graystar
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graystar

Band Alternative Rock

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Press


"Live Review"

'Graystar are a tightly-honed stadium band in the making, and they have a nice line in Radiohead-esque epics' - The Skinny Magazine


"'Free' review"

"Beautiful" - XFM radio


"A Million Pieces CD"

Sometimes I feel that there is too much music. I could spend all year on myspace.com and still not hear and see all the tracks and videos that are available. There are thousands of new bands and it is hard to keep up with what is happening. As many of the new bands have little to offer, it is a privelege to come acress a band which looks good, plays well and performs highly original songs. Such a band is the Edinburgh-based Graystar, although they are making Liverpool their second home as they have played at the Cavern three times this year and also performed live on BBC Radio Merseyside.
All the songs on 'A Million Pieces' are written by the lead singer Dominic James. Each of them works in its own right and they combine to give the CD and idyllic, coherent feel. 'A Million Pieces' is no quickie album as the tracks have been recorded over the past four years. Graystar have been gathering attention for their work as one of the best unsigned bands in Scotland and also making the indie charts. Although the band is highly original, it is a joy to pick up on their many references. It is surely no coincidence that the opening words of the album 'How does it feel?' echo Bob Dylan's most famous song 'Like a Rolling Stone'. The whimsical feel of 'Satellites' reminds of the Beach Boyss aroung the time they recorded 'Holland'. The opening notes on 'Free' are a reference to 'Imagine' and there is something about the softer side of Neil Young about the track.
The arrangements are spot on as is the production from Dominic and Rick Scott. 'Cry No More' is my favourite as I love the way that the different parts, especially Neil Hartley's drums enhance what is already a very sensitive song. All the band shine on the album, but they know that they are working to the greater good. Graystar know what they are doing and 'A Million Pieces' is a wonderfully soothing and evocative album. I was going to write that Graystar have no gimmicks but maybe they have. The gimmick is the band performs excellent songs that are well sung and well played, how many other bands do that?
- Spencer Leigh, BBC Radio Merseyside DJ.


"Cry No More Review"

"This is a beautiful track" ( Cry No More ) - BBC Radio Scotland


"A Million Pieces CD"

"A collection of fresh anthemic indie turns from this Edinburgh/Liverpool quintet." - The List


"A Million Pieces CD"

"This is a great new album from Graystar. Its fantastic, I just love it"
- BBC DJ Dave Monks


"I Disappear Review"

"Graystar are standing out among the usual identikit indie outfits with their atmospheric, piano-led music. The band put their best foot forward opening with what may be their strongest song to date - the Dovesesque title track I Disappear. Huge Potential" - Edinburgh Evening News


"A Million Pieces CD"

A depth of songwriting that is overlooked by a lot of bands these days..the quality of the songwriting is what really shines through. - Is This Music


"Singles EP review"

Graystar has created an EP of beautifully poignant songs that gently etches its way into your heart. - The Skinny


Discography

2005: Life Support ( Single ).

2005: Satellites ( Single ). Played on XFM Scotland.

2005: Cry No More ( Single ). Played on BBC Radio 6, BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio Merseyside, BBC Radio Scotland.

2005: Free ( Single ). Played on XFM London, Kick FM, BBC Radio Scotland.

2005: Singles EP. 5 songs.

2007: A Million Pieces ( Album ). Out of the Darkness played on BBC Radio Merseyside.

2008: I Disappear ( Single ). Played on XFM Scotland, BBC Radio Merseyside.

2008: I Disappear ( EP ). 5 Songs. Played on BBC radio.

Photos

Bio

Graystar is a constantly evolving music project, a five piece band now based in Seattle, USA. At its core is Dominic James, singer songwriter from Liverpool who founded Graystar in 2003. Progressive, daring and highly acclaimed, often bursting out with radical and ground breaking songs and live performances with a fierce independence.
A voice in the dark, of isolation, transcending music fashion and current tastes. Graystar write songs of fear, hope and despair. Stories of individuals knocked around by fate and self-loathing; admissions, confessions and secrets; these songs are complex and challenging to the listener. Experimental and genre-mashing; their sounds are diverse. Influenced by great songwriters like Neil Young, Tom Waits, composers like Phillip Glass and John Barry, writers like Nabokov, Huxley, Orwell and Chomsky.
What sets graystar apart? The depth of emotion entwined within the melodies of the songs; the band's diversity of instrumentation and rhythm, capturing sounds both nostalgic yet progressive, touching and yet tormented; Graystar's music has an ethereal beauty and restless originality that etches its way into your heart.
Graystar's releases have been successively played on established radio stations like XFM and BBC Radio. 6 of the 10 songs on the band's debut album were played on FM radio. The band have received lots of accolades for their quality of songwriting:

"Graystar are standing out among the usual identikit indie outfits with their atmospheric, piano-led music. The band put their best foot forward opening with what may be their strongest song to date - the Dovesesque title track I Disappear. Huge Potential". Edinburgh Evening News-April 2009

"Beautiful songs". Review: BBC Scotland

"It's a privilege to come across this band which looks good, plays well and performs highly original songs." Review: BBC Radio Merseyside

"Fantastic, I just love it" BBC DJ Dave Monks on "A Million Pieces"

"A collection of fresh anthemic indie turns from this Liverpool/Edinburgh quintet." Review of A Million Pieces: The List

"A depth of songwriting that is overlooked by a lot of bands these days..the quality of the songwriting is what really shines through." Review of A Million Pieces: Is This Music

Graystar have now just burst onto the live music scene in Seattle and the north west. They are releasing a new EP this fall with 3 new tracks on it, and are currently playing showcase gigs with a great new line up of talented musicians.