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Stereophonics

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This article is about the Welsh rock band. For information about the audio production technique, seeStereophonic sound.

Stereophonics
Stereophonics performing at the O2 Arena, London in November 2013
Stereophonics performing at theO2 Arena,London in November 2013
Background information
OriginCwmaman,Rhondda Cynon Taf,Wales
Genres
Years active1992–present
Labels
Members
Past members
Websitestereophonics.com

Stereophonicsare a Welsh rock band formed in 1992 in the village ofCwmamanin theCynon Valley,Wales. The band consists ofKelly Jones(lead vocals, lead guitar, keyboards),Richard Jones(no relation to Kelly; bass guitar, harmonica, backing vocals),Adam Zindani(rhythm guitar, backing vocals),Jamie Morrison(drums, percussion) and touring member Tony Kirkham (keyboards). The group previously includedStuart Cable(1992–2003) and thenJavier Weyler(2004–2012) on drums. Stereophonics have released twelve studio albums, including eight UK number one albums. A successfulcompilation album,Decade in the Sun,was released in November 2008 and charted at number two on the UK Album Chart.

Described as "classic UK rock delivered with whiskey vocals",[7]the band have been summarised as possessing a sound akin to the genres ofalternative rockand "British traditional rock".[8]Stereophonics' debut album,Word Gets Around,was released in August 1997 and charted at number six in the UK, aided by the singles "Local Boy in the Photograph","More Life in a Tramps Vest"and"A Thousand Trees".The band reached mainstream success with the release ofPerformance and Cocktails(and its promotional singles "The Bartender and the Thief","Just Looking"and"Pick a Part That's New") in 1999 and have achieved a total of ten top-ten singles as well as one number one:"Dakota"(2005). Having sold around 10 million copies worldwide by 2016,[9][10]Stereophonics are one of the most successful Welsh rock acts. Upon their release ofPull the Pin,they achieved five consecutive UK number one albums.

The band have also been praised for their live performances, which have landed them headlining slots at many of the UK and Ireland's most high-profile music festivals, includingReading and Leedsin 2000,Glastonburyin 2002,V Festivalin 2002, theIsle of Wightin 2004 and 2009,Oxegenin 2010,Tramlines FestivalandTRNSMTin 2018, andLatitudein 2019. The band is part of theCardiff music scene.

History[edit]

Formation and early years (1986–1991)[edit]

Kelly JonesandStuart Cablelived on the same street[11]in the Welsh village of Cwmaman.[12]Jones heard Cable played drums so asked if he wanted to jam together.[13]After some time practising in Jones' dad's garage, Nicholas Geake joined in on guitar. Later,[b]Jones invited Paul Rosser and Chris Davies to play on bass guitar and keyboards, respectively.[14]Cable recalls he was the one who suggested that Jones be the singer, as his dad was a singer back in the sixties who supportedRoy Orbison.[14]In 1986 the band recorded a demo under the name "Zephyr". When Jones went on holiday the band played a gig without him, which resulted in Jones leaving the band and Jones and Cable going their separate ways.[11]Jones, Rosser and Davies formed their own R&B band called "Silent Runner" while Cable joined a glam-rock band named "King Catwalk" on drums.[15]

A few years later,[b]Cable got sacked from the band. A few weeks after, Cable waved to Jones from a bus, and Jones, who was standing at a bus stop, waved back.[16]It was the first contact they had since Zephyr had broken up. Two weeks later, Jones and Cable started speaking again.[17]They agreed to give the band another go, but Cable only wanted to play their own songs. Jones agreed.[17]The duo invited Mark Everett to play for them on bass guitar and Jones then started writing his own songs.[18]

Everett went on holiday for two weeks but Jones and Cable wanted to continue rehearsing, so Jones invited long-time friendRichard Jonesto fill in for Everett.[18]Stunned by Richard's appearance and bass playing, Cable convinced Kelly to keep him instead of Everett.[18]The band decided they needed another member to play lead guitar. Simon Collier was the first guitarist brought in, but didn't stay in the band; he did, however, become Kelly's guitar technician.[19]The band tried hiring two other guitarists, another Richard Jones and Glenn Hyde.[20]Neither stayed for long. Hyde did however play harmonica on "Rooftop" for the band's 2001 albumJust Enough Education to Perform.[20]After Hyde left, the band stuck as a three-piece act.[20]

