With smouldering harmonies and clever musical machinations, this core group of 5 musicians faithfully cover familiar hit songs and have fused together an entire repertoire of some of the best known and most popular classic and modern rock songs spanning genres and decades.
Emerging in 2013 from the effervescent green glow of the rehearsal bunker, the band known as RadioActive, has vowed to use their fortitude and ethos only for good, travelling from stage to stage across the vast expanse of Western Canada, entertaining audiences with a fervour befitting a rock cover band of the highest calibre. They guarantee you a good time and can fill a dance floor! From bars and clubs to Casinos and Corporate events. From community stages and fundraising efforts to opening up for festivals, RadioActive have collectively accumulated over 75 years of live music performance. Each band member is accomplished in each of their musical disciplines and they deliver the songs you love with passion and excellence.
Leah
Lead Vocals, Keyboard
Born and raised in Melbourne (Australia), Leah moved to Edmonton AB, Canada in 2006. A graduate of the Australian renowned David Jaanz School of Singing, she trained vocally with founder David Jaanz in 1996. Her determination, efforts and achievements were recognized that year when she was subsequently awarded the ‘Student of the Year’ trophy. Leah was involved primarily in original songwriting/band projects (Tempa, Trinity) from 1997-2002 and collaborated with Australian Music Industry alumni James Leigh (Pseudo Echo, InVertigo) and Derek Pellicci (Little River Band). Her original songs and the band Tempa received national television and commercial radio airplay. Leah also found enjoyment and developed her vocal performance skills in Melbourne party cover band Pure Logic from 2003-2006. After moving to Canada, Leah sought like-minded musicians, and with the same drive, passion and energy, Jeremy and Leah formed RadioActive in 2013. She is no stranger to the spotlight, front & centre stage, where she comfortably and capably delivers a song, and reliably captivates an audience with her powerful vocals.
Jeremy
Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals
Jeremy discovered the electric guitar at the age of 14 and music has since become a lifelong passion. His rock music foundation in theory and technique began with lessons from Edmonton local Pete Thorn (Melissa Etheridge, Chris Cornell, columnist for Guitar Player magazine). In the early 2000’s, his band Rosetta Stone wrote, recorded and performed around Edmonton and garnered local radio airplay. They also had the privilege of performing many shows at Red’s in West Edmonton Mall, both as a headliner and as opening act for local and national touring artists. His recent songwriting and performance collaboration with former Rosetta Stone singer Marco Corbo saw an album released with a couple of national singles charting in Eastern Canada. The union also gave Jeremy the opportunity to work with many other great musicians, including Ben Shillabeer and James Murdoch (The Dungarees) and Rami Jaffee (Foo Fighters, The Wallflowers). Meeting and chatting with Dave Grohl & Chris Shiflett (Foo Fighters) has been an enormous highlight of the working relationship with Rami Jaffee. In 2008, Jeremy’s search for local musicians to form a cover project resulted in 4 highly successful years performing at a number of Edmonton venues in regular rotation. ‘The Mishaps’ was the name of the band and is where Jeremy and Leah first crossed paths. Late 2012, The Mishaps disbanded and a few months later RadioActive, with Jeremy & Leah at the helm, emerged. In addition to performing, Jeremy has been the Director of the Beaumont Blues and Roots Festival since 2008, booking and working with the best in Canadian artists and bands. Jeremy is an event planner, leader and dedicated volunteer with a number of organizations.
John
Bass Guitar Backing Vocals
John started playing the bass guitar with high school friends in Ottawa with the intention of meeting girls. Much to their surprise they actually played well together and sounded decent, and so put together a series of bands including; Beethoven’s Last Movement, The Underground and The Rock Pigs who released a video of an original song titled “Goosh Burger”. Alas, none of these bands made the big time but much fun was had by all. And yes, they did meet girls. John then joined Gordie Uranus and The Universe who had some local success as an all original band, releasing an EP in the mid ‘80s and opening for Meatloaf at Barrymore’s. John sold all his gear and moved to Vancouver to start a family. While there he took up the six string guitar and taught himself music theory. Only then did it finally dawn on him the true meaning of the bass guitar. Having moved to Edmonton, his connections steered him towards the RadioActive project, becoming part of the original lineup. For the past few years RadioActive has been playing the local Alberta circuit with a great mix of cover tunes for all to enjoy.
Julissa
Drums, Cowbell
Julissa’s musical involvement didn’t start on drums. At age 12 her journey began with the bass guitar, backing a friend’s band in church. At 14, she picked up some drumsticks and set out on a life of drumming, continuing to play in youth bands and taking lessons along the way. At 17, Julissa moved from her home in Brazil to begin a new life pursuing her drumming in Edmonton. Whilst studying at Edmonton’s Grant MacEwan music program, she backlined many of her fellow colleagues in class and in recitals, setting her well on her way to becoming the rock solid backbone of any band she’s played in. Since graduation, Julissa has complimented many projects, including recording on multiple EP’s for several Edmonton-based songwriters. Playing in the Edmonton cover band scene since 2011, she currently keeps the beat for RadioActive, where she has done so for the past year and a half.
Alex
Guitar & Saxophone, Backing Vocals
Alex started playing guitar and saxophone around 2005, but saxophone ultimately became his passion after high school. Whilst in the music program at Grant MacEwan, Alex and some fellow musician friends formed Three Sun Sea, a contemporary jazz quartet. After playing the Edmonton circuit for a few years, they recorded their jazz EP ‘This is not a Question’, which was nominated for Jazz Album of the Year at the 2013 Edmonton Music Awards. That same year, they played the very first “Emerging Artists” showcase at the Edmonton Jazz Festival and embarked on a 6-show Western Canada tour. After graduating the music program in 2015, Alex has sought new endeavours and has expanded his repertoire beyond playing live jazz. He enjoys performing covers and brings a dynamic element to the RadioActive lineup.