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A bit about the current lineup of this fine group:
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Chris Blain - wailing tenor
Chris "The Colonel" Blain has been writing, arranging, performing and producing for Suade since pretty much the day it started. Inspired by the early nineties US R&B explosion (Boyz II Men, Az Yet, etc), as well as his touring experiences with the ABCI, Vocal Consort and music theatre projects, Chris formed Suade to bring the smooth sounds of vocal harmony to the Australian masses. He is a stubborn but resourceful kind of chap, and likes working things out for himself.
He is a fan of great singers, including John Farnham, Bon Jovi, Robbie Williams, Boyz II Men, Christina Aguilera, Stevie Wonder, John Mayer, Missy Higgins, Michael Jackson and Frank Sinatra. He also digs bands like the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Guns and Roses, The Beautiful Girls, Crowded House, Jackson Jackson and The Waifs. And when it's time to fling off shirts and wave a glowstick around, he's into Underworld, The Presets, Groove Armada, Max Sedgely, Tim Deluxe, The Happy Mondays, Nightmares On Wax, Mo Horizons, Air and Royksopp.
Chris has always been up for a musical challenge, and has played, written or performed in blues bands, jazz bands, electronic bands, a cappella groups, music theatre projects, cover bands and can nowadays oft be spotted as a wedding singer around Melbourne and crooning on Cruise ships. "The loooooove boat..."!
If you want a bit of what the Colonel's got cookin', get in touch with him to arrange private singing lessons.
Email: thecolonel (at) suade (dot) net
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Loz Blain - big meaty baritone
Loz skydived out of the software consulting business a couple of years ago (after a nasty encounter with cancer that lost him one of his favourite testicles) to create himself a lifestyle of passions, writing for technology and motorcycle magazines and spending the rest of his time singing. He's having a good time but appreciates food and petrol donations.
In past musical lives he has requested bathtubs full of blue M&Ms on tours through Europe and the USA with The Vocal Consort, and made a name for himself as a professional drummer with Girl Friday, pH.Red, LUKE and numerous other Australian rock, funk and acid jazz groups. He's currently putting together an original acoustic act with his buddy Cory Jach - the pair wrote "I'm Not Him" on the new Suade record and are working on a bunch of other tunes.
Musically, Loz recently caught the world's latest onset case of Beatlemania after a weekend of naked mud-furtling at Confest. Emerging from a jazz-fusion period, he's now listening to songwriters like Crowded House, Alison Krauss, Nik Kershaw, Paul Simon and Van Halen on the rare occasion that his iPod strays from the Fab Four. He particularly hates the word "choir" and will vigorously correct anyone who refers to Suade as such.
His proudest Suade moment? Pulling a wedgie on Pablo's Sam Furphy as the two walked offstage on the X Factor grand final show. In front of a quarter of a million live TV viewers around the country. Classy, but roughly what you'd expect from a Kawasaki-riding hooligan biker. Sheeeeeee-nanigans!
Loz has acted as producer for all Suade's CDs and songs. He also designs the CD cover art, logos and posters, builds the websites, and writes all the group's promotional materials. With his brother Chris, Loz has been responsible for most of the originals the group has written. Clearly he's either a very clever chap, or a control freak. Either way, you'll agree he is devastatingly handsome.
Email: loz (at) suade (dot) net
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Rory Osman - Boomy Bass
Roy joined Suade in early 2003 after Loz caught his eye over a crowded guestbook at BaSix's website. A brief internet romance ensued and before long the group had a new, solid bottom end to rely on.
Roy started his stage career in the role of Oliver Twist at the age of 13, after which he looked down at his measly two testicles and said, "please sir, may I have some more?" His wish granted, he began developing his newly found bass voice in barbershop and choral groups.
He's a big fan of Danish group Basix, as well as the Dave Matthews Band, Eric Clapton and Ani Difranco. He's a part of the magnificent "Jackson Jackson Five." He can pull a mean Shaggy impression, and the boys all call him Roy because he really hates that.
Roy is in charge of festival applications for the group, as well as doing a lot of niggly graphic design jobs like gig posters and the like. He's also totally loaded despite his protestations to the contrary.
Email: roy (at) suade (dot) net
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Rob Latham - Mister Versatile Barry/Tenor/Countertenor
Rob is the latest addition to the Suade lineup, the freakishly perfect applicant who floored the rest of us when he auditioned to fill SammyQ's spot in mid-2008.
Trained as a classical baritone, Rob has completed a Bachelor of Music at the Melba Conservatorium of Music. He also sings with the Victorian Opera Chorus and recently with Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Victoria as principal, and has presented the New & Approved music show on SYN 90.7FM in Melbourne.
Rob has a crazy history of places and people he has performed with. From with Paul McDermott and Lozzo singing about whales at the comedy festival, to performing with Sarah Blasko and John 'Farnesy' Farnham at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games Closing Ceremony, to playing West Side Story's Riff down in Pakenham, to cantata work with symphonic choirs touring as far as Wangaratta, and much much more.
Rob would have thought of himself as a baritone, but we tend to use him as a tenor and occasional countertenor - so he's rediscovering falsetto and rock tenor tones he forgot he had, back from his late high school rock band days.
Email: rob (at) suade (dot) net
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Ian Nisbet - Tenor and Countertenor
een's musical career began at age six when he started learning the flute. After some years in amateur theatre he joined Suade in 2003. The most studious of the group, he holds a BA(Drama), a BMus(First Class Honours) and an AMusA, and is currently writing a PhD in musical theatre at Australian Catholic University. In his spare time he reviews for Stage Whispers and writes feature articles for Theatrepeople.com.au.
Email: een (at) suade (dot) net
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