Stereophonics: All your questions answered
They've achieved a huge amount in three decades together
With over 30 years under their belt, not to mention eight Number 1 albums and 11 Top 10 singles, it's no wonder that Stereophonics are one of the biggest bands to ever come out of the UK.
After the wrap of their huge 2022 arena tour and with Kelly Jones pursuing side project Far From Saints, we thought it only proper to take a look back at the band's biggest moments throughout their hugely-impressive career. Find out about the Stereophonics right here...
Who are Stereophonics?
Starting off as a trio made up of Kelly Jones - who announced a solo album back in October 2020 - Richard Jones and Stuart Cable, the band has transformed over the years with various personnel changes. Richard and Kelly remain, now joined by Adam Zindani on rhythm guitar and Jamie Morrison on drums, with Tony Kirkham as a touring member.
When did Stereophonics form?
A teenaged Kelly Jones and Richard Jones began jamming together in around 1989, but the band officially started performing together in 1992.
Stereophonics: Who is in the band?
Kelly Jones and Richard Jones started the band, and are still in it today. Despite various line-up changes, they've stayed together. Kelly sings main vocals and guitar, and Richard plays bass guitar. Original drummer Stuart Cable was part of the group from the start until he left in 2003; he sadly passed away in 2010.
Javier Weyler took over as drummer in 2004 until 2012, when he was replaced by former The Noisettes drummer Jamie Morrison. Adam Zindani joined as rhythm guitarist in 2007, and Tony Kirkham has been a touring member on the keyboard since 1999.
Where are Stereophonics from?
The band originated in the village of Cwmaman in the Cynon Valley in South Wales.
How did Stereophonics get their band name?
The band were originally called Tragic Love Company, which was taken from each members' favourite band - the Tragically Hip, Mother Love Bone and Bad Company. However, promoter Wayne Coleman convinced them to change it in 1992, telling the band they would not perform under the current name.
He then spotted a gramophone made by Falcon Stereophonic, and told Kelly about it, who - along with the rest of the band - agreed to change the name to The Stereophonics. When they signed their first record deal with V2 in 1996, they dropped 'The' to simply become Stereophonics.
Stereophonics: Their career so far
1992: The band is born
Kelly and Stuart lived on the same street in Cwmaman, Wales, and began jamming together as teenagers, recording a demo under the name Zephyr. After going their separate ways, Kelly and Stuart reunited a few years later, bringing in Richard Jones as bass guitarist - and thus, the line-up was complete.
In 1992, the trio - then known as Tragic Love Company - began to write together, performing in working men's clubs before landing a gig at the Borderline Club in London. They were spotted by producers Marshall Bird and Steve Bush, and recorded demo 'A Thousand Trees'.
1992 - 1996: Career beginnings and name change
Promoter Wayne Coleman organised gigs in South Wales after hearing their demo, and whilst he loved the music - he hated the band name, and said they wouldn't play if they kept it. He then spotted a gramophone manufacturer called Falcon Stereophonic, and the band became The Stereophonics.
They played the Coliseum Theatre in nearby Aberdare with Catatonia, and were approached by John brand afterwards who immediately became their manager. Just two months later, they were the first artists to sign to label V2, dropping 'The' from the band name.
1997: Debut album and BRIT Award
The band's debut album 'Word Gets Around' was released in August 1997, spawning singles 'A Thousand Trees', 'Local Boy in the Photograph' and 'Traffic' to name but a few. In 1998, they won the Best New Group BRIT Award, and released 'The Bartender and the Thief' - the first single from their follow-up, 'Performance and Cocktails', which in turn was released in March 1999.
The band played to 50,000 people at the Morfa Stadium in Swansea that year, and also collaborated with Welsh legend Tom Jones on a cover of 'Mama Told Me Not To Come'. They toured Europe, Australia and America in 1999, and performed at Cardiff Castle - later released on DVD.
2001: 'Have A Nice Day'
After headlining Reading and Leeds in 2000, third album 'Just Enough Education to Perform' was released in 2001, featuring two of their most famous songs: 'Have a Nice Day' and a cover of 'Handbags and Gladrags', which was included in the re-release in 2002. The band performed a two-day festival, 'A Day at the Races', at Donington Park and Cardiff's Millennium Stadium to promote the album, and also headlined Glastonbury Festival in 2002, as well as V Festival.
