![]() | ![]() |
The Story So Far... Towards the end of 2004, a covers band called "Bite The Dust" was rocking venues throughout the North West of England with a set list full of classic rock and blues tunes.
The band was always keen to expand its repertoire and one day, being long-term fans themselves, vocalist C.C. Devine and bass man Zack Rickenbacker sat down and transcribed a Janis Joplin number. Unfortunately, the exact details of which track it was are lost in the mists of time; C.C. says it was "Take Another Little Piece of My Heart" whilst Zack maintains that it was "Move Over".
Fortunately, what is known is that they played that number at a "Bite the Dust" gig the following week and the place went crazy. Now "Bite the Dust" was a popular and entertaining band and Zak and C.C. were used to their music going down well - but they had never had a response like this before. All anyone wanted to talk about after the gig was that Janis Joplin number and ask "Why don't you more Janis Joplin?". It was suddenly clear to them where their future musical direction lay, but they were determined that they would only play Janis' songs if they could truly do them justice - and to do that, they needed a top-class band.
It took several months (and more than a few auditions) to find the definitive line-up for KOZMIC...but it was worth the wait. Although most people call them a Janis Joplin tribute, the band always prefers to refer to its performances as a celebration of her life and music.
Whichever way you look at it, a fabulous voice, a red-hot band and the greatest hits of one of the most influential female artists of all time make a KOZMIC show an unmissable evening.
Allow us to introduce you to the members of the band...

'Janis' is C.C. DeVine, a vastly experienced, classically trained singer with a hugely powerful voice matched only by an exquisite control. As well as fronting rock bands for longer than she cares to own up to, she has also performed in folk groups and big soul bands but her real love is powerhouse bluesy rock and the old opera training means she can keep going when other singers have long since fallen by the wayside!
On bass, and the heartbeat of the rhythm section is Zack Rickenbacker. Zack's first love was always bluesy rock, but he has played just about everything from folk to cabaret, 50's & 60's pop to glam rock, standards to heavy metal and pretty much everything in between - including stints with legends like Screaming Lord Such, Terry Dene, Heinz, Tommy Bruce, former Monkee Davy Jones and The Casuals. 

Arnie Stapleton, the 'Whitefield Worrier', handles guitar duties. As long as Arnie is worried, they know everything is normal! An accomplished rock guitarist, he still considers himself first and foremost a Bluesman. He is a veteran of Northern blues masters Cabal as well as being a founder member of Bite The Dust. His loose and passionate style is perfect for Janis Joplin's songs and when he's off duty, he's also one of the finest slide guitar players you'll ever hear.
Start by coupling classical technique with the harmonic awareness of a jazzman and then add a truck load of groove and feel on the top, you'll start to get an idea of the way Jeremiah 'J.J.' Jackson handles the keys. Doing the job of five musicians, J.J.'s 10 fingers have to perform the parts originally played by a separate pianist, organist and 3-piece brass section! His digital sleight-of-hand puts the proverbial icing on the Kozmic cake. 

Last, but by no means least is drummer Adie Savage and there aren't many musicians who throw themselves into every tune like this guy. Full of passion and enthusiasm, his energy is matched only by his rock-solid timekeeping and individual flair.