Stands To Reason

Post hardcore band Stands to Reason were formed in sunny Southend on sea in late 1996 by Steve Ali and Rob Lawrence. Originally starting life under the name Farringdon, the band took on many guises until a chance meeting one December evening between Rob and Ross Baker. A semi drunken conversation between the two led to the foundations of the band being cemented.Early 1997 quickly saw 19 year olds Ross and Kev Guy joining the ranks and writing and recording for the first demo quickly followed in the spring of that year. Influences between the four varied from Quicksand to Fleetwood Mac and Sunny Day Real Estate to Gorilla Biscuits. This helped create a diverse, yet honest, sound and the boys got their first six song set together and played as many shows as they possibly could supporting the likes of Shelter, Kill Holiday, Understand, Above All, Rival Schools, JeJune, DbH and Tribute to Nothing.Unfortunately, early compilation album releases and a self titled 7" (on the bands very own Mullet Records label) as well as positive music press, could not raise the band to the next level. The band parted company with Ross in the summer of 1999. Ritchie Harwood joined for the next year or so as Rob took on vocal/guitar duties. Mid 2000 saw the band split up. Rob and Ritchie went on to form Cars as Weapons whilst Kev and Steve formed the equally good From Day One.