A Liverpool band is hoping to take to the stage when the city hosts Eurovision 2023 after being regularly told they're the "perfect fit".
Band Guise was formed in 2019 and is made up of lead guitarist Jassy, 25, from Netherton, Michael Berry, 24, from Old Swan and Louie James, 23, from Crosby. The group had always been told due to their flashy image they would make the perfect fit for Eurovision, and once it was announced to be hosted in Liverpool they knew that they had to apply.
Jassy said: "Ever since we started as a band, we’ve always had friends and family saying to us we’d be great on Eurovision, we have a very eye-catching & memorable image, so I can see where they were coming from, especially with the types of artists that have been successful the past few years on there.
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"Some people have described us as ‘glam rock’, from a visual stand point, well yes, we’re sparkling brighter than the star at the top of my nans Christmas tree, but lyrically, we’re at the other end of the spectrum for the most part."
He added: "With Eurovision being confirmed to be held in Liverpool, there definitely needs to be a scouse band on that line-up too if you ask me, it would do the local music scene wonders."
The band describe themselves as "a melodically driven rock band with plenty of 'pop-factor', featuring massive hooks in choruses. Combining the sounds from the raw riffs of the 70's to the melodically laced overtones of the 80's, topped off with a striking, yet glamorous image."
Guise hope to represent Ireland, rather than the United Kingdom. This is due to lead-singer, Louie's Irish roots.
She said: "We chose to apply for Ireland because my family originates from County Armagh and lots of my family also live there.
"My late father, Nicky James, was an Irish and Country musician and I would always go to his gigs growing up. I loved watching my Dad perform, he was a fantastic musician and he was so well liked by everyone due to his kind and caring nature. My Dad was and still is a huge inspiration to me as a musician but also as a person too."
She added: I think Eurovision is a wonderful way to encourage people to learn about different cultures and different styles of music."
Although the band's exterior may be the first thing people notice, Jassy said: "I do believe we have strong song writing abilities, we’re extremely marketable as a band and definitely have our own great, unique selling points which makes us stand out from the crowd.
"We like to try and put a message in our music, topics most of us can relate to and societal problems such as mental health, classism, individuality, having self-belief etc. You know, things that I believe are relevant to young people in this day and age and struggles that I’ve had to personally over-come myself. we try to not be too in your face with the messages though".
Jassy added: "Just being a part of the competition and having the chance to represent Ireland would be an extremely exciting experience and an honour in itself.
"From the start of the band, we’ve always said we wanted to do charity gigs, with me being a kid from a council estate; I’ve always wanted to help the less fortunate.
"I think from the type of exposure that would give us, it would give us the opportunity to do some real good to raise money for both charities in Liverpool and Ireland. Ideally I think we’d love to raise money for charities all over, but initially starting with Liverpool & Ireland.
"I just want to help people out and spread some love you know, the world is a dark enough place, I think it’s time we put a little bit of light back into it."
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