Stereophonics biography
Stereophonics are arguably the biggest band to hail from Wales, releasing seven albums since they formed in 1992, with five of them topping the UK charts after selling millions of copies worldwide. They've performed their hits during several world tours and picked up handfuls of prestigious awards. Frontman Kelly Jones is also well known for his gravelly voice, described by many as having 'whisky' vocals.
How it all began
Like so many of our great bands, Stereophonics have known each other since their school days, performing cover songs and then their own in local working men's clubs. They did this for many years before finally getting their big break when they became the first band to be signed to Richard Branson's newly formed record label V2 in 1996. Frontman and guitarist Kelly Jones, bassist Richard Jones and drummer Stuart Cable, who would go on to be sacked from the band some years later, started off as neighbours. Stereophonics' current guitarist and backing vocalist Adam Zindani joined in 2007.
Their debut album Word Gets Around did quite well when it was released in the summer of 1997, reaching number 6 in the UK charts, but it became one of two albums not to have made it to the top spot. After releasing five singles from the record, Stereophonics embarked on their first world tour which was a great success.
BRIT success
Fast forward to 1998, which was a good year for the band. They picked up their first and currently only BRIT Award for Best New Group. Shortly afterwards, they re-released single 'Local Boy in the Photograph' from debut album Word Gets Around which did much better second time around, reaching number 14 in the UK charts, compared to number 51 in 1997.
Performance and Cocktails
Stereophonics second album Performance and Cocktails was more successful than their debut, earning them their first UK number one and eventually going on to sell more than two million copies worldwide. In fact it became the fifth best selling record in Britain in 1999 and spawned three top five singles including 'The Bartender and the Thief.' The good times continued for the group who rocked out to around 50,000 fans at a gig in Swansea and teamed up with the legend that is Tom Jones to perform a Randy Newman classic 'Mama Told Me Not To Come' for his Reload album.
Stereophonics' third album Just Enough Education to Perform was released in 2001 and again topped the charts. Probably one of their most famous singles to come off the record was 'Mr. Writer' which saw the band vent their frustration through their music after receiving a negative review from one particular critic which they believed was unfair. It was the first track to be released and went to number five in the UK charts, as did 'Have A Nice Day' which followed.
Stereophonics had another top ten hit with their version of 60s track 'Handbags and Gladrags' which became the theme tune to Ricky Gervais' massive TV hit The Office. It's also well know that England and Manchester United star Wayne Rooney's favourite band are Stereophonics and that he has the title of the album Just Enough Education to Perform tattooed on his arm.
Stuart Cable
In 2003 Stereophonics put out their fourth album You Gotta Go There to Come Back which gave them their third consecutive UK number one. In the same year, the band sacked drummer Stuart Cable because he reportedly showed a lack of commitment after missing rehearsals and even live shows to focus on TV projects. He was soon replaced by current drummer Javier Weyler.
The band moved on from this and later in the year embarked on a sold out UK tour before the likes of Ocean Colour Scene and Feeder supported their Millennium Stadium gig at Christmas.
Language. Sex. Violence. Other?
Almost ten years after they were first signed, Almost ten years after they were first signed, Stereophonics finally hit the jackpot with their fifth album Language. Sex. Violence. Other? when it was released in 2005. 'Dakota' was their debut track from the record, which gave them their first ever UK number one single. In the same year, Stereophonics belted out the tune, along with several of their other hits, at the Live 8 concerts in London's Hyde Park. It also came in at number 2 on Absolute Radio's Song of the Decade vote.
Pull the Pin
Two years later, the band released album number six, Pull the Pin which again topped the UK charts but failed to sell as many copies as previous albums and garnered some negative reviews.
Keep Calm and Carry On
Before they released their seventh album Keep Calm and Carry On, the band put out a greatest hits compilation and headlined the Isle of Wight Festival for a second time. Keep Calm and Carry On received mixed reviews and is one of two albums not to have earned the band a UK number one, only managing the number 11 spot, but it did achieve gold status.
In October 2009, Stereophonics announced they were going on the road again to promote their latest album, revealing they would kick off their short Spring UK tour in Newcastle the following March, before closing the show at London's 02 Arena on the 10th. In June 2010, they became the first rock band to play at the new Cardiff City Stadium following its official opening twelve months earlier. They also shared the stage with headliners Kings of Leon at the V Festival in Chelmsford and Staffordshire in August, where they were interviewed backstage by Absolute Radio's Ben Jones.
In early 2011, Stereophonics announced they were working on new material.