X Factor: Biography Of Eton Road
Eton Road
The Story So Far…
* In their first audition the boys sang ‘Changes in My Life’ by John Pagona and ‘Lonely’ by Lionel Ritchie. Simon said “very good choice of song, terrific I really like you, one of the best groups we’ve seen, quite odd but I like that.� Sharon said “very individual young fabulous� and Louis said “You didn’t copy anybody, 100% yes.�
* On the first day of Bootcamp they sang ‘Relight my Fire’ and ‘From this Moment’ Louis said; “They’re fresh, something new, I’m not massively disappointed, don’t know what to do with them?� Yvie Burnett said “They had energy�.
* On the second day of Bootcamp they sang ‘Up Where We Belong’ but fell apart when singing with the piano accompaniment. They had to stop and start again a couple of times.
* The Judges said “they fell apart, didn’t handle it at all. They’re raw talent but could they handle it in studio? They have a passion but didn’t deliver, the strange looking guy really adds to it, he wants it badly, bit of a diva but that’s not a bad thing.�
* At Judges Houses they sang The Beach Boys’ ‘God Only Knows’.
* They were initially given a no by Louis. But replaced Avenue when they were disqualified from the Competition.
History
* They have known each other since they went to a dance school together called Eton Road when they were younger.
* They have all been singing for years in shows, competition and cabarets.
Name: David Heath
Age: 19
Job: Student
From: Liverpool
History:
* David was born and raised in Liverpool and lives with his dad, mum and sister.
* His uncle was in a group called Easy Beats who were famous in Australia.
* David has been singing for ten years, and in that time he’s performed in several shows and cabarets around the North West.
Name: James Edwards
Age: 20
Job: Student
From: Liverpool
History:
* James was born and raised in Liverpool.
* He currently lives with his mum, step father and brother in Birkenhead
* James has been singing for five years and has taken part in many shows, competitions and cabarets.
* He has achieved an intermediate level in acro & breakdance.
Name: Daniel Morris
Age: 17
Job: Student
From: Liverpool
History:
* Daniel was born and raised in Liverpool.
* He lives with his parents and his younger brother.
* Daniel has been singing since he could talk, and has done major performances at the Empire Theatre (Liverpool) and St George’s Hall with Michael Barrymore.
* He plays the guitar, piano, and drums to good standard.
Name: Anthony Hannah
Age: 17
Job: Student
From: Liverpool
History
* Anthony was born and raised in Liverpool and still lives in the same house with his grandparents, three sisters and his brother.
* Anthony won a competition on ‘The Saturday Show’ and got to sing with Gareth Gates.
What would winning The X Factor mean to you?
Dan says “I think I speak for the whole band by saying it’s what you dream of and as you grow older you want it even more and you do what you can to achieve it. James adds “In a word it would be fantastic!� All the boys would buy houses for their families if they won. David says “I‘d give my Mum and Dad something because they’ve worked so hard for me.� And Anthony says “I would put my Gran into a fabulous house because she’s 71 and she’s been an absolute rock. And I’d also love to buy a chihuahua for company and some designer clobber.�
What are you most looking forward to about the live shows?
David says “I just want to get started now. I want to learn new songs and I want to show our talent and what Eton Road can do. We’ve got so much more to give and want to show what we’re made of.� James adds “I just want to knuckle down, get songs rehearsed and give 150%!�
What will you miss most about moving away from home?
Dan says “At home you’ve got your family around you and if you’ve got any problems you can talk to them so I’ll miss them.� And James adds “I’ll miss my family and friends but I think we’ll be that busy we won’t have time to think about anything else. They’ll only be a phone call away.� David says “My Mum and Dad are just over the moon. They’re so proud, they can’t believe it.�
Do you have a musical family?
Dan says “My family say that I’m very distantly related to George Harrison. I think my Nan’s brother or cousin or someone was related to him. Anthony says “Apparently my Great Grandad was a really big jazz singer in Liverpool so I’m really starting to get into jazz.� And David says “All of my Mum’s side play musical instruments and sing because their Dad used to be in a band. My Mum’s cousins are actresses so we are a very musical family.�
What was your favourite subject at school?
Anthony says “Music definitely. I wasn’t very academic. It was all about singing for me.� James says, “Art, cooking and PE. I’d like to cook for everyone in the house.�
What are you’re musical influences?
