Speedway (band)

Infobox Musical artist
Name = Speedway


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Origin = flagicon|Scotland Glasgow, Scotland
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Genre = Soft rock, Pop rock, rock
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Years_active = 2001–2004
Label = Innocent Records
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Current_members = Jill Jackson
Jim Duguid
Tom Swann
Dan Sells

Speedway are a Scottish pop rock group who were formed in 2001 by Glaswegians Jill Jackson (lead vocals) and Jim Duguid (drums). The band acquired two more members in that same year, in the shape of bassist Tom Swann from Edinburgh and guitarist Dan Sells, now lead singer of The Feeling, later replaced by Chris Leonard and signed with Innocent Records in 2002.

The band supported then labelmates Blue on their UK tour in early 2003, played a number of university gigs, and played to over 25,000 people in September 2003 at the KC Stadium in Hull as part of a charity event made by the local radio station Viking FM. They were noted for playing one song in particular - the Christina Aguilera hit Genie in a Bottle, and as a result, it became their first single as a double-a-side, with another song, Save Yourself and hit #10 in the UK Singles Chart.

Their second single, Can't Turn Back hit #12 in February 2004. Their third single, In & Out, hit #33 in June, and their album Save Yourself was released just after Can't Turn Back came out. It did not fare well in the UK charts. Speedway thus left Innocent Records after their first UK tour, and later split up, later reforming briefly to support Bryan Adams on his 10 date U.K. tour later that year.

Jackson later toured the material for an acoustic solo album in support of Nashville artist Kevin Montgomery, formed a duo with Irish singer-songwriter Gianna Cassidy called Jackson and Cassidy, and released her first solo album in 2006. Jill is currently working with her own band, members include Alan Frew (guitar) Carl Taylor (Drums) and Lorna Thomas (Bass).

Duguid was until recently drumming and writing for Scottish singer-songwriter and ex-roadie Paolo Nutini (who supported Speedway at some of their later gigs in 2004) and can be seen in the videos to Nutini's singles.

Press Quotes

'Speedway are that rarest of rock things: a British band with a fantastically photogenic lead singer, songs minted in some exclusive, radio-friendly hit factory, the makings of a great live act, and a sound that seems to come emblazoned with dollar signs.' -- Sunday Times

'Jackson exudes confidence and looks every inch the rock star' -- Mail On Sunday

Discography

ingles

Genie In A Bottle/Save Yourself - Peak #10 Can't Turn Back - Peak #12 In And Out - Peak #31

Albums

*2003: Save Yourself