Colt 45

The band consists of
Neil Harper on Guitar and Vocals,
Gareth Jenkins on Bass Guitar
Adam Lewis on Drums.
COLT 45 formed in 2009, Workington, Cumbria from the ashes of various other local bands that both Neil & Gareth had previously played in. Plenty of early shows around Cumbria's modest, but dedicated live music scene helped develop a passionate local following, attracting Carlisle-based drummer Adam to join guitarist Neil and bassist Gareth. Upon joining in November 2010, the three-piece have gone from strength to strength with a pretty relentless touring schedule around the UK and the production of two self-released EP's, both attracting critical acclaim from the mainstream rock press. Here you have three very down to earth Northern lads with a bunch of catchy tunes and a burning desire to succeed the old fashioned way - substance over style.
Armed with a shared love of rock music from throughout the ages (e.g. Manic Street Preachers, Alkaline Trio, Fugazi, The Gaslight Anthem, Brand New, Rise Against, Million Dead, Gang of Four, At The Drive In), and the frustration of wanting to get out and succeed against the odds. COLT 45 are on a mission to keep playing and writing as much as possible as front man Neil Harper explains; "It's all we know, all we care about and now it's time to take it up a level”.
Not content with the limited music scene on offer in Cumbria, the trio have made it a priority to get out on the road as often as possible, covering pretty much every corner of the UK in the last three years, they have honed a respected D.I.Y reputation throughout the UK's underground punk rock community in the process. As well as increasing their live presence around the UK, COLT 45 are currently working on material for their debut album. "We've spent our whole lives in Cumbria", says drummer Adam Lewis, "we love being on tour and playing to new people, we just want to keep doing that and release a debut album we're proud of. Anything over and above that is a bonus. We know where we're from and we know where we want to go, so hopefully the rest will fall in to place”.
Their experience of working with acclaimed rock producer Romesh Dodangoda (Funeral For A Friend, Kids In Glass Houses, The Blackout, Twin Atlantic) for the production of both of their self-released EP's has given them a vital edge in the studio environment as well. This is demonstrated on the band’s most recent effort, ‘Inside The Triangle’, released in November 2012. The EP has been lauded by the likes of Punktastic; "[Inside the Triangle] signifies Colt 45's serious claim to be one of the UK's most exciting new rock bands," Kerrang!; "a trio of pissed off punks with some bloody big tunes - a full length album would be much welcomed," and Rock Sound; "certainly enough potential here to make them ones to watch."
COLT 45 have built upon their strengths, delivering an anthemic punk-rock sound with a live performance that only enhances their energy and passion. Inside the Triangle steers heavily in a direction crafted by previous effort, 2011’s debut EP ‘Chasing Yesterday’, which drew favourable comparisons to the likes of The Gaslight Anthem, Rise Against, The Menzingers, early Manic Street Preachers and Hundred Reasons.
Spending the last three years extensively touring the UK club and festival circuit, notching up support slots alongside Funeral For A Friend, Gallows, The Computers, Lower Than Atlantis, The Subways, Young Guns and Fun Lovin’ Criminals, COLT 45 have proven their worth in both performance and their desire to succeed. They completed their most recent tour supporting Electric River as part of the Big Cheese Magazine Tour 2013. The rest of the year sets to be another busy one with festival appearances, further touring and recording their long awaited album.