Upcoming shows:
Nov 13: Edinburgh Liquid Room, opening for Ruts DC, with Fast Girls – buy tickets
Jo Callis – the mastermind behind The Human League global hit Don’t You Want Me and new-wave icons The Rezillos’ run of top-10 singles – has unveiled his new band FingerHalo, who’ll perform their debut shows in August 2014.
Fresh from a return to the charts in May, when Don’t You Want Me re-entered the top 20, award-winning songwriter, guitarist and keyboardist Jo has put together a four-piece band of an extremely eclectic nature. They’re currently working on a set that’ll include recently-surfaced track One For The Angels.
It’s all punk rock to English-born, Edinburgh-based Jo. If you think you know him from League hits DYWM, Love Action, The Lebanon and Louise, plus Rezillos chart toppers Can’t Stand My Baby, Top Of The Pops and Destination Venus – you’re not wrong, but be prepared to think again when you experience FingerHalo live.
The four-piece consists of Jo (guitar, keys) plus the following experimental, energetic exponents of attitude:
David McCallum (vocals, guitar): A stalwart of the folk-rock scene who enjoyed a brief visit to the singles chart himself with Gretna FC’s Scottish Cup Final anthem in 2006. Interests include psychedelic and prog music.
John Clark Paterson (bass, keys): Member of heavy metal festival favourites Achren, and producer of some repute. Interests include extreme metal and classical music.
Martin Kielty (drums, keys): Rock journalist, author, former band manager and drummer-for-hire. Interests include choral and hard rock music.
Don’t ask what they sound like – ask what they don’t sound like. Inspired by the rock’n’roll that led him to pick up a ukulele at the age of 10, ferocious live guitarist Jo delivers gutsy, rebellious new takes on some of the songs he’s best known for, some he learned his trade from, and new tracks that point to the future. Expect explosive energy.
Jo says: “It’s the very beginning of something big, clever and fun. With this eclectic, intelligent band around me there’s nothing I can’t do… so there’s nothing I won’t do. Fingers up and let’s make some noise.”