Drake Bell is the most popular TV actor in Nickelodeon’s history, with a fanbase that stretches to over 6 million Facebook likes and almost 3 million Twitter followers. As the star of the ‘Drake & Josh’ TV show and three movie spin-offs – all of which were hits in the UK – he has won numerous KIds Choice Awards, including Favourite TV Actor, International TV Star and International Singer. Having grown up in the entertainment business, Bell filmed his first commercial at the age of 5, while his acting credits include ‘Jerry Maguire’, ‘High Fidelity’, ‘Super Hero Movie’ and ‘Yours, Mine & Ours’ as well as providing his voice for several animated films.
However, his talent goes way beyond acting. With music being his first love, Bell has been writing and recording his own material since his early teens – including the theme song to ‘Drake & Josh’ – while his first guitar was a Brian Setzer Gretsch (Setzer having been his guitar god since he was 12 years old and discovered rockabilly), which he started playing when he was cast in the TV movie ‘Chasing Destiny’. Co-starring Roger Daltrey, it was The Who frontman who gave the young performer his initial lessons. Although Bell was primarily focused on acting for years thereafter, he continued to play music and write songs on the side, and the Drake & Josh show (which began airing in 2004 when he was 15) finally allowed him to show off his chops onscreen, playing an exaggerated version of his guitarist-self named Drake Parker.
‘Ready, Steady, Go!’ is Bell’s third album release but his first for 8 years. Containing a mix of original material and a selection of covers, its rockabilly influence is evident throughout. Co-produced by Brian Setzer and including two Stray Cats covers, the self-penned ‘BItchcraft’ is the first single from the record and a well-executed homage to the grace and style of the 50’s.
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