Dan’s are Michael Jackson and Elvis Presley. David says, “I love Stevie Wonder, Mariah Carey, Whitney and Lionel Richie.� And Anthony says “I love Will Young. He doesn’t crave attention it’s all about the music. I like his style and I love his voice.�
What was your worst or best job?
Anthony says “I worked in a hairdressers’ once and didn’t earn very much money. I did get a couple of free haircuts though. And James says “I once worked in a pharmaceutical factory for eight hours a day which was tedious.�
When did you realise you could sing?
Dan says “When I was a young boy. It’s always been something I’ve wanted to do.� David says “I’ve always liked dancing but then I went to dancing school and realised I could sing so started singing as well. But James was a later developer. He says “When I went to college and started harmonising. I was more drama based. It just sort of happened. It was never really an ambition of mine. Until now!�
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Omg! Leah? Is That Leah Sarikaya?? Fink I Spelt It Right!!
Omg.
I Have Herd Your Song! Deep In MyHeart! Its Well Gurrd. You Got Well Gurrd Voice. Good Luk With X Factor! I Love Your Homepahe By The Way .x
I Only Recognized You Because Of The Way You Do You Lil Fing At The Bottom. And Cos Of Your Picture.. xc
leah: no im not gay!!!!!!!! so r u auditionin 4 da x facta or sumfink?? if u r gudluck. yeah why wud u fink dat im gay???????? i luv james from eton rd
Leah: wen r u auditioning and wot song r u gonna sing? woteva it is im sure youll do gud!!! does anyone know whos replacing louis as da third judge on x facta cz apparently simon fired him! well dats just simon! oh an PAUL: can u tell me who the two gay ones r in ER, pleaze i need 2 know!! fanks X X X X
Im Sorry.. Lol.. Just Something I Read.. Yeah Im Audition For X Factor.. I Went For Britains Got Talent Too.. Im Going To Be Singing Either, The Song I Worte And Sang. Or Bette Midler – Wind Beneath My WIngs, Orrr Leanne Rimes – How Do I Live..
..xX* Leah *Xx..
that means i love you and your music leah
Madz,Leah and LLL, can I politely ask you to keep your discussion ‘on topic’ e.g ER, as this thread is already so long that it’s just being tolerated by mods.Thanks.
Rod & Paul – I do admire your positivity, but yet again today I have seen more posts from what appear to be music industry insiders saying that ER have no deal and nothing in sight.Plans/ideas being tossed around on a daily basis seems too vague for me, I hope we get some concrete news soon.
I really hope that their less than 100% heterosexual image is not holding them back – stupid record companies!
thanks joss and maeve for the boys birthdates. i guess it dont matter whether ER ARE GAY OR NOT CZ AT DA END OF DA DAY THERE FAB AND I WILL LUV EM NO MATTA WOT
YEAH ITS OKAY MAEVE I WILL STICK 2 ETON ROAD,NO WORRIES. SORRY
Maeve ,you are a worrier, there are equal amounts of positivity and negativity about, as plans for recorded work as Joss said are not forthcoming until the second part of the year, the negative vibes will flow but when you get to the lads themselves, well, no one else could know better than they and indeed they are showing good wisdom in being careful and planning and signing the RIGHT long term deal, its the long term bit that is a stumbling block but full of compromise, The music industry has said for decades the Rolling Stones were quitting touring for good and they are stil doing so. As to the lads sexual orientation, It is now thankfully widely accepted in the entertainment industry as a whole that being gay CAN BE AN ASSET. It did Boy George no harm nor many others, FREDDIE MERCURY for instance. Indeed it can make a singer or group seem MORE attractive to investment, being gay often rules out the complications of Wives etc, Will Young has few problems and goes from strenth to strength in Quality. We all have to have patience and simply wait and as with any waiting there will be negativity and positivity until all comes to fruition, I for one can certainly NOW see the logic in waiting for nearer the X factor this year, this will look back at last year and feed the lads with the positive energy and popularity they won then and have consolodited so well working so hard on their public appearances. They have their goal, they are working themselves into it and wnat it to be RIGHT and long term. Frustrating though it is I can wait until they have all fine tuned so all they have to do is record, sing and perform and become MASSIVE.Nothing Ive learned since x factor ended has dented my belief that ETON ROAD is on the way to being a MASSIVE group in the Music industry, despite the doubters and party poopers. ROD.
