If you do a google search on Delphians you get all kinds of weird shit. It's the name of a Russian athletics organization. It's the collective name for a caring group of lady university graduates (from Houston). It's an advanced civilization of great intelligence, living on the planet Gomoray. Whatever. The fact is we thought it was a cool band name. Or at least a bit better than Captain Shazam and the Hams.
Delphians got together through the usual humdrum local band breakups and line-up changes usually described in sickening detail in band bios. Boring really. I (Paul) also do gigs as a very serious solo artiste. The music is acousticy and melodic with barbs that stick in your brain. I write the songs in Delphians, and the others play their respective instruments and help develop my sometimes scattered songs and ideas.
The band sound took a while, but it was worth the wait. It's acoustic, but it's heavy. It's melodic, but it's raw as fuck. It's a bit obtuse, but it's radio friendly (ish). It's entirely our own, and we're rather pleased with it!
Collectively, our influences are probably stuff like Pearl Jam, R.A.T.M, Deftones, were all into the metal. Individually though, my influences probably took it to the acoustic place. The wonder stuff, Jeff Buckley, Neil Young, Nick Drake, blah etc.
Geoff (drums) was originally a metal player. He's played in metal and rock bands for years now, and is enjoying the change of playing stuff in a different style. In this band the guitars are an additional part of the traditional rhythm section, and me and Geoff really lock on. His groove is fucking magnetic. He is also the master at Cajon, somthing we found to increase our sound incredibly, beating a wooden box provided us with the backbone to more peaceful acoustic performances.LIKE IT!
Both live and in the studio he's been instrumental in creating OUR sound. He sometimes plays very loud, and sometimes plays very quietly, but it's always right, which is a totally different world from Ian, who (as he constantly tells everyone) is a lead guitar player at heart, but (at the time) we only needed one guitar, so he was cruelly shunted onto the bass. Infact, he didnt even own a bass at first. Second that.he still doesn't!
As Ian is genetically predisposed to rock stardom - his Dad, Billy Ritchie, was the keyboardist of pioneering 60's band The Clouds (formerly '1-2-3') - he likes to throw up fresh ideas at every turn, creative little fucker. Most of them are shite but every now & then he comes up with the occasional gem which makes it all worthwhile. Another plus is that he whinges far less since he's been on electric guitar (or "promoted" as he calls it).
Which brings us to our new bassist - Roo Butler. Every one who likes live music in Sunderland would have met Roo at one of the many 'Buskers Nights'. However I met him as he was trying to demolish a rouge Ferris Wheel (It was fun). Roo is a welcome addition to Delphians. 1) He's a great Bass Player - no offence to Ian. 2). He's a great laugh - See 'Ferris Wheel'. 3) The Bass looks its normal size when he plays it - again, no offence Ian). Roo has performed with many people over the years, beginning his rock stardom in the mid 90's, and has been around to tell a tale or two!
As for Me (Paul Vocal/Acoustic Guitar) have made two albums already as a solo guy. The second, A Lighthouse Keeper's Diary, was distributed by Absolute/Universal, and is available from an overpriced and impersonal retail outlet near you. I'm kind of the architect of the Delphians sound, a bit like the dude off the matrix with all the TV's, but marginally less evil. I write the lyrics and music and take it into rehearsal with the band. It usually comes out of our sweaty little practise room better that I hoped, which is nice. I could brag about my previous conquests with BMG, Independiente and EMI etc, but I don't think you really care.
The live arena is where we feel truly at home as a band. We do lots of gigs around our region (the grim/beautiful North-East) and we've managed to build up a good following and reputation. We love playing gigs in packed out, dark pub venues, occupying half the room with our gear (much to the annoyance of many publicans). We're selling CD's (both my solo records and band CDs) at our shows. We get through quite a few.
Anyways, enough of the rambling bullshit, have a listen to the tunes and be our friend (not really a friend, more a digital acquaintance).
Tata.xx
Myspace Backgrounds
