CC DeVine and Hazard
CC DeVine and Hazard, the band, consists of founders Peter & Christine Clarke on bass – also acoustic guitars.
They are also the songwriters / main vocalists and have played together for over 20 years in various rock bands. The pair also work as an acoustic duo.
This country rock venture features veteran performers Chrissy Clarke (aka CC DeVine) on vocals, rhythm guitar and banjo. ‘Powerchord’ Pete Clarke is on bass, vocals, guitar and arrangements.
Their joint pedigrees cover many years of performing blues, classic rock, country, folk and soul. In recent times they have produced a Janis Joplin tribute show. Having played the rockers for so long, they sought a new outlet and found it in Hazzard. Pete & CC always found the melody and harmony of the top country artists appealing and decided to try it for themselves.
CC DeVine and Hazard Country Band
Not so much the traditional ‘Stetsons & Stand By Your Man’ stuff but Jo Dee Messina, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Steve Earle.
They are also drawn to the Shel Silverstein songs for Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show, Blackberry Smoke and Creedence Clearwater Revival.
Not to mention Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Outlaws and The Eagles to name but a few! The result is what they like to think of as Power Country.
Hazard Band Members: Jim Field, lead guitar, is a former London session player and also an excellent jazz pianist! Brendan O’Grady on rhythm guitar and top harmonies was previously frontman for Equallibria, a Muse influenced prog rock trio. On drums is Martin Brewster, a local legend. Name almost any band from Oldham or Rochdale and the chances are he’s worked with them!
Five Piece Band
As of mid 2012, there was a full 5-piece band featuring Brendan O’Grady and Jim Field on guitars and Martin Brewster on drums. They just love playing songs that were written in Australia. You’ll be impressed by their Country style subjects and structures with a nod to tradition but attempting to avoid clichés.
Small Town (Life Goes On) – Single
All delivered with the commitment of seasoned rockers. Two songs have been picked up by a Nashville publisher and one by a publisher in Missouri. To everyone’s surprise and delight, the full band live performances have audiences singing along as though they were hearing old favourites!