Richard James Hagan's Friends

View All

My Music

Paused...

1.
xxx3
2.
Man in the moon
3.
Loves Flag mix 1

Richard James Hagan's Page

Profile Information

I am an:: Indie Artist

Artist's or Band's Name: Richard Hagan

Indie Music Fan's Name: Richard Hagan

City & State: manchester

Country: uk

Music Genre(s):: alternative,Rock,Indie

Bio:: Richard James Hagan A.K.A The Reverend. Age: 397 Star Sign: Pisces Well where do I begin. At the beginning, started getting into music around 9 yrs old. My stepfather gave me a Stones, Chuck Berry and some ACDC albums. My first band was called Alcatraz, a school band and played at the local youth club as often as possible. I used to watch bands rehearsing in my step father’s house. I picked up my first bass guitar from Woolworths; you could play Cricket with it, if you fancied it. I think it was £14.99, FENDER Jazz copy.

I was playing original songs, mostly punk rock orientated. I guess my second band was the one that changed things for me it was called Fairwarning. I did bass and backing vocals and wrote most of the songs with the guitar player. Started gigging and kind of seriously began playing in Pub’s in the north.

I was in a couple of bands after that, can't remember some names except The Richard Hagan Band. Felt like I was going through my Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen period. Stayed solo for the next 5yrs or so, writing with various people. Did some publishing deals and kept on chasing the dream. Got tired of being on my own, I missed being in a band, well the good bits anyway. Couldn’t get a record deal at the time, Singer/Songwriter solo artists were few and far between in those days. Spent a lot of time with older professionals writing, recording and gigging. The Sad Cafe Boys, 10cc, etc.

Went on tour supporting Lloyd Cole and The Commotions. That was good experience! Throw a band together one day, went on tour next day, and then the bass player from the day before didn’t even turn up! The whole European Tour was like that. Met some great people on this journey and some not so good, but it's like that wherever you go. I formed a band called OMKARA, put a lot of time into this; I was obsessed with my dream. I was possessed by the Rock and Roll lifestyle. The band looked great and were all great players, we were well received, it started to become a reality that, I could make a living as a musician, but wasn’t to be.

Formed the first EARTHWOOD which started with Steve and I and eventually became three, Charlotte was the third. EARTHWOOD consisted of myself on vocals, Steve Seagar on 12string acoustic and Charlotte on percussion and vocals.

Probably the most successful band to date, more of a challenge for lots of reasons. Certainly was the hardest gigging band so far. Gigged everywhere we could, raw, loud and aggressively tribal. Picked the bass up for the odd song, but had to be a great front man for this to work well and press the buttons I wanted to reach. Cutting a lengthy, curvy winding road short, Charlotte and Steve became an item, and it went all downhill from there.

Reformed EARTHWOOD as an electric 5 piece. This Band was darker and a lot heavier than anything previous. Gigged hard, sometimes 8 gigs a week really learnt my craft as a front man in this band. Rock was dead in the UK from a commercial point of view. There was no Radio 1 Rock Show. Built a big following, worked hard, had sponsorship, equipment, guitars etc. Did lots of supports on the circuit. Had some great moments.
Eventually it ended about 5 yrs later.

Photo taken at London Astoria 1 1995

Live at "The Stage" Hanley Stoke on Trent supporting F M.

For the first time since I was 12years old, I wanted to get off the Rock and Roll dream. Hair was down to my waist, shaved it off to the skin, felt like I was reborn, bleached it blonde and locked myself in my home which was a big warehouse down near a river. Learnt to play the drums, it was good to get all those years of frustration out on the kit. Kept getting called Billy Idol. Don’t look at all like him really. But hey, got no band, didn’t want a band. Became the only tribute to Billy Idol in the UK.

Spent the last five years doing that. Helps me survive, was unhappy in my personal life, I lived in a suburban 3 bed semi, and it wasn't a very creative environment for me. Change is good,
never been feared of that.
Got out of my house, bought a church, and then all my creativity, hunger, passion and desire to stand on the mountain came back. Started to write again, met Kye Robert Jones.

Photo Shoot at "The Church" 2010

IT WAS TIME TO BEGIN AGAIN