About The Embers
Immerse yourself in the dynamic soundscapes of this five-piece powerhouse, featuring the mesmerising Becky Gallagher whose powerful, soul-stirring lead vocals will send shivers down your spine. Guitar virtuoso Steve Hobbs ignites the stage with rocking riffs and electrifying lead breaks, while bassist extremist Jamie Snell lays down thunderous low-end rhythms that resonate deep within. Adding a touch of class, Jason McMurray - the keyboard wizard - dazzles with perfect piano melodies and scintillating synths. And finally, Billy Richards brings it all together with hard-hitting drums that propel the energy to new heights.
The Embers navigate through the musical tapestry of the 1960s to the modern day, offering a captivating blend of rock, pop, and disco classics. When these five musical professionals converge on stage, be prepared for a high-octane, polished performance that guarantees a slick show, leaving no choice but to surrender to the rhythm and hit the dance floor all night long.
Catch The Embers live and witness a musical experience that surpasses time, a sonic journey that captivates hearts and ignites the flames of pure entertainment. Get ready for an unforgettable night of music, energy, and the sheer joy of letting loose with The Embers – where every note, every beat, and every moment is set ablaze with musical brilliance!
Member Biographies
Becky Gallagher
Lead Vocals
Coming from a large family of various performers, it is perhaps no surprise that Becky's natural talent and love for singing, acting, and performing became clear from a very young age. She even earned her first dollar singing onstage in Florida at the tender age of six years old! In her teens Becky could be heard singing couples down the aisle at weddings across the South West.
Since then, Becky has been a regular at jam sessions and open mic nights, and is also a founding member of South Devon based charity fundraisers, The Dead Ringers, alongside Jason and Jamie.
Other musical achievements include singing at the Houses of Parliament, recording multiple themed cover albums, and performing at various festivals throughout the South West - entertaining thousands of music lovers along the way.
From emphatic power ballads to classic rock favourites, Becky is a versatile vocalist with dynamic range and precise technique.
Becky's influences as both a vocalist and frontwoman come from international superstars such as Miley Cyrus, Kelly Clarkson, and Beyoncé. It is therefore no surprise that Becky's performances are often described as captivating and mesmerising, leaving audiences yearning for more.
Becky uses Sennheiser and AKG microphones.
Jamie Snell
Bass & Vocals
A bass player since the age of 12, and now with over 23 years’ experience, Jamie is The Embers’ bassist, backing vocalist, and occasional lead vocalist.
Jamie’s bass playing style combines deep, rhythmic finger-walking and punchy picking, constantly driving the band forward on a solid bedrock of low-end vibe complemented by piano-like melodies and hard-hitting chords.
Qualifying as a sound engineer before leaving secondary school, Jamie later dropped out of college (where he was studying Music and Music Technology) to join emerging alt-rockers Talula, embarking on a rollercoaster four-year professional music career which included several commercial releases and UK tours, sharing stages with the likes of Muse, The Stranglers, The Noisettes, and Senser, along the way. During this time Jamie also worked with internationally acclaimed, award-winning producers Paul Reeve (Muse/Supergrass/Razorlight) and Joe Gibb (Robbie Williams/Tom Jones/Michael Jackson).
Jamie was the founding member of renowned South West wedding/function band The California Calling, managed by international agency Listen Out Events & Entertainment, and at the point of his departure Jamie was the longest-serving musician on the agency with over 8 years service.
A punk-rocker in his youth, Jamie’s musical influences are varied and include Fleetwood Mac, Blondie, The Police, Green Day, Sum 41, and Muse. His main bass influences are Mike Dirnt of Green Day, Bernard Edwards of Chic, and Chris Wolstenholme of Muse.
Jamie uses Trace Elliot speaker cabinets powered by Tech21 Sansamp amplification. Strung with Rotosound Swings, his basses include the staples of an Epiphone Grabber, Fender Precision, Fender Jazz, and Ernie Ball Musicman Stingray, as well as a one-of-a-kind custom bass crafted by distinguished luthier Tim Stark, now of Manson’s Guitar Works, Devon.
