THE BAND =
TOMMY WALES - vocals, electric & acoustic guitars, harmonica
STEVE ROUSSEAU - bass
BOBBY STAHLBRODT -drums
WALES ROAD ALUMNI / FORMER MEMBERS =
Guitar ~ Jaimie Cole / Ilya Fedotov
Bass ~ Tim Sampson /Tom Sluberski
Drums ~ Lanny Auchter / Lou Gonzalez / Johnny Rivera / Tommy Harrington / Al Proia /
Influences
Resurrection Band
Daniel Amos
The 77's
The Lost Dogs
Johnny Cash
Micheal Roe
Mike Knott
The Lifesavors
The Altar Boys
Evanescence
Saint
Demon Hunter
Petra
Daniel Band
Jerusalem
Servant
Larry Norman
Bob Dylan
U2
Sounds Like
"...over to Richmonds to see Wales Road rock the joint as if it were Shea Stadium. Got to hear Tommy Wales pull out some clean licks from what is typically a rather heavy arsenal. The trio is blues-based metal with a Christian frosting. And though that may not ring true with the heathens, that big red guitar sure does..."
Frank De Blase, City Magazine
Tommy Wales is a prolific Recording Artist from Rochester, NY. He is the Founder and Frontman of the Christian Rock Band WALES ROAD, capably handling Vocals, Electric and Acoustic Guitars, Harmonica and Songwriting duties. Steve Rousseau (Bass) and Bobby Stahlbrodt (Drums) round out the current lineup of this Cutting Edge Trio.
GIGS
Wales Road have been impressing Western New York music fans for years, playing Churches, Colleges, Clubs and Festivals with zeal. Wales Road has performed at venues as diverse as Roberts Wesleyan College, Milestones, The Bug Jar, Water Street Music Hall, Richmonds Bar & Grill, Montage Music Hall, The Penny Arcade, Sea Breeze Park, The Son's of God Motorcycle Club and Impact Theater.
Wales Road's Ballads reflect a Kinder Gentler Musical Side and are penned with Devotional and Spiritual Intimacy. Tommy Wales has ministered in Acoustic Song at Elim Bible Institute (where he holds a Degree in Biblical Studies), Elmira Correctional Facility, Teen Challenge, The Open Door Mission, Koinoinia Fellowship, Strong Memorial Hospital, Reformation Lutheran, New Life Presbyterian and Lake Avenue United Methodist Church.
He occasionally leads Worship at his Local Church, Oasis Christian Fellowship in Webster, NY
SOUND/STYLE
Frank De Blase, Music Editor of City Magazine, describes Wales Road Tunes
as ranging from
"...Riff-loaded Heavy Rock & Power Ballads to Pop-esque ditties to Acoustic/Electric blues...".
Michelle Picardo of FreeTime Magazine dubs the band
"...Taking Metallic Punk To Heavenly Heights...".
Matt Miller of What's Up Magazine writes:
"Take equal parts Southern Rock (The Allman Brother's), and Retro 80's New Wave (The Cars), add one teaspoon of Modern Alternative Sound (REM)
and sprinkle with Blues, shake well, very well, and pour over ample portions of the Gospel and serve. Add volume to taste and and chow down.
Now you will be able to grasp the Fundamental Rock 'n' Roll Sound of Wales Road...."
"...influences Wales lists range from the seminal and obscure band
The 77's to emo group Evanescence to that other grappler with life's Light and Darkness, Johnny Cash..."
writes L. David Wheeler of The Daily Messenger.
RADIO & TELEVISION PERFORMANCES
Wales Road Tunes chart extensively on the Independent Christian Rock Radio Charts, including two Number 1 Hit Singles ('Candleshine' and 'Glimpses') and two Number 2 Hit Singles ('Blessed Hope' and 'Pretty Obvious') .
Wales Road's Acoustic Blues Rocker 'Glimpses (Thru The Window)' was 1997 'Song of The Year For Unsigned Artist' on 'Uncle Samoo's Zoo' (WITR 89.7 FM) .
Songs from Wales Road's Hard Rock Albums 'Rock 'n' Roll Dizzy Man' and 'BLuR' received radio airplay on 'The Calvary Satellite Network' CSN (Over 300 Radio Stations Nationwide).
WZXV 99.7 FM rotated the Acoustic Pop Tune 'Go On In You' and the Intimate Folk Song 'Song of Desire ' on their Daytime Worship Programming.
