Stereophonics

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

Stereophonics are a Welsh rock band formed in 1992 in the village of Cwmaman in the Cynon Valley, Wales. The band consists of Kelly 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 included Stuart Cable (1992–2003) and then Javier Weyler (2004–2012) on drums. Stereophonics have released twelve studio albums, including eight UK number one albums. A successful compilation 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 of alternative rock and "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 of Performance 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 of Pull 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, including Reading and Leeds in 2000, Glastonbury in 2002, V Festival in 2002, the Isle of Wight in 2004 and 2009, Oxegen in 2010, Tramlines Festival and TRNSMT in 2018, and Latitude in 2019. The band is part of the Cardiff music scene.

  1. ^ "Stereophonics rock band asked to help Cwmaman Institute". BBC News. 21 August 2015. Archived from the original on 24 August 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  2. ^ "Stereophonics + JJ72". PopMatters. 5 February 2002.
  3. ^ Mikey, D. J. "Stereophonics release new single and video for Chaos From The Top Down". Strangewaysradio.com. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
  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. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 20 October 2013.
  7. ^ "Stereophonics @ The Forum, Melbourne (04/05/08)". FasterLouder.com.au. 6 May 2008. Archived from the original on 5 October 2013. Retrieved 4 October 2009.
  8. ^ Alex Ogg. "Stereophonics > Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 4 October 2009.
  9. ^ "Stereophonics announce Royal Hospital Kilmainham date for June 30". The Sunday Business Post. 25 February 2016. Archived from the original on 27 March 2016. Retrieved 26 March 2016.
  10. ^ Bagnall, Steve (1 March 2016). "Stereophonics set to rock Wrexham with summer concert". North Wales Daily Post. Archived from the original on 16 March 2016. Retrieved 26 March 2016.


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