SOOOOOOOOOOO DOES ANYONE KNOW IF THE SOCCA SIX TOURNAMENT IS GONNA BE SHOWIN ON TV AND IF IT IS CAN SOMEONE GIVE DA DETAILS. THANKS X X X X SO HOW ARE THEY GONNA BE PLAYING- E.G TEAM MEMBERS AND
sorry AND FOOTBALL KITS!!! THANKS
Madz – ER are only doing the Soccer Six in Wrexham, not the one in London. Some how I can’t see all the lads running around a socer pitch!
yeah i cant imagine dat either but i still cant wait, besides it is 4 charity. so if its wrexham does dat mean its not gonna show on TV???
Maeve, I’m not deliberately trying to take sides here, but i do have to agree with ROD’s latest comments. (re: your impatientness and worries) One glance at this weeks albums sales charts should be enough to convince you and any other doubters that by taking their time,picking the right songs and producer and not rushing in to immediately recording and releasing an album [like RAY,BEN, MC DONALD BROS.... and soon to be released little 16 year old ("shaky,i'm as nervous as f***") Shaun from the audition stages]that they can hopefully deliver a product which will have greater longevity,appeal and popularity than the aforementioned very short album chart runs,two of which were targeted firmly at the Mother’s day gift market. The fact that as a group they are so unique and different is their major trump card and will reward them with that greater longevity. Everyone just has to be a little less impatient and believe that the boys are taking their time deliberately so as to deliver the best possible product to the public. Yes of course there is the possiblity that some people have/will forget and lose interest in them during that “waiting” period. To counteract this the boys are sticking to a hectic promotional schedule to keep their profile and awareness high and in doing so refreshing the public’s memories.Correct timing is ESSENTIAL,therefore the decision to go for a last quarter album release to tie in with the new series of X Factor,coupled with promotion,p’a’s and hopefully a guest spot on the show will only add to refreshing the public’s awareness in the act and this in turn will translate into sales when the product is launched. Of course the great British public are a fickle, stubborn old lot and i don’t have to tell you that album sales are down on last year and last week were at their lowest level for 5 years,all this despite the arrival this week of an Arctic Monkey’s album which hopefully will provide a much needed boost to a flagging sector.The moral of the story is it takes a great product with wide appeal to persuade people to go into their local record shop or purchase on line.Later this year i strongly believe such a product will be delivered by Eton Road,in the mean time let’s all try to be a little less impatient!
For the record Ray is at #62 this week after 6 weeks and less than 60000 sales,Ben has dropped out of the charts after just 4 weeks and after having an excellent single pulled by the record company in order to supposedly “push album sales”.Mc Donalds debuted and peaked at #18 and are currently absent from the albums chart.
Paul: r there still any plans abt the private party dat u and Rod were plannin? thanks
DOES ANYONE KNOW THE DETAILS ABOUT NATALIE (JAYS GIRLFRIEND)? CZ APPARENTLY SHE WAS IN STRICTLY CUM DANCIN OR SUMFINK.
i live in wrexham!!
..xX* Leah *Xx..
Hi Paul & Rod, clearly you have a real desire to see ER succeed, so do I. I’m not impatient, prefer the qaulity route, but tell me this…who are they signed to? Why has there been no announcement. I just want to hear specifics.
I’m not sure performing a limited set list of XF songs to 200 people in a CRC is the best way to keep their profile high. I’d prefer they worked on their image and vocal indentity to insure that people saw them as more than a tweenie boyband – believe me, many people do and that is not the image they’ll want to stick.
Re Ray – he actually sold 190k ( uncle Simon got him a good promo before mothers day.) Ben sold 90K and clearly wont be making another album, I think SBMG didn’t put much effort into his album, feel sorry for the chap he’s have been better off doing a McD and signing with a small label.
My apologies Mauve,Ray did indeed sell 127,000 copies in the first week of release and Ben exactly half that amount,but to the best of my knowledge, neither has been certified yet.I’m assuming you must have better access to data figures than myself,do you by any chance work for a record company?…….. As for Ben’s second album,he has already started work on it and this time it will feature all self composed material.It may well come out on an independent label if SONY/BMG drop him.
Not quite sure where you get this “tweenie boyband” thing from?….they are far more talented than just appealing to the tweenies market.
****Madz****
Rod is busy organising a private gig/dinner with the boys for MAY/JUNE at a venue just outside London…..more details when we have them.
