Booking Enquiry
Stone Theory / Departed at the Bristol Bierkeller
About this Event
STONE THEORY // DEPARTED
Wed 24th May
Doors 7.30pm
18+
Tickets £7adv
Ticket Line 0117 9299008
Artists Website
www.facebook.com/pg/stonetheorybristol
www.facebook.com/pg/departedbanduk
STONE THEORY
Scraped off of the pavements of Bristol like gum, four gents all stemming from the same influences of old school rock n roll, gritty hard rock and ancient blues. We collaborate guitars, bass, hard drums and harrowing vocals to create a new and fresh blend of music that screams to the masses in its individual ways. Combining our own influences in creating our original material, we want to make people dance, shout, sweat and walk away from a show with borderline tinnitus. Book us for gigs. stonetheoryband@gmail.com
Jack Delve-Roberts - Vocals
Ryan Rhodes - Guitar
Kris Griffiths - Bass
Temmy Edwards - Drums
ut if you missed the pre-release Pledge campaign deadline, you will be able to buy the album (and merch) from December 2015 via Townsend music.
With CON it’s all about the live show. See you on the road in
DEPARTED
Back in September 2013 Mark Pascall (Vocalist for Empire of Fools) auditioned for a new project to be started by the manager of The Treatment/Roadstar/Airrace.
Marks audition process included rehearsing along with the band The Treatment (who toured the globe with Motley Crue, Kiss, Status Quo, Slash, Steel Panther) and was the first proper introduction to their lead guitarist, Ben Brookland.
The new project failed to launch, around the time Ben announced his departure from The Treatment. He left due to personal reasons and a family bereavement, subsequently, he returned home to Cornwall.
Mark and Ben stayed in touch during this difficult time. Empire of Fools were slowly creeping up the ladder of success at the time but Mark could see massive potential in working with Ben, so started his campaign to convince Ben come out of early retirement.
As Ben was warming to the idea of returning to the music industry, an opportunity came up. EofF needed a guitarist to fill in for a show opening for The Answer. Ben jumped at the chance and got back on stage in Exeter, March 12th 2014.
This show kick-started a flurry of inspiration and song-writing began with a sense of creative freedom and equal input. Over the course of the next 7 months, the songs grew stronger and plentiful. It was time to put a band together.
After an initial bassist search, Mark decided to take on this role to get the band off the ground. In November 2014, Howie Spring auditioned on drums and after weeks of hard work, the bones of the band had been formed.
2015 proved to be an extremely difficult year. Life seemed to present challenge after challenge with yet again family bereavements and life changing circumstances but Mark and Ben persevered and recorded a couple of tracks in their own studio.
“Steal Your Crown” and “All I Want” were the first tracks recorded. On March 28th Mark and Ben headed to Red City Studios to record drums with Chris Rivers (Heavens Basement) proceeded by mixing the two tracks with Jonny Rocker (formally of HB). The tracks were then mastered by Ade Emsley (Iron Maiden, Voodoo Six, The Treatment).
2016 was the year targeted to launch the band and finally get out playing live. January 24th saw DEPARTED opening for American rock band Aiden in Bristol to a fantastic reception. Over the next couple of months the band played some low key shows whilst also opening for Graham Bonnet (Rainbow) and heading to play in London.
Throughout February another 5 tracks were written/recorded by Mark and Ben which completed what would become their debut mini-album.
Straight after the show opening for Graham Bonnet, it was time to head back to Manchester where again Chris Rivers guested on drums, recorded by Jonny Rocker. The tracks were again mixed by Jonny and mastered by Ade Emsley.
Following a successful show in the capital, Mark and Ben decided to improve the dynamic of the band with the addition of Connor Spring (Howie’s brother) on drums. Mark stepped away from bass duties and handed these to Howie (this is actually his main instrument) to concentrate solely on vocals.
The energy found in this line up was incredibly exciting and mirrored the vibe and feel that had been achieved when recording the mini-album. At the end of March, the band had its first outing and trial at a small venue in Plymouth before hitting the main stage at Frankfest, Ivybridge, where the response was incredible.
Following on from the fantastic reception from the media and hard work playing live, Mark received a call inviting the band to open for the legendary Status Quo at their stadium show in Llanelli, south Wales.
the mini-album was available for pre-sale 18th May and following an amazing reaction from the media, it was officially released on 18th June.
The next couple of months saw DEPARTED heading back to London, playing in front of key industry representatives as well as opening for Phil Campbell (Motorhead), John Coghlans Quo (Status Quo). August 27th came around very quickly and DEPARTED headed to their biggest show yet opening for Status Quo. This show set the bar and what a reaction was received! A standing ovation from the grand stand for an opening band is quite an achievement!
Another busy month followed, playing live and promoting the mini-album as well as a main stage appearance at Looe Music Festival playing before Wilko Johnson. DEPARTED performed inLondon again, opening for Mitch Malloy (Van Halen). As well as opening for Chuck Mosely (Faith No More) and Romeo’s Daughter during Sep/Oct, DEPARTED headlined a festival in The Netherlands and made their debut in Europe.
November saw the band heading back to London and north Wales to play at the prestigious Hard Rock Hell festival along side such bands as Ugly Kid Joe, Ratt, Ginger Wildheart, The Treatment, Graham Bonnet. Following on from the festival, DEPARTED performed an acoustic set opening for Dave Mcpherson of InMe, travelled to Cardiff to perform a well received show opening for Big Country and joined the line up with Bad Touch/Massive.2017