Bankshot are a Ska Punk band from South West England formed in early 2008. The band consitsts of 4 members: Hamish Goodwin (Vocals / Guitar), Seán Kennelly (Bass), Farrell Bowdrey (Vocals), Alex Goodden (Drums).

Since the start of Bankshot they have sold 60 copies of their self titled E.P.

Band History

After writing his first song, what was to become "Danny Cheat", Hamish Goodwin enlisted his school friend Seán Kennelly to play bass, and childhood friend Will Thompson to play drums. They called themselves "Bleeding Knuckles" and began to meet regularly in Will's attic bedroom. Soon they had several songs including "Save Yourself" and numerous covers. By the time they had moved into Will's garden shed they had changed their name to "Black Dog", a tribute to the song by Led Zeppelin. Increasing tensions between Will and the rest of the band due to his lack of interest and commitment led to his departure soon afterwards. Seán and Hamish decided to start afresh and change their name to Bankshot, now looking for new members. Seán suggest his childhood friend Alex Goodden should play drums, and Hamish was immediatly taken with the idea. Alex had recently taken up drumming, but was still without a kit. Meanwhile, rough recordings featuring friend Farrell Bowdrey singing some lead and backing vocals appeared, and the current lineup was formed. Farrell had been the bass player in a band at school called Navarone.

Bankshot

After several practises and numerous badly recorded songs, the band sought after new equipment to further their progress. Alex's first drum kit was purchased as well as microphones and stands for Farrell and Hamish. It was around this time that the band moved into the Ivybridge Youth Centre to practise. By now their repetoire had increased dramatically to include crowd favourites "With You", "Truncheon Democracy" and a newly polished version of "Danny Cheat".

First Self Titled E.P

The band recorded their first ever professional songs with musical aquaintance and friend, George Birkett. George is the current vocalist and guitarist of the local band Get Hairy. The E.P features the songs:

With You

Moth

My Life

Only Friend

Summer Nights

Danny Cheat

All songs on this E.P were written by Hamish. Apart from Summer Nights which was the song featured on the hit film Grease. Soon after the release of their self titled E.P the band the band played their first ever gig at the birthday party of school friend and Navarone drummer Robert Furzeland. The gig was a success and the band started to organise more and more gigs. The band appeared at the Saltash battle of the bands and came a magnificant 5th. Soon after their Battle of the bands Bankshot organised the first ever Ivybridge Anti Rascism concert in aid of the Love Music Hate Racism foundation.

Musical Style and Influences

Primarly a Ska Punk band Bankshot occasionally stray from their chosen genre to experiment with various punk styles. "Ode to the flower" which featured styles of Hardcore Punk, the sarcastic song "Heavy Metal is Gay" which featured a heavier sound all the way to songs like "My Life" and "This Is The Life" which featured a lighter Ska tone.

Bankshot cite their musical influences bands like Rancid, Operation Ivy, The Offspring, Lars Frederikson and the Bastards and The Misfits.

References

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