The Guys

A bit about the current lineup of this fine group:

Chris Blain
Loz Blain
Rory Osman
Sam Qualtrough
Ian Nisbet

Chris Blain - wailing tenor

The fearless leader of Suade, The Colonel cut his teeth touring with the Vocal Consort, after wowing crowds with his starring roles in expensive productions of Jesus Christ Superstar, West Side Story, Les Miserables and any other musical theatre production they'd let him get within reach of.

He's responsible for a goodly proportion of the hard work behind the scenes that makes Suade happen - but we suspect it's because he just needs four guys to play Human Nature to his Johnny Farnham. He's a big fan of anything melodramatic, so he loves Bon Jovi, Grease, and "anything from Anthony Warlow to Axl Rose."

Recently Chris has become Suade's full-time manager.

Check out the Colonel's side project Minian Funken...

E-mail: thecolonel at suade dot net

Loz Blain - big meaty baritone

Business analyst by day and shameless clown by night, Loz 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.

Loz can't get enough of Stevie Wonder, Billy Joel, BaSix, Take 6, Pat Metheny, Chick Corea and anything with Virgil Donati on it. In fact, it's best not to mention Virgil to him, as he gets way too excited. 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 motorcycle nut who loves doing naughty things like this.

Loz produced the "All singing, no dancing" CD, as well as designing the cover art, logos and this website. what a clever chap.

E-mail: loz at suade dot net

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 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.

E-mail: roy at suade dot net

Sam Qualtrough - Liquid Gold Tenor

I mainly say liquid gold because that's a term for beer. I like beer. And I like Sammy too. Sam's been a member of Suade on and off since somewhere in 2001. Prior to that, he sharpened his singing tools in the Vocal Consort (with Chris and Loz), the Ormond College Choir, The Australian Boys' Choir, numerous operas and the venerable Pablo. He's currently doing the rounds as a wedding singer and appearing in the odd opera.

You'll notice that Sam's eyes are very dark and hidden in this photo. Never fear, we have provided a digitally-enhanced image to show you what he looks like when he opens them. Simply roll your mouse over his face and be amazed by the wonders of technology.

Sam's got some jazz leanings, being a big Ella and Vince Jones fan, but he's hard to nail down beyond that. Forever off clearing dance floors at rave parties with his extra-enthusiastic dancing, sitting through hours of opera and actually enjoying it, owning the mike out front of his reception band or twanging away on the gee-tar that never leaves his side, this fella truly eats, breathes and... well, plays music.

He's also "Mr. Controversy" on X Factor, although somehow it's nothing to do with the outrageously shoddy haircut he took into the auditions.

E-mail: sammyq at suade dot net

Ian Nisbet - Tenor and Countertenor

Een is the newest, freshest, youngest, most bright-eyed and excitable member of the group. Although this photograph makes him look very windswept and interesting, he's not in the least. We expect to crush his youthful spirit in good time. He describes himself as a music addict - music theatre, in particular, really floats his boat.

He's also keen on Beethoven, Monty Python, Rage Against The Machine, Powderfinger and anything else he can get his hands on.

Een plays a mean flute, so I'm told, also piping on the piccolo, slapping the odd bass and tickling the ivories on a piano when the chance arises. He's studying voice at ACU as we speak, and we're busily trying to undermine his choral training by stripping him of his ex-sess-sive dick-shee-on.

Ian has taken on a few key roles for Suade, which are clearly visible on his purple sash:

• Merchandise Monitor
• Team Lead Stage Liaison
• Performance Equipment Monitor
• Team Lead Librarian

E-mail: een at suade dot net