Brave Rival are a rock band on a mission. No gimmicks, no frills—just raw, high-energy, riff-driven rock that demands to be heard.

Since forming in 2019, the Portsmouth-based quartet—vocalist Lindsey Bonnick, guitarist Ed ‘the Shred’ Clarke, bassist Billy Dedman, and drummer Donna Peters—have built a reputation as one of the UK’s most electrifying live acts. Their debut album Life’s Machine (2022) put them on the map, catching the attention of critics, fans, and even Joe Bonamassa, who called them one of his “favourite discoveries.”

Their 2024 follow-up, Fight or Flight, upped the stakes, earning a 9/10 review from Classic Rock Magazine, who hailed it as “an album packed with ambition, fire, and killer songs.” With massive hooks, blistering guitar work, and unstoppable energy, the album set the stage for their biggest year yet—festivals, headline tours, and sharing stages with rock legends like FM.

Brave Rival are only getting started. Get on board or get out of the way.

Iron Maiden Founder and Bassist, Steve Harris and David Smith grew up and lived a short distance from each other in East London - Steve in Steele Road E11 and David in Downsell Road E15 and importantly both went to the same School (Leyton County High School for Boys).

Steve and David became good friends and when they left school (in 1973), with both a passion for West Ham United FC and prog and rock music, they decided to form a band. David then helped Steve choose his first bass (a Fender Telecaster Bass copy and then a Danelectro ‘Longhorn’ bass like Rinus Gerritsen (the bassist in Golden Earring).

Determined to be a hard rocking band, they soon found the fantastic drummer Paull Sears (who was a friend of a bloke David worked with) and vocalist Bob Verschoyle (another school friend of Steve) to join the fledgling outfit.

They formed Influence in the autumn of 1973 and rehearsed (famously in Steve’s Nan’s Living Room and at Allan Gordon Studios in Leyton) and played to family for a few months before performing at a gig/talent contest in Poplar (organised by Dave Lights) and then their first paying gig at the Cart and Horses (in April 1974). Influence became Gypsy’s Kiss in mid 1974 adding Tim Nash as a second guitarist.

They had paying gigs mostly at the iconic Cart & Horses and the Bridge House, Canning Town, where Paul Mario Day first saw them play. Gypsy’s Kiss came to its natural end in the middle of 1975, although they still remain good friends.

David was asked to reform GK many times over the years so Maiden fans could finally hear ‘Influence’ & ‘Heat Crazed Vole’ played live and finally agreed to play Burrfest in March 2018 as a one off (including Bob Verschoyle on vocals). It went so well that they played two more gigs in 2018 (with the current line up). Overwhelmed by support from the Maiden Fan Community, they decided to do it all over again. They have gigged extensively since and have released a single and EP in 2019 and 2020 and their debut album ‘74’ released in 2021 along with a UK Tour.

The current line up is David Smith (Vocals and Guitars), Jonathan Morley (Guitars and BVs), Fraser Marr (Guitars), Ross Hunter (Keys and BVs), Robin Gatcum (Bass) and Stuart Emms (Drums).

Established 2022 college friends James, Tyler, Ed and Ricky (JAYLER) are a new up and coming young rock band who are creating their own exciting rock music harnessing the raw classic 70's vibes that have been missing for so many years. It all began when Tyler, carrying his Gibson guitar, walked through the door of an open mic in Tamworth. James, a regular there, went straight over and introduced himself. When Tylers turn to perform arrived and he started playing some crowd pleasing riffs James suddenly joined in and the pair were jamming. From hereon they performed together and the 16 year olds became known as JAY-LER.

November 2021 and uninspired in the 6th year at school Tyler decided to leave and join the local college where James was studying music. It was here the duo decided to expand the band and quickly recruited good friends and fellow music students Ed as the drummer and (after 12 months with another young bass player which didn’t work out) Ricky on bass and keys - JAYLER was now officially formed. Starting out at open mics and supporting other acts on bigger stages and venues JAYLER energetically covered well known numbers from greats such as Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, CCR, AC/DC and many others as well as more recent artists Greta Van Fleet. However the band had no intention of just being a covers band and soon they were writing and releasing their own originals. In December 2023 they released their first EP called ‘A PIECE IN OUR TIME’ consisting of 5 originals and 1 cover. Now they’re working on their first album and its clear who their collective influences are as they produce their own music with the rawness of yesteryear.

