Steve Balsamo (vocals / guitar / songwriting)
Steve loves martial arts (especially ultimate fighting championships), Marshall amps, Marshall Mathers, Marshall Mallows. Cooking (his father is a top local chef) - Steve has studied macrobiotic cookery as well as all types of traditional cooking. Philosophy, conspiracy theories (Steve could have written the Da Vinci Code), UFOs. He is also a pupil of Mongolian throat singer/tutor Jill Purce! Five words Steve chose to describe himself - Bossy, Happy, Childish, Kind, Bonkers.
Andy Collins (vocals / bass / songwriting)
Andy loves animals especially cats, he is a massive Liverpool FC fan and Beatles fanatic. Lots of local aspiring bass players come to Andy for help and advice. Vampires, history, Peter Sellers films. Reading books especially the news. Playing computer games. Sci fi. He also has a fine afro. Andy is a vegetarian.
Five words Andy chose to describe himself - Annoying, Independent, Fickle, Sociable...?
Rob Thompson (vocals / guitar / songwriting)
Rob loves fine wines and fine food, Woody Allen films, all the latest top TV shows - Colombo and Quincy especially. Cookery showdowns - Balsamo vs. Thompson. Collecting old vinyl, cartoons and kids TV programmes.
Five words Rob chose to describe himself - Happy, Honest, Dry, Diplomatic, Quiet.
Brian Thomas (drums / percussion / songwriting)
Brian loves harrier jump jets, sport of all types especially Liverpool FC. He loves cycling, sailing. Loves going to gigs. Brian is a vegetarian.
Five words Brian chose to describe himself - Punctual, Impatient, Honest, Dishonest, Suspicious.
Alan Thomas (keyboards / mandolin / banjo / songwriting)
Alan loves learning to play as many different instruments as humanly possible. Al has also had bit parts in TV and film. He has appeared in The Vision with Lee Remick and Dirk Bogarde and Doctor Who with Sylvester McCoy. Alan is a vegetarian. Loves drinking, dislikes hangovers!
Five words Alan chose to describe himself - Hot, Sexy, Fit, Hunky, Liar.
Rosalie Deighton (vocals / guitar)
Rosalie had the honour of being asked to join The Storys in the autumn of 2008. She describes herself as "half Dutch, half Indonesian, half Barnsley" - she may soon be able to add half Welsh to that after spending so much time on the road with her Welsh bandmates! Rosalie started out almost in the womb performing with her parents and siblings as The Deighton Family. She is now an accomplished singer/songwriter in her own right - chech her out on Myspace and buy her album "21 Days" for an exceptional collection of raw and emotional songs, sung from the heart. The Storys are hoping having a female around will help keep them in line! Rosalie is making no promises...
Influences
Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles, Crosby Stills Nash & Young, Wilco, Grandaddy, Jeff Tweedy, The Beatles
Steve Balsamo - vocals/guitar Andy Collins - vocals/bass Rob Thompson - vocals/guitar Brian Thomas - drums/percussion Alan Thomas - keys/mandolin/banjo Dai Smith - vocals/guitar (left August 2008) Rosalie Deighton - vocals/guitar (replacing Dai Smith)
The Storys are a 6 piece 70s west-coast-influenced country-rock 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.
"There is much to revel in within the intricate vocal harmonies of this Swansea sextet's sound" - Classic Rock Magazine
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 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 Storys possess an ability to pen instantly classic songs which ooze class" - Music Week
Their debut album was recorded in an old converted cinema in the heart of the Welsh hills. It took over a year to complete, and was initially released on the band's own Hall Recordings label. It had some fantastic initial reviews, and somehow got into the hands of Sir Elton John.
"They have made a fantastic debut album" - Sir Elton John
A huge music fan, Elton personally called Steve and told him how much he loved the album. He then invited the band to tour with him all over the UK and Europe during the summer of 2005. He invited them again during the summer of 2006 and they played the Liberty Stadium in their hometown of Swansea in the summer of 2008. In between, the band successfully headlined several of their own British tours and supported Katie Melua on some UK and European dates. The Storys ended 2007 supporting Joe Cocker in the UK.
