sessions and he realized that he had met his lyricist.

He currently runs an IT Consultancy business.

The rest will be history......

Rob Mallows: Rob is a communications professional who fulfilled a youthful fantasy by buying himself a bass guitar and seeking to emulate his rock star heroes - Colin Moulding, Stanley Clarke and Steve Harris. Rob, 33, is a member of the shirt and tie commuting family who dreams of stardom and riches (not) and has discovered, by accident, that he can sing. His musical influences are diverse - Iron Maiden to XTC, Helloween to Yann Tiersen.

Andrew Ian Dodge: Andrew is a 37 year old American expat living and working in London. He is a writer, author, novelist, blogger, music critic and computer games consultant (his full time work). He has been writing Cthulhu mythos stories for many years and has written an Idiots Guide to the genre. 1 October 2004 saw the publication of his latest collection of mythos short stories and novellas entitled Gathering Dark and other tales, PHD Press. Andrew has been (as Marty Dodge) a metal d.j, as well as a music and game critic. He has, in various guises, starred in a short film (http://homepage.mac.com/lagwolf/fallen/) and has made various television and radio appearances.

Mitch Benn: Mitch joined the band after offering to help us with some guitar work and, after he saw our music, wanting to be part of creating a great band. Mitch is one of the most sought-after acts on the comedy circuit. He is widely acknowledged as one of the best writer/performers of comic songs in the UK. Mitch began his comedy career in Edinburgh in 1994. He moved to London in 1996 and quickly established himself as a comedy club "headliner" as well as a favourite on the university circuit.

Mitch is a regular writer and performer on "The Now Show" for BBC Radio 4 and "It's Been a Bad Week" for BBC Radio 2. His successful second series of the Radio 4 show, "Mitch Benn's Crimes Against Music" is being broadcast during 2005. Mitch has appeared on Television in "Gas" for Channel 4, "Live at Jongleurs", "The Warehouse" and "Today With Des & Mel" for ITV, "The Comedy Store" for Channel 5, and "The World Stands Up" for Paramount. He was the presenter of the paranormal discussion show "Out There" for Carlton World.

In 2003, Mitch formed the band Mitch Benn & The Distractions with Kirsty Newton and Tash Baylis. After a successful run at the 2003 Edinburgh Fringe, they took up in residency in October 2003 at The Bedford in Balham. Mitch Benn & The Distractions are to head on a national tour in the autumn of 2005, to coincide with the release of their new album, "Crimes Against Music More info can be found on his website www.mitchbenn.com

Tom Burroughes: Tom is a 38 year old British guy who has been in love with music, including rock music, all his life. A journalist by trade, Tom is also a keen sailor, polemicist, and writer. My early favourite musical inspirations are Marillion, JJ Cale and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Tom co-wrote the song 'Movin' In' sung by Mitch Benn, Andrew and John.

Per Ove: It was a result of my singing material from this demo that Norwegian guitarist Per Ove has agreed to join the band. He has been playing guitar for 14 years and has performed before audiences with such Norwegian rock luminaries as Solli (ex-Psycho Motel, Sons of Angels).

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