The Wayfarers

Formed in the early part of 1998, the boys spent the Summer of that year in their 'Bassment' studio, crafting their Melodic, Roughshod, Urban Tin-pan Soul.The Wayfarers made their debut stage performance in December 1998, at local Southend venue 'Club Riga'. Then, after sending a demo tape to the NME, The Wayfarers were selected as one of just 12 bands to play at the NME Carling unsigned band showcases, and travelled to Cardiff in the early part of 1999. The band went from strength to strength and a string of succesful Summer gigs in London followed, ending with a cracker at The Dublin Castle.The future seemed bright until in November '99 talented lead guitarist Phil Jones, left the band in mysterious circumstances. Shortly after this, guitarist/drummer Dave Lealan broke his right hand in a bizarre footballing accident, and lost the use of it for the first half of 2000.The prolific songwriting trio of Keech, Lealan and Millington have been friends since school and at the tender age of 17, they formed the Stone Roses influenced 5-piece 'Crayola' with the legendary Andy Peacock. Over these years they have amassed a wealth of material, and although gigs have been few and far between the band has built up a loyal, if frustrated, following.Modest, plucky and dogged, these Southend-on-Sea chancers will stare a knockback in the eyes and come back fighting - on the rise and taking the rise, The Wayfarers provide ideal accompaniment to a lonely grey Winter's afternoon.