Weddings
Village Fayres & Festivals
Corporate Great North Run
Bride & Bridesmaids
Get on Down
The Gaslighters were originally formed around 1999 in a public house in Jarrow called The Gaslight. The three original members, John Doonan (Lead Vocalist), Doug Payne (Rhythm Guitar) and Billy Stewart (Lead Guitar) were joined by Brendan O'Donnell (Bass Guitar) and Michael O'Donnell (Drums) in 2000.
The Gaslight closed in early 2001, later to be demolished to make way for the new Tyne Tunnel. The band started a residency in the nearby Alison Arms around February 2001 and played on the, 'First Friday of the month,' for the next eight years. Within this period, the line-up remained the same until Billy Stewart left the band to be replaced by Paul Fenwick around 2005. Paul remained with the band for two years before being replaced by Lawrie (Lar) Nesbitt. In 2010, Doug Payne and Lawrie Nesbitt left the band to be replaced, once again by Paul Fenwick, and Chris Wray also joined on lead guitar. There were no further changes to the line-up until 2018, when drummer Michael O'Donnell hung up his sticks to be replaced by Paul Lindsay, who was also playing with another local band at that time, The Albino Crocodiles. The following year saw more changes with Peter Heywood joining on keyboards and both Paul Fenwick and Chris Wray leaving shortly afterwards.
The introduction of Peter Heywood on keyboards led the band to change musically with a more 80s synth like sound. Sadly Covid 19 hit the world in March 2020 and like everyone else, the band went into lockdown. When they emerged back on the scene in July 2021, a new line up was now in place with Peter Heywood leaving, being replaced by Cameron Brown on keys and after twenty years, the departure of Brendan O'Donnell to be replaced by Wayne Burgess on bass guitar. Cameron Brown left in December 2021 and was replaced by John Stephenson on keyboards in January 2022.
The Gaslighters have played a European festival in Holland and festivals in Amble, Ashington, Seahouses and their own local festival, South Tyneside Festival in South Shields. The lads also played at The Isle of Islay Beach Rugby Festival in 2011 and expect to be invited back in the years to come.
Anyone who has competed in the Great North Run in recent years and entered the public bar marquee at the finish line in Gypsies Green Stadium will have been entertained by The Gaslighters and their now good friend Tony Audenshaw (Bob Hope, the barman in ITV's Emmerdale) and his band White Van Man.
What should you expect from a Gaslighters gig? A bloody good nights entertainment, from five lads who enjoy what they do with a smile on their face, because they are so glad to be "out of the house". They are not precious about their music, performing with humour, as they love nothing better than to laugh at themselves which creates an infectious chemistry with their audiences.
WARNING... Many so called "Professional Wedding Bands" Do Just that. A Profesional Job. Job being the operative word, as they perform at weddings for the fee. In short, they are not enthusiastic nor do they attempt to entertain diverse audiences. The Gaslighters will not only guarantee a professional job, but they will also entertain and thrill you and your guests, including making an effort with any children present. We strongly advise you to come and watch us perform before you book, so check out our gig listings for our next live performances.
Unlike most "Professional Wedding Bands", you can "look before you book", The Gaslighters.
We are very confident you will NOT be disappointed.