The band put out their fourth album 'You Gotta Go There to Come Back' in 2003, spawning singles 'Maybe Tomorrow', 'Madame Helga' and 'Since I Told You It's Over'. This was the last album to feature drummer Stuart Cable, who was let go from the band in September 2003. They also had their first headline slot at the Isle of Wight Festival in 2004, which they returned to in 2009.
2005: A new line-up
Stereophonics released their fifth album 'Language. Sex. Violence. Other?' in 2005, the first to feature new drummer, Javier Weyler. The album's single 'Dakota' became their first UK Number 1, and they performed that year at Live 8 in Hyde Park, London.
Kelly pictured here performing at the Isle of Wight Festival in 2009.
2007: Kelly goes it alone
Kelly also released his first solo album, 'Only the Names Have Been Changed', in 2007. He explained how it came about, "We were recording the sixth Stereophonics album... And in-between takes I started doing these songs off the cuff. Three or four tracks in I realised that this could actually be something... Strange how it's always little things that makes big things happen."
Kelly is pictured performing at a session for Absolute Radio in 2009.
2007 - 2010: ‘Pull The Pin’
'Pull the Pin' was released in October 2007, spawning single 'It Means Nothing' which was written about the London 7/7 attack. Kelly told The Guardian it was "about the feeling of unease in the city and people realising what was important in their lives."
They performed at the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver, and released seventh album 'Keep Calm and Carry On', playing a UK tour throughout 2010 to promote it.
The band are pictured here at a session for Absolute Radio in 2009.
2010: Stuart Cable's death
Sadly, former member Stuart Cable passed away in June 2010, and Kelly decided to take a break from writing and releasing albums every two years.
The band released song 'Before Anyone Knew Our Name' in 2017 in memory of Stuart. Kelly said of the song, "I think, you know, Stuart left the band and we were still friends for seven years. And then he passed away tragically, and of course people have opinions about what happened and all this sort of stuff. We kept it very private because we were like brothers."
2009: Isle of Wight Festival
We met the band backstage at the Isle of Wight Festival in 2009, where they kindly signed a guitar for us. It's still up on the wall.
2011: New music and another personnel change
The band announced on Facebook in 2011 that they were back in the studio, but in 2012 announced that Javier had left the group. Jamie Morrison of The Noisettes replaced him, and they released eighth album 'Graffiti on the Train' in March 2013.
Pictured here performing at Hyde Park in 2012 at the Olympics Opening Ceremony concert.
2012: Isle of Wight Festival
Our presenter Sarah Champion caught up with Kelly backstage at the Isle of Wight festival 2012 and the pair chatted away in our camper van. As you do.
2015: 'Keep the Village Alive'
Stereophonics impressively released a ninth album in September 2015, entitled 'Keep the Village Alive' which topped the UK Albums Chart. It contained singles 'C'est la Vie' and 'I Wanna Get Lost with You'. They also performed a set for us at the Dingwalls venue in Camden (pictured).
2016: Backstage at the Isle of Wight Festival
We had a chat with the band backstage at the Isle of Wight Festival in 2016 - but there was a slight mishap when guitarist Adam Zindani fell through the deck chair...
2016: Backstage at Isle of Wight Festival take two
Thankfully, we were able to get Adam a different chair and complete the interview... Oops!
2017: 'Scream Above the Sounds'
The band made their 10th album in 2017, releasing 'Scream Above the Sounds' in October. This realised Kelly's dream that they would put out their 10th studio album in the 20th anniversary year of their debut, instead of releasing a Greatest Hits album.
Pictured here performing at the Isle of Wight Festival in 2016.
2019: 'Kind'
But they didn't stop there, getting straight back in the studio to record their eleventh album, 'Kind', which was released in October 2019 and reached Number 1 in the UK. They also embarked on their tour to promote the album, kicking off in Liverpool on 18th January and concluding in Cardiff on 15th March.
