Stanleys Through the Ages
Who are they? | Rogues' Gallery
 And so to the Human Resources area of our corporate enterprise. Altogether now...... Twelve accystanleys, there's only twelve accystanleys..... and so on. This is not a family tree so much as an eerie incestuous gothic saga, casting a lugubrious lazy eye over those who have entered and left the insular fold of Accrington Stanley, the made men, the bodies in the trunk. Whatever, here it is, the basis of many a triv-obsessed "was the horn part on Zombies played by Rufus?" question, or maybe the outbreak of hostilities over which lineup could play their instruments or had better eyebrows. Or whether the rhythm section evolved to walk upright by 1991 (The Pre-Jurassic Stanley era). So tread carefully, for you tread on my SPLEENS.* |
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| ACCRINGTON STANLEY Mk I (May1986-March 1987) | ||
| Dan O'Farrell Guitar, vocal Richard Barrett organ, bass, vocal Chris Walsh drums |
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The original incarnation, formed at school in 1986.The scourge of youth clubs and school events, with forays into the seedy drinking dens of Southampton. |
| ACCRINGTON STANLEY Mk II (March 1987-April 1989 | ||
| Dan O'Farrell Guitar, vocal Richard Barrett organ,vocal Sam Burgess Bass, Trumpet Alfie Baker Drums |
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The celebrated college band line-up who graced Mikanoffs wine bar in Southampton, and who recorded "Giddyblueperfection" in 1988. Also featuring studio musicians John Titcombe (Tenor Sax, clarinet), Anita Viney (flute), Nicola Tebbutt (Violin) and Nick Stevenson (Alto Sax) |
| ACCRINGTON STANLEY Mk III (April 1989-September 1990) | ||
Dan O'Farrell Guitar, vocal |
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Post "Oceans and Automobiles" Accrington Stanley got rockier with twin guitars turned up to eleven and intriguing sonic experiments with organ amplification. The results survive in a two-day recording session in the New Forest barn of Sir John Titcombe (Tracks from which are on the shortlist for the "Accrington Stanley Remasters Series"). |
| ACCRINGTON STANLEY Mk IV (September 1990- May 1992) | ||
| Dan O'Farrell Guitar, vocal Richard Barrett organ,vocal, drums Sam Burgess Bass, vocal Alfie Baker Drums, mandolin Matt Grace Guitar, Vocal Rufus Grig Cello, percussion, Guitar, Vocal |
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Can they fit on the stage? Those defining strokes on a cello turned the Stanleys into a mighty six-piece following the "Fathom" sessions and set the scene for the push towards superstardom. First port of call was a spell at Indie-band-boot-camp in North London where this line-up sharpened up their act in terrifying fashion. |
| ACCRINGTON STANLEY Mk V (May 1992- Jan 1993) | ||
| Dan O'Farrell Guitar, vocal Richard Barrett organ,vocal Sam Burgess Bass, vocal Rufus Grig Cello, percussion, Guitar, Vocal Dylan Clarke Drums |
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Following the departure of Matt and Alfie in 1992, the Stanleys turned to "The New Me" as a possible single release, recording it with this line up and chasing A&R staff around London with it. It was this lineup which found themselves on a plane to Japan in November 1992 to play to 10,000 popkids at the Yoyogi National Stadium. |
| ACCRINGTON STANLEY Mk VI (Jan 1993- July 1993) | ||
| Dan O'Farrell Guitar, vocal Richard Barrett organ,vocal Sam Burgess Bass, vocal Rufus Grig Cello, percussion, Guitar, Vocal Anthony Christmas Drums |
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Responsible for "Lovebound", some memorable nights at the Mean Fiddler, not to mention a performance to no people in the shadow of Canary Wharf (Was this Accrington Stanley's "Pink Floyd at Pompeii"?) and fifth on the bill on P&O Cruises Christmas Pantomime (Who's researching this? - Editor). |
| ACCRINGTON STANLEY Mk VII (July 1993- Feb 1994) | ||
| Dan O'Farrell Guitar, vocal Richard Barrett organ,vocal Sam Burgess Bass, vocal Rufus Grig Cello, percussion, Guitar, Vocal Kevin Sheriton Drums |
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The Kilburn Years (see The Story of the Stanleys) sees the "exploding drummer" syndrome culminate in Kevin Sheriton picking up the sticks while the band pursues the world and the landlord's wife with the genius of "Lovebound". |
| ACCRINGTON STANLEY Mk VIII (Feb 1994- Feb 1995) | ||
| Dan O'Farrell Guitar, vocal Richard Barrett organ,vocal Sam Burgess Bass, vocal Rufus Grig Cello, percussion, Guitar Alex Bridge Drums |
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The Stanleys toured the UK with Alex behind the kit in 1994, and put in some cracking performances on their home turf of North London, as well as memorable returns to Southampton , at fave Stanley venues the Dorchester or Talking Heads. Again, get in touch with us if you've got bootlegged copies of any of these live shows! |
| ACCRINGTON STANLEY Mk IX (Feb 95- Oct 96) | ||
| Dan O'Farrell Guitar, vocal Richard Barrett organ,vocal Rufus Grig Cello, percussion, Guitar Alex Bridge Drums |
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The departure of Sam Burgess in 1995 left the band in a pickle regarding their future, but the remaining four-piece found themselves rehearsing a whole set of new material within weeks, with Baz reprising the bass organ duties of old. As an afterthought it was reckoned that a few demos should be recorded. The result was the "Half Life" album in 1996. |
| ACCRINGTON STANLEY Mk X (Oct 96- Dec 2002) | ||
| Dan O'Farrell Guitar, vocal Richard Barrett organ, bass,vocal Rufus Grig Cello, Guitar Kevin Sheriton Drums, vocal |
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Into an era of busy coupling and child-rearing, nevertheless the prolific songwriting talents of Dan O'Farrell saw no sign of abating, and a sizeable set of songs were rehearsed by this incarnation of the Stanleys. No studio recordings are available from this period, but many tapes are lined up for remastering, according to the band. |
| ACCRINGTON STANLEY Mk XI (Dec 2002-?) | ||
| Dan O'Farrell Guitar, vocal Richard Barrett organ, bass,vocal Rufus Grig Cello, Guitar Alex Bridge Drums |
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And so to the present. Having reprised the "Half Life" line-up, the band hit the studio in the autumn of 2004 and brought forth the majesty that was "uplift"; coming out from under their rock once in a blue moon to haunt the spotty wannabes of Southampton. What does the future hold for these intrepid Stanleys? You can find out everything here at www.accrington-stanley.com. |
© 2008 Humphrey Records. Special thanks to Dominic O'Farrell. The website was designed at Stanley Towers. Any coincidence to persons living...(