The Storys' self-titled debut album is OUT NOW from all good record stores and online from www.amazon.co.uk and www.hmv.co.uk .
In the US, download the album now at:
"Big choruses, sweet harmonies, heart and soul... The Storys are the hairiest, most melodious band of West Coast rockers this side of the Atlantic... ones to watch" - Neil McCormick, Daily Telegraph
The Storys are Steve Balsamo - vocals/guitar; Andy Collins - vocals/bass; Dai Smith - vocals/guitar; Rob Thompson - vocals/guitar; Brian Thomas - drums/percussion; Alan Thomas - keys/mandolin/banjo; a 6 piece 70s west-coast-influenced band from South Wales who formed in Spring 2003.
With 4 singer-songwriters all taking lead vocals on different songs, their sound is both fragile and intense, underpinned by a dark lyrical edge. They can turn from tender country-tinged ballad one minute to an as-wide-as-the ocean stomp the next - in the same category as classic harmony vocal bands such as Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles, Crosby Stills Nash & Young and The Beatles, all of whom also had multiple singers.
Formed with the intention of writing classic songs with great hooks, melodies and lyrics, their beginning was prolific with songs falling out of the sky and behind every song is a story containing characters and a soundtrack to their lives. There was a natural vocal chemistry: "Everyone would just sing a part and it would fit naturally. Nothing was worked out. We went for a 'if it sounds good, it is good' approach and kept the natural parts even though they might have been musically imperfect", says Steve.
The production duties were entrusted to Dai, with co-production from Rob, and the album started its life in Rob's kitchen with Dai recording some very vibey acoustic tracks before relocating to The Hall, a converted cinema, now a social club, in one-road-in-one-road-out Glyncorrwg in the Welsh valleys. What was initially meant to be two weeks of pre-production in the main hall turned into more than six fantastic months of recording using the natural acoustics and vibe of the building and location - the locals werent afraid to tell the band if the music was bad or if it was good. They weren't the only ones to add their two pennies worth. The Hall has its own ghost, Carter, who would change the levels on the mixing desk to his liking and once, during a recording of the strings, was even caught on camera.
As spring turned to summer, over thirty songs were recorded and the best eleven chosen for their debut album. By this point The Storys had come so far on their own they decided to avoid all the tested major record company routes and put out the album themselves. So with independent backing The Storys decided to set up their own label - 'Hall Recordings'.
Their first gig to over seventy thousand people at The Olympic Torch Concert outside Buckingham Palace was soon followed by a support slot with Tom Jones and a series of gigs in venues such as Bush Hall and The Borderline attracting the critics' attention:
"Balsamo has a truly spellbinding voice and The Storys' melodic mandolin-backed ballads and jaunty rockers should sparks some serious interest when the band's debut album is released" - Lisa Verrico, The Times
In 2006, The Storys had the honour of being personally asked by Sir Elton John to support him on his UK Arena tour and also on a few European dates. The band have just finished supporting Sir Elton again on his Arena tour across the UK and Europe.
The Storys' second album was recorded at Peter Gabriel's Real World studios and is due for release in February 2008
Recording at Real World Studios - April 2007
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Rob Thompson is the proud owner of a Campbell American Guitar (Bill Nelson signature limited edition):
www.campbellamerican.com / www.myspace.com/campbellamericanguitars
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See The Storys on You Tube: www.youtube.com/thestorysuk
Management: John Waller
Tel: +44 20 7247 1057 / E-mail: [email protected]
