The ability to reach audiences in both underground and mainstream circles.
Wesley Collin George was born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa in a suburb called Strandfontein. His doorstep was a 13 km stretch of beach where Wesley and his brother spent most of their time. Wesley spent 10 years of his life there before moving with his family to the upper suburbs. During those 10 years, Wesley stood on stage in he local, singing in the various musicals his father arranged as entertainment for the church attendees.
This sparked Wesley‘s musical journey which caused hem to start playing an old beat up piano. His musical aptitude is not surprising considering the musical backgrounds of his parents. His father was a singer in band (later called “The Rockets“ a legendary S.A. Band) and his mother was a dancer and cat walk model working for low budget gigs.
It was not until I was in grade 5 that Wesley’s teacher Miss Veronica Edwards introduced him to the world of music and culture that captured his heart and opened his mind‘s eye. Wesley soon learned to play the guitar, drums, piano and composing his own music as well as co-writing with fellow musicians along the path. In 2001, at the age of nineteen he joined the band “Sacred Appointment“ who were looking for a singer and guitar player for their tour in Europe.
Even though his parents were struggling to makes ends meet they invested in the plane tickets and Wesley was off to Sweden for his first live concert. Thereafter he decided to further his studies and landed in Hamburg, Germany where he is currently based. This caused a major change in Wesley’s life and a boost to his musical career.
His passion finally brought him to complete the album “Vice Versa“ which Wesley describes in his own words: “The music describes a sea of emotions that I experienced and I am sure many can relate to. Growing up in South Africa was not easy for the simple fact that, I could never be the person I always wanted to be especially in so called “Colored“ community. I was frowned upon every time I tried to be different. I was bullied and labeled as a “wanna be“ just for the mere fact that I wanted to follow and pursue my dreams. The album title “Vice Versa“ has a different meaning to me. It describes the inner battle I have fought against myself and that what people wanted me to be. I found expression in my music, a gateway for my personal freedom.“
Wesley Collin George is a master at perfecting the art of alternative pop-rock with a punk-emo twist. He is anything but a single-minded musician, with an astounding fusion of unhinged power, ear grasping melodies, stimulating lyrics and the ability to reach audiences in both underground and mainstream circles.
With the release of “Vice Versa“, Wesley continues this trend and refines it. The songs all have a radio-friendly sounding edge to them, but the lyrics to the songs are all clearly more intelligent than your normal ‘radio band’.
From opening to closing “Vice Versa“, has every factor that contributes to the making of a great album. It carries vibrant dynamics, going from slower jams like “Slipping Away”, “This Road” and “One In A Million” to power-packed rockers like “Next Option”, “Confusion” and “Changed”.
The lyrics are exactly what you’d expect from this remarkable artist: extremely expressive, poetic and soaked with detail and emotion. The musicianship is nothing less than spectacular, which is just what you’d expect from the Wesley Collin George package. Wesley’s vocals are melodic and high-ranging, and the raging parts grip your emotions and send them on the ride of their life. The guitar work is a perfect fit while the drumming and bass keeps the show on the boil.
“Vice Versa“, has songs that will make your blood flow. I literally find some of the songs on this album addictive. I highly recommend listening to this as loud as your ears will let you as Wesley gives you a dish of hard rocking, adrenaline pumping riffs and tone setting drums set under prominent vocals.
There isn’t a single miss on here, and the album’s overall production is top notch. The Bottom Line: if alternative rock and pop-punk is your thing, Wesley Collin George is your cup of tea!
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