Kev Hickman

From first sitting on a drum kit at 16 to headlining his first festival in France in front of thousands of people just four years later, Kev Hickman's career has been one characterised by hard work and determination. His first professional band played all over the UK with festival spots in Ireland and Holland, all before his 18th birthday. Through these first years he quickly developed his distinct and intense playing style.

 

In 2014 Kev became a founding member of British rock three-peice RavenEye fronted by award-winning guitarist Oli Brown. The band's first show was a headline slot at Dalane Festival in Holland and two weeks later they went on a three week tour supporting legendary guitarist Joe Satriani through Holland, France, Italy and Spain during the summer of 2014. The band released their first E.P May 11th, reaching #5 on the Amazon.co.uk 'new albums' chart. The single from the E.P "Breaking Out" received over 130,000 plays on Soundcloud and the music video accumulated over 20,000 views, all before the release date. 

 

In 2015 they supported Swedish rockers Blues Pills on their UK tour in April and in June and July supported Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators on six dates through Europe. RavenEye was re-invited by Slash to support him for 12 dates on his tour of the USA and Canada and again for 5 dates in Eastern Europe. RavenEye also supported Deep Purple for two dates in France in October. The band has received much acclaim from the press including having 'Breaking Out' from the latest E.P being chosen as one of Classic Rocks' 'Tracks of the Week' and #91 in their 'Top 100 tracks of 2015', the official music video for 'Breaking Out' being premiered on Kerrang!'s website and Motley Crue frontman Nikki Sixx citing RavenEye as 'one to watch'. The latter also invited the band to appear on his radio show in the USA in October 2015.

 

2016 saw RavenEye support The Darkness through the US on a 20 date tour, Halestorm on 4 dates in Europe and a performance on the main stage at Hellfest, including other festivals throughout the US and Europe.

 

 

Kev has been releasing drum cover videos on to YouTube for the last two years, in that time the videos have accumulated over 450,000 hits and his channel has over 1000 subscribers

http://www.youtube.com/user/KevinLiakan/videos

 

 

Previous accomplishments include working with Australian blues artist Gwyn Ashton from 2009 till 2012. Kev worked on Ashton's 'Two-Man Blues Army' project, touring all over Europe and the Americas playing both venues and festivals. Hickman appeared in the official music video for 'Break' from the Two-Man Blues Army album and also appeared in, edited and produced the official music video for 'Million Dollar Blues'.

 

 

In early 2011 with Ashton he supported British rock band Magnum on their two month tour through Europe, receiving rave reviews from fans and the press. The band then began work on Gwyn Ashton's new album 'Radiogram'. The diverse guest artist roster included Don Airey (Deep Purple, Rainbow, Whitesnake, Black Sabbath), Kim Wilson (Fabulous Thunderbirds), Robbie Blunt (Robert Plant, Bronco, Silverhead), Johnny Mastro (LA’s Mama’s Boys), Mark Stanway (Magnum, Phil Lynott) and Mo Birch (UB40, Go West, Culture Club). Radiogram was recorded in England, mixed in LA by producer Justin Hopfer and mastered in Australia by Don Bartley, who was recently commissioned by EMI to re-master the audiophile version of Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.

 

 

His drumming has been described as 'powerful', 'passionate' and 'inspiring' and has received praise from the press and industry professionals. He has taught drums at various workshops all across the country and also teaches privately.

 

He has headlined festivals all over Europe and played at both small and large venues all over the UK as well as in France, Italy, Spain, Norway, Brazil, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Portugal, Poland and the Shetland Islands.

 

Kev officially endorses Paiste cymbals, Natal drums, Regal Tip drum sticks, Hardcase cases, Schlagwerk cajons and Logarhythm pedals.