STONEWIRE

*** Explosive New Female-Fronted Southern Blues Rockers’ Dynamic Debut Album ‘When The Crow Flies Released December 1st On 22:11 Records ***

Brimming with power, passion and soul, StoneWire’s debut album ‘When The Crow Flies’, due for release on December 1st via 22:11 Records, introduces a dynamic, exciting and hugely talented new act. Stewing the best of British rock in whiskey-guzzling Southern grooves and the sounds of the Delta swamps, StoneWire draw on classic influences ranging from Aerosmith to Zeppelin, yet find a vibrant and organic new voice that’s uniquely their own.

Leading the charge of dirty, heavy blues is powerhouse frontwoman Sky Hunter, a truly exceptional vocalist blessed with massive lungs and the magnetic personality to match. Whether belting out bold, ballsy hard rock anthems, or bringing a sultry star quality to gravelly, rugged blues ballads, Sky delivers an arresting, electrifying performance that stems straight from the heart.

Her bandmates are an equally talented and versatile bunch. Guitar maestro Gaz Annable is a master of the ground-shaking, groove-laden riffs which swagger through StoneWire’s heaviest numbers, let alone some soulful slide playing on raw, rootsy cuts like ‘Mama They’ll Never Know’. Underpinning it all is the mean machine of drummer Rob Glasner and bassist Steve Briggs, whose tight, robust rhythms drive StoneWire’s dynamic sound.

Formed in 2011, the band swiftly established the intense, energetic onstage chemistry, and flair for punchy, melodic songcraft which has been winning them a loyal, fast-growing following ever since. Giving their classic influences a distinctive, contemporary spin, StoneWire attracted comparisons to the likes of Black Stone Cherry, The Answer and Shinedown upon releasing a self-titled debut EP in 2012, and were soon deluged with invitations to play prestigious support slots and festivals in the UK and Europe. 2013 saw them open for Michael Schenker on the Swedish leg of his Temple of Rock / Lovedrive Reunion tour to a great response from Scandinavian audiences (a return trip is now being planned), while on home turf they’ve shared stages with Praying Mantis, Never The Bride and Voodoo Six to name but a few.

Voodoo Six bassist Tony Newton was so impressed by what he heard that, along with guitar icon Pete Friesen (Alice Cooper / The Almighty), he stepped up to lend his considerable skills and experience to StoneWire in the studio. Tony was responsible for mixing ‘When The Crow Flies’, while Pete contributes additional guitars to 9 of the album’s 11 tracks, with the end results making it clear to see why these two veteran performers were so eager to invest their time in StoneWire.

Lead single, ‘Favourite Bitch’, out on November 24th, neatly encapsulates the elements that make StoneWire’s sound so enticing, with its balance of nuanced nods to the band’s forebears, and fresh, frequently confrontational, attitude. Packing the juggernaut riff and huge hook of a bona fide hard rock classic, the track demonstrates that StoneWire have paid their dues, while lyrically declaring they’re a band unafraid to stand out from the crowd. Delivering a captivating, impassioned performance, Sky addresses all the critics and complainers who’ve ever accused her for being too loud, too outspoken, too opinionated and just too damn much, and yet always come back for more. Singing “I’m your favourite bitch / I’m your favourite problem / I’m the one you can’t live without”, she reminds the whiners that, whatever they say, they’ll always look to life’s big characters to keep things interesting.

StoneWire effortlessly hold listeners’ interest on ‘When The Crow Flies’, by drawing on a diverse array of influences and displaying the superior technical skills to pull it all off. Swooping from the dirtiest depths of the blues (the grinding, riff-heavy title track, and raw, gritty ‘RiverBlues’, where Sky’s husky vocals channel prime Janis Joplin), to soaring, anthemic hard rock (the slinky, Velvet Revolver-esque riffing of ‘Vamonos’, or Black Crowes style strut of ‘Don’t You’, this is a striking, varied debut from a versatile and very gifted new act.

Live dates

16th October – GREAT YARMOUTH, Legends of Rock Festival – The Originals
(with Black Star Riders, Alabama 3, The Quireboys, Voodoo Six + more)

8th November – GRAVESEND, Leo’s Red Lion