An established songwriter, Hines is stepping out into the limelight with his album full of timeless Rock music that sidesteps all fashions. Fans of straight, no-frills Rock will love this.

As a singer, Shane Hines sounds like he’s equally at home in an intimate club setting or on a stadium stage. His voice can certainly deal with both. Curiously, when he sings, Southern boy Shane (he’s based in Arlington, Virginia) comes over like an English rocker. Trust me, I had to check the bio because I didn’t believe either that this is not a UK band.

For a musical reference, try The Who frontman Roger Daltrey, particularly his solo albums from the Seventies and Eighties, like ‘Under A Raging Moon’. That gets you pretty close. Shane’s voice almost reaches the power of Shepherds Bush’s most famous son.

‘The Glory Journal’, due out on 6th March 2009, is the third album by Shane Hines & The Trance and in seven years. During that time, the band has picked up a loyal fanbase.

It’s worth pointing out that the album was fully funded by fans. Hines raised more han $35,000 to get “The Glory Journal” produced, enough to hire producer Chris Grainger in Nashville. Grainger’s credentials include work for Ludo and Alternative Country act Wilco - though you wouldn’t guess the latter listening to ‘The Glory Journal’.

The Trance is Hines on guitar and lead vocals with Brian ‘Thumb’ Keating on bass and backing vocals. A songwriter and behind the scenes musician for a long time - he’s written with Lori McKenna, Toby Lightman and Pete Wallace among others - The Trance is Shane’s vehicle for getting his songs across to a wider audience.

Hines songwriting talent is increasingly acknowledged outside inside music industry circles. Only last year, Hines was one of three finalists in the category Rock in the 2008 John Lennon Songwriting Contest. Hines’ track ‘Way Up’ was pipped to the post by Texas band Dawn Over Zero’s ‘Catapult’, but you can now listen to it in its full glory on ‘The Glory Journal’.

The contest is a well established event. It has been going since 1997 and the jury includes successfull writers such as the Grateful Dead’s Bob Weir, Al Jarreau, Robin Gibb and Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas among others.

With these writing credentials and an obvious taste for classic English Rock of the golden age, Hines could become a surprise ticket on the live circuit. One for audiences starved of good, old-fashioned Rock music.

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