David Sneddon & John Kielty started 'The Martians' band in 2001 - and played their first acoustic gigs at the Tron theatre Glasgow

John Kielty met David Sneddon in 2001,

while acting in Romeo & Juliet; John was Juliet's father and David was Romeo. They did acoustic gigs at the Tron in Glasgow, and decided to start a band together calling themselves The Martians. 'I learned some of David’s songs on piano, I wrote some songs.' John wanted to perform an unplugged version of War of he Worlds, so he brought in Harry (lead guitar) Gibby (bass) and Kate who made interesting noises.
In June 2002 the Martians recorded the first 4-track Martian Cd in one day. The Cd included Long Time Coming, Flowers and Butterflies, Roll Along and Convince Me. The CD got a good response and sold well.

When David won the BBC show Fame Academy in December 2002, John joined him in London early 2003. They shared David's luxury flat and spent the year on 'planet pop, beating off earthling fans, playing Top of the Pops and supporting stars like Elton John and Bryan Adams.' John co-wrote songs on David’s album, Seven Years Ten Weeks,and the last track is John’s soulful ‘Long Time Coming.’ While the "the pop, dazzle and fizz of showbiz" wasn't exactly what John expected - "we got to work with some really good recording studios, some amazing musicians, and did a lot of good recording. David's album sold really well so we made a shit-load of money. It was a very, very interesting glimpse into the music world, and we're still there - we go down and work with artists all the time and write songs for them."
John performed acoustic gigs in London and Glasgow with David Sneddon in 2006.

John & David have a long time writing partnership and rare musical connection. They took themselves up north to a remote cottage in the highlands of Scotland in July 2004, to write new songs, even though it meant an hours walk to the nearest pub. They toured and wrote together in 2003. David's debut album, SEVEN YEARS TEN WEEKS includes 4 Sneddon/Kielty songs - 'Bluebird', 'Follow Me', 'O'k, 'Neverland'. David also included John's soulful 'Long Time Coming' as the final track on the album. Plus B sides - She Needs to Know, Wasting Your Life Away, Love Actually. Their music has lyrical harmonies and strong melodies, They are a unique writing partnership, writing and performing since starting the Martians together in 2001. David’s expressive voice works well against John’s deeper baritone. Individually two very talented musicians, but together sparks fly, producing well-matched harmonies and memorable songs. David & John continued writing together in 2004 - 2006. 'John and I was heavily influenced by the Beatles, we do a lot of melodic harmonies with nice hooks. It's melodic pop/rock.'

John's BIG break came in July 2006 when he and his brothers (otherwise called the Martians!) won 'the Highland Quest' for a new Scottish musical, with the 'SUNDOWE' which will was performed in Inverness in Nov 2007 to good reviews. In August 2007 David played 3 sold out Jazz Bar gigs at the Edinburgh Festival with John backing on guitar - and it was fun to see them back on stage together.
At the Troubadour gig in November David announced that John Kielty was off to America - after the gig David simply said, ‘Thanks John.’  John has entertained & inspired us the past years, and I wish him every success.
David talked about songwriting with John, and that there are no set rules in a radio interview in 2003 -  'John and I are heavily influenced by the Beatles, we do a lot of melodic harmonies with nice hooks. Its melodic pop/rock.'  'John tours and writes with me. After all the hard work it's nice to have your best mate there beside you, nice to have him there, it makes the whole thing more special. John and I were in a band in Glasgow before all this happened.'  (C)

Nov 2006: COMMENT
JOHN KINDLY GAVE ME AN INTERVIEW FOR THE MARTIANS FANSITE IN 2006. I MET HIM AT THE ORAN MOR GLASGOW.. HIS LEATHER COAT WAS FLYING BEHIND HIM MUCH AS I IMAGINE HIM DOING DOCTOR WHO ONE DAY - HE'D BE PERFECT FOR THE ROLE!
I have been editing the photos from the Troubadour gig last week. I was thinking back to the first gig I saw David and John perform at the Metro in August 2004. I had this little disposable camera and got some great shots of the two of them laughing and joking together. That’s when I realised how close they were. Actually that’s not strictly true, the first time I saw them perform was on 'Top of the Pops' - that classic TV pop charts show that ran for 40 years and finished in 2006 - when David’s single Stop living the Lie was number one. I noticed John in a denim jacket and he looked so up for the gig! I wondered then who he was.
I first met John at David’s Safeway signing in Glasgow. John was standing at the side leaning against the counter, and later on I got him to sign my extra SYTWs copy and talked with him a bit. I later met John at the Rofa gig in May 2004, when he and David came backstage to chat with fans, and I got a lovely photo with him there. At the Sham gigs in 2004, John always had a big smile on his face and a hug for everyone. At the Metro he arrived with his guitar slung on his back. He liked to watch the performers, but after the gig was always happy to chat.

The Martians band: John was great at keeping in touch with the site in 2004, and I have several chats with him posted on the Martians fansite. We heard great reports from those making Martians shows in 2004. In early 2005 there was so much John info on the site we decided to start a Martians site. Fiona and Pat helped me set the site up, so a big thanks to her and to Pat. The Martians always busk at the Edinburgh festival and they are so much fun!! In 2005 they performed their Evil face show. John took us on his Ghost tour down Edinburgh closes and to Greyfriars graveyard, which is a very spooky place, and is the inspiration for his musical, The Sundowe. He was excellent at this, very scary! He seems to be fascinated by things like thumbscrews! and other torture weapons.

When I was taking the photos at the Troubadour gig last week, I had no idea it was John’s last with David for a while, until David announced before the last song that John was off to America. I was taken aback and it has been hard looking at the gig pics, as John looks sad and introspective in them. I did wonder at the time he was much quieter than usual.  John grew up in Clydebank, about ten minutes from where I live. He has a very clear idea of where he wants to be artistically, and he has been an inspiration to me. He has made many fans at all the gigs through the warmth and generosity of his personality.  I had been wondering that John was doing his own thing more and more, and I know he has been very busy with his Sundowe musical. They have a close musical partnership that I am hope will continue. They enjoy writing together and have inspired each other.