The Stands
Liverpool’s The Stands, it’s fair to say, was the concoction of frontman Howie Payne, who – tired of years of ‘promising’ shows, busking on the streets of Manhattan, New York and simply existing as a one-man performer – enlisted the skills of local, thriving talent that would form the pulse and backbone of a new, melodic, harmonized foursome.
So, enter Luke Thomson on guitar, bassist Dean Ravera, and Steve Pilgrim as drummer – and the formula was complete. Touring followed, inclusive of preliminary dates with fellow city-revellers, contemporaries and band-friends The Coral, whilst their helpless merge of Miles Davis, Dylan and The Grateful Dead, forged with the band’s own whimsical charm, has formed the basis of a media-uproar and rapid fan-base growth.
With celeb-plaudits from supporters such as Noel Gallagher, plus recent gigging-buddies The Thrills and Jet, and a debut, top-40 hit in the bag (‘When This River Rolls Over You’), the next step: an Autumn-release for the hotly awaited first album, plus further dates to conclude ’03. We can hardly wait.
OFFICIAL SITE: The group\'s recently launched authorised home-space, complete with a gallery, latest news, tour-dates, and a chat-section. Boss, la\' - or nice one, as the band themselves might say.
THE ECHO LABEL: Peruse and examine the label-mates of The Stands - inclusive of Moloko, I Am Kloot and Feeder.