Brian Fair and Tees Transporter Bridge: Difference between pages

Coordinates: 54°35′04″N 1°13′40″W / 54.5845°N 1.2279°W / 54.5845; -1.2279
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Difference between pages)
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
 
No edit summary
 
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox Bridge |
|image = Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge.jpg
|Img=Brian_fair.jpg | <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians -->
|bridge_name = Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge
| Name = Brian Fair
|caption =
| | Img_capt = Brian Fair (SoundWave Sydney 2008)
|official_name =
| Landscape =
|locale = [[Middlesbrough]], [[England]]
| Background = solo_singer
|carries = Motor vehicles<br>''[[A178 road]]''<br>Pedestrians
| Birth_name = Brian Fair
|crosses = [[River Tees]]
| Born =
|maint =
| Died =
|open = 1911
| Origin = [[Boston, Massachusetts|Boston]], [[Massachusetts]]<br>[[United States]]
|below = 225 ft
| Instrument = [[Vocals]], [[guitar]], [[drums]]
|voice = Brian Hall
| Genre = [[Heavy metal]], [[metalcore]], [[melodic death metal]], [[space rock]]
|traffic =
| Occupation = [[Singer]]
|design = Transporter Bridge
| Years_active = 1991 - Present
|toll = yes
| Label =
|mainspan = 580 ft
| Associated_acts = [[Shadows Fall]], [[Overcast (band)|Overcast]], Transient
|length =
| URL =
|width =
| Notable_instruments =
}}
}}

'''Brian Fair''' (born [[May 30]], [[1975]]) is an American musician from [[Massachusetts]], best known as lead vocalist of the [[Heavy metal music|metal]] band [[Shadows Fall]]. He graduated from [[Milford]] High School in 1993 and went on to study history at Boston University. He is brother of the fraternity ''[[Sigma Tau Gamma]]''.
The '''Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge''' (or simply '''Transporter Bridge''') is the furthest downstream bridge across the [[River Tees]]. It connects [[Middlesbrough]] on the south bank to [[Port Clarence]] on the north bank. It is a [[transporter bridge]], carrying a travelling 'car' or 'gondola' suspended from the bridge, across the river in 90 seconds. The cart can carry 200 people, 9 cars or 6 cars and one minibus. It carries the [[A178 road]] from Middlesbrough to Hartlepool.


==History==
==History==
The bridge was built by [[Sir William Arrol & Co.]] in 1911 under a 1907 [[Act of Parliament]]. The opening ceremony on the [[17 October]] [[1911]] was performed by [[Prince Arthur of Connaught]]. The Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge reflects the dynamic industrial heritage of the area.
From a young age, Fair had always been known for his affinity for a wide range of music. In seventh grade he had his first visit to a recording studio after he and two friends won a radio jingle contest (sponsered by Mass Electric) with a Beastie Boys-inspired tune "Energy Conservation Rap Song." In high school, he played bass and sang in a punk band called Frenzy that would play local underage shows. In the summer of his sophmore year (August, 1991), Fair co-founded [[Overcast (band)|Overcast]], an influential hardcore band in the [[Worcester, Massachusetts|Worcester]] music scene. While Fair was on vocals, Scott McCooe and [[Pete Cortese]] played guitar, [[Mike D'Antonio]] played bass, and Jay Fitzgerald played drums. Overcast's first 7", "Bleed Into One", was released in 1992 through Exchange Records. The band's first full-length, "Expectational Dilution", was released in 1994 and is considered a groundbreaking effort as many claim that Overcast are the pioneers of the [[metalcore]] scene. Their final full-length, "Fight Ambition To Kill", was released in 1997. This release was followed by nationwide touring with [[Shai Hulud (band)|Shai Hulud]] and Disembodied. Overcast eventually split up in November of 1998.


Teesside has a long tradition of bridge building. Many of the world's greatest bridges including the nearby [[Tees Newport Bridge]], the [[Tyne Bridge]] and the famous [[Sydney Harbour Bridge]] in [[Australia]] were designed and constructed from [[Dorman Long]] steel.
The split saw Overcast's members go their separate ways, including bassist [[Mike D'Antonio]] joining his current band [[Killswitch Engage]]. Fair went on to join [[Shadows Fall]], who had recently parted with vocalist [[Philip Labonte]] and offered Fair the position minutes after Overcast's last show. Fair's first full length with Shadows Fall, "[[Of One Blood]]", was released on April 4, 2000 through [[Century Media Records]].


