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The Storys

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The Storys

The Storys were a six-piece band from Swansea, Wales, UK who formed in Spring 2003. Their main influence is 1970s U.S. West Coast bands in the country-rock genre. The lineup is Steve Balsamo - vocals/guitar; Andy Collins – vocals/bass; Dai Smith – vocals/guitar; Rob Thompson – vocals/guitar; Brian Thomas – drums/percussion; Alan Thomas – keys/mandolin/banjo.

Chapter One

The group featured four singer-songwriters all taking lead vocals on different songs. They count as inspirations such vocal harmony-based bands as Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young and The Beatles.

Over thirty songs were recorded, with eleven eventually chosen for their debut album. The Storys then decided to put out the album themselves, so they set up their own label, Hall Recordings, before signing a record deal with Warner Bros./Korova.

Their first gig was to over seventy thousand people at The Olympic Torch Concert outside Buckingham Palace, and was soon followed by a support slot with Tom Jones and a series of gigs in venues such as Bush Hall and The Borderline. More recently, the band have been on tour supporting Elton John. [1]

The Epilogue - Dai Smith Quits

In Spring 2008 Dai Smith went absent due to ill health. Dai was a major contributor in terms of songwriting as well as the production.

At the liberty stadium gig supporting Elton John in June 2008 Dai was missing from the onstage line-up and as a result was replaced with a female vocalist, this changed the band's distinctive sound and the overall dynamic. Dai has not been played with the band since this time.

In their local rag South Wales Evening Post 16th August 2008 the following article appeared regarding Dai's departure:

Dai Smith has quit The Storys after five years with the band, it has been confirmed.The guitarist and vocalist announced his decision just days before the group's gig supporting Van Morrison in London on Saturday.

Dai told the Post: "After a lot of thought, I have decided to leave the band.

"My reasons are varied, but, basically, I feel it is time to move on and pursue some other adventures in music.

"I have had a great five years with the band and have fulfilled many dreams and gained some fantastic experiences along the way.

The band - which supported Elton John at his Swansea gig in June, without Dai - will continue as a five-piece.

Lead singer Steve Balsamo said: "It's unfortunate that he has decided to leave the band.

"We all remain good friends and wish him the best of luck with his future musical endeavours."

2nd Album - Town Beyond The Trees

The Storys' second album, "Town Beyond The Trees", was released in March 2008 on the band's own Hall Recordings label, named after the converted cinema where their self-produced debut was recorded.

"Town Beyond The Trees" was recorded at Peter Gabriel's Real World studio complex earlier in 2007, with renowned producer Jon Kelly. Kelly's impressive CV includes Kate Bush, The Beautiful South, Paul McCartney, Chris Rea and The Damned.

Album Review - Town Beyond The Trees - Maverick Magazine

A superb second album that should appeal to lovers of the Eagles, Poco and Buffalo Springfield.

The Storys' strong songs and exquisite musicianship mark their second album as an early contender for those contentious year-end best-of lists. The Welsh country-rockers haven't been around that long, but in two short years they've made enormous critical impact, having crafted several catchy, quirky singles that are smartly produced, crisply sung and lyrically sharp. With the likes of Elton John and Bob Harris singing their praises it surely shouldn't be too long before the mass public comes on board and embraces their gorgeous harmony-laced music.

What is impressive about this sextet, is that beneath those lush harmonies lies real lyrical depth. Too many groups place layers of harmonies to disguise weak songs. There's ten powerful, well-written songs on offer here. Title track is a dark and brooding song about a guy on death row writing a letter to his unborn son. Not as depressing as it might seem, there's a note of optimism with a stunning, understated musical arrangement. "Heaven Holds You Now" is an optimistic country-rocker about loss and hope. Brian Thomas' drums are very consistent on this track with great organ and guitar. "Feeling Something" is a classy power ballad with great dual guitar and piano. The closing "Trouble Deep" is a string drenched haunting ballad full of foreboding atmosphere with more than a little fuzz on the electric guitar. This is their first album with extensive use of string and takes more ambitious conceptual steps in arrangements, production and tone. This group is really tight, the vocals are superb and the songs are written to last through the ages. What's not to like? (4/5)

