Stereophonics

Stereophonics are a Welsh alternative rock band that formed in 1992 in the village of Cwmaman in Cynon Valley, Wales. The band currently comprises lead vocalist and guitarist Kelly Jones, bassist and backing vocalist Richard Jones, guitarist and backing vocalist, Adam Zindani and touring member Tony Kirkham (keyboards), the group having originally also included Stuart Cable on drums. Stereophonics have released eight studio albums, including five consecutive UK number 1 albums. A successful compilation album was also released in November 2008 – ''Decade in the Sun'' charting at number two in the United Kingdom. In March 2013, they released their 8th studio album ''Graffiti on the Train'', which debuted at No. 3 in the UK Albums Chart. The band is part of the Cardiff music scene. Described as "classic UK rock delivered with whiskey vocals," the band have been summarised as possessing a sound akin to the genres of alternative rock and "British traditional rock." Stereophonics' debut album, ''Word Gets Around'', was released in August 1997 and instantly charted at number six in the UK, aided by the singles "Local Boy in the Photograph", "More Life in a Tramps Vest" and "A Thousand Trees". The band reached mainstream success with the release of ''Performance and Cocktails'' (and its promotional singles "The Bartender and the Thief", "Just Looking" and "Pick a Part That's New") in 1999 and have achieved a total of ten top-ten singles as well as one number-one: 2005's "Dakota". The band have also been praised for their live performances, which have landed them headlining slots at many of the UK and Ireland's most high-profile music festivals, including Reading and Leeds in 2000, Glastonbury in 2002, V festival in 2002, the Isle of Wight in 2004 and 2009, and Oxegen in 2010. Having sold around 9 million copies worldwide, Stereophonics are one of the most successful Welsh rock acts. Upon their release of Pull the Pin, they became only the eighth group to achieve 5 consecutive UK number 1 albums (after The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, ABBA, Genesis, Oasis, Blur and U2).