"Swansea's answer to The Eagles" - Classic Rock Magazine
The debut album 'The Storys' was picked up by the iconic Warners Korova label in the UK, and Ryko in the US. Soon after, the band headed off for the South By South West festival in Austin, Texas where they played to great reviews. As a result of their appearence, the song 'Be By Your Side' was picked up and used in hit US teen drama One Tree Hill. And 'I Believe In Love' and 'Save Me' were used in hit Brit gangster flick 'The Bank Job'. Director Roger Donaldson loved the band so much he asked them to appear as themselves in the movie!
"Robust and rewarding The Storys serve up soaring harmony rock that suggests a well-spent youth absorbing all things good from the USA's West Coast" - Rock 'n' Reel Magazine
The band headed to Peter Gabriel's Real World studio complex with renowned producer Jon Kelly. Kelly's impressive CV includes Kate Bush, The Beautiful South, Paul McCartney, Chris Rea and The Damned. They had what Andy describes as, "the most enjoyable time ever!" making the record, and the fantastic results can be heard on their current album 'Town Beyond The Trees'.
"Wonderful songs, great playing and instinctively beautiful harmonies" - Bob Harris, BBC Radio2
2008 was a fantastic year for The Storys. It kicked off with the Dear Mr Fantasy gig at the legendary Roundhouse in London, which saw the band on stage with Joe Walsh, Steve Winwood, Pete Townsend, Bill Wyman and countless other legends playing the songs of the late Traffic drummer Jim Capaldi. This was followed by another successful tour of the UK and a week of shows in Monte Carlo. Unfortunately , at this time Dai Smith decided to leave the band and was replaced by the brilliant and beautiful country/folk singer Rosalie Deighton. From there the band headed to Amsterdam for the biggest gig of their career - supporting Celine Dion. The Storys received a standing ovation from the sell out crowd of 64,000 people at the Amsterdam Arena that night.
"Hotel California opens South Wales Branch... can bang out a Laurel Canyon ballad or freeway cruisin' harmony-rocker with aplomb. This second album finds them almost insolently self-assured..." - Uncut Magazine (4/5)
A huge show as special guests of Santana in Locarno, Switzerland followed. Then a long drive straight to Germany for a week of gigs with fellow Celts, Runrig. As if this wasn't enough, they were than asked to open up for Van Morrison on his British shows as well as playing at a terrific festival with Daniel Lanois and Sinead O'Connor in Belgium.
"This group is really tight, the vocals are superb and the songs are written to last through the ages. What's not to like?" - Maverick Magazine (4/5)
The Storys have performed at many festivals in the UK - notably Glastonbury, Guilfest, Bestival and the Maverick Country Music Festival. They have also played at a number of festivals across Europe, including Stars and Moon in Switzerland, Lokerse in Belgium, Tollwood in Germany and Take Root in Holland. The Dutch seem to be taking The Storys to their hearts as their first 2 singles from 'Town Beyond The Trees' - 'Long Hard Road' and 'Evangelina' have been playlisted on many national and regional radio stations. As a result, 2008 ended with the band heading to Holland again to play some radio shows and make their debut at the legendary Paradiso in Amsterdam.
With lots of great new songs penned and a new album in the pipeline, The Storys are eagerly looking forward to many more adventures that lie ahead.
The Storys' CDs are from all good record stores, via download and from the band's website at www.thestorys.co.uk.
The Storys use Faith acoustic guitars and Schertler acoustic amps
Rob Thompson plays a Campbell American Guitar (Bill Nelson signature limited edition)
Steve Balsamo plays a Campbell American Guitar (Caledonia model)
To celebrate the arrival of Producer Russ to the Fallen team, we're offering a massive 35% discount off all weekday recordings between 10am till 6pm until the end of December !!
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This beautiful (yes, beautiful) album has been in the making for over a year, us Noble Brats, have worked so hard to create a perfect mirror of our essence and did everything by ourselves. From recording to mixing to mastering. and the result has exceeded even our own expectations. All the songs in this album are full of contrasts and a rockin' out exploration and critique of the different emotions that control our lives, emotions that might keep us in an unhealthy relationship even when we know it's not good for us, emotions that drive some to systematically cut into their own skin to get a sense of control over their pain, emotions that make us wonder about our place in this world. So if you feel ready to take a chance and go on a journey into the darkness of our souls, we promise you a light at the end of the tunnel, you might even see yourself in our eyes.
