Biography

Brian Hemsey
Short Bio

Born in St. Paul Minnesota, raised in Mound MN by adopted parents Neil and Robin Hemsey
Brian first picked up guitar age 12 or 13 and like everyone else at that time started out
learning Deep Purple, Sabbath and Zeppelin Covers, Brian would often practice guitar for
eight hours a day, obsessed with becoming a great player Brian often learned songs and parts of
songs from his idols Jimmy Page, Eddie Van Halen, Randy Rhodes and later Hendrix and SRV to name just a few. After graduation Brian's first real bar band was Vigilante, a short lived variety rock cover band. After a two years Vigilante disbanded.
The next notable project was a band known variously as "Father" and usually known as
"Overdrive" not to be confused with the national act Overdrive. This was an original metal act
where Brian co-wrote 17 songs with Chris Hawkee. After playing at Ryan's -now Stat 4 formerlly the Lab-- for about two years the band was disbanded, Hawkee left for family reasons and was
never replaced. This was a catalyst for Brian to re-learn how to sing. Brian took a year off
from performing and studied vocals under the guidance of an established vocalist, learning
opera style vocal lines and contempory styles. Later hitting every open-mic jam he could, this pattern evolved into a project known as The Crazy Souls. Featuring Barry Cole and Brian Hemsey tradeing lead vocal/ lead guitar responsibilities with their friend Jerry Babcock on Drums, and occasionally their friend Al on Bass. The Crazy Souls played mainly as a host band for an open jam night at the Terminal Bar in NE Minneapolis, and also at the Spring St Bar -now club underground- mainly on Sundays and Saturdays. Later The Crazy Souls played at the Star Bar on New Years Eve before the bar was remodeled into the huge affair it is now. It was during this period Brian formed his own three piece blues band and appeared at a Stugis campground festival along with the Crazy Souls doing a 3 set show during the week of bike week. Featuring Brian on lead vocals and guitars doing his own compositions, and of course a few covers of SRV and Hendrix. After Sturgis Brian returned to Minnesota and reformed as Several Sinners with his friend Joe Simmons on Drums, and Patrick McCauley on Bass, mainly playing at such places as the infamous Lee's Liquior Lounge and culminating at an unforgetable show at Mayslacks, Several Sinners enjoyed a brief run and was disbanded. Brian was devestated by an ugly divorce at this time in which he lost everything and became near homeless.
It was during this bleak period of personal destruction Brian wrote and recorded
the Album "Doing Fine". Recorded in 2002 and 2003 at his own studio featuring Brian on all guitar tracks and bass tracks and vocals. With help from his long time friend and drummer
Joe Simmons the recording was finished in 2003. After many years of personal
loss and struggle Brian decided to get the CD mastered and released this
year in June 2009. The songs and especially the lyrics are all about
Brians personal life experiences. From total betrayal to total desire its all in there.
Brian's CD and the mp3s can be found for sale at Amazon, itunes, tradebit, napster, etc.
Brian currently resides in Minneapolis, plays lead guitar in his coverband Headband,
and is recording the next CD at Brian Bart's Logic Studios the next CD is due out sometime
this winter and will once again feature songs in his Bluesy Rock Indy style.
Visit Brian on the web anytime at his main site http://www.myspace.com/brianhemsey
also at facebook, twitter, reverbnation.
Special note to Editor Brian's Indy label Red Bird is in the process of being renamed due to
conflict of name. So for now Brian's Indy name is unknown or simply under his own name but will be trademarked and renamed with the release of the next CD. Thanks for your time, listen and review at your leisure. Any press review or radio play is greatly appreciated!