John-Luke Shelley & High Speed Steel

John-Luke Shelley & High Speed Steel has been thrilling their audiences for over four years now. The band originally started with just three members - John-Luke Shelley, Brett Shelley and family friend the late Tim Hancock. Using the initials of their surnames HSS – High Speed Steel (an engineering term from Brett’s background) the band was formed and they gigged locally around the Albury area.
Now four years on and based in Geelong, the band consists of two of the original members John-Luke & Brett Shelley along with bass player Mick Field and drummer Johnny Tesoriero. The band has built up an outstanding reputation for high quality ‘modern-blues’ and in great demand, they perform regularly around Victoria and at local and interstate Music Festivals.
Band members include:
John-Luke Shelley – lead guitarist/lead vocalist.
At 24 years of age, J-L as John-Luke is known has been described as having “a great feel for the work of Jimmy Hendrix, Carlos Santana and Stevie Ray Vaughan”. With his band High Speed Steel, he regularly receives standing ovations for his own material and performances of some of the blues classics which he plays in his own unique style.
Brett Shelley – rhythm guitarist/backing vocalist.
Brett is the backbone of the group with his substantial and outstanding technique. He too brings the house down with some of his fantastic and thrilling solos. It is very special to see father and son on stage ‘guitar duelling’!
Mick Field – bass guitar.
Mick grew up in South-West Sydney and came from a very musical family. His early influences were the Beatles and he learnt guitar before transitioning to bass guitar. Mick now has nine bass guitars, three electric/acoustic guitars not to mention his collection of amps and other instruments. He is a true craftsman when it comes to the bass guitar and he brings a wealth of experience with him and his style compliments the other members of the band.
Johnny Tesoriero – drums.
Johnny T is a professional drummer who has been playing in live original and cover bands since the age of 15. He has been signed to Albert Productions, EMI and independent record labels. Johnny has played in different music genres including Blues, Rockabilly, Rock ‘n’ Roll and Jazz. His career highlights include TV appearances on Vizard, Rove, Channel V, MTV and The Basement; supporting Oasis, Foo Fighters and The Killers; performing with the former lead singer of The Easybeats, Stevie Wright and appearing in his book, ‘Hard Road’.
The combination of talented youth, substantial experience and musical craftsmanship makes the band both original and stunning in its modern blues style sound.
JL has three CD’s to his name – his first all-originals CD is self-titled with 12 tracks and includes JL’s own tribute piece to Stevie Ray. Fellow High Speed Steel member Mick and former band member Jared support on the CD, with very special guests Chris Wilson and Mike Elrington featuring on a track apiece. This CD follows the very successful ‘I Could Be Your Man’ CD launched in 2009 and we are delighted to announce that John-Luke is due to release his third CD – ‘John-Luke Shelley & High Speed Steel – Live At The Pulse’ shortly. This CD was recorded live at the Pulse Radio Station 94.7 in Geelong during a very stormy night at the beginning of the year and was mixed and produced thanks to the work of Daniel McCrohan. This CD featuring a mix of original material and cover songs is a fantastic example of the stunning sound that the boys produce at their live shows.