Steve Hobbs
Guitars & Backing Vocals
The Ember’s resident rock ‘n’ roller Steve started learning the guitar way back in 1982, the same day he bought AC/DC’s Back in Black album. Initially using a tennis racquet and his parents dressing mirror to perfect some classic rock moves (many of which he still uses to this day!), he soon graduated to the real thing and has been playing live music and involved in the music scene ever since.
His teenage band featured a young Justin Hawkins (later of The Darkness) and during the university years, his folk-rock outfit, Ditcher, was hailed the “saviours of Nottingham folk”, in a scene that also included Tindersticks.
By his mid-twenties, regularly touring the UK in perennial support acts, he started writing about the more successful bands he was meeting on the road. It turned out that as a rockstar, Steve also made a pretty good music journalist. A career as a music writer for NME, Q, GQ, and The Guardian followed, taking Steve on tour buses across the globe with rock ‘n’ roll royalty, including his idols - Slash of Guns n Roses, Matt Bellamy of Muse, and Johnny Marr of The Smiths.
Steve is also a member of South Devon charity fundraisers The Dead Ringers.
Steve uses the classic rock setup of a Les Paul guitar into a tube driven Marshall amp. He also uses a vintage Fender Squier Stratocaster from the renowned Korean era as well as a handful of effects pedals, mainly a tube screamer and Wah. He prefers to play cheaper guitars, like Epiphones and Squiers, because they put up more of a fight!
Jason McMurray
Keyboards & Backing Vocals
Former entrepreneur Jason turned to music later in life after relocating to Menorca some 20 years ago. His love of blending pianos, Hammond organ sounds, and creating an overall full and fat keyboard sound, layering synths and strings, makes up for a solid fifth of The Embers.
Jason is one half of the McMurray Holland song writing partnership and has co-written many classic pop songs, owner of Son Parc Studios, Menorca, alongside business partner Paolo Scarpa (also The Embers' producer!), and is a former member of The Geckos, where he performed his original music alongside a quality lineup which included Hugh Grundy, original drummer from Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, The Zombies, plus Mick Connor and multi-instrumentalist Simon Holland, formerly of The Special Guests mod band. Jason recently reunited with The Geckos, filming for the movie documentary "The Zombies, hung upon a dream".
Jason is also a regular special guest member of renowned South West wedding bands The California Calling and The Vegas Hooligans, as well as a founding member of South Devon based charity fundraisers The Dead Ringers.
His inspiration and sound comes from his love of 80's music, in particular Duran Duran, and he models his style on Nick Rhodes and his general love of Roland keyboards.
Jason’s rig comprises a Roland Fantom, Roland RD, and Roland 2x12 combo amp.
Billy Richards
Drums & Backing Vocals
At 12 years old, Billy was considered to be the youngest drummer to have ever graced the stage at the famous Cavern Club in Exeter. Now with over 20 years experience, Billy has been performing at some of the South West's most iconic music and wedding venues, where his hard hitting, solid grooves and playing techniques have been the beating heart of many song writing and function bands alike.
Remarkably, Billy was self taught until the age of 25, when he studied Professional Musicianship at the prestigious British and Irish Institute of Modern Music (BIMM) in Bristol. He focussed on refining his drumming skills, as well as his general musicianship, and benefited from tutoring and mentoring from the likes of Jason Bowld (Bullet For My Valentine), James Hester (Malachai), Mark Whitlam (jazz session/recording artist) and Rob Brian (touring/recording artist).
Heavily influenced by the alternative rock, nu-metal and ska-punk of the 90s/00s, his passion and inspiration has come from superstars Dom Howard (Muse), José Pasillas (Incubus) and Rob Bourdon (Linkin Park).
Billy uses a hybrid setup consisting of a Pearl Export Fusion drum kit and Roland SPD-SX complemented by Roland RT and BT triggers and Zildjian K cymbals.
Colin James
Sound & Lighting Engineer
The Embers are supported by veteran sound & lighting engineer Colin James – whose impressive CV includes Queen, Duran Duran, Dire Straits, and Live Aid 1985.