Focus on Uckfield's young musicians: Alex Butler
Sophie Shannon is writing a series of features for Uckfield News.com about Uckfield's young musicians. This is the first. It's about Alex Butler whose band Red Butler performed on a Hyde Park stage during the Olympics.
“Surreal” was the word Alex Butler chose to describe performing on stage in Hyde Park with his band, Red Butler.
Lead guitarist/vocalist Alex, aged 18, formed the band back in April. Other members include Jane Pearce, 23, lead vocalist; Stephen Eveleigh, 20, bass guitar, and Charlie Simpson, 17, on drums.
Red Butler won the opportunity to play on the BT Live stage during the Olympics after being recommended by Sussex Downs College in Eastbourne, where Alex recently completed his B Tech in music.
Alex said: “It was a huge experience. To perform on that scale was incredible, especially with the atmosphere the Olympics provided.”
The event marks a huge landmark in the career of Red Butler and Alex hopes the band will now be able to break into more festivals.
Alex, lives near Hempstead Fields in Uckfield, and said that music had been a part of his life from a young age.
His parents, Richard, a retired estates manager with Brighton and Hove Council, and Beverley, a chef, regularly took him along to gigs. He reflects that was a good learning experience.
Alex started playing the guitar when he was seven. One of his earliest memories was watching his guitar teacher perform, and that is when it first “clicked” that music interested him.
Alex is hoping to pursue a career in music alongside his bands, Cold Heat and Red Butler. In the meantime, he continues to teach guitar and is considering going on to university to study Team Leadership.
Alex and Red Butler will be playing at a Bandstand Marathon in Uckfield on Sunday, September 9. Read more here: Live music in Uckfield Bandstand Marathon on September 9.
If you wish to learn more about Alex and his band, visit www.alexredbutler.com.
Red Butler is pictured below, by Sarah Reeve, performing at Hyde Park.
See also:
Have your say on development of Uckfield Picture House
Uckfield's Secret Tea Party Company celebrates traditional afternoon tea
(Added to site Tuesday, August 21st, 2012)