Name change and V2 Records (1992–1996)[edit]

Kelly, Richard and Cable began writing and performing music in working men's clubs together in 1992[citation needed]as a band known as "Tragic Love Company", a name inspired by their favourite bands (the Tragically Hip,Mother Love BoneandBad Company).[21]After Tragic Love Company supported Smalltown Heroes in the Borderline Club, London, they met Marshall Bird and Steve Bush who were interested in producing for the band. The band agreed and recorded a demo for "A Thousand Trees".[22]

Wayne Coleman organised a series of concerts throughout South Wales after receiving a demo from the band. Wayne liked it a lot but hated the band name and told them they wouldn't be performing unless they changed it.[23]After Cable read the manufacturer name of a gramophone, "Falcon Stereophonic", he told Kelly and the band agreed to change their name to "the Stereophonics".[24]In March 1996,[citation needed]the band played a gig at their localColiseum Theatre,Aberdare withCatatoniaalong with local bands Krazy Keyboards (later to become Dylan Thorn), and the Pocket Devils.[24]When the band finished their slot, John Brand approached them and he became their manager.[25]Brand managed to get over 35 record companies in the UK interested in signing the Stereophonics.[26]In May 1996,[citation needed]they signed withV2,[27]the first artists to be signed to newly formed record label. Upon signing, they dropped "the" from their name and simply became "Stereophonics".

Debut album and ascent to fame (1997–2000)[edit]

In August 1997, the band released their first studio album,Word Gets Around,which reached number six in the UK charts, from which five singles were released. The debut single, released 25 November 1996, was "Looks Like Chaplin".[28]Afterwards, the band embarked on a successful world tour.

Kelly Jones Richard Jones Stuart Cable

In February 1998, the band received aBRIT Awardfor Best New Group. In the same week, the band re-released the single "Local Boy in the Photograph",which in turn reached number fourteen in theUK Singles Chart.The band's debut album,Word Gets Around,also wentgoldin the UK.[29]

In November 1998, "The Bartender and the Thief"(the first single from the albumPerformance and Cocktails) was released, eventually reaching number three on the UK charts. "Just Looking"was released next and reached number four in March 1999. In that same month, the album was released, entering at number one and going platinum within three weeks. Later that year, the band played in front of 50,000 people atMorfa StadiuminSwansea.The concert was filmed and released on DVD the following year. They also collaborated withTom Joneson a cover of theRandy Newmansong "Mama Told Me Not To Come",for the Tom Jones albumReload.

Throughout 1998 and 1999, the band toured in Europe, Australia and the US. On 12 June 1998, Stereophonics played to over 10,000 spectators in the grounds ofCardiff Castlein Wales. Footage of the concert was released on VHS and DVD, titledLive at Cardiff Castle.

Mainstream success (2001–2004)[edit]

The band released their third album,Just Enough Education to Perform,in April 2001. The album included the track "Mr. Writer",which includes lyrics that criticise a critic who the band believe gave them a negative review. The album also contained one of the band's most famous tracks,"Have a Nice Day",which reached number five in the UK charts. To promote the new album,Just Enough Education to Perform,the Stereophonics played a two-day festival, which was calledA Day at the Races.This event was held inDonington Parkon the first day and at Cardiff'sMillennium Stadiumon the second. The concerts were supported byAsh,Black Crowesandthe Crocketts,withProud Maryplaying Donington only. Over 200,000 separate tickets were sold for the weekend festival. The performance was released on a DVD in 2002.

2003 saw the release of their fourth album, titledYou Gotta Go There to Come Back.The album contained one of the band's most popular songs, "Maybe Tomorrow".In September 2003, drummerStuart Cablewas sacked. According to reports, it was because of his lack of commitment to the band. Cable, at the time, presented a TV show called "Cable TV" and felt that the band would never improve. Because of this, he missed several rehearsals and live concerts. He was eventually replaced byJavier Weyler.[30]Steve Gorman,from the Black Crowes, stood in for Cable during the band's live performances until Weyler was appointed. When asked about Cable leaving the band in a 2010 interview withRip It Upmagazine, Kelly Jones acknowledged the difficulty of the situation.[31]

Towards the end of the year, Stereophonics did a sold-out tour of the UK, ending with a Christmas show at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, supported byFeeder,Ocean Colour Sceneand Adam Masterson. The show was closed with a live version of "Merry Xmas Everybody",originally recorded by Slade. The group took a break after their 2003–2004 world tour, which included a set at the Manchester Move Festival in July 2004.

