Lead Singer

A woman who truly needs no introduction… Samantha is The Voice of The Anthems – our resident Welsh dragon with vocal cords forged in fire (and maybe a little glitter). With a stage presence as powerful as her voice and a personality that fills every room, Sam is the ultimate frontwoman. Loud, proud, and unapologetically fabulous.

Born in Swansea, South Wales, Sam was already performing by the age of four. From piano and violin lessons to starring in musicals, pantomimes, and variety shows, performing arts was her first language. After gracing the stage at Swansea’s Grand Theatre, there was no turning back – the bug had bitten.

Sam later moved to London to study Musical Theatre, performing in numerous productions across the West End. With her Performing Arts qualifications in hand, she toured the UK before heading to the University of Chester to study Popular Music Performance. It was there she met her partner-in-life-and-music, Russ, and the pair have been rocking stages together ever since.

In 2022, Sam faced her biggest challenge yet: a serious neck injury requiring reconstructive surgery, which left her unable to speak or sing. But Sam doesn’t do defeat. With the help of Russ, relentless rehab, and a boatload of determination, she rebuilt her voice from scratch. Their comeback? A YouTube channel that quickly gained traction and reignited her performance career. Now, she’s back, bolder than ever – and belting out bangers across Cumbria with The Anthems.

When she's not on stage, Sam is usually planning gigs, wrangling her three kids, or chairing the school PTA with the same fierce energy she brings to every performance.

Her motto? Life is too short – sing the song, wear the glitter, dance like everyone’s watching.

Influences:

Bruce Dickinson, James Labrie, Idina Menzel, Michael Bublé, Lady Gaga, Etta James, Whitney Houston, Cher, Stevie Nicks, Debbie Harry... and obviously, ABBA (because who doesn’t want a bit of “Dancing Queen” energy?).

Career Highlights:

Performing in the West End

Roles in Annie, Wicked, Les Misérables, and a cheeky bit of Dylan Thomas (she is a Swansea girl, after all)

Sharing the stage with The Chuckle Brothers – which, let’s face it, is iconic

Drums/ Backing Vocals

Known in certain musical (and mildly gangster) circles as The Great Gashby, Johnny is the philosophical guru and rhythmic backbone of The Anthems. Fiercely loyal, endlessly enthusiastic, and just the right amount of daft, he brings a perfect mix of wisdom and wild energy to the stage. A one-off in the best possible way.

Johnny’s drumming career is as star-studded as it is eclectic. He’s played alongside a dazzling list of household names and cult legends – from Sugababes’ Amelle Berrabah, Blue’s Antony Costa, and Maureen Nolan, to Sheila Ferguson of The Three Degrees, and Lee Brennan of 911 fame. If you’ve watched it, heard it, or laughed at it on stage or screen, chances are Johnny’s been keeping time behind it.

His talents have accompanied everyone from X Factor’s Marcus Collins and Eurovision’s Andy Abraham, to Collabro’s Matthew Pagan, Ashley & Pudsey the dog, and George Sampson. He’s worked with stars from Britain’s Got Talent, Tracy Beaker, and even Disney’s own Lloyd Warbey from Art Attack. And yes – he’s tagged jokes for ventriloquists, comedians, and TV legends, including Dean Winter, Andy and Gareth Oliver, and The Bill’s own Chris Elliston (friend of the actual Krays – no big deal).

A seasoned theatre musician, Johnny has also performed in the pit band for The Sands Centre Pantomime, sharing in the festive magic year after year. He’s graced the orchestra pit at Newcastle’s historic Tyne Theatre & Opera House, bringing his signature flair to large-scale musical productions with professionalism and groove to spare.

With a musical background spanning jazz, rock, panto, Latin, funk, fusion, and everything in between, Johnny’s taste is as varied as his wardrobe. He’s the kind of drummer who’s just as happy laying down a Motown groove as he is powering through a Queen finale – and he’s got the t-shirts (and backstage stories) to prove it.

The turning point? Johnny met Russ through a shared gig and soon after crossed paths with Sam. The chemistry clicked, the laughs were instant, and the beats were tight. The Anthems was born – and the rest, as they say, is glorious, glitter-filled history.

Roz Sluman – Saxophone

The soulful sparkle in The Anthems’ sound, Roz is our golden-toned sax queen – stylish, snazzy, and seriously accomplished. With a career that spans decades, genres, and continents, Roz adds the perfect blend of groove, class, and sass to every show. We’re beyond lucky to have her in the family.

Early Years

Born in South London, Roz started her musical journey at just five years old on the violin. By high school, the clarinet had joined her instrument line-up – but everything changed at 14, when she picked up a saxophone for the first time. From school ensembles to county wind bands, she quickly found her place in the world of live performance.

At 18, Roz began a career in graphics by day – but by night, she was lighting up the London music scene, playing blues, rock, soul, and jazz gigs across pubs, clubs, and festivals. She soon became a regular in recording studios too, laying down sax parts for sessions in her early twenties and beyond.

The Move North

A move to Cumbria offered a fresh start – and a new opportunity. Spotting a local need for saxophone tuition, Roz made the bold decision to study for a BA in Jazz at Leeds College of Music (with part of her training in the USA). After graduating, she returned to Cumbria and completed her teaching qualification, establishing herself as both a performer and an inspiring music educator.