However, the Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge at 850 feet (260 m) long and 225 feet (69 m) high at the tallest point, is the largest working bridge of its kind in the world. The distance between the two towers is 580 feet (177 m).
In January of 2003, a new [[space rock]] project called Transient was formed. Transient saw Fair taking a break from vocals, this time playing the guitar and the drums instead. Fair was reunited with old Overcast member Scott McCooe, who was now playing bass. Transient released a three song demo, whose tracks were recorded by Pete Rutcho of Blistered Earth, in November of 2004. This appears to be Transient's only material to date.


In December 1993, the bridge was awarded the [[Institution of Mechanical Engineers]]' highest honour, The Heritage Plaque, for [[engineering]] excellence, in recognition of the Council's efforts in keeping the bridge in good working order. Its historical importance was also recognised in 1985 by its listing as a Grade II* [[Listed Building]] and its prominence as a local landmark was further enhanced in 1993 by the installation of flood lights that operate during the winter months.
Fair continued with Shadows Fall as his main priority, and the band released several more records. On April 29th, 2006, Overcast reunited to play at the New England Metal and Hardcore Festival. The band then announced that re-recorded archive material and two new tracks, produced by metal producer and Killswitch Engage guitarist [[Adam Dutkiewicz]], would be released as an album in the future under the name "Reborn to Kill Again".


It has featured in films and TV programmes including ''[[Billy Elliot]]'', ''[[The Fast Show]]'', ''[[Spender]]'' and ''[[Steel River Blues]]''. In the [[millennium]] celebrations of 2000, [[firework]]s were fired from its length. The storyline of the third series of ''[[Auf Wiedersehen, Pet]]'', saw the bridge dismantled to be sold to and re-erected in the USA. A public outcry ensued from people who believed that the bridge was really being pulled down. The BBC was required to put a disclaimer on the end of the last episode of the series stating that 'The Transporter Bridge remains in Middlesbrough'.
Shadows Fall's most recent record, "[[Threads of Life]]", was released on April 3rd, 2007 through [[Atlantic Records]] and [[Roadrunner Records|Roadrunner International]]. Fair has also recently worked with [[Necro]], an underground [[hip hop music|hip hop]] musician and producer, on his upcoming album entitled "[[Death Rap]]". Fair appears on Death Rap's fifth track, "Suffocated to Death by God's Shadow", with [[Mark Morton (musician)|Mark Morton]] ([[Lamb of God (band)|Lamb of God]]), [[Mike Smith (musician)|Mike Smith]] ([[suffocation (band)|Suffocation]]), and [[Steve DiGiorgio]] ([[Death]]).


The Transporter Bridge has a safety announcement, and until recently, it was a southern voice. Middlesbrough council decided it was time to change the voice, and held a competition for the new voice. The competition was won by a middlesbrough man, Brian Hall, who was whittled down to the last few in the competition for the speaking clock in 2006.
==Discography==


==Vintage Bus Running Day==
*Overcast - "Bleed Into One" (7") (1992)
[[Image:jdc544l2.jpg|thumb|right|Daimler Fleetline JDC544L at the Transporter Bridge]]The bridge is also host to an annual vintage bus running day, organised by [http://www.500group.org.uk/ The 500 Group]. On this one day per year, usually a Sunday in April, vintage buses take people on free rides around [[Teesside]]. As part of the 2006 and 2007 events the bridge made a special trip carrying a former Teesside Municipal Transport [[Daimler Fleetline]]. Prior to this a double deck bus had not used the bridge in 30 years<ref>[http://www.communigate.co.uk/ne/the500group/page3.phtml Our annual Teesside Running Day], 27 April 2007 (accessed 19 January 2008)</ref>
*Overcast - "Expectational Dilution" (1994)
*Overcast - "Stirring the Killer" (7") (1995)
*Overcast - "Overcast/Arise Split CD" (7") (1996)
*Overcast - "Begging for Indifference" (7" EP/CD) (1996)
*Overcast - "Fight Ambition to Kill"(1997)
*'''[[Shadows Fall]] - "[[Of One Blood]]"''' (2000)
*'''Shadows Fall - "[[Deadworld EP|Deadworld]]"''' (EP) (2001)
*'''Shadows Fall - "[[Fear Will Drag You Down]]"''' (Compilation Album) (2002)
*'''Shadows Fall - "[[The Art of Balance]]"''' (2002)
*'''Shadows Fall - "[[The War Within (album)|The War Within]]"''' (2004)
*Transient - N/A (Demo) (2004)
*'''Shadows Fall - "[[Fallout from the War]]"''' (Compilation Album) (2006)
*'''Shadows Fall - "[[Threads of Life]]"''' (2007)
*'''Shadows Fall - "[[Seeking the Way: The Greatest Hits]] (2007)
*Overcast - "Reborn to Kill Again" (Not yet released) (2007/2008)