Wales Road was the Featured Artist two times on The Family Life Network ('Go On In You' and 'Hear My Prayer' ).Tommy was interviewed twice on 'Spotlight With Wayne Taylor ' (The Mars Hill Network).
A number of Wales Road's Hard Rock Offerings ('Cure, Cure,Cure', 'Shoo Devil Shoo', 'Snake Hisses and Judas Kisses', 'Purple Heart, Silver Cross' ) are Regularly Featured on Rochester's Rock Radio Show ' The Sunday Night Shake Down' (98.9 The Buzz FM ).
Tommy was blessed with the opportunity to perform Unplugged Versions of 'Have Mercy' and 'Purple Heart, Silver Cross' Live on 'The Morning Show With Kimberly and Beck' .
Wales Road performed the Acoustic Blues Rockers 'Hand Me Down Blues' & 'Have Mercy' for The Cable Access Program 'The Music Show', which aired in Monroe, Livingston, Cayuga, Seneca, Ontario,Wayne and Yates Counties.
The Hard Rock Sounds of 'Snake Hisses & Judas Kisses' received Medium Rotation on The Pulserocks.com.
NEWSPAPER & PRINT
Tommy appeared in City Magazine's featured Cover Story
'Rock'n'Roll Soul: The Wales Road To Heaven'.
Wales Road listed in Free Time Magazine's Top Indie Albums three years in a row:'BLuR' in 2004; 'Praying Mantis' in 2005; 'Snake Hisses and Judas Kisses' in 2006.
Wales Road Albums have received favorable reviews in publications such as The Daily Messenger, The Democrat and Chronicle and What's Up Magazine.
VISION
Tommy Wales wears his heart on his sleeve in his lyrics, with the belief that if he is honest about his own struggles, he is able to communicate the Mercy of God. With a Guitar slung over his shoulder and a Song in his heart for his King, he prays his music bless the Ears and Hearts of those who listen.
Although the lineup has varied down through the years, one thing has remained consistent: Tommy is a man who is passionate about reflecting his Faith in the midst of a Fallen World thru his Audio Art.
DISCOGRAPHY
1.Pray For Travelin' Mercies (1994)
2. Native Altar (1995)
3. Fret Not (1997)
4.Happy Face In The Mourning (1998)
5.Candleshine (2000)
6.Farmers (2001)
7.Stereophonic Blasting EP (2002)
8.Rock 'n' Roll Dizzy Man (2002)
9.Begging Your Pardon (Radio Single ) (2003)
10.BLuR (2004)
11.Praying Mantis (2005)
12. Snake Hisses & Judas Kisses (2006)
13.Ricochet (Best Of Compilation) (2007)
LIVE ALBUMS & AUTHORIZED BOOTLEGS
1. Acoustica
2. Sudden Impact
3. Cowkickers
INDEX OF RADIO HIT SINGLES
Independent Christian Rock Radio Charts
(Stats Courtesy 'Uncle Samoo's Zoo' / WITR 89.7 FM )
1.Fall At His Feet - No.4
2. Just As If - No.14
3. Chapter Nine - No.9
4. Loose Lips - No.3
5.Purple Heart, Silver Cross - No.4
6.Glimpses (Thru The Window ) No.1
7. Song of Desire - No.5
8.If I Had - No.3
9.Candleshine - No.1
10.Lifejacket - No.18
11.Pretty Blue Colour - No.20
12.What Is Your Life - No.50
13.Bring 2 U - No.29
14.Believe - No.42
15. Back To Egypt Blues - No.31
16. Blessed Hope - No.2
17.Breathing - No.15
18.One Eighty - No.21
19.Pretty Obvious - No. 2
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Whats up fellas?! Hey, just wanted you to know that Snake Hisses and Judas Kisses was just bumped into our medium rotation on-air. Rockin! Keep up the awesome work. God Bless!
Thank you for being you - sweet spirited, loving, kind & oh so talented. Love to you & Leah on Thanksgiving. May the Lord bless you ever so richly. Thank you for your encouragement always. Your friend, Lisa
Hi Tommy,hope things are going well with you all. I have the start of a cold and feeling rough, you music has lifted my brain out of the gutter and things seem a little clearer!
hey tom whats up. man how's life treating you. well if you haven't heard by now. i am in iraq.... for the next 9 months or so serving in this great war..... how's is everything? who's the girl? well gotta go i only have a certain amount of time. keep writing it may be a while before i can reply again though. love ya bro.
"Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed."