Now

Based in Carlisle, Roz now teaches saxophone and flute, runs workshops, and regularly performs with a range of bands across the region. She’s equally at home reading intricate charts or cutting loose with expressive improvisation – a true professional with flair to spare.

Main Influences

Paul Desmond, Dave Sanborn, Jay Beckenstein, Wilton Felder, Cannonball Adderley, Michael Brecker, Bob Mintzer.

Gear Nerd Corner

King Super 20 saxophones
Jumbo Java mouthpieces
Green Java reeds

Band History

London: Trick of the Light, The Loose Moose Band, Be-Bop Banana, The Albino’s
Leeds: The Duke Ellington Repertory Orchestra
USA: The UMA Tour Band
Cumbria: Midnight Shift, Ol’Bones, The Cliff Eland Big Band, The Olly Alcock Band, Jazzoo, The Lounge Lizards, Smooch, Fusionhead, The MK Soul Band, The Big Shoes Band, Evolution, and of course – The Anthems

Career Highlights

• Performing at the Royal Albert Hall
• Recording the Blind Date theme tune (and appearing on TV every Saturday night for three years!)
• Touring with The Olly Alcock Band on the hit TV series On The Road
• Launching the musical relay ‘Hadrian’s Wall of Sound’ with national media coverage
• Playing alongside original Duke Ellington band members at the Leeds Festival
• Sharing a stage with the legendary Pee Wee Ellis at Lanercost Priory
• And – in her own words – "every gig I’ve ever played!"

Roz is the saxophonist every band dreams of – talented, tireless, and endlessly cool. And when she lets rip with a solo? You feel it.

Lead Guitar

Meet Paul Harrison, the man behind the riffs, the solos, and the smooth-as-butter rhythm guitar lines that keep The Anthems firing on all cylinders. A true craftsman of his instrument, Paul brings precision, power, and passion to every performance – all without breaking a sweat (even when the solos get spicy).

With years of live gigging experience and a deep love for everything from classic rock to modern pop, Paul’s playing is as versatile as it is electrifying. Whether he’s channelling Hendrix, funkifying Bruno Mars, or adding sparkle to a slow ballad, he’s got the chops, the tone, and the taste to make it sing.

Quietly cool and unshakably reliable, Paul is the kind of guitarist every band wants – and every audience remembers. A total pro, an all-round gent, and the sonic glue that holds the whole Anthems sound together.

Bass guitar, Vocals , Acoustic Guitar

Russ is the jolly giant, with his soulful harmonies and banging bass lines. From the very beginning Russ has been the backbone to The Anthems with his unwavering enthusiasm, joyfullness and sheer talent.

Quite often our audiences tell him he’s the best bassist they’ve seen, and of course we entirely agree! He brings something very special with his bass lines which sets us apart from the rest!

EARLY YEARS.

Russ was born and raised in Carlisle and started playing music at the age of 7. He wanted to play the Trombone but had to start on Trumpet until his arms were "long enough". He played in the Carlisle wind band and Carlisle Youth concert band, until he discovered the Bass guitar at the age of 13. Using his ability to play by ear from years in orchestra's, Russ totally absorbed everything from Classic Rock to jazz to exteme Metal. At the age of 17 he attended Cumbria institute of the Arts to study music. There he formed a student band called The covers who would play many gigs in Cumbria. Russ decided to study music at Chester university. This was invaluable experience as he was playing in multiple bands and having to learn extensive material from every possible style. After 2 years He decided to return home with his then future wife, Samantha and start a family.

LATER.

After a couple of years off, Russ began to gig professionally when he joined Super-fly with local legends Mark Kendal, and Stevie D. It was here he'd forge an alliance with the axe maestro Mr Danny Wood. Playing extensively in the North of England began to make him a household name. In 2017, the two of them would join Highly Strung and would go on to play countless weddings, parties and festivals accross the north/west and Scotland. Russ would go onto play several shows with Almost pink and The Irish tribute theatre show, "one night in Dublin". NOW Russ now teaches bass at the Rock project with legendary guitarist Andrew "spud" Sinclair of Steeleye Span. Alongside performing with The Anthems, he also records and performs regularly with Steel Foxes and Thieving Magpies.

INFLUENCES- Steve Harris, Geddy Lee, Chris Squire, Martin Turner, Geezer Butler, Jaco Pastorius, James Jamerson, Billy Sheehan, Flea GEAR Fender American Jazz bass Squire Vintage modified 70s Jazz bass Ashdown Rootmaster 500 Tech 21 sansamp Rotosound strings Yamaha Acoustic guitar Sure SM58 microphones

HIGHLIGHTS Playing Wannasee Penrith for the first time to a massive crowd and through and Ampeg SVT. Playing the old theatres with One night in Dublin, particularly the Swansea Grand Theatre. Teaching a new generation how to play. Playing Keswick beer festival and with his own band- The Anthems. Being able to continue to play and perform music.

Keys - Vocals

The Maestro! Alain is the virtuoso and our level-headed Musical and Technical director. A true pro in every sense of the word. Alongside our brass section, Alain’s keys elevate the Anthems to the next level.

Trombone

Coming soon…

Trumpet

Coming soon..