Vardis Announce New Bass Player Martin Connolly

After the death of Terry Horbury in December VARDIS unveil new bass player: MARTIN CONNOLLY.

Martin has been in the business for 40 years, playing bass for Rick Wakeman and Paul Fox, releasing two albums with hard rockers Scarlet, performing on Nicko McBrain’s ‘Rhythms of the Beast’ and as The Entire Population of Hackney with Iron Maiden, FM and the rest of Marshall Fury.

Vardis

 Steve Zodiac (Guitar/Voice) & Joe Clancy (Drums) Statement:

We are very lucky to be able to welcome Martin Connolly to the band. Despite knowing Vardis would continue, after losing Terry so suddenly it took some time before we could consider playing with another bassist. By the time we were ready, the job required someone with the musicianship and experience not only to maintain the power of our live shows but to form a tight chemistry quickly. After just one rehearsal we knew we wouldn’t need to see anyone else, Martin is a top bassist and has brought a new dimension and fresh energy to Vardis as we rebuild to get the show back on the road this year. Thank you all for your support and patience, we are proud to rock on with you in tribute to a man whose life was music.

Martin Connolly – Vardis
MARTIN CONNOLLY adds:

“It 
was a privilege to be asked to join Vardis and take over from such a talented player. Terry and I weren’t close friends but our paths crossed many times over the years – I bought my Fender Precision from him in 1984. Our styles are very different, so I’m grateful to Steve and Joe for giving me the freedom to put my own mark on the music. Rehearsals have been a blast, but we’re itching to get out there and make some noise!Vardis are signed to SPV/Steamhammer – new album “Red Eye” will be released worldwide in 2016.

VARDIS live 2016

26.02.GR-Athens – Up The Hammers Festival
09.04.NL-Tilburg – Little Devil (sold out)
10.04.B-Roeselare – Verlichte Geest
12.05.E-Ibiza – Hard Rock Hell Road Trip
03.06.SE-Alvesta – Muskelrock
26.06.GB-Biggar – Wildfire Festival

30.07.D-Brande/Hörnerkirchen – Headbangers Open Air

17.09.I-Villa Rosa – Heavy Metal Night 9

About Louise Swift

I first went to a gig in 1981, Gillan at Leeds University. I've been a regular gig goer ever since. I haven't kept count of how many gigs I've been to over the intervening years, but it's a lot! My favourite bands are AC/DC then, in no particular order, Anti-Nowhere League, Slaughter and the Dogs, Towers of London and Dirt Box Disco. I tend to like Glam/Punk and rude offensive lyrics, not sure what that says about me but as Animal would say 'So What!' The question was recently put to me - did I write for any online publications? My reply - No, but I'd like to! Planetmosh was suggested and I found myself offering to review Aces High Festival. Easy peasy I thought! Well not quite, if a jobs worth doing it's worth doing well! I had sixteen bands to research. I found I actually enjoyed that and it kept me too busy to be making lunatic comments on Facebook! ;) Then I felt a bit inadequately qualified. I mean, who am I to comment on others, when my musical expertise extends to being able to play a mean Greensleeves on the recorder and a passable Annie's song on the flute! Haven't picked up either instrument for years! What I do have, however, is over 30 years of experience as a gig goer, so I can comment on what I like and what I don't! It's only my opinion and, if I don't like a band it doesn't mean they are bad, just not to my own liking. I admire anyone who has the guts to get up on that stage and have a go!