Rick Lees
Richard Ian "Rick" Lees (born 21 December 1985) is an English musician, DJ and artist, best known as the former bass guitarist of English indie rock band Twisted Wheel.
Rick Lees | |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Richard Lees |
| Born | 21 December 1985 Ashton-under-Lyne, England |
| Genres | Rock, Britpop |
| Occupation(s) | Musician and guitarist |
| Instruments | Guitar, and bass |
| Years active | 2007 – present |
| Labels | Columbia Records |
| Associated acts | Twisted Wheel |
| Website | thetwistedwheel |
Twisted Wheel released one studio album (Twisted Wheel) which charted at No. 45 in the UK Albums Chart. They have also had three singles titled "She's A Weapon", "Lucy The Castle" and "We Are Us". Despite having little success in the charts, the band are highly regarded by many including Oasis's Liam and Noel Gallagher as well as Paul Weller all of whom have invited them on their recent UK tours.[1]
Lees was born in Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester. Fellow Twisted Wheel rocker Jonny Brown was originally in a band called 'The Children' with Rick; however, the band failed and the two school friends decided to form another band called Twisted Wheel.[2] After meeting at Leeds Festival one year, the band was completed as they found their drummer Adam Clarke.[3]
In January, Twisted Wheel were signed by Columbia Records which led to them supporting Kasabian, Oasis and Paul Weller during 2008 and 2009.
In the summer of 2010, it was announced on Twisted Wheel's Facebook page that Lees had left the band. In 2012 he formed Howling Rhythm with younger brother Max, a music agency, and signed bands 'The Gramotones' and "The Wax Collection" to it. Alongside managing the band, Howling Rhythm clubnights are now a common sight in Manchester, playing 1960s / 1970s soul, motown and funk. In 2013, the clubnight hosted the aftershow party for Martha Reeves & The Vandellas.[4]
In 2017, alongside his brother, Max and local investor Luke Stanley, Lees launched Cotton Clouds Festival, a boutique music festival taking place in his hometown of Saddleworth, Oldham.[5]
References
- "Wheel are on fire as they head off for Oasis…". Sheffield Telegraph. 3 October 2008. Retrieved 17 September 2009.
- "Twisted Wheel go back to their beginning". citylife.co.uk. 5 August 2008. Retrieved 17 September 2009.
- "Twisted Wheel". Stole The Sun (Fansite). Retrieved 18 September 2009.
- Nolan, Daniel (9 August 2013). "'Twisted' venue is perfect setting for motown legend martha's afterparty". Manchestereveningnews.co.uk. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
- Heward, Emily (6 April 2017). "A new boutique music festival is coming to Saddleworth". Manchestereveningnews.co.uk. Retrieved 11 May 2020.