If you do a google search on ..Delphians.. you get all kinds of weird shit. It..s the name of a Russian athletics organization. It..s the collective name for a caring group of lady university graduates (from Houston). It..s an advanced civilization of great intelligence, living on the planet Gomoray. Whatever. The fact is we thought it was a cool band name. Or at least a bit better than Captain Shazam and the Hams.........
Delphians got together through the usual humdrum local band breakups and line-up changes usually described in sickening detail in band bios. Boring really. I (Paul) also do gigs as a very serious solo artiste. The music is acousticy and melodic with barbs that stick in your brain. I write the songs in Delphians, and the others play their respective instruments and help develop my sometimes scattered songs and ideas.
The band sound took a while, but it was worth the wait. It..s acoustic, but it..s heavy. It..s melodic, but it..s raw as fuck. It..s a bit obtuse, but it..s radio friendly (ish). It..s entirely our own, and we..re rather pleased with it!
Collectively, our influences are probably stuff like Pearl Jam, R.A.T.M, Deftones, we..re all into the metal. Individually though, my influences probably took it to the acoustic place. The wonder stuff, Jeff Buckley, Neil Young, Nick Drake, blah etc.
Geoff (drums) was originally a metal player. He..s played in metal and rock bands for years now, and is enjoying the change of playing stuff in a different style. In this band the guitars are an additional part of the traditional rhythm section, and me and Geoff really lock on. His groove is fucking magnetic.
Both live and in the studio he..s been instrumental in creating OUR sound. He sometimes plays very loud, and sometimes plays very quietly, but it..s always right, which is a totally different world from Ian, who (as he constantly tells everyone) is a lead guitar player at heart, but [at the time] we only needed one guitar, so he was cruelly shunted onto the bass. Infact, he didn..t even own a bass at first. Second that...he still doesn't!
As Ian is genetically predisposed to rock stardom - his Dad, Billy Ritchie, was the keyboardist of pioneering 60's band ..The Clouds (formerly '1-2-3') - he likes to throw up fresh ideas at every turn, creative little fucker. Most of them are shite but every now & then he comes up with the occasional gem which makes it all worthwhile. Another plus is that he whinges far less since he's been on electric guitar (or "promoted" as he calls it).
Which brings us to our new bassist - Roo Butler. Every one who likes live music in Sunderland would have met Roo at one of the many 'Buskers Nights'. However I met him as he was trying to demolish a rouge Ferris Wheel (It was fun). Roo is a welcome addition to Delphians. 1) He's a great Bass Player - no offence to Ian. 2). He's a great laugh - See 'Ferris Wheel'. 3) The Bass looks its normal size when he plays it - again, no offence Ian)
As for Me (Paul Vocal/Acoustic Guitar) have made two albums already as a solo guy. The second .. A Lighthouse Keeper..s Diary.. was distributed by Absolute/Universal, and is available from an overpriced and impersonal retail outlet near you. I..m kind of the architect of the Delphians sound, a bit like the dude off the matrix with all the TV..s, but marginally less evil. I write the lyrics and music and take it into rehearsal with the band. It usually comes out of our sweaty little practise room better that I hoped, which is nice. I could brag about my previous conquests with BMG, Independiente and EMI etc, but I don..t think you really care.
The live arena is where we feel truly at home as a band. We do lots of gigs around our region (the grim/beautiful North-East) and we..ve managed to build up a good following and reputation. We love playing gigs in packed out, dark pub venues, occupying half the room with our gear (much to the annoyance of many publicans). We..re selling CD..s (both my solo records and band CD..s) at our shows. We get through quite a few.
Anyways, enough of the rambling bullshit, have a listen to the tunes and be our friend (not really a friend, more a digital acquaintance).
Tata.xx
I"m doing a sponsored leg wax on Saturday 19th July (this coming Sat) at Sunderland Free Church, Stockton Road (just up from Park Lane Interchange) to raise money for 3 trips: my mum"s trip to Swaziland and 2 friends that are doing volunteer gap years in other countries. There will be a quiz around 7:30 (for the crack) then the waxing will take place around 8:30. Please come or donate; both would be greatly appreciated.
Also, if you are to come, please let me know for sake of knowing how many to expect.
All Myspace can you help a disabled brother out! I have Myspace disabled civil rights group link located below http://groups. myspace. com/pt2disabledcivilrightslifeliberty My goal is to make everyone in this country aware of med waiver community-based programs so we can have a choice on where we live. To help me spread the word could you put me in your top friends list please to let more people know about this travesty of injustice! Based on the Supreme Court Olmstead Decision 6-3 law. Also George W. Bush presidential Executive Order 13217.
GIG ON THURSDAY!!!!!COME SEE CRIPPLING JACK AT PORTERFIELDS IN SUNDERLAND. ALSO HAVE A LISTEN TO OUR NEW DEMO ON WWW.MYSPACE.COM/CRIPPLINGJACK AS WELL AS A COUPLE OF OLD TUNES.
Happy New Year. I hope you get the success you all deserve in 2008! Saturday was great by the way. I haven't heard Private hell for ages :) See you at your next gig. Love, Nic x
woop woop! bravo chaps - last night was as awesome as it gets I must say. Looking forward to your next gig (whenever the hell that may be!) see ya'll soon x x x
Great to see the band as always, can't wait to see you play again. I never said but one of the best things is that Marg Liddell sings backing vocals. Not only is that super cool but the harmony's are great 8)