***********************************
First ALL SAINTS and now JAMELIA have been dropped from EMI/PARLOPHONE due to disapointing album sales and next to go could be JOSS STONE….it really IS a cut-throat competitive world out there,all the more reason why ER are taking there time.
Hi Paul – no I dont work for a record company, just try and keep up to date and read Haven for stats.Actually Ray was BPI certified as Platinum, which means the shops ordered and paid for 300k but they obviously didn’t sell that many.
Re ‘tweenie’ – I’m just reflecting back a general impression some people have of ER. As I said, they need a strong visual and vocal identity, build on XF experience but not continue to live it.
Yes, Joss has made a big mistake re UK market but her album did well in States – well charted well. I think she’ll survive a wee bit longer, but she needs to come back down to planet earth.
THANKS PAUL CAN U GUYZ PLEAZE PLEAZE PLEAZE PLEAZE TRY 2 MAKE THE GIG TOWARDS DA MIDDLE OR END OF JUNE CZ I GOT MY GCSE EXAMS AT DA END OF MAY AND START OF JUNE. ANYWAYZ LET ME KNOW. THANKS!!!!!
hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii jus leavin a comment from ma mate… madz….. she lurvzzzzzzzzzz jamez…. drivez us madddddd wit the picz n dat… but itz all gud!…xxx mwaahhhhhh xxx luv ya madz…. u 2 noorie lol…xxx
Hi Rod,
Any news on the private gig? Is Ant’s current illness affecting the plans?
Get well soon Anthony.
No news yet from Rod re gig.
Will post when we know more.
Hello! I have started a new thread on the main Forum under Xfactor just in case this one disappears again!!
Hi Everyone! It’s REALLY GREAT to be back home again where i feel we all belong.
Before anyone one else e-mails the Unreality Complaints Line,I have today received an e-mail explaining the “dis-appearance” of this message board thread as being due to the moderators being away on holiday and “unable to moderate anything that was posted”.
I think we should all be grateful to them for re-instating it and for all the hard work that they do on our behalf. Many thanks especially to Lisa McGarry for getting back to me.
Now let’s all continue to use this site and thread as it was intended,and post news and comments about Eton Road.
News from ROD via private e-mail informs me that the boys are appearing/ have appeared ??? at Southport with Ben and
(i’m so shaky and nervous) Shaun, any one got any more info?
Re : Private Gig
Rod informs me now late JUNE/Early JULY more details to follow VERY soon.
Re : Single/Album
Again still sketchy but provisionally around SEPTEMBER for the single.
That’s it for now! Hope all you guys migrate back here as it’s VERY lonely all by myself and I miss you!(aaaargh! NO seriously I do!)
xxxlolxxx PAUL
PS I’m STILL single and available!
Hi Paul, yes Souhtport is this Friday – 25th May, their 100th gig no less. They have made it into the recording studio according to David, but guess it’s early days yet. Only a single seems on the cards, no news as to how this will be distributed or will it just be a download. No website or Myspace yet…so things as vague as they were in February.
Shall I ask for the other thread to be deleted then now than our “natural” home is back??
I’d leave for the time being. Good to have you guys back! …..Now where’s ROD?
Hi Paul, I am here, I am just clearing all my personal work out the way now so I can concentrate for AT LEAST 2 weeks on making sure all gets set up. I still have NO doubt whatsoever that the recording work is going to progress to a long career and that our lads are going to be massive. Hopefully I get my personal work and business all done by next week. Still ETON mad and still very confident,as we will all see soon, Rod.
Amen to that, Rod! But I saw them live last night and although the performance is still there they looked tired and a bit weary… Their current gig schedule is just ridiculous… Liverpool last night, then Portsmouth this afternoon and Nottingham tonight… I just wish they were given some breathing space prior to the single being released…
Agree Joss, but Anthony and in fact a couple of others have been under the weather, Stress is a factor too, the lads were ill during the x factor too,mind you thats hardly surprising, but they have been working hard and as you point out travelling here there and everywhere takes its toll, They are young fit lads in the main though and once all is going the adrenalin will flow again. However and I am so annoyed with Louis on this after his flase promise, they NEED status and that is something he could have even done indirectly for them, it will come with the single and the extra publicity but they have worked so hard and many TOP artistes wouldnt have done half the gigs over 2 years that these lads have done in under 6 months. I think it says a lot for their determination and they have to keep going now as there’ll be no let up once the single appears. Really though I dont see the single as make or break anyway, I know an album will be the key and I think it will be planned for near end of year, A good success for the single will ensure its out earlier as there are tracks in the can. I just cant wait but its going to be September before the recorded work gets any advance airing.Rod.
