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American band with Teesside roots
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A SINGER is making waves in America with her band named after a Teesside seaside town.
Heather Reid was born in New York, but named her band Redcar in memory of the childhood summers she spent at the seaside with her grandparents Phyllis and Bob Reid.
In a touching tribute to her gran, who lived on Redcar’s Kirkleatham Lane, Heather also named the band’s record label Phyllis Records.
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Heather said: “I was born in Brooklyn. My mother Sheilah was born in Burley-in-Wharfdale, but spent most of her young life in Redcar.”
When Sheilah was 19 she left Teesside for a life in New York.
Heather said: “She brought me to Redcar to meet my grandparents when I was about two months old. I grew up in New York, but my parents had the luxury of leaving me with my grandparents almost every summer.”
She was a visitor for around 18 years, adding: “Redcar is the place of all my best childhood memories.”
As well as regularly visiting Locke Park, she fondly recalls Lemon-Top ice creams, Redcar rock, the sand dunes and pier, fish and chips with mushy peas, the town’s ghost train and swimming baths.
Bob died when Heather was 11, but she spent several more summers with Phyllis in Redcar. She added: “I absolutely adored my grandmother.”
When Heather was 21 her mum died, leading Phyllis to move to New York.
Heather, who was with a band called The Murmurs, said: “I was just starting my career as a musician. Grandma Phyllis came to many Murmur shows. One time I picked up a bottle of beer to sip between songs and heard a loud, stern Northern voice say ‘for God’s sake Heather, get a glass’.
“It was surprising, embarrassing and hilarious at the same time. My friends worshipped grandma Phyllis and in honour of her we named our record label Phyllis Records.”
Phyllis, who died 13 years ago, is also on the cover of an album by The Murmurs.
Heather still has family in Burley-in-Wharfdale and last visited Redcar two years ago, saying: “We made a detour for old time’s sake.”
“Family and friends I had in Redcar made living there the best experience I could have ever wished for,” she said.
Visit www.myspace.com/redcarrock
REDCAR ~ WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING!
"I just love the whole album" Mark Sovel: Program Director of Indie 103.1 Los Angeles
Redcar featured as a "Yahoo! Music Critical Eye" artist.
"Masterful Songwriting" Curve Magazine
"Redcar Rocks" SpinDaily.com
"Redcar is Pop Worthy of the X Crowd" Malibu Arts Reviews
"Currently obsessing over Heather Reid's (The Murmurs & Gush) new project, Redcar….. I highly recommend buying their new record, Can't Be Stopped" Hit Singles -OurChart.com
"Making waves in Amercia with her band named after a Teeside Seaside town" Evening Gazette (U.K.)
"Los Angeles Worships…Redcar" la-underground.com
In the Top Ten Independent Sales @ Amoeba Music first week on shelf & one of the "Home Grown" picks for 2007 at the Hollywood location.
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