==Trivia==
== See also ==
*[[Newport Transporter Bridge]] - A comparable and contrastable bridge in South Wales
{{Trivia|date=September 2007}}
*[[Transporter bridge]] - lists these bridges worldwide
*He is known for his knee-length [[dreadlocks]], which he began growing after having his senior picture taken in high school.
*His favorite band is [[The Smiths]], and he also likes [[N.E.R.D.]], [[AC/DC]], [[Metallica]], and [[Megadeth]].
*He has been a [[vegetarianism|vegetarian]] ever since he heard the album "[[Meat Is Murder]]" by [[The Smiths]].
*He makes an appearance in the Killswitch Engage DVD "[[(Set This) World Ablaze]]".
*He makes an appearance in the [[Shai Hulud (band)|Shai Hulud]] music video "[[My Heart Bleeds the Darkest Blood]]".


==References==
==References==
<references/>
*[http://www.rockdetector.com/officialbio,6629.sm OVERCAST | Unique, Detailed Biography | Rockdetector] Last updated 8 March 2006
*Anon. (1911) "The transporter bridge over the River Tees", ''The Engineer'', '''112''' (September)
*[http://www.rockdetector.com/artist,47961.sm TRANSIENT | Rockdetector] Last updated 16 August 2006
*Fernández Troyano, Leonardo (2003) ''Bridge engineering : a global perspective [Tierra sobre el agua]'', London : Thomas Telford, ISBN 0-7277-3215-3
*Prade, Marcel (1988) ''Ponts et viaducs au XIXe siècle'', Poitiers (France) : Brissaud, ISBN 2-902170-59-9
*Prade, Marcel (1990) ''Les grands ponts du monde: Ponts remarquables d'Europe'', Poitiers (France) : Brissaud, ISBN 2-902170-65-3


==External links==
==External links==
{{Commonscat}}
*[http://www.myspace.com/shadowsfall Shadows Fall on Myspace]
*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/tees/content/articles/2007/08/09/360_transporter_bridge_feature.shtml The Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge]
*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/tees/content/webcams/transporter_bridge_webcam.shtml Transporter Bridge Webcam]
*[http://www.silentuk.com/writeupabove/midtransporter.html Transporter Bridge Night Photos]
*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/tees/content/articles/2007/10/17/transporter171007_feature.shtml The Voice of the Transporter Bridge!]
*[http://www.middlesbrough.gov.uk/ccm/navigation/leisure-and-culture/local-history-and-heritage/historic-buildings-and-structures/transporter-bridge/ Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge]
*{{youtube|id=53LUbURSdbU|Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge}}
* {{Structurae|id=s0002354|title=Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge}}
* [http://bridgesonthetyne.co.uk/intro3.html Bridges On The Tees]


{{Crossings navbox
{{Shadows Fall}}
|structure = [[List of crossings of the River Tees|Crossings]]
|place = [[River Tees]]
|bridge = Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge
|upstream = [[Tees Newport Bridge]]<br />(Tees Newport Bridge)
|downstream = None. This is the lowest bridge point.
}}


[[Category:Transporter bridges]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fair, Brian}}
[[Category:American male singers]]
[[Category:Bridges in County Durham]]
[[Category:American vegetarians]]
[[Category:Bridges in North Yorkshire]]
[[Category:1976 births]]
[[Category:Middlesbrough|Transporter Bridge]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Grade II* listed buildings in North Yorkshire]]
[[Category:Bridges completed in 1911]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Middlesbrough]]
[[Category:Toll bridges in the United Kingdom]]