Album Review - Town Beyond The Trees - Sunday Express

Steve Balsamo is the British Don Henley: his huge, breathy, passionate voice sounding like it originated in California, not South Wales. "Evangelina", "Alone" and "Heaven Holds You Now" are outstanding examples of the band's shimmering, multi-layered melodic rock. A little Radio 2 airplay and they could have a success story on their hands. (4/5)

Album Review - Town Beyond The Trees - Rock 'n' Reel Magazine

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. Comparisons with The Eagles, CSN&Y and the Byrds are inevitable but The Storys are not mere retro stylists: there's grit in this particular machine, an urgency shaded with persuasive intimacy that gives them their own voice and contemporary edge. Coming from Swansea, as this talented sextet does, it couldn't be any other way. 'Sit up and listen' moments abound throughout "Town Beyond The Trees", their superb second album: the anthemic ache of "It's All We Really Need", the unnerving darkness of "Nobody Loves You", the title track's heart-rending sense of farewell and - possibly most impressive of all - the haunting "Trouble Deep" which closes the record, bringing into focus all that has gone before: terrific arrangements and ensemble playing, perfectly honed, melodic writing and stunning vocals that never let you down. It's the attention to detail that mark The Storys out. Road tested and tight as a bear hug they are cresting a creative peak. For anyone looking for a band to cherish The Storys come mightily recommended. (4/5)

Album Review - Town Beyond The Trees - Uncut Magazine

Hotel California opens South Wales Branch.

This Swansea-based sextet make no secret of the fact that they've gorged themselves on gargantuan quantities of the Eagles, Jackson Browne, The Byrds etc, but hey! What's not to like? It may be true that their sleek vocal arrangements often sound more Hollies than CSNY, but they've honed their craft with care, and can bang out a Laurel Canyon ballad or freeway-cruisin' harmony-rocker with aplomb. This second album finds them sounding almost insolently self-assured, with standout tracks including the fast-acting "Evangelina", the beautifully string-driven "Alone", and the moody, subdued "Trouble Deep". (4/5)

Discography

  • "I Believe In Love" - CD single/ 7" (2006, Korova)
  • "Cinnamon" - CD single/ 7" (2006, Korova)
  • The Storys (March 2006, Korova) (previously released: August 2005, Hall Recordings)
  1. "I Believe In Love"
  2. "Be By Your Side"
  3. "Cinnamon"
  4. "High Enough"
  5. "You're Taking My Heart Away"
  6. "You're Not Around"
  7. "Roll Like A Stone"
  8. "Save Me"
  9. "The King of Broken Dreams"
  10. "Journey's End (Show Me Love)"
  11. "Is It True What They Say About Us?"
  • "Be By Your Side" - promo CD single/ 7" (2006, Korova)
  • "Cinnamon" - CD single (2005, Hall Recordings)
  • 5 Track Promo Sampler CD (2005, Hall Recordings)
  1. "Cinnamon"
  2. "Roll Like A Stone"
  3. "High Enough"
  4. "Be By Your Side"
  5. "Journey's End (Show Me Love)"
  • The Storys EP (2005, Hall Recordings) (Approximately 100 copies only)
  1. "Be By Your Side"
  2. "Roll Like A Stone"
  3. "High Enough"
  4. "So Long"
  • The Town Beyond The Trees CD EP (2005, Hall Recordings) (60 copies only, limited edition artwork by Balsamo) (25 other copies had an old photo of Glyncorrwg printed on CD, plain plastic cover)
  1. "The Town Beyond The Trees"
  2. "My Foot Was Nailed To The Floor"
  3. "God Take Care Of The One I Love"
  4. "You're Not Around"
  • The Town Beyond The Trees CD album (31 March 2008, Hall Recordings) UK chart position: #175
  1. Long Hard Road
  2. You Couldn't Make It Up
  3. Evangelina
  4. Alone
  5. It's All We Really Need
  6. Nobody Loves You
  7. Town Beyond The Trees
  8. Heaven Holds You Now
  9. Feeling Something
  10. Trouble Deep

References

  1. ^ thestorys.co.uk official website
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