Recognised as one of the Northwest`s foremost vocalists, Chris has been singing his heart out in bands for over 25 years. He has played with a multitude of hugely talented musicians throughout his career, writing , recording and touring across Europe and the U.S.

His influences are wide ranging, as is his musical taste, but for Chris there is nothing quite as liberating as fronting a kick ass Rock outfit like Catdog.

Chris is married to Liz, and they have 3 budding rock stars, Tyler,Elijah and Solomon.

Chris James - Facts and Figures.

Equipment - Sennheiser Microphones

                     Fender Guitars

                     ESP Guitars

                     Line 6

                     Ernie Ball strings

                     Sandersons Specific Throat Tincture

                     A massive set of pipes.

C.V.             Catdog

                     Undercover

                     The Hunger

                     Strong Swimmers

                     The Presence

                     Mr Jinx

                     Mirage

Favourite singers - Myles Kennedy , Dave Grohl , Ronnie James Dio , Eric Martin , Neil Diamond , David Lee Roth , Brian Johnson, Marc Cohn, Sammy Hagar , Michael Buble , Steve Tyler.

Ian has been playing guitar in rock bands for 25 years; his first band went pro with the help of The Prince’s Trust when he was 20 years old from the strength of their first E.P. but the 3 piece split shortly after recording an album. Ian worked as a roadie for U2 and a couple of other famous pop bands before he landed the job with rockers Jagged Edge touring the UK and Europe, he also worked with the hard rocking Hardland from Halifax , writing, recording and playing a few showcase gigs and festivals. After moving to the Lake District from his Leeds home he joined Kendal band Undercover with Chris James which was eventually to become the rock monster ‘CATDOG’.

Ian is married to Lisa, and they have 2 young dudes, Brandon and Zak.

Live rig

                     Diezel Amplification

                     Bogner Uberkab

                     TC Electronic

                     MXR Flanger

                     Morley wah

                     Boss Harmonist

                     Van Damme and other quality cables

Guitars

Main             Peavey Wolfgang standard

                     ESP Horizon
 

Others           80’s Charvel

                     Old Jap Squire Strat

                     Fucked acoustic + nice one, hate ‘em.

                     ’77 les Paul custom

Endurance    Catdog

                     Undercover

                     Jagged Edge

                     Hardland

                     PNR

                     Force 10

“A few of Ian's faves…”   Jason Becker, Zakk Wylde, Steve Vai ,Slash, John Sykes, Greg Howe, Marty Friedman, Paul Gilbert, Jim Crawford, Neal Schon, Jimi Hendrix, Randy Rhoads, Alex Lifeson, Nuno, Dan Huff, Eddie Van Halen, Mark Tremonti.

John has worked as a drummer for a number of years, recording and gigging with some of the North West’s top musicians. He’s had a couple of record deals, toured the UK on several occasions and continues to write, record, produce and play with a varied selection of musicians. He began teaching at 16 and has had several students who have gone on to play professionally and a couple who made the last 10 of ‘Young Drummer of the Year’.

Johns Equipment

Ayotte Drums

Ludwig Drums

Gretch Drums

Keplinger Snare

Zildjian Cymbals

John uses Drum heads made from otters tears and Drum sticks that he has whittled from fallen branches.

Steve has been playing bass for over half his life now and remembers going to see Chris playing in Undercover many moons ago, but it was different local band and their bass player that inspired him to take up bass guitar.

After 9 years of  playing pop covers on the club scene, Steve changed musical direction and was now playing rock covers and belting out original material, but despite three successful CD albums, the group then disbanded. 

Steve is proud to be a member of Catdog and he is still enjoying playing quality music with a fantastic bunch of lads.

Steve is happily married to Anna, and they have 2 lovely girls, Aimee and Laurel.

 Steve's Details

Equipment - Fender Jazz 5 String Bass

                      D’addario Strings

                     Hartke HA200 Bass Amp

                     Hartke 410TP Bass Cab

                     2 Star Lager

                     Reasonable Voice

C.V.             Catdog

                     Hush

                     The Blitz

                     Redline

Inspirations - Mr Dave Kinley, Leeland Sklar, Donald Dunn, Carol Kaye, John Deacon, John Taylor, Adam Clayton, Jason Newstead, Billy Sheehan, David Eleffson, Tom Hamilton, Michael Balzary, Steve Harris, Michael Anthony, Tim Commerford, Christopher Wolstenholme, and most recently, Mark Tremonti.

Chris provides the band with fantastic sound they deserve and deals with all the technical stuff.

Chris is owner of Balance Pro Audio, you can check out his website and services HERE

Balance Pro Audio specialises in high performance sound systems and has provided professional audio services to Cumbria and the Northwest, not to mention all over the UK for over fifteen years. We accommodate all markets from parties and corporate events to concerts and tours.