State of Undress

Artist Information

Biography

State of Undress are a rocky-rootsy 'fiddlesome' band playing original music that is evocative, provocative, feisty and fun!
The current line up revolves around husband & wife team Alan & Charlie Rose who have been writing songs and performing for many years. However, it is only in the last five years since Alan & Charlie decided to become full-time musicians and songwriters that the band has gone from strength to strength. The final piece in the jig-saw was finding the right band members and the current line-up has been together for just over three years.
State of Undress are getting a growing reputation on the circuit as a great live band. Rock n Reel magazine describes them as 'a terrific band ..overflowing with spirit and a compelling energy. A performance that marries verve, power and a lung-busting joie de vivre. The blend of roots- rock, country, Celtic flavourings and a full-bodied melodic musical assault creates a powerful live combination.'
Their latest album "Livin' It, Lovin' It" has been getting some great reviews including 5 stars in the November '09 edition of Maverick. .."an exciting band who effortlessly bring their songs to life with their blend of music, singing, enthusiasm & energy." It was also album of the week on BBC Somerset's Emma Britton Morning Show. The current single "One More Shot (of you boy)" was produced by Billy Bragg's long-term producer Grant Showbiz. It's been getting some great reviews including The Crack magazine in Newcastle describing it as "..bubblier than an aero...an up tempo and carefree slice of summer"
State of Undress have been getting a lot of regional support and have done live radio sessions in the last year on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Somerset, BBC Radio Devon, BBC Radio Solent, Exeter FM, Celtic Music Radio, Leith FM, Hope FM, & Forest FM. All they now need now is some national airplay to help them break through to the next level!

Instrumentation

Charlie Rose - lead vocals and percussion;
Alan Rose - guitars and vocals;
Samantha Jane - electric fiddle;
Malcolm Windett - bass and electric upright bass;
Keith Fletcher - drums, African drums and congas;

Discography

Mini-album "Livin' it, Lovin' it!" (7 tracks) released 1st Sept 2009.
Single 'One More Shot (of you boy)' released 1st June 2009. Produced by Grant Showbiz, Billy Bragg's long-time producer.
Live album 'Caught in the Act' released June 2008;
Single and EP 'Christmas round ours' released November 2008;
'Red Waters' a single produced by Grant Showbiz in aid of the Stop Bloody Whaling Campaign for the WDCS (Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society) released in June 2007;
'Ghosts of Wasted Chances' studio album released May 2005 (different band line-up);
'Undressed' released January 2004 - a very acoustic album made by Alan and Charlie before they had a full band.

Official Website

http://www.stateofundress.com

Links

• MySpace Page

Audio

• One More Shot (of you boy)
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• Plenty More Fish in the Sea
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• Mudeford Mood
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• Jump To It!
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• Morning Glory
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• Marilyn
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• Spellbound
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• Red Waters
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• Ain't Nothin'
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• Christmas 'round Ours
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Lyrics

• One More Shot (of you boy)
• Mudeford Mood
• Jump To It!
• Morning Glory
• Marilyn
• Spellbound
• Red Waters
• Ain't Nothin'
• Christmas 'round Ours

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• "Livin' it, Lovin' it!" 5 Star Review! [+ Show ]
  

  State of Undress are an exciting band who effortlessly bring their songs to life with their blend of...State of Undress are an exciting band who effortlessly bring their songs to life with their blend of music, singing, enthusiasm & energy. Between them the band has many musical influences like U2, Alison Krauss, Show of Hands and The Clash. Listening to the songs on this album, it is easy to see where these influences come into play. Charlie Rose takes centre stage on lead vocals and percussion. The other band members - Alan Rose, Samantha Jane, Malcolm Windett and Keith Fletcher - play a variety of different musical instruments as well as offering background vocals on many of the songs. The violin, cello, African drum and guitar all make an appearance on this new seven song mini-album. They open with 'One More Shot (of you boy)'. This uptempo song is an exciting choice and showcases Charlie's vocal talents. She has a wide vocal range, her voice bringing to mind many talented female artists including Norma Waterson, Barbara Dickson and Bonnie Tyler. Some great instrumentation backs Charlie up on this rock infused folk song. The overall atmosphere this song creates reminds me strongly of the amazing folk/rock group Rock Salt and Nails. 'Plenty More Fish in The Sea' sees the mood settle a little. There is a strong folk feel to it and once again Charlie is allowed to shine on lead vocals. 'Mudeford Mood' is a song about a fishing village in Dorset near to where the band comes from and is the inspiration for the title of the album. A slow song with unobtrusive instrumentation, this has a lot of atmosphere and emotion flowing through the words and music of this charming little gem of a song. 'Raggle Taggle Gypsy' is a popular folk song and has been covered by many famous folk artists including the Poozies and Eliza Carthy. State of Undress put their own stamp on this classic song as they give it a bit of a face lift with a much heavier sound to it. Charlie's vocals add depth to the song and really bring it to life. This truly modern and somewhat crazy version of this song might not be to every ones taste but I think it does the song justice and gives it a wonderful eccentric sound. 'The Love Detective' sees Malcolm Windett sharing vocals with Charlie on a pleasant song with a slight jazz feel to it. 'Country Girl' sees Alan Rose duet with Charlie. Alan's vocals bring instantly to mind Ashley Hutchings. This song has a strong folk feel to it both in terms of the vocals and instumentation used. All too soon the album comes to an end with a strong song called 'Red Waters', written by Charlie and Alan. Charlie's vocals are dazzling on this song, which could almost be called the highlight of the album - maybe the band have saved the best till last? Sarah Hunt - Maverick Nov '09.