Their apprenticeship is pretty busy as they continue to learn and develop their craft and with over 150 gigs/festivals now behind them they’re starting to headline shows and perform mostly their own songs. They’re gaining more and more fans as audiences are blown away by their highly energetic performances and captivating stage presence along with their phenomenal musicality way beyond their young years, they often leave people mesmerised and in disbelief at what they’re witnessing - with one person even asking if they were miming!

Taking up the guitar as a teen, Troy quickly absorbed his musical influences of the early blues pioneers and the energy of the 70s and 80s rock icons. The turning point came when he discovered open tunings and slide guitar.

“I immediately felt like I’d come home the moment I put a bottleneck on my finger and started playing slide, it instantly felt completely natural to me. This style of playing helped me find my true voice on the instrument.”

His talents quickly realised, he received endorsements from Ernie Ball Strings, Airline Guitars and even has his own signature glass blown slide made by world renowned slide manufacturer Diamond Bottlenecks whose roster includes the who’s who of slide guitar luminaries including the likes of Mark Knopfler.

Carving out a name for himself by relentlessly touring and blazing a trail across the main stage festival circuits in the UK, Europe, Scandinavia, and Russia, and sharing the stage with the likes of Robert Plant and Dr Feelgood, Troy has worked tirelessly to build a strong following of diehard fans who gravitate towards his passionately honest, fiery performances and visceral guitar playing.

In 2022, Troy released the album The Wings of Salvation and completed four full UK tours garnering an overwhelming response from music critics, reviewers, and fans alike. He has toured with Robert Jon & The Wreck, the Quireboys, The Sweet, and When Rivers Meet. In October the same year, he embarked on a 12-date UK tour supporting DARE.

Leading up to his 23 September 2022, release of his studio album The Wings of Salvation, Troy released three singles and accompanying music videos for “Come On,” “Gasoline,” and “Sweet Carolina,” all of which have attracted heavy radio airplay and have been featured on Joe Bonamassa’s popular Spotify playlists Cutting Edge Blues, Epic Guitar Solos, and Ultimate Blues Rock.

In November 2022, Redfern won Hard Rock Hell’s “Blues Artist of the Year” Award.

On Friday December 2nd, 2022, Troy performed at Planet Rockstock. Later in the same month, The Wings of Salvation featured in Rock and Blues Muse’s Top 25 Albums of 2022.

Troy released a brand-new single entitled “The Fever” on 11 January 2023. The single was added to Planet Rock’s playlist, making this Troy’s fourth single Planet Rock has playlisted, following hot on the heels of “Ghosts,” “Come On,” and “Sweet Carolina.”  Troy followed this with a co-headline UK tour with Canadian roots rockers, the Commoners.

In October 2023, Troy released “Getaway,” the second single taken from his forthcoming album Invocation. This was the fifth single added to Planet Rock’s playlist. Troy followed the release of the single by playing various summer festivals including Steelhouse, Maid of Stone, and headlined RAWA Festival in Poland.

In November, Troy toured the UK with guitarist Philip Sayce and played Planet Rock Radio’s Planet Rockstock Festival, followed by Planet Rock’s Blues Power “Live” concert at Dingwall’s in Camden Town, North London on December 7th.

On January 4, 2024, Troy released the single “The Strange” taken from his new album Invocation released 17 May 2024. The single was “Track of the Week” on Planet Rock’s Blues Power Show. “The Strange” and ‘Van Helsing’ also won Tracks of the Week on Classic Rock’s Louder Sound website.

Carrying glowing endorsements and reviews from Dave Ling (Classic Rock) – “Immensely promising quartet playing a confident, summery, sometimes funk-fuelled style that will leave you grinning from ear to ear” and Rob Evans (Powerplay Rock & Metal) – “The best independent album I’ve heard this year”, This House We Built are already on rock solid foundations on which to build a successful career in the music scene.

The real bricks and mortar of the band are a heady mix of bands from England’s Scarborough Strip (think Sunset Strip but with less debauchery, more chips and an untapped resource of talent since five Little Angels flew big in 88’). Players Scott Wardell (vocals guitar), Andy Jackson (guitars vocals), Chris Mayes (drums vocals) and Wayne Dowkes White (bass) finally came together just prior to the world shutting down in 2020. Rather than dwell on not being able to bring their collective talents to the stage, they started the socially distanced writing sessions that bought the plot for the house they were about to build. Each man brought a different musical path to the band, and you can hear them all as the album unfolds. Eclectic influences ranging from classic rock, funk, emo, nu-metal and melodic rock are mixed perfectly across the ten songs and brick by harmony laden brick they build a unique sound that transcends all of the aforementioned genres.