Phonics on longevity

Stereophonics' top five tips for staying in the music business

08 December 2008 - The Music Week caught up with the Welsh rockers, who imparted some wise words to younger bands, about how to stay relevant.

Stereophonics have been together since 1996 and have put out eight albums including their live record Dakota and their recent Decade In The Sun: Best Of Stereophonics greatest hits album.

They are currently on an arena tour of the UK.

1. Focus on the material

“Songs are first,” singer Kelly Jones said. “You’ve gotta put the work in on the songs and stick to your guns really.

“There’s a lot of people within your circle you get to meet in the record company, who try to throw you into the wrong producer, the wrong mixing guy, or this, that and the other. But if you’re great with somebody, then stick with them.”

2. Think about reinvention

“It’s always good to enjoy yourself and the way we do that in the studio is by finding a different sound which we haven’t struck upon before,” bassist Richard Jones explained.

With Kelly adding: “Haircuts. You’ve got to come back with a different haircut every album. I’m struggling now though, I’ve done them all, there’s not much more that you can do.”

"Haircuts. You’ve got to come back with a different haircut every album. I’m struggling now though."
Kelly Jones

3. Chuck out a bandmate if need be

“I think it’s the same in any job,” Kelly said. “If you’re managing a football team and if somebody’s not doing something, then somebody’s got to say something, whether that’s management or the band.”

4. Don’t pay attention to the critics

“We had to do that, we had some good reviews up until Mr Writer and after that, it took us five years to get back to where we started,” mused Kelly.

5. Choose your friends and influences

The singer and bassist admitted they’ve been lucky on this front, having toured with some of their heroes.

As Kelly explained: “The first big gig we ever got given was supporting The Who, doing tours with the Rolling Stones and U2. David Bowie was really exciting for me because I was never really a Bowie fan but then watching him every night changed that.

“Most artists when they get to that stage in their career they’re harping back to their past but that was exciting to see that every night. We had a five-a-side football tournament with him as well, we lost. Bit Spinal Tap, but that was our experience with Ziggy Stardust.”

Stereophonics’ New material

As for the band’s next offering, they revealed they are hoping to get back in the studio by March or April 2009.

Speaking about its direction, Kelly said: “It’s really uplifting stuff, almost quite euphoric but euphoric in a, ‘I feel amazing today,’ way.

“I don’t know where that comes from because we’ve been knackered for the last year.”

When asked if it was a ‘rave’ album, the frontman jokingly responded: “Yeah it is, we’ve got whistles on it and everything. We might even hand out ultra-fluorescent lights with it. Ibiza’s coming.”

Stereophonics’ tour continues tomorrow (9 December) at the Echo Arena in Liverpool.

The tour winds up at London’s 02 on 20 December.

To hear the full interview, download the free Music Week podcast here.

Georgie Rogers