Drummer change and Stuart Cable's death (2005–2010)[edit]

Stereophonics performing in Hamburg, 13 September 2007

Their fifth studio album,Language. Sex. Violence. Other?was released in March 2005. It marked their first recording with new drummer Javier Weyler. The band achieved their first number one hit in the UK singles charts with the album's first single, "Dakota".The second single from the album was" Superman ". However, that song did not repeat the success of" Dakota ", peaking at number thirteen. After" Superman "came" Devil ", featuring a controversial video and reaching number eleven in the charts. The album was nominated for aPop Factory awardat the end of the year, losing out toFeeder'sPushing the Senses.

On 2 July 2005, the group appeared at theLive 8concert inHyde Park,London, playing to their biggest audience yet. The band were also scheduled to supportOasisfor a number of dates across Europe, in early 2006, but pulled out due to family commitments. 2006 also saw the release of Stereophonics' first live album,Live from Dakota.The album is a two-disc compilation, featuring twenty tracks spanning all five of the band's albums and capturing the best of their 2005 world tour. Rather than being a recording of a single show, the tour was recorded every night and the band picked out the best version of each song individually. The album also features a track titled "Jayne", later released as part of Kelly Jones' solo album,Only the Names Have Been Changed.

Pull the Pinwas released in the UK on 15 October 2007, along with a download-only taster; "Bank Holiday Monday".The track was also available for free to people who pre-ordered tickets for the band's concerts in 2007. The album was written and recorded by November 2006 but held back for release until late 2007.[32]"It Means Nothing"was the first single of the album, released in September before the LP was released a week later on 15 October. The album contains twelve songs and reached number one in the UK's official album chart. The next single," My Friends ", reached number thirty-two in the UK charts, their poorest chart performance since" More Life in a Tramps Vest "from their debut album.

On 20 May 2007, at Radio 1's Big Weekend in Preston, the band were joined on stage byCasinofrontman Adam Zindani. Zindani continued to tour with the band for the remainder of thePull the Pintour, playing lead guitar and backing vocals. He has been credited for writing and performing on two of the band's new tracks, "You're My Star" and "My Own Worst Enemy". On "You're My Star", he sings backing vocals and plays lead guitar, whereas on "My Own Worst Enemy" he only plays lead guitar. In November 2008, Stereophonics released their first greatest hits compilation,Decade in the Sun.

On 8 December 2009, theVancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Gamesannounced the line up for performers for the nightly Victory Ceremonies.[33]These ceremonies included 30 minutes of entertainment from the evening's host province/territory, 30 minutes of medal presentations, and a one-hour performance by a musical talent. Stereophonics performed their song "I Got Your Number" at this event on 20 February – Yukon Night. The band's seventh album, titledKeep Calm and Carry On,was released on 16 November 2009. They decided on this name after seeing a poster in the White Horse pub in Richmond where they spent a lot of time whilst recording the album.[34]The album's debut single was "Innocent".[35]The second single from the album, "Could You Be the One?",was released on 15 February 2010. The band embarked on a seven-date tour to support the new album in March 2010 playing at Aberdeen, Newcastle, Glasgow, Nottingham, Birmingham, Manchester, Sheffield and London.[34]with support from Glasgow bandHip Parade.

