ABOUT US
We are a hard working rock band with a wealth of experience under our belts (over 1.000 gigs played and counting). Featuring the Classic Rock line up of drums, bass and twin guitars with powerful vocals and backing to match, High Voltage is considered to be one of the most authentic sounding rock bands playing the Cornish gig circuit today. No venue too big or small, High Voltage will play anywhere we think people will enjoy the music, from small town pubs to huge marquees and outdoor gigs at various Biker Rallies and Festivals.
To all the venues who booked us in 2024 and have booked us in 2025, thank you. Over the years we have built up a great working relationship with many landlords and landladies, as well as promoters, who book us year after year. It’s not always easy to put on live music these days, so we really appreciate the effort that everybody puts in.
A huge thank you to everyone who has come to our gigs over the years and continue to do so, we really do appreciate your support. You are as much a part of the show as we are. We salute you!
Finally, we (have to) thank our wives/partners who put up with us playing ‘Rock Stars’ at weekends! We know we’d probably only be under your feet at home and hog the TV remote, so I guess that’s something good that comes out of it for you!
Cheers
Mark, Evo, Stewart & JB
Name: Evo
Role in HV: Lead Vox & Bass Boom
Year joined: 2008 (founding member)
Gear rundown:
Stage Gear:
Mark Bass CMD 15” 500w Combo plus CMD 15” Extension cab
Current Gigging Basses:
Jackson X Series Dave Ellefson Bass & Squier Precision Classic Vibe Bass.
Live Effects:
Boss ME50 Multi-Effects - MXR Custom Badass '78 Distortion - TC Electronic Sub n Up Mini Octave Pedal - Boss TU-2 Tuner - Powered with a Caline5 Power Supply
Favourite HV gig: Our first headline slot at Calstock Bike Festival. 2000+ bikers in a marquee in a field in rural Cornwall
Influences / Musical Heroes: Alan Lancaster, Geezer Butler, Geddy Lee, Ronnie James Dio, David Coverdale, Graham Bonnet, Rick Parfitt, Eddie Van Halen, Quo, Queen, Rush, Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake, Van Halen, Volbeat
Best gig you've been to: Scorpions at Cornwall Colesium on the Blackout tour
Name: Mark
Role in HV: Guitar & Backing Vox
Year joined: 2008 (founding member)
Gear rundown: Various PRS guitars, although my Tremonti model is No 1. Gibson Les Paul Classic, occasionally a Fender Strat & Yamaha electro-acoustic. Marshall JCM2000 DSL50 amp & various Marshall cabs. Pedalboard including Tuner, wah, octave, overdrive, chorus, flanger, delay & solo boost.
Favourite HV gig: Difficult to choose from so many, so I’ve narrowed it down to 3 (in no particular order): 1. The 1st year we headlined the Calstock Bike Show in August 2011. 2000+ bikers in a marquee, full pro light show and bloody loud PA system! 2. The first year we played Helstonbury in July 2011 – The start of our annual Helstonbury journey. So many lifelong friendships started on this day. We were offered a short notice cancellation slot on Sunday afternoon at 3pm in the Skittle Alley, and we all gave it 110% - the rest is history! 3. Compton Castle 10th Anniversary gig – We’re gonna need a bigger boat! To celebrate the 10th anniversary of HV we wanted to do something a bit different. Heron suggested the Compton Castle River Boat in Truro. We invited 130 people along and had a cracking night in a very special setting!
Influences / Musical Heroes: Joe Perry, Slash, Mark Tremonti, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, David Gilmour & Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Aerosmith, The Darkness, Iron Maiden, Thunder, Alter Bridge, Guns n Roses
Best gig you've been to: Iron Maiden at O2 in 2018, ‘Legacy of the Beast Tour’ – Simply awesome!
Name: Stew
Role in HV: Guitar & Backing Vox
Year joined: 2021
Gear rundown: PRS CE24, Music Man JP6, Ibanez Jem 77P Blue Floral, various Les Pauls. Kemper Profiler Powerhead running various Mesa Mark IV and V profiles and onboard FX, EVH 5150 2x12 Cab. Zakk Wylde Wah
Favourite HV gig: Looe Fest 2023
Influences / Musical Heroes: Zakk Wylde, John Sykes, John Petrucci, Gary Moore, Kirk Hammett, Steve Vai, Ozzy, Dream Theater, Metallica, Pink Floyd, Whitesnake, Thin Lizzy, Ratt
Best gig you've been to: Oasis at Knebworth in 1996
Name: J.B.
Role in HV: engine room, bus driver
Year joined: May 2024
Gear rundown: drums 'n sticks
Favourite HV gig: as the newbie to HV, I'm still finding out about all the HV legends, but I would have to say Helstonbury & Red Lion Newquay have been a blast!
Influences / Musical Heroes: as far as drummers go - Cozy Powell, Ian Paice, Phil Rudd, Brian Downey & Peter Criss. My favourite singer of all time is Ronnie James Dio. As for bands, too many to mention really, but for sure Thin Lizzy, Maiden, Kiss, Rainbow, Sabbath, Purple, early Twisted Sister & Whitesnake.
Best gig you've been to: my first ever gig were the Scorpions back in the 80s, so that ranks right up there, just for sheer impact. Mr. Big on their Lean Into It Tour '92 - at their absolute peak - was on another level. Seeing the reunited, original Kiss at Monsters Of Rock Donington '96 was pretty mind-blowing, as were the Big 4 (Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth & Anthrax) in Germany 2010. But the cream has to be Kiss back in '99, when I was invited to be an AAA guest for the whole European Leg of their Psycho Circus Tour. What an incredible, eye-opening experience.
CURRENT VARIABLE SET LIST
Thin Lizzy - Rosalie
Ozzy Osbourne - Crazy Train
Whitesnake - Still Of The Night
U2 - Vertigo
Queen - Tie Your Mother Down
ELO - Don't Bring Me Down
Whitesnake - Fool For Your Lovin'
UFO - Doctor Doctor
Billy Idol - White Wedding
Bon Jovi - Wanted, Dead or Alive
Stiltskin - Inside
AC/DC - Highway to Hell
Metallica - Whiskey In The Jar
Velvet Revolver - Slither
Buck Cherry - Dead
AC/DC - Let There Be Rock
Stereophonics - Dakota
The Cult - She Sells Sanctuary
Metallica - Enter Sandman
Pink Floyd - Comfortably Numb
Guns n Roses - Sweet Child O’ Mine
AC/DC - High Voltage Medley
AC/DC - Whole Lotta Rosie