Hey Rod and Paul there’s a new Official website http://www.etonroad.org.uk the families set this up. It’s very early days and needs further development, but hopefully we have a place for communication between the lads and fans.
Thanks Maeve,I’ve just checked this new website and the boys look great in the pic. In fact so good is the pic, or the idea behind it, that i really think it would make a great cover for their debut album.(RECORD COMPANY PLEASE NOTE!) It’s great that they are cheekily mimicking the famous Beatles “RED” and “BLUE” greatest hits compilation album sleeves where they(The Beatles) are seen leaning over the balcony at EMI’s headquarters. Hailing from the same City and being influenced and covering the songs of the greatest band in musical history must surely go in their favour but to mimick these famous sleeves is nothing short of BRILLIANT!
To the best of my knowledge no-one has ever tried to copy a Beatles album sleeve shot before,unless of course you count the ZIMMERS who co-incidently released their dreadful cover of the Who’s My Generation this week with a single sleeve picturing the OAP’s mimicking the famous “ABBEY ROAD” pedestrian crossing shot.
Nice to have you back Maeve, and let’s all hope this new “official ” site is a sucess. By the way does anyone know whether the boys themselves check this thread and messages? It would be great to here some official comment from them.
Paul,
If you love the picture on their website and the reference to the Beatles, I guess you’ll like that one too!
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r216/Froggie72/ERBeatlesPic.jpg
As far as an album cover is concerned, or even a “logo” for the band, my vote goes here…
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r216/Froggie72/etonroad-1.png
Hi Paul, yes we noted the Beatlesesque nature of that picture. It was taken at the Liverpool Echo buildings, maybe the photographer was inspired that day. I agree, it’s a great picture.
Dont think the lads read this thread or any of the other websites for that matter.
Can you all see my previous post with the link to other “Beatlesque” picture? It says “still awaiting moderation” and I posted it 24 hours ago already….
Hi Joss, I’ve checked back through your last dozen or so posts on here and i’m afraid i can spot no other links to “Beatlesque” Eton Road pics.
However feel free to e-mail any pics you have to me direct at djpaul.searle@btinternet.com if you wish as i’d certainly like to see them.
The “moderation” messsage is gone and my message is still there, so you should now be OK to view it! Enjoy!
The “official” website featuring the Beatlesque photo is down and it looks like it’s not coming back…
The website is back on, with all their forthcoming gigs listed!
Hi everyone,managed to see the guys a few times since my last post,theres a few (but not many) pics on my myspace,page 3 and 4 of pics i think.www.myspace.com/katiemgibbs. obviously theres loads of pics around from shows mine are nothing special its just theres a really nice one of anthony looking really happy,which was nice as the last one i went to before windsor he wasnt there cause he was ill.
its great the sites up with all the dates on now.
It’s been a bit quiet on here of late. Does anyone know what the boys are up to and does anyone have any firm release information?
They were in Ibiza this week having a “working holiday” (!) meaning they had the week there with a couple of PAs to do. Feedback from that is that they were not to the clubbers’ taste
but that was to be expected (why is the management asking them to do places where it is obvious the audience won’t like them???). Anyway, Ant decided to come home early and the other three are still out there hopefully enjoying themselves…
Hi Joss,I can imagine ER were not to the clubbers taste in Ibiza as after all the isle is famed for its hedonistic wild dance parties and ER are NOT a dance act.They may well appeal to the clubbers in the future however if their singles are remixed into dancefloor fillers which seems to be the way most POP acts, especially boybands,are marketed by their record companies.I’m also assuming that these clubs they appeared in were not the gay oriented ones where I am sure they would have found their reception much warmer and friendlier. Anthony made the right decision to come home after these gigs and i hope the others will quickly see sense and follow him.
The other three lads are due back to the UK today… they just took advantage of being there to have a bit of a holiday…
mmmm, just found another Ibiza review where they sang 12 songs and went down a storm… people were asking for more and they did a Meet and Greet afterwards… It was not in a club but in a hotel… that might explain a few things…
To all ER fans!
Check out YouTube Eton Road Signed Sealed Delivered from the Tidworth festival (select the clip from Hunnyrose which is top quality)and … ENJOY!!
The best live performance I’ve seen to date… Jay ROCKS!