On 5 June 2010, Stereophonics played the first-ever gig at theCardiff City Stadiumwith support from unsigned South Wales band 4th Street Traffic, followed byKids in Glass HousesandDoves.The concert, known as "Summer in the City", was played to a sold-out audience of 30,000. Two days later, original drummer Stuart Cable was found dead in his home inAberdarehaving choked on his own vomit afterbinge drinking.[36]After the Keep Calm and Carry On Tour concluded, and their contract with Universal at an end, Kelly Jones wanted to change the way the band worked and so decided to take a break from writing and recording an album every two years.[37]

Graffiti on the Train,Keep the Village AliveandScream Above the Sounds(2011–2018)[edit]

On 3 March 2011, Stereophonics announced on their Facebook page that they were working on new music in the studio.[38][non-primary source needed]In July 2012 it was announced that Weyler and the band had parted company. The announcement was made on the band's Facebook page, though no reason was given for his departure.[39]It was announced on 24 September 2012 thatJamie Morrison,former drummer forNoisettes,had replaced Weyler in the band.[40][non-primary source needed]On 8 October 2012, Stereophonics released the video to a track titled "Violins and Tambourines"from the upcoming album.[41]On 4 November, the first single from the new album, "In a Moment",was released as a free download from the band's website.[42]On the same day, NME.com reported that the album would be titledGraffiti on the Train.[43]The album was released on 4 March 2013.[44]Second single preceding the album, "Indian Summer"was released in January 2013; by 10 March it had peaked at number 30 in the UK, making it their group's first UK top-40 single since 2007. A third single, the album'stitle track,was released on 13 May.

In late September 2014, it was announced via their Twitter page that a new album has been mixed and that it should be released in 2015.[45]On 21 March 2015, Stereophonics performed in Bristol and in London's Royal Albert Hall and debuted 3 new songs "C'est La Vie", "I Wanna Get Lost With You" and "Song for the Summer" which are to be on their 9th albumKeep the Village Alivewith the release date of 11 September. "C'est la Vie" was released as the first single of the album.[46]In September 2015 the band appeared onBBC Two'sLater... with Jools Holland.[47]During the Keep the Summer Alive Tour, Kelly Jones announced he would like to release the band's tenth studio album "before next summer" to commemorate the 20th anniversary ofWord Gets Around,rather than release a compilation album.[48][49]

On 27 July 2017 the band announcedScream Above the Soundsas the title for the album and will be released on 27 October 2017. It became available to pre-order on the same day. The album was released under the new distribution label "Parlophone", as the band parted ways with the old label V2. The band released "All In One Night" on the same day as the lead single from it. On 4 September 2017 "Caught By The Wind" was released as the second single from the album followed by "Before Anyone Knew Our Name" as the third single on 20 October 2017.They released the album's fourth and final single, "What's All the Fuss About?" on 4 December 2017. They embarked on the Scream Above The Sounds tour in 2018.

Kind.andOochya!(2019–present)[edit]

In January 2019, Stereophonics announced two shows as part ofForest Live,the summer concert series promoted by theForestryCommission: 13 June atWestonbirt Arboretum,nearTetbury,Gloucestershire and 23 June atThetford Forest,nearBrandon, Suffolk.[50]Kind.became their seventh number-one album later that year.[51]

Originally intending to release another greatest hits album,[52][53]the band announced their twelfth album,Oochya!on 6 September 2021.[54]It became their eighth number-one album, putting them level withOasis,R.E.M.andTaylor Swiftfor themost UK number-one albums ever.[55][56]

On 18 June 2022, the second of the band's two concerts at thePrincipality Stadiumin Cardiff, was broadcast live onBBC One WalesandBBC Two,with special guest Sir Tom Jones.[57][58]

Other projects[edit]

On 9 October 2007, a retrospective DVD was released in the United States,Rewind: The First 10 Years.The DVD is a double disc with a runtime of nearly four hours. Much of this footage was recorded around the time that theYou Gotta Go There to Come Backalbum was being recorded. This is because a similar band history DVD was listed for release shortly after that album but was never released, due to the departure of Stuart Cable. This explains Jones' hairstyle (circa 2003/2004) in the interview footage and the appearance of Stuart and the rest of the band freely talking about their togetherness and solidarity as the original three members. The original footage was updated by adding further footage to the end, bringing it up to date with the band's fifth album. Stuart does not appear on any of the extra footage. Availability coincides with the US re-release of theLanguage.Sex.Violence.Other?DVD, and the worldwide digital debut of their latest studio album,Pull the Pin.