• "Livin' it, Lovin' it!" album review [+ Show ]
  

  "State of Undress continue to produce a most agreeable blend of roots, country and folk-rock. Their ..."State of Undress continue to produce a most agreeable blend of roots, country and folk-rock. Their seven-track EP Livin' it, Lovin' it! bookended by two superbly realised originals, the positively raunchy and extremely catchy "One More Shot (of you boy)" and closer the inventive, grandiose pop-rock and fiddle fired vision of "Red Waters". Between the two....cuts like the tongue in cheek "The Love Detective" and the Anglo-Americana of "Country Girl" suggests a most positive future for the five-piece."
  
  
  

• "Up on the roof" [+ Show ]
  

  If it's good enough for the Beatles and U2, it's good enough for Christchurch based band State of Un...If it's good enough for the Beatles and U2, it's good enough for Christchurch based band State of Undress.
  The fearless five-some took to the roof of Highcliffe Sailing Club on Mudeford Quay to promote their new mini-album 'Livin' it, Lovin' it!'
  They were inspired by the antics of the Beatles who played on the roof of Abbey Road studios, and U2 who performed on top of BBC Broadcasting House in London. And their daring move paid off, as a bumper bank holiday crowd gave their new tunes a rousing reception.
  Samantha Jane, who plays the fiddle said: 'It was amazing, the views were absolutely stunning and Mudeford was packed. It was almost magical especially when we played our song Mudeford Mood, which was written about this place.'
  The band will shortly be back on ground level for the Great Dorset Steam Fair.

• Rockers take shot at chart success [+ Show ]
  

  Dorset roots rockers State of Undress release a new single on Monday (1st June). One More Shot (Of Y...Dorset roots rockers State of Undress release a new single on Monday (1st June). One More Shot (Of You Boy) has been produced by Billy Bragg's long-time producer, Grant Showbiz, who has worked with the likes of The Fall and The Smiths.
  Lead singer Charlie Rose says: "We'd worked with Grant on a charity single a couple of summers ago which was a great experience. We were really thrilled when he contacted us some months back saying he had a few days free and did we want them? Grant is really great at directing a song and making sure we get the most from it - it's exactly how a film director oversees a movie."
  The song has been a State of Undress live favourite for a while, but the restructured version has taken it to a different level, creating a highly commercial, modern pop-rock track.
  Available for a mere 79p as a download from iTunes, One More Shot(Of You Boy) will also feature on the band's seven-track mimi-album Livin' it, Lovin' it! which will be released in July.

• "One More Shot" - single review [+ Show ]
  

  Bubblier than an Aero, State Of Undress are a kind of rootsy fiddle band and they’ve got the kind of...Bubblier than an Aero, State Of Undress are a kind of rootsy fiddle band and they’ve got the kind of effervescence that can’t but fail to set toes-a-tapping and mouths a-smiling. This is a carefree and uptempo slice of summer and if you’re a fan of rootsy fiddle bands then check ‘em out. GM - The Crack Magazine June'09

• "Caught in the Act" Live CD review [+ Show ]
  

  Dorset based five-piece State of Undress recorded their new album live, and while it's no state-of-t...Dorset based five-piece State of Undress recorded their new album live, and while it's no state-of-the-art live production,"Caught in the Act" is a tantalising taster for a terrific band. There's an infectious bluster on display that suggests State of Undress are unconcerned with thoughts of commercial success or current musical fashion; instead their own material rattles and rolls along, overflowing with spirit and a compelling energy.
  Frontwoman Charlie Rose makes up for any vocal inadequacies with a performance that marries verve, power and a lung-busting joie de vivre on tracks such as "Ain't Nothin", "Morning Glory", "Spellbound", "Jump To It" and closer "This Time". The accompanying blend of roots-rock, country, Celtic flavourings and a full-bodied, melodic musical assault creates a powerful live combination that will undoubtedly win SOU legions of new admirers.

Setlist

We usually play a two hour set either straight through or with a short break depending on the venue. Our sets consist of mainly our own material plus a couple of traditional songs such as The Raggle Taggle Gypsy & When Will We Be Married. We also do a few covers such as Fisherman's Blues by the Waterboys & Beautiful Day by The Levellers.

Basic Requirements

Calendar