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Stone Gods were a British
hard rock Hard rock or heavy rock is a heavier subgenre of rock music typified by aggressive vocals and Distortion (music), distorted electric guitars. Hard rock began in the mid-1960s with the Garage rock, garage, Psychedelic rock, psychedelic and blues ...
band formed by former members of The Darkness in 2006. Their debut album, titled '' Silver Spoons & Broken Bones'', was released in July 2008, with the first single "Knight of the Living Dead" being released in June 2008. In December 2010 they officially went on hiatus.


History


Formation

When
Justin Hawkins Justin David Hawkins (born 17 March 1975) is an English musician, Internet personality, singer, and songwriter best known as the founder, lead singer, and lead guitarist of The Darkness, of which his younger brother Dan is also a member. He is ...
decided to leave The Darkness in October 2006, it meant the end of the band. However, guitarist, songwriter and brother of the lead singer
Dan Hawkins Dan, Danny or Daniel Hawkins may refer to: * Dan Hawkins (American football) (born 1960), American football coach and former player and sportscaster * Daniel Hawkins (politician) (born 1960), American politician in the Kansas House of Representat ...
, contacted bassist
Richie Edwards Richie Edwards (born 25 September 1974) is an English musician. He was briefly the bassist of the British hard rock band The Darkness and the guitarist/vocalist of their successor band Stone Gods. He was confirmed as a member on 13 June 20 ...
within thirty minutes of finding out his brother was leaving, and asked him if he would be interested in taking up lead vocals in a new band with the remaining members. Edwards had previously sung lead vocals when the Darkness had covered
AC/DC AC/DC are an Australian rock band formed in Sydney in 1973. Their music has been variously described as hard rock, blues rock and Heavy metal music, heavy metal, although the band calls it simply "rock and roll". They are cited as a formativ ...
songs live, and he and Dan immediately started to think about a new musical direction. A new band was to be formed and Edwards indeed made the move from bass guitar to centre stage as lead vocalist/rhythm guitarist. The line up was completed by drummer
Ed Graham Edwin James Graham (born 20 February 1977) is an English musician who is best known as the original drummer of the rock band The Darkness, as well as the subsequent successor band Stone Gods fronted by guitarist and singer Richie Edwards. ...
(also of the Darkness) and bassist Toby MacFarlaine (who was a long time friend of Dan). The band spent the later part of 2006 and early 2007 writing and rehearsing new material and commenced recording their debut album soon after. No official announcement was made, the band's name was not revealed and the existence of the new band was only confirmed through postings on the band members personal MySpace sites during the period of the recordings. This was the only information available publicly for almost a year after the band had first formed.


Early activity and first EP (Burn the Witch)

In October 2007 the website of the UK music magazine ''Classic Rock'' leaked a news piece saying that a new band called Stone Gods had been added as a support act on the upcoming UK tour by
Thin Lizzy Thin Lizzy are an Irish rock band formed in Dublin in 1969. The band initially consisted of bass guitarist, lead vocalist and principal songwriter Phil Lynott, drummer Brian Downey, guitarist Eric Bell and organist Eric Wrixon although Wr ...
, it was also stated in this news piece that this band was made up of ex-members of The Darkness. Then, on 9 November 2007, the website of the student union from the
University of East Anglia The University of East Anglia (UEA) is a Public university, public research university in Norwich, England. Established in 1963 on a campus university, campus west of the city centre, the university has four faculties and twenty-six schools of ...
announced a live date by a band that they claimed was the new band of former The Darkness guitarist
Dan Hawkins Dan, Danny or Daniel Hawkins may refer to: * Dan Hawkins (American football) (born 1960), American football coach and former player and sportscaster * Daniel Hawkins (politician) (born 1960), American politician in the Kansas House of Representat ...
and that the name of the band was Stone Gods. This news was confirmed by the launch of an official website a few days later and a string of support dates was announced for November and December 2007. These dates were unfortunately curtailed when firstly
Richie Edwards Richie Edwards (born 25 September 1974) is an English musician. He was briefly the bassist of the British hard rock band The Darkness and the guitarist/vocalist of their successor band Stone Gods. He was confirmed as a member on 13 June 20 ...
succumbed to a throat infection after only three gigs had been performed and then, in a bizarre twist, dates with the Finnish classical/metal band
Apocalyptica Apocalyptica is a Finnish symphonic metal band from Helsinki, formed in 1993. The band is currently composed of three classically trained cellists Eicca Toppinen, Paavo Lötjönen, and Perttu Kivilaakso. Originally a Classical music, classical- ...
were cancelled due to 'lack of stage space'. In January 2008 Stone Gods headlined their first proper tour in the UK and it was announced that a limited edition EP called '' Burn The Witch'' was to be released by independent label PIAS on 25 February 2008. The EP contained two tracks from the upcoming debut album – "Burn The Witch" and "You Brought A Knife to a Gunfight" as well as two non-album b-sides "Breakdown" and "Heartburn", and only 1000 copies would be made. It was revealed on the band's official website that EP sold out on the first day of sale, and despite being released four weeks after the tour had ended the EP still picked up radio play and reached number 2 in the
BBC Radio 1 BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station owned and operated by the BBC. It specialises in modern popular music and Contemporary hit radio, current chart hits throughout the day. The station provides alternative genres at night, including ...
Rock charts.


