Stereophonics through the years: A look back at their career
Here's how they rose to fame
Last updated 16th Oct 2020
Stereophonics are one of the most enduring rock bands of the 90s, releasing a plethora of hits in their heyday as well as their most recent album 'Kind' in October 2019. The band, currently made up of Kelly Jones, Richard Jones, Jamie Morrison and Adam Zindani, also recently toured in January 2020.
But how did Stereophonics get famous? And how did they get their band name? We've taken a trip down memory lane to pull out the band's biggest moments right here.
Stereophonics: How did they get famous?
1992: The band is born
Kelly and Stuart lived on the same street in Cwmaman, Wales, and began jamming together as teenagers, recording a demo under the name Zephyr. After going their separate ways, Kelly and Stuart reunited a few years later, bringing in Richard Jones as bass guitarist - and thus, the line-up was complete.
In 1992, the trio - then known as Tragic Love Company - began to write together, performing in working men's clubs before landing a gig at the Borderline Club in London. They were spotted by producers Marshall Bird and Steve Bush, and recorded demo 'A Thousand Trees'.
1992 - 1996: Career beginnings and name change
Promoter Wayne Coleman organised gigs in South Wales after hearing their demo, and whilst he loved the music - he hated the band name, and said they wouldn't play if they kept it. He then spotted a gramophone manufacturer called Falcon Stereophonic, and the band became The Stereophonics.
They played the Coliseum Theatre in nearby Aberdare with Catatonia, and were approached by John brand afterwards who immediately became their manager. Just two months later, they were the first artists to sign to label V2, dropping 'The' from the band name.
1997: Debut album and BRIT Award
The band's debut album 'Word Gets Around' was released in August 1997, spawning singles 'A Thousand Trees', 'Local Boy in the Photograph' and 'Traffic' to name but a few. In 1998, they won the Best New Group BRIT Award, and released 'The Bartender and the Thief' - the first single from their follow-up, 'Performance and Cocktails', which in turn was released in March 1999.
The band played to 50,000 people at the Morfa Stadium in Swansea that year, and also collaborated with Welsh legend Tom Jones on a cover of 'Mama Told Me Not To Come'. They toured Europe, Australia and America in 1999, and performed at Cardiff Castle - later released on DVD.
2001: 'Have A Nice Day'
After headlining Reading and Leeds in 2000, third album 'Just Enough Education to Perform' was released in 2001, featuring two of their most famous songs: 'Have a Nice Day' and a cover of 'Handbags and Gladrags', which was included in the re-release in 2002. The band performed a two-day festival, 'A Day at the Races', at Donington Park and Cardiff's Millennium Stadium to promote the album, and also headlined Glastonbury Festival in 2002, as well as V Festival.
The band put out their fourth album 'You Gotta Go There to Come Back' in 2003, spawning singles 'Maybe Tomorrow', 'Madame Helga' and 'Since I Told You It's Over'. This was the last album to feature drummer Stuart Cable, who was let go from the band in September 2003. They also had their first headline slot at the Isle of Wight Festival in 2004, which they returned to in 2009.
2005: A new line-up
Stereophonics released their fifth album 'Language. Sex. Violence. Other?' in 2005, the first to feature new drummer, Javier Weyler. The album's single 'Dakota' became their first UK Number 1, and they performed that year at Live 8 in Hyde Park, London.
Kelly pictured here performing at the Isle of Wight Festival in 2009.
2007: Kelly goes it alone
Kelly also released his first solo album, 'Only the Names Have Been Changed', in 2007. He explained how it came about, "We were recording the sixth Stereophonics album... And in-between takes I started doing these songs off the cuff. Three or four tracks in I realised that this could actually be something... Strange how it's always little things that makes big things happen."
Kelly is pictured performing at a session for Absolute Radio in 2009.
2007 - 2010: ‘Pull The Pin’
'Pull the Pin' was released in October 2007, spawning single 'It Means Nothing' which was written about the London 7/7 attack. Kelly told The Guardian it was "about the feeling of unease in the city and people realising what was important in their lives."
They performed at the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver, and released seventh album 'Keep Calm and Carry On', playing a UK tour throughout 2010 to promote it.
The band are pictured here at a session for Absolute Radio in 2009.
2010: Stuart Cable's death
Sadly, former member Stuart Cable passed away in June 2010, and Kelly decided to take a break from writing and releasing albums every two years.
The band released song 'Before Anyone Knew Our Name' in 2017 in memory of Stuart. Kelly said of the song, "I think, you know, Stuart left the band and we were still friends for seven years. And then he passed away tragically, and of course people have opinions about what happened and all this sort of stuff. We kept it very private because we were like brothers."
2009: Isle of Wight Festival
We met the band backstage at the Isle of Wight Festival in 2009, where they kindly signed a guitar for us. It's still up on the wall.
2011: New music and another personnel change
The band announced on Facebook in 2011 that they were back in the studio, but in 2012 announced that Javier had left the group. Jamie Morrison of The Noisettes replaced him, and they released eighth album 'Graffiti on the Train' in March 2013.
Pictured here performing at Hyde Park in 2012 at the Olympics Opening Ceremony concert.
2012: Isle of Wight Festival
Our presenter Sarah Champion caught up with Kelly backstage at the Isle of Wight festival 2012 and the pair chatted away in our camper van. As you do.
2015: 'Keep the Village Alive'
Stereophonics impressively released a ninth album in September 2015, entitled 'Keep the Village Alive' which topped the UK Albums Chart. It contained singles 'C'est la Vie' and 'I Wanna Get Lost with You'. They also performed a set for us at the Dingwalls venue in Camden (pictured).
2016: Backstage at the Isle of Wight Festival
We had a chat with the band backstage at the Isle of Wight Festival in 2016 - but there was a slight mishap when guitarist Adam Zindani fell through the deck chair...
2016: Backstage at Isle of Wight Festival take two
Thankfully, we were able to get Adam a different chair and complete the interview... Oops!
2017: 'Scream Above the Sounds'
The band made their 10th album in 2017, releasing 'Scream Above the Sounds' in October. This realised Kelly's dream that they would put out their 10th studio album in the 20th anniversary year of their debut, instead of releasing a Greatest Hits album.
Pictured here performing at the Isle of Wight Festival in 2016.
2019: 'Kind'
But they didn't stop there, getting straight back in the studio to record their eleventh album, 'Kind', which was released in October 2019 and reached Number 1 in the UK. They also embarked on their tour to promote the album, kicking off in Liverpool on 18th January and concluding in Cardiff on 15th March.
2020: Kelly Jones 'Don’t Let The Devil Take Another Day'
2020 saw frontman Kelly Jones release his album 'Don't Let The Devil Take Another Day'. The work contained 21 reworked tracks from throughout the Stereophonics' career, and even had its own documentary! The 90-minute feature tells the heartfelt story of the Stereophonics frontman/songwriter, following his personal uphill battle as he rediscovered his voice.
2022: Stereophonics release 12th album 'Oochya!' and UK tour
On 6th September 2021, Stereophonics announced that their 12th studio album will be titled 'Oochya!', and released it on Friday 4th March 2022! They later went on a huge tour to support the album's release throughout March and April.
2023: Far From Saints
Kelly teamed up with Austin's Patty Lynn and Dwight Baker to create new band Far From Saints, who released their debut single 'Let's Turn This Back Around' in January 2023. They're planning to release their album later this year and also preparing to tour the new music.
You can hear Stereophonics on the Greatest Hits Radio playlist.