(L-R) Alan Barnes, Kevin Stuart and Ian Sprange are the writers of Red Tailights tracks.
Red Tailights is a musical project built around three songwriters – Ian Sprange, Kevin Stuart and Alan Barnes.
Ian, Kevin and Alan first played together in mid 80’s band En Route, writing and recording original material. Playing gigs in all types of venues across London and the South East, they crafted a unique sound which still resonates today. After forming various bands in the interim, they still have the same passion for writing and so came back together in 2018 to create new material.
With the ‘record’ button pressed, they decided to ‘just play and see what happens’. The new songs embrace a range of styles and have a powerful, contemporary feel. Working with talented musicians and engineers, Red Tailights will be producing thought-provoking and varied material on a regular basis.
Kevin has been playing keyboards and writing songs for many years now. He first met Ian and Alan through mutual friends and they worked together in many different bands throughout their twenties both in covers and original material. As an originals band they played many prestigious gigs around the London circuit before finally going their separate ways.
Kevin then spent a significant amount of time in Musical Theatre both as a Performer and Director before once again starting to write songs and play in bands. Red Tailights provides the opportunity to work with the "songwriting partnership" again as well as recording with some other great musicians.
Ian is the lead vocalist and one of the three writers for Red Tailights. After putting a musicians wanted ad in the music magazine Melody Maker, he formed the band ‘En Route’. In the early 80’s, the band attracted the interest of Chas Chandler who discovered Jimi Hendrix and was managing the band Slade at the time. En Route signed to Chas' record label Barn and recorded their first single ‘Break Down Your Defences’ and the six track release ‘Six of the Best’ which had airplay on both Radio One and Capital Radio. They also toured as the support act to Slade across the UK. After fronting several bands since then, he still has the same passion for writing and recording.
Born in London into a musical family, his singer/guitarist father Ray played in Geraldo’s Orchestra and also cut some records under his own name and so it was inevitable that Al would be musical. He took some piano lessons, but after seeing The Who at age 13, the electric guitar became an obsession. Self taught, but it was not until Al attended the London Guitar Institute many years later where everything changed. “I forced myself to understand enough theory to open up a new landscape of guitar playing and finally find my own voice’’. Al has been in countless cover bands over the years, but relishes the challenge and rewards of creating original songs with memorable guitar hooks.
Graham started playing drums at the age of fourteen in a rock covers band called Ploughmans Lunch. After a long spell playing in various bands creating the drum parts for all original material he joined Harmonic 228, a London-based band with lead vocalist Jackie Bodimead, formerly of rock group Girlschool. This band was signed to EMI and released an album entitled Future Games in the mid-1980s. Since then Graham has played in many different groups, performing both live and studio sessions with a range of different artists. Identifying that there was no full-band live tribute to Phil Collins, Graham assembled the core members of a band and set in motion what was to become No Jacket Required back in 2002. Graham is thrilled to have rejoined some of his former bandmates from the 80s and work on new material.
Having played the bass for more than 35 years, Jeff can literally turn his hand to all styles of material. His main influences over the years have been the likes of Geddy Lee of Canadian rock band Rush and Colin Moulding who played bass with English band XTC. He favours WAL bass guitars which is reflected in his extensive collection! Jeff also plays alongside Kevin in the highly successful Phil Collins tribute band 'No Jacket Required' who have gigged at major venues across the UK.
Steve turned pro at 19, touring the UK with a rock musical and recorded a cast album in London.
Joining Ian in the band En Route who signed to ex Jimi Hendrix manager Chas Chandler’s record label, he toured with Slade & recorded a single and an EP which airplayed on Radio 1 and Capital Radio.
Later he formed The Drivers, with Nick Van Eede (Cutting Crew), securing a record deal in Canada with top 20 chart & album success. The 2nd birth of Cutting Crew featured him on drums.
Then came Gone Tomorrow and a contract with EMI in Japan to release a covers album which gave him the opportunity to promote & tour parts of the country to excellent reviews.
James is a bassist, musician and mastering engineer. He has played in a number of bands including 'The Reveals' who worked with renowned producer Pete Smith (The Police, Sheryl Crow, Duran Duran, Stevie Wonder) on an album recorded in a stunning studio in Copenhagen. They toured extensively culminating in a sell-out show in Berlin. With his band 'The Standard Lamps' highlights included touring with 90's Britpop legends The Bluetones and supporting Paul Weller in Hyde Park. Other notable achievements included recording at the world-famous Abbey Road studios and supporting rock institution The Who on two UK arena tours playing to over 140,000 people.
Philippa has had a passion for singing since she was very young. She has a Distinction in her Diploma in Music Theatre Performance from the London College of Music and has also trained at the International School of Screen Acting. Her main love for singing is in Musical Theatre but enjoys providing backing vocals and lead vocals on a range of recording projects.