Knight of the Living Dead EP and Silver Spoons & Broken Bones album

The band appeared live again during March 2008 when they played two dates in London and
Brighton Brighton ( ) is a seaside resort in the city status in the United Kingdom, city of Brighton and Hove, East Sussex, England, south of London. Archaeological evidence of settlement in the area dates back to the Bronze Age Britain, Bronze Age, R ...
as main support to
Velvet Revolver Velvet Revolver was an American hard rock supergroup consisting of Guns N' Roses members Slash (lead guitar), Duff McKagan (bass, backing vocals) and Matt Sorum (drums, backing vocals), alongside Dave Kushner (rhythm guitar) formerly of pu ...
and it was also around this time that it was announced that PIAS would be releasing the band's debut album '' Silver Spoons & Broken Bones'' on 7 July 2008. This would be preceded by the single "Knight of the Living Dead" on 23 June and a UK tour, which included appearances at the
Download Festival Download Festival is a rock festival created by Andy Copping, held annually at the Donington Park motorsport circuit in Leicestershire, England (since 2003); in Paris, France (since 2016); at Parramatta Park, Sydney (since 2019); Flemington ...
and the
Isle of Wight festival The Isle of Wight Festival is a British music festival which takes place annually in Newport, Isle of Wight, Newport on the Isle of Wight, England. It was originally a Counterculture of the 1960s, counterculture event held from 1968 to 1970. Th ...
, would take place throughout June. Before all this activity started, the band released a sampler for the album. 3 songs were made available exclusively on iTunes on 25 May 2008. The songs were "Knight of the Living Dead", "Making it Hard" and "Defend Or Die". '' Silver Spoons & Broken Bones'' was released to great acclaim on 7 July. Classic Rock magazine called it "One of the finest rock debuts of the millenium so far" while Metal Hammer said the album was 'a text book example of something marvellous emerging from shitty adversity'. Kerrang magazine thought it was 'a distillation of most of the things that have historically underpinned great rock music' and even UK tabloid The Sun give it four and a half out of five, adding that "it's a record that oozes joy from every riff, from a band that live and breathe rock 'n' roll". Classic Rock magazine also nominated the band in the Best New Band and Best Album categories at their awards ceremony in November 2008. Despite the critical acclaim, the record experienced limited commercial success, reaching UK #67 in the UK album charts.


