Influenced by the heavy rock and metal bands of their youth, inspired byvirtuoso musicians of every genre and compelled to carry the flag of rock musicforward against a backdrop of injection moulded TV talent shows, Soul Shredderwas formed in Sheffield and first hit the stage in 2009.

Still just as determined, their aim remains unaltered: to write songs worthy ofthe packed stadiums of the past and put their energy back where it belongs, onthe stage!

MusicSoul Shredder have recorded a 5 song EP and are currently in the process ofrecording an album to be released early 2015. If you would like to listen to anyof their music, please visit https://soundcloud.com/soul-shredder.

Videos

If you want to view any videos of Soul Shredder in action, please visitwww.youtube.com/soulshredderOFFICIAL

Website

The band's official website is www.soulshredder.com. The site is regularlyupdated with news including upcoming gigs and reviews. It is also possible tostream songs and videos.

Contact

If you’re interested in booking Soul Shredder or you would like more informationabout the band, please contact Stu on 07976621821 or email the band atsoulshredder@hotmail.co.uk.

As well as the website, Soul Shredder has the following profiles:www.facebook.com/soulshredder

www.twitter.com/SoulShredderUK

About the Band

Thumri “Cookie” Rogers – VocalsYear of birth: 1987Born in India and raised in Wales, Cookie joined Soul Shredder in 2009. During her time in Newport she was the lead vocalist for the power metal band “Triaxis” before she parted ways with them and headed north to Yorkshire. Her soaring vocals and classic rock style made her a welcome change from the rotating door of screamers and growlers who had initially auditioned for the band. Following a single rehearsal comprising of Dio and Mercyful Fate covers the guys were impressed and Soul Shredder took on a whole new sound and style.

Cookies main influences include Ray Alder, Doro Pesch, Ronnie James Dio, Geoff Tate and Jorn Lande.

Stu Gibson - GuitarsYear of birth: 1987Stu spent his younger years in Southern Africa and first started playing guitar at the age of 14 after hearing Van Halen for the first time. As the founder of Soul Shredder he went through several variations of the band before meeting Tom and Ed; musicians who could play the challenging songs he had been composing. With influences including Yngwie Malmsteen, Marty Friedman, Gus G and Alexi Laiho, Stu blends neo-classical and blues licks into his playing resulting in a melodic style reminiscent of classic rock and metal bands of the past.

When not playing with Soul Shredder, Stu takes up lead guitar duties with Sheffield thrash band “Blackened Eyes.”

Tom Collinson - GuitarsYear of birth: 1985 Tom first came to Yorkshire from his native Poynton when he enrolled at Sheffield University. After spending a couple of years in different bands around the city, he joined the band “From the Ashes,” which comprised of a certain Ed Scrimshaw on bass. Whilst that band was short-lived, Tom's blues leads and precise rhythm playing led to him passing his Shredder audition with flying colours. A twin lead guitar partnership was soon formed with Stu, with both players styles complimenting each other.

A disciple of 80s Thrash and metal; Tom started playing guitar at the age of 14 and cites James Hetfield, Dave Mustaine, Ihsahn and Iron Maiden's guitarists as influences amongst many others.

Band History

Soul Shredder was the brainchild of Stu Gibson (Lead Guitar) and was first formed as ajamming band back in 2003. It wasn't long until Tom Collinson came along with aHetfield-esque dose of rhythm guitar and, in turn, brought in friend and formerbandmate, Ed Scrimshaw. An audition later and the band had acquired some loud, classicrock inspired low-end. After a couple of failed attempts at filling the drum stool, theband came across Gaz Oldale who put the right mix of drive and technical ability behindthe kit. The lead vocal spot was eventually filled (after a brandy-fuelled audition ortwo) by Cookie, bringing Power Metal melody and some cracking lyrics to the songs thathad already been written. With a full lineup, Shredder began writing, rehearsing andgigging, and from February 2009 to July 2011 played most of the major venues inSheffield as they worked to make a name for themselves. Early 2011 saw Shredder hit thestudio, and an EP was recorded. Unfortunately the stable lineup couldn't last, with Gazdeciding that he was in need of a new challenge and duly moving on.

An active search for a new drummer immediately began, but it would be a painful 6 monthsoff the scene before the band met up with Rix Hobbs. It became instantly apparent thatnot only was Rix a great drummer, but also a fitting personality; he was duly hired andstoically began the process of getting up to speed with the full back-catalogue.

Soul Shredder are Cookie, Stu, Tom, Ed and Rix, they're back on the scene and they'relooking forward to meeting you out there on the road, whoever you are, and whereverthere may be!

Ed Scrimshaw - BassYear of birth: 1983Starting on the violin before picking up a guitar, Ed has been performing live music from a very young age. At the age of 15, the born and bred Sheffielder moved onto bass and hit the local music scene. Ed's time playing in “From the Ashes” led to his name being the first that came to Tom's mind when the vacant bass slot required filling in Soul Shredder. Several years later, Ed's classic rock sensibilities and larger than life tone are now a fundamental part of the Shredder sound.

Ed's main influences include Rainbow, Marcel Jakob and Rik Savage. As well as SS duties he also occasionally performs in an acoustic duo with Sheffield based singer-songwriter Sara Smith.

Rix Hobbs – DrumsYear of birth: 1983After years of playing in various bands in his home town of St. Albans, Rix enrolled at The University of Sheffield. He joined Yorkshire black-metallers “Asmodei” which lead to him honing his drumming (and drinking) abilities. After his degree, Rix returned to St.Albans and started prog-metal outfit "SusurruS".

In 2012 Stu got in contact with Rix (who had moved back to Sheffield) through a mutual acquaintance. It was soon clear that he was the perfect fit, with his Vinnie Paul and Mike Portnoy influences complimenting the SS sound.

When he is not drumming for Shredder; Rix spends his time skiing, drinking tea and watching Star Trek.

Photography/Media

For High resolution versions of the below images and many more including pngfiles, please visit http://soulshredder.org/media/pics/

All promotional photos taken by Manadh Photography (http://manadh-photography.com), all live shots taken by Wemmy Ongunyanken(Www.wemmyogunyankinphotography.com). Soul Shredder owns the rights to all media provided.