Singer / guitarist Chris Corney and drummer James Crossley, both veterans of the Bedford / Cambridge music scenes, met a few years ago while both playing in UK new wave band The Contrast, but were eager to put together their own band to play Chris’s ever growing catalogue of songs. They say that their philosophy is definitely that the song is king, and describe their sound as "harmony laden Americana" - hopefully sitting somewhere between teenage fan club, early REM and Idlewild. The Ravines are: Chris Corney: lead vocals / guitar
James Crossley: drums
Guy Griffin: guitar / backing vocals
Nick Mailing: bass / backing vocals How would you describe your style of music? Country rock / Americana What would you say are your musical influences? Neil Finn and crowded house, Kate Bush, Bruce Springsteen, The Who How did the band form? Chris Corney and James Crossley, both veterans of the Bedford / Cambridge music scenes, met a few years ago while both playing in UK new wave band ‘The Contrast’ (signed to rainbowquartz record, New York), but were eager to put together their own band. They drafted in long time friend and musician Nick Mailing (ex Peccadilloes) to take care of bass playing duties, and when not touring with ‘the Quireboys’ guitarist Guy Griffin. Chris signed a publishing deal last year with Complete / BMG music publishing. Of all the songs you have written, what’s your current favourite and why? Chris: “Ebb and the flow”, as the writer I think its my finest hour
James: “Ebb and flow” for the same reason as Chris
Guy: “Wedding day” because its our most recent song, and sounds fresh. What type of gig do you most like to play and why? Outside festivals, just because they’re just different to your normal gig. What’s your most memorable gig and why? We played a gig at ‘The Colour Bar’ in Camden last year, I wanted to go home as soon as we got there. No stage, rubbish PA etc. but it was great, we had people jumping all over the place by the end of the night. What’s your fan base like? What group of people would you say you appealed to most? If we’re honest it's probably not the 18-year-olds, more the 20–30 somethings, as we’re now in our 20s and 30s - I think it's reflected in the maturity of our songwriting. What’s the weirdest thing a fan has ever done / sent to you? Wouldn’t say we’re big enough to have that kind of fan yet, but a girl asked me to decorate her flat. Name one unusual fact about each of you. Chris: I chopped the end of my little finger off in door whilst running for ice cream van as a kid, it's my guitar fretting hand too, so I guess I’m a disabled guitarist, I should get a sticker for my guitar case!
James: Once auditioned as the drummer in ‘The Waterboys’
Guy: Was a chimney sweep as a child, and was a stand in double in the film ‘Oliver’ If you could record a collaboration with ANYONE - who would it be and why? Personally (Chris) it would be to record a song with Neil Finn of Crowded House, as he’s such a huge hero of mine. Or maybe as I’ve heard they are reforming, to support Crowded House on tour. What’s the band’s ultimate ambition or what’s your dream? Ambitions and dreams are two different things. My ambition is to earn a living writing songs and touring the world with this great band, my dream is to wrestle in a paddling pool of jelly with Nerina Pallot! Is there anything else you’d like to tell us?! No - I think we’ve said enough. I’m tired now. | 
