The Consultants of Swing!

The Consultants were formed when Matt and I brought our love of music with us from University where we had played together in a band. While at URS we managed to find another guitarist (Jeremy) and bassist (Fran) and formed the Consultant's. Originially, the band were meant to do a charity gig at the company but we ended up playing an open mic night in London which whetted our appetites for perfomances outside of the company.

Shyam - Lead Guitar

I started playing guitar on a cheapo nylon acoustic which had an action a mile high - in the end this probably helped my playing no end. Now, I play lead for the Consultants through a Boogie DC 5 amp, a Lexicon MPX G-2 and a couple of guitars (see Gear Sections). My main influences are Santana, Clapton and Hendrix, etc., etc. but really any good song with a decent riff will fill my cup of tea just fine.

(When you just gotta' have that canyon reverb...)

Matt - Vocalist and Rhythm Guitar

Matt is the singer for the Consultants as he was for our band at University. His favourite music is Pink Floyd type stuff which usually has dark droning melodies (which suits me because I can noodle forever over it!) with well written lyrics. Matt plays a Yamaha acoustic and an Aria semi-acoustic which I found in a second hand shop. I didn't have any money at the time so I called him up and promised him some tone candy - result - he bought it! He uses a Laney LC30 for amplification.

(Matt's got his head in the clouds again...)

Fran - Bass (and recording)

Francis is our bass player extraordinaire, along with recording tech extraordinaire and various other useful functions. Fran plays several great instruments and takes care of all the drum track and recording duties as well. Needless to say, the band 'pre-Fran' was a distinctly bottomless affair.

(Harmonised bass solos anyone?)

Jeremy - Rhythm Guitar

Jeremy is our rhythm player (acoustic and electric). He currently plays a beautiful Gibson Les Paul, a 12 string Martin and a Taylor 416. He is also pedal crazy and I won't even begin to get in to his array of sounds - all of which come out of a Marshall Anniversary Edition amp.

(Jeremy and EVH rock out!)