Liverpool four-piece STONE is currently out on their latest UK and European headline tour, celebrating the release of their acclaimed debut album “Fear Life For A Lifetime”, which dropped in July 2024 via Polydor Records.
A most glorious noise across 11 tracks which clocks in at just 33 minutes duration, but it really packs a punch with their own brand of sizzling pop-punk. The record scored an array of strong chart positions, including top 10 spots on the vinyl sales and record store charts.
The album will surely be a contender for many end of year “Best Of” lists, and it is an impressive opening gambit for this exciting young band’s recording career.
Much of the 16-date tour is sold out due to their loyal and growing fanbase – the word is definitely out there that these lads are ones to watch; literally and as regards being likely future arena-fillers. We caught them in Nottingham on Wednesday night (Oct 23rd) and that gig was rammed and fabulous.
The tour which began with half a dozen shows in Europe, has five more stops in Exeter (26th Oct), Portsmouth (27th), Guildford (29th), Tunbridge Wells (30th) and closes at Live At Leeds on 16th November.
They are then straight out as guests to Jake Bugg for six November dates:
18th – Leeds, O2 Academy
19th – London, Roundhouse
21st – Dublin, National Stadium
23rd – Glasgow, Barrowland Ballroom
24th – Edinburgh, O2 Academy
26th – Manchester, O2 Victoria Warehouse
Formed in 2019 out of the band The Bohos, STONE [who stylise their name in capitals] has notched up 14 singles, two EPs and the one album so far, since singles “Leave It Out” and “Keep Running” in 2020 opened their account.
Plus they have dropped a brace of EPs, “punkadonk” in 2022 and “punkadonk2” in 2023. This year, 2024, they have made impact with the tracks “My Thoughts Go” and “Queen” – plus collaborative efforts “DOPESICK” (While She Sleeps featuring STONE), “Save Yourself”(featuring DOPE LEMON) and “Incel Saviour” (Sounds Mint featuring STONE).
STONE is lead singer Fin Power [son of John Power, lead singer of Cast and The La’s], guitarist Elliot Gill, bassist Sarah Surrage and drummer Alex Smith.[Fin knew Alex from college, and Alex knew Sarah from the year below at University.]
After their debut LP came out, the lads took on an intimate record store tour, and spent the summer bounding across festivals right across Europe.
They keep good company, with guest spots to Sam Fender, Yungblud, Inhaler, The Wombats and DMA’S, as well as thumping performances at festivals including Glastonbury, BST Hyde Park, Reading and Leeds. They also headed to Malaga for Louis Tomlinson’s “Away from Home” festival.
Their impactful single “Save Yourself” was a change from their anthemic, anarchic core indie/punk sound, instead introducing a raw exposed acoustic slow-burner that sees frontman Fin Power cut open his vulnerabilities for the world to see: a reflection on mental health struggles and social media addiction that implores a love interest to escape from the relationship before they’re sucked into the same situation.
A unifying moment of their live show, “Save Yourself” was given a fresh, enticing angle, with DOPE LEMON’s vocal harmonies adding a new flavour to Fin’s distinctive accent, while he also brings more of his character to the track with his own instrumental embellishments.
Fin says, “I never would have believed you if you told me I would have gotten one of my favourite musicians to play and sing on one of my records.
“I guess if I never plucked up the courage to ask then it wouldn’t happen, so it’s another lesson for myself to always go for it as the worst they can say is no.” As with the rest of the album, “Save Yourself” was produced by Rich Costey (Sam Fender, HAIM, Biffy Clyro).
A massive fan of the Australian psychedelic indie/alt artist, Fin first met DOPE LEMON at the Best Kept Secret festival in the Netherlands in 2023, before hanging out with him again at that summer’s Rock Werchter. They’ve since become firm friends, and DOPE LEMON agreed to the feature after Fin rallied up the confidence to suggest the idea after a few drinks”.
Fin reflects on the motivation to form and be in a band: “I’ve always wanted to be successful. I remember my first dream job was wanting to be Doctor Who.
“I wrote my first song at 15, and then by 16 knew I wanted to be in a successful band. So I treated it like that. From the beginning, I only wanted to work with people who were fully dedicated to being in this one band.”
Elliot adds: “I realised very quickly that this wasn’t like being in a band just for something to do. There was a real propulsion in Fin’s mindset that was just like okay, we need each other. Even if there are bust-ups over practices or whatever, I knew there was a reason.”
A quartet of fierce performers with their own unique style and personality, STONE has the drive, the motivation, the hunger, the songs, the chemistry, the talent and the solid concrete foundations to perhaps, eventually see their name etched into the list of famous bands to come from the home of the Beatles. Believe it.
The band’s PR blurb makes this claim: “They’re a band who specialise in instantly addictive indie-rock anthems that speak to the experiences of their generation, and always strive to make a powerful connection with their growing fanbase.” Addictive: Fancy getting STONED?
Live photos x 9 by Andrea Bottino [@ Nottingham’s Rescue Rooms, 23rd October 2024]
Posed group pix x 2 by Claudia Legge
