Festival Favourites Bottlerockit are about to enjoy their debut record label album. Tony Cummings reports.

Bottlerockit

Bottlerockit have become favourites on the Christian festival scene since their festival debut on the side stage at Cross Rhythms Roots & Branches at Dudley Castle in 1999. Now they are making their record label debut for ICC's Elevation imprint with a punchy single ("See You In Space Tonight" - you can hear it on this Issue's The Experience sampler) and an attention grabbing album ('One Small Step', produced by Matt Hay, a gifted studio wiz who has previously worked with Robbie Williams and Baby Bird. Drummer Christian Finn spoke about working with Matt Hay.

Working with Matt has been amazing. He has pushed us musically, further than ever! His knowledge and experience of the secular music scene is priceless. The album sounds amazing! You can confidently play it next to any band on XFM, ie, Feeder, Blink 182, Wheatus... All the tracking was done at ICC, Eastbourne, vocals were recorded at Asaph Studios, London and the mixing was done at Roundhouse Studios, London.

Commented Christian about their record deal, "Signing to Elevation was a very fast decision we made to meet certain needs as a band. It is a one single, one album deal. The most important thing we tried to achieve with the
single was a quality product to sell on the Spring Harvest tour in April 2001. We've treated it as a demo in a way, it's a taster of the album that the kids can afford! The response has been amazing! However, it is a limited edition, so when the album comes out, we're not getting anymore pressed - so order one quick before we run out!"

Growing up together in Stourbridge, West Midlands, Johnny Crawford (vocals, lead guitar), Christian Finn (drums) and Tim Walker (bass) formed Bottlerockit in May 1999 having first played together in their local church. Knowing each other so well, it was no surprise that the band quickly established the synergy that has become such an integral part of both their studio work and stage presence. Citing the Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Blink 182 among their influences, Bottlerockit have developed an instantly catchy sound and in Crawford, possess a songwriter of genuine quality.

By the time they recorded their debut album, 'Angel On A Vespa', at Hut, Hut, Hut in November 1999 the band had already established a reputation for their charismatic live act. The album was a considerable achievement given the band's limited budget and work commitments. Indeed the three members would rarely be present at the same time during the recording of the album as they travelled to and from work and the studio.

Not afraid to work hard to make things happen, it was only a matter of time before wider recognition followed. Throughout 2000 Bottlerockit developed a strong and faithful fan base on the Christian festival circuit, outselling established Christian acts in record sales at many of the events they played and holding their own alongside some of the finest Christian rock acts at Germany's Christmas Rock Night. Unable to balance family and the band's increasing commitments, Waller bowed| out in late 2000, to be replaced by Mark Bowater on bass. Having known Finn for six years while playing bass in the band Pure, Bowater was the natural choice and quickly settled in. Further high profile performances followed in 2001, along with several terrestrial television appearances and impressive press coverage. Significant radio airplay has also marked the year so far with Claire Sturgess championing the band's cause on XFM.

Perhaps most significant however was the band's decision to sign to Elevation Records, ICC's new alternative label, having attracted interest from some major industry heavyweights. The single, "See You In Space Tonight", was the first fruit of this relationship.

Christian is confident 'One Small Step' will make an impact. "It's a very commercial album - you won't be able to get the songs out of your head. There are at least five potential singles."

I concluded our chat by asking what Bottlerockit hope to achieve. "We're looking for secular management. Then with their help we'd like to get some major labels interested and maybe licence out the album? Who knows? Also, we are obviously going to tour the album...everywhere! We just feel as a band that there has got to be a breakthrough into the mainstream. The secular music scene desperately needs some Christians to influence the kids -in a good way!