Andrew Garner MMus
Vocals, Keyboards and Guitar

Andrew has performed throughout the world, including Australia, America, Europe and the British Isles, in various ensembles including orchestras, jazz bands and rock bands as well as solo appearances.

As well as achieving Grade 8 Piano and Percussion at the age of 18, he attained a 2:1 Bachelor of Music Degree from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne which included a year abroad in America, studying under and performing with the legendary jazz pianist Marcus Roberts and composer Zak Browning at the University of Illinois, near Chicago.

Andrew is also a wedding pianist. He has performed at many different venues throughout the Northeast, including regular recitals for wedding services at Matfen Hall, Northumberland.

In 2005, Andrew accomplished a Masters of Music in composition from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, which included a performance of one of his works by the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra at the Sage, Gateshead.

Mark Richardson – Drums and Percussion.

Mark has always felt a strong passion for music from an early age. He took up the piano at seven and then realised a more direct route to rock and roll through the drum kit. He began his instruction at the age of ten under the watchful eye of Jimmy Nail’s session drummer, Trevor Brewis.

Mark has played for several function bands performing nationally on a regular basis. He has also spent time playing drums in original projects, culminating in his own band’s support of the Bluetones at a sold out gig in Newcastle, as well as recording an album at the famous Elevator Studios in Liverpool (where bands such as The Zutons and The Coral have recorded).

He joined Livewire in October 2006 and has established himself as the rhythmical force behind the band. He is due to complete his degree in Jazz, Pop and Commercial Music from the Newcastle College Performance Academy in 2008.

Jamie Squire
Bass, Vocals

At 19, Jamie is the youngest member of the band.  Born into a show business background, he has been involved in music and the arts all his life.  A multi instrumentalist and songwriter, Jamie plays piano, guitar, bass and drums. He has shared the bill with Brian Johnston (ACDC), John Miles, Rick Wakeman and Alan Clark (Dire Straits) and has played in venues throughout the UK and Europe.

As well as being a talented all-round musician, he is also an accomplished actor and award winning film director, collecting ‘Best Thriller’ at The New York Film & Video Festival 2005 for ‘Daniel Dreams’.  He has continued his association with Lee Watson, filmmaker and web designer, to complete the music video to accompany ‘Melancholy Soldier’, a haunting ballad written by his brother Ben and performed by his band Blueroom.

An energetic and charismatic personality, Jamie brings that indefinable something special to each performance of LiveWire.

Neil Doherty BA (Hons) Trumpet/Flugal Horn

Since moving to the North East in September 2002 to pursue a Music Degree at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Neil has become one of the region’s most sort after trumpet players. He started playing the cornet in Brass Bands at the tender age of seven, and took up trumpet at 13 to play in some of Northern Irelands top orchestras and ensembles.

Neil has performed in a selection of venues throughout the British Isles, including The Royal Albert Hall, Glasgow SECC, Belfast Waterfront and Bridgewater Hall, Manchester. For four years he was a member of the Ulster Youth Jazz Orchestra, winners of the 2001 BBC Big Band of the Year, playing with them live on BBC Radio 2, as well as performing throughout Europe (and Euro Disney, but sadly it rained so they were unable to play).

Now living in Newcastle, he continues to play for several bands and ensembles. For the last four years he has played and toured with ‘Swing Fever’, a Rat Pack tribute show, where he was also the assistant Musical Director.  Neil continues to do session work in the area and has played/recorded with artists and ensembles such as Becky Owen, Northern Haze, DJ Smoove, The Neighbour Hood Watch Ant Orchestra (this requires playing while on stilts), and the Bill Watson Big Band.

Sophie Wilson

Sophie has been a student of the performing arts since the age of 14, where she attended the Arts Educational School, Tring. She began making a name for herself at an early age with memorable lead performances in a variety of musicals including “The Wiz”, a jazzy version of the Wizard of Oz, and Cole Porter’s classic, “Anything Goes”. The highlight of Sophie`s short yet distinguished career so far was performing for Her Majesty The Queen on Royal Memorial Day at the Royal Albert Hall in 2002.

Sophie, still only 21, continues to pursue a career in performing and is currently to be found gigging at many top establishments throughout the North East, along with an acoustic guitarist. In addition she has management representation in Manchester which is helping her to realise her dreams of becoming a renowned singer songwriter. Even with all this going on around her, Sophie still finds time to study for her BA Hons degree in Performing Arts at the University of Sunderland.

Though clearly an accomplished jazz and soul singer, it is her handling of other genres of music that stands her apart from many others, and her recent addition to Livewire not only brings a ‘cheeky’ element to the band, but adds an enviable stylistic ascendancy.