{{coord|54.5845|N|1.2279|W|type:landmark|display=title}}
[[it:Brian Fair]]
[[fi:Brian Fair]]

Revision as of 09:03, 11 October 2008

Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge
Coordinates54°35′04″N 1°13′41″W / 54.5844°N 1.22801°W / 54.5844; -1.22801
CarriesMotor vehicles
A178 road
Pedestrians
CrossesRiver Tees
LocaleMiddlesbrough, England
Characteristics
DesignTransporter Bridge
Longest span580 ft
Clearance below225 ft
History
Opened1911
Statistics
Tollyes
Location
Map

The Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge (or simply Transporter Bridge) is the furthest downstream bridge across the River Tees. It connects Middlesbrough on the south bank to Port Clarence on the north bank. It is a transporter bridge, carrying a travelling 'car' or 'gondola' suspended from the bridge, across the river in 90 seconds. The cart can carry 200 people, 9 cars or 6 cars and one minibus. It carries the A178 road from Middlesbrough to Hartlepool.

History

The bridge was built by Sir William Arrol & Co. in 1911 under a 1907 Act of Parliament. The opening ceremony on the 17 October 1911 was performed by Prince Arthur of Connaught. The Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge reflects the dynamic industrial heritage of the area.

Teesside has a long tradition of bridge building. Many of the world's greatest bridges including the nearby Tees Newport Bridge, the Tyne Bridge and the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge in Australia were designed and constructed from Dorman Long steel.

However, the Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge at 850 feet (260 m) long and 225 feet (69 m) high at the tallest point, is the largest working bridge of its kind in the world. The distance between the two towers is 580 feet (177 m).

In December 1993, the bridge was awarded the Institution of Mechanical Engineers' highest honour, The Heritage Plaque, for engineering excellence, in recognition of the Council's efforts in keeping the bridge in good working order. Its historical importance was also recognised in 1985 by its listing as a Grade II* Listed Building and its prominence as a local landmark was further enhanced in 1993 by the installation of flood lights that operate during the winter months.

It has featured in films and TV programmes including Billy Elliot, The Fast Show, Spender and Steel River Blues. In the millennium celebrations of 2000, fireworks were fired from its length. The storyline of the third series of Auf Wiedersehen, Pet, saw the bridge dismantled to be sold to and re-erected in the USA. A public outcry ensued from people who believed that the bridge was really being pulled down. The BBC was required to put a disclaimer on the end of the last episode of the series stating that 'The Transporter Bridge remains in Middlesbrough'.

The Transporter Bridge has a safety announcement, and until recently, it was a southern voice. Middlesbrough council decided it was time to change the voice, and held a competition for the new voice. The competition was won by a middlesbrough man, Brian Hall, who was whittled down to the last few in the competition for the speaking clock in 2006.

Vintage Bus Running Day

File:Jdc544l2.jpg
Daimler Fleetline JDC544L at the Transporter Bridge

The bridge is also host to an annual vintage bus running day, organised by The 500 Group. On this one day per year, usually a Sunday in April, vintage buses take people on free rides around Teesside. As part of the 2006 and 2007 events the bridge made a special trip carrying a former Teesside Municipal Transport Daimler Fleetline. Prior to this a double deck bus had not used the bridge in 30 years[1]

See also

References

  1. ^ Our annual Teesside Running Day, 27 April 2007 (accessed 19 January 2008)
  • Anon. (1911) "The transporter bridge over the River Tees", The Engineer, 112 (September)
  • Fernández Troyano, Leonardo (2003) Bridge engineering : a global perspective [Tierra sobre el agua], London : Thomas Telford, ISBN 0-7277-3215-3
  • Prade, Marcel (1988) Ponts et viaducs au XIXe siècle, Poitiers (France) : Brissaud, ISBN 2-902170-59-9
  • Prade, Marcel (1990) Les grands ponts du monde: Ponts remarquables d'Europe, Poitiers (France) : Brissaud, ISBN 2-902170-65-3

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge.

54°35′04″N 1°13′40″W / 54.5845°N 1.2279°W / 54.5845; -1.2279

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Brian_Fair&oldid=244536930"