2020: Kelly Jones 'Don’t Let The Devil Take Another Day'
2020 saw frontman Kelly Jones release his album 'Don't Let The Devil Take Another Day'. The work contained 21 reworked tracks from throughout the Stereophonics' career, and even had its own documentary! The 90-minute feature tells the heartfelt story of the Stereophonics frontman/songwriter, following his personal uphill battle as he rediscovered his voice.
2022: Stereophonics release 12th album 'Oochya!' and UK tour
On 6th September 2021, Stereophonics announced that their 12th studio album will be titled 'Oochya!', and released it on Friday 4th March 2022! They later went on a huge tour to support the album's release throughout March and April.
2023: Far From Saints
Kelly teamed up with Austin's Patty Lynn and Dwight Baker to create new band Far From Saints, who released their debut single 'Let's Turn This Back Around' in January 2023. They're planning to release their album later this year and also preparing to tour the new music.
What is Far From Saints?
Far From Saints is lead singer Kelly Jones' new band with Austin’s Patty Lynn and Dwight Baker (aka The Wind and The Wave). According to the band's publicist, they first started jamming together when Patty and Dwight performed as the support acts to Kelly's solo UK tour in 2019.
"The three found themselves jamming and co-writing songs in backstage hallways, dressing rooms, soundchecks and hotels," a press release explains. "Each songwriter subconsciously merging their influences to nourish the alchemy between two formidable singers."
After releasing their debut single 'Let’s Turn This Back Around' in January 2023, the trio released their debut self-titled album on 16th June 2023 and are touring the UK as well as playing Glastonbury Festival.
WATCH: Far From Saints - 'Let The Light Shine Over You' (Official Video)
Kelly Jones performs with Coldplay
Kelly got on stage with Coldplay on their 'Music of the Spheres' World Tour, performing at their Cardiff show in June 2023. Kelly performed Stereophonics' smash hit 'Dakota', with Coldplay performing as backing in a spine-tingling moment.
As they ended the performance, Chris quietly said: "Shout to Stuart Cable", in a moving tribute to Stereophonics' former member.
David Bowie inspired Stereophonics’ biggest hit ‘Dakota’
Speaking on stage at The O2 in London during Stereophonics’ February/March 2020 UK arena tour, Kelly Jones said David Bowie inspired him to write the smash hit ‘Dakota’. Stereophonics supported David Bowie on his 2003/2004 North American tour and struck up an immediate friendship.
Explaining that Bowie often watched their soundchecks, Kelly said: "David Bowie would be watching, so we didn’t want to waste too much of his time. So, we’d play a song for maybe 45 seconds, and then another song for like a minute, and then maybe another song for a minute, and then maybe 30 seconds of a song.
He continued: "Then I would walk off the stage and I would walk towards the dressing room, and (Bowie) would put his arm on my shoulder and he would walk with me and say, 'You know, if you extended a few of those songs, you might be f---ing onto something'. So, I wrote this song, this is called ‘Dakota’."
WATCH: Kelly Jones on the history of Stereophonics
When was Stereophonics' latest album released?
Stereophonics' 12th studio album, 'Oochya!', was released on Friday 4th March 2022. Find out more about the album.
The band's 11th album 'Kind' was released in October 2019, hitting the top spot in the charts and has even been certified Silver in the UK. In December 2020, Kelly Jones released a solo album entitled 'Don’t Let The Devil Take Another Day'.
Are Stereophonics on tour?
Not at the moment. Stereophonics performed on a Spring 2022 UK arena tour, as well as a massive Welsh stadium show in support of their 12th studio album ‘Oochya!’.
Absolute Radio presents Stereophonics Live
The band kindly headlined a special gig just for us in February 2020 at Absolute Radio presents Stereophonics Live at the O2 Forum Kentish Town, London. Watch some of the performance below.
NOW WATCH: Stereophonics at Dingwalls (Live For Absolute Radio)
Hear loads of Stereophonics' greatest hits every day on Absolute Radio and Absolute Radio 90s.
Now read:
Stereophonics reveal how David Bowie inspired 'Dakota'
Stereophonics frontman Kelly Jones announces new solo album
34 of your favourite artists: Then and now