In 2007, Jones released a solo album, titledOnly the Names Have Been Changed,while recording the band's sixth studio album,Pull the Pin.The album contains ten tracks (all named after women) and features minimal instrumentation. The album also includes the song "Jayne", a previously unreleased Stereophonics track featured on the live albumLive from Dakotaand theRewindDVD.

Stereophonics also performed the original opening theme tune for the TV seriesLong Way Round.The song's lyrics were slightly altered for the follow-up series,Long Way DownandLong Way Up.

Members[edit]

Timeline[edit]

Discography[edit]

Main articles:Stereophonics discographyandList of songs recorded by Stereophonics

Awards and nominations[edit]

Main article:List of awards and nominations received by Stereophonics

References[edit]

Notes

  1. ^Stylus Records is under exclusive licence toIgnition Records LtdandParlophone.This is stated inGraffiti on the Train'sliner notes and the back of "We Share the Same Sun"vinyl cover.[4][5]It is also listed under "associated labels" on Ignition Records' website.[6]
  2. ^abExact dates aren't given inDemons and Cocktails.

Footnotes

  1. ^"Stereophonics rock band asked to help Cwmaman Institute".BBC News.21 August 2015.Archivedfrom the original on 24 August 2015.Retrieved24 August2015.
  2. ^"Stereophonics + JJ72".PopMatters.5 February 2002.
  3. ^Mikey, D. J. (19 February 2019)."Stereophonics release new single and video for Chaos From The Top Down".Strangewaysradio.com.Retrieved19 October2020.
  4. ^Graffiti on the Train(Vinyl). Stereophonics.Universal Music Publishing.2013.{{cite AV media notes}}:CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  5. ^We Share the Same Sun(10 "vinyl). Stereophonics. United Kingdom:Universal Music Publishing.2013. STYLUS6TE.{{cite AV media notes}}:CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  6. ^"Records".Ignition Records.Ignition Management.Archivedfrom the original on 27 September 2013.Retrieved20 October2013.
  7. ^"Stereophonics @ The Forum, Melbourne (04/05/08)".FasterLouder.com.au. 6 May 2008. Archived fromthe originalon 5 October 2013.Retrieved4 October2009.
  8. ^Alex Ogg."Stereophonics > Biography".AllMusic.Retrieved4 October2009.
  9. ^"Stereophonics announce Royal Hospital Kilmainham date for June 30".The Sunday Business Post.25 February 2016.Archivedfrom the original on 27 March 2016.Retrieved26 March2016.
  10. ^Bagnall, Steve (1 March 2016)."Stereophonics set to rock Wrexham with summer concert".North Wales Daily Post.Archivedfrom the original on 16 March 2016.Retrieved26 March2016.
  11. ^abMarks (2009), p. 24
  12. ^Marks (2009), p. 4
  13. ^Marks (2009), pp. 22–23
  14. ^abMarks (2009), p. 23
  15. ^Marks (2009), pp. 24–25
  16. ^Marks (2009), pp. 25–26
  17. ^abMarks (2009), p. 26
  18. ^abcMarks (2009), p. 27
  19. ^Marks (2009), p. 32
  20. ^abcMarks (2009), p. 33
  21. ^Marks (2009), p. 29
  22. ^Marks (2009), p. 38
  23. ^Marks (2009), pp. 37–38
  24. ^abMarks (2009), p. 40
  25. ^Marks (2009), pp. 41–42
  26. ^Marks (2009), p. 43
  27. ^Marks (2009), p. 47
  28. ^Peter Buckley, ed. (2003).The Rough Guide to Rock.Rough Guides. p. 1011.ISBN9781843531050.
  29. ^Nielsen Business Media, Inc. (7 August 1999).Billboard.Nielsen Business Media, Inc. pp. 12–.ISSN0006-2510.{{cite book}}:|author=has generic name (help)
  30. ^Stereophonics drummer firedArchived16 August 2011 at Wikiwix.BBC News.Retrieved on 17 July 2007.
  31. ^"Interview with Stereophonics".Rip It up(333). February–March 2010. Archived fromthe originalon 17 January 2011.Retrieved15 November2011.
  32. ^Stereophonics: Friends in the NorthArchived1 January 2008 at theWayback Machinevideo interview with stv.tv
  33. ^"Ceremonies: Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics".Vancouver2010.com.Archivedfrom the original on 9 April 2010.Retrieved7 June2010.
  34. ^ab"Stereophonics announce 2010 UK arena tour and ticket details".NME.5 October 2009.Archivedfrom the original on 8 October 2009.Retrieved7 October2009.
  35. ^Bevan, Na than (4 October 2009)."Stereophonics new album preview: They're back on form".Wales Online.Media Wales.Retrieved7 October2009.
  36. ^"Tribute to 'warm-hearted' Stuart Cable".BBC News.7 June 2010.Archivedfrom the original on 11 June 2010.Retrieved7 June2010.
  37. ^McCormick, Neil (28 February 2013)."Stereophonics interview with Kelly Jones: 'This album is the truest thing I've ever written'".The Telegraph.Archivedfrom the original on 6 November 2013.Retrieved17 July2013.
  38. ^"Stereophonics working on new music".Archivedfrom the original on 8 April 2005 – via Facebook.
  39. ^"Stereophonics drummer Javier Weyler splits from band".Wales Online. 19 July 2012.Archivedfrom the original on 23 July 2012.Retrieved26 September2013.
  40. ^"stereophonics: Welcome Jamie Morrison – Great".24 September 2012.Archivedfrom the original on 13 December 2013.Retrieved26 September2013– via Twitter.
  41. ^"News – Violins and Tambourines".Stereophonics.com.Archived fromthe originalon 11 October 2012.Retrieved13 October2012.
  42. ^"News – New Single – In A Moment Download It For Free Here".Stereophonics.com.Archived fromthe originalon 6 November 2012.Retrieved4 November2012.
  43. ^"Stereophonics give away new single 'In A Moment' as a free download – listen".NME.Archivedfrom the original on 1 October 2013.Retrieved7 December2012.
  44. ^"Graffiti On The Train".Amazon UK.Archivedfrom the original on 15 October 2015.Retrieved7 December2012.
  45. ^"Stereophonics complete work on their 9th studio album!".Music Scene. 30 September 2014. Archived fromthe originalon 6 October 2014.Retrieved22 November2014.
  46. ^"Radio X".Radio X.Archivedfrom the original on 18 May 2015.
  47. ^"Episode 2, Series 47, Later... with Jools Holland – BBC Two".BBC.Archivedfrom the original on 7 November 2015.
  48. ^Dingwall, John (15 July 2016)."Stereophonics frontman Kelly Jones explains why Welsh rockers will always raise a glass to their Scots fans".Daily Record.Archivedfrom the original on 17 July 2016.Retrieved21 July2016.
  49. ^Lindsay, Kali (20 July 2016)."Review: Stereophonics still sensational".Evening Express.Archivedfrom the original on 16 July 2016.Retrieved21 July2016.
  50. ^"Stereophonics announce Forest Live gigs".Swindonian.co.uk.14 January 2019.
  51. ^Sexton, Paul (1 November 2019)."Stereophonics Get Seventh U.K. No. 1 Album With 'Kind'".Billboard.
  52. ^"Five things we learned from our In Conversation video chat with Stereophonics' Kelly Jones".NME.21 February 2022.
  53. ^Wallace, Sean (16 March 2022)."Stereophonics singer Kelly Jones talks about the power of music ahead of Aberdeen show".
  54. ^Murray, Robin (6 September 2021)."Stereophonics Announce New Album 'Oochya!'".Clash.Retrieved30 December2021.
  55. ^"Stereophonics score eighth Number 1 album with Oochya!".www.officialcharts.com.
  56. ^Brandle, Lars (14 March 2022)."Stereophonics Snag Eighth U.K. No. 1 Album With 'Oochya!'".Billboard.
  57. ^"Stereophonics, Sir Tom Jones, Feeder, Gruff Rhys and Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard".Principality Stadium.
  58. ^"BBC Two - Stereophonics Live in Cardiff: We'll Keep a Welcome".BBC.
  59. ^"New album release date announced".Official website.Retrieved15 August2019.

Bibliography

  • Stuart Cable (2009). Marks, Howard (ed.).Demons and Cocktails.London: John Blake Publishing Ltd.ISBN978-1-84454-726-5.

External links[edit]

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