Knight of the Living Dead tour and more cancellations

On 10 June 2008, Stone Gods were scheduled to start their ''Knight of the Living Dead'' tour. However, a statement appeared on the band's website on 9 June explaining that the first three dates (
Liverpool Liverpool is a port City status in the United Kingdom, city and metropolitan borough in Merseyside, England. It is situated on the eastern side of the River Mersey, Mersey Estuary, near the Irish Sea, north-west of London. With a population ...
,
Cardiff Cardiff (; ) is the capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of Wales. Cardiff had a population of in and forms a Principal areas of Wales, principal area officially known as the City and County of Ca ...
and
Bristol Bristol () is a City status in the United Kingdom, cathedral city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, the most populous city in the region. Built around the River Avon, Bristol, River Avon, it is bordered by t ...
) had been cancelled due to 'an emergency health issue' with drummer
Ed Graham Edwin James Graham (born 20 February 1977) is an English musician who is best known as the original drummer of the rock band The Darkness, as well as the subsequent successor band Stone Gods fronted by guitarist and singer Richie Edwards. ...
. This issue was not specified at the time (it was later reported in SPIN magazine that he had departed the band due to the blood disorder
osteonecrosis Avascular necrosis (AVN), also called osteonecrosis or bone infarction, is death of bone tissue due to interruption of the blood supply. Early on, there may be no symptoms. Gradually joint pain may develop, which may limit the person's abili ...
) and when the tour commenced on 13 June at the
Download Festival Download Festival is a rock festival created by Andy Copping, held annually at the Donington Park motorsport circuit in Leicestershire, England (since 2003); in Paris, France (since 2016); at Parramatta Park, Sydney (since 2019); Flemington ...
it was with ex-Bush drummer Robin Goodridge behind the kit. The tour continued successfully and ended with a sold out date at Norwich Waterfront on 29 June 2008. The continuing problems with
Ed Graham Edwin James Graham (born 20 February 1977) is an English musician who is best known as the original drummer of the rock band The Darkness, as well as the subsequent successor band Stone Gods fronted by guitarist and singer Richie Edwards. ...
's health meant that Robin Goodridge appeared with the band again at a performance at the Classic Rock nominations ceremony on 23 July and forced the cancellation of the band's appearance at the
Wacken Festival Wacken Open Air (, abbreviated as W:O:A) is a heavy metal music festival, held annually since 1990 on the first weekend of August in the village of Wacken in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. Almost all styles and subgenres of hard rock and metal ...
. As expected, it was eventually announced on 29 July that
Ed Graham Edwin James Graham (born 20 February 1977) is an English musician who is best known as the original drummer of the rock band The Darkness, as well as the subsequent successor band Stone Gods fronted by guitarist and singer Richie Edwards. ...
had left the band permanently, and that Robin Goodridge would fill in temporarily.


Drummer replaced and more tours

Stone Gods performed a one off special gig for Kerrang Radio on 13 September 2008. With Robin Goodridge unavailable,
Stuart Cable Stuart James Cable (19 May 1970 – 7 June 2010) was a Welsh rock drummer and broadcaster, best known as the original drummer for the band Stereophonics. Early life Cable was born in Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taf, on 19 May 1970. When he was 10 ...
(formerly of Stereophonics) filled in as temporary drummer. The band also announced a major UK tour as support to Australian rock band Airbourne that took place during November 2008. Before that, on 6 October 2008, it was confirmed by the band that Robin Goodridge of the band Bush was to become the permanent replacement for
Ed Graham Edwin James Graham (born 20 February 1977) is an English musician who is best known as the original drummer of the rock band The Darkness, as well as the subsequent successor band Stone Gods fronted by guitarist and singer Richie Edwards. ...
. This now leaves
Dan Hawkins Dan, Danny or Daniel Hawkins may refer to: * Dan Hawkins (American football) (born 1960), American football coach and former player and sportscaster * Daniel Hawkins (politician) (born 1960), American politician in the Kansas House of Representat ...
and
Richie Edwards Richie Edwards (born 25 September 1974) is an English musician. He was briefly the bassist of the British hard rock band The Darkness and the guitarist/vocalist of their successor band Stone Gods. He was confirmed as a member on 13 June 20 ...
as the only two members who used to be with The Darkness and with Dan as the only founding member of the defunct band. The band released a new single "Don't Drink The Water" in late October 2008, containing 3 songs; Don't Drink The Water, and two live recordings of Making It Hard, and Knight of the Living Dead . While on tour with Airbourne on Friday 28 November at the London Astoria, Dan Hawkins joined Airbourne on stage to play the AC/DC classic Whole Lotta Rosie (while Richie looked on from the side of the Stage). Hawkins played Joel O'Keeffe's guitar (white Gibson Explorer) while Joel sung without playing guitar. The band finished the year by joining
Black Stone Cherry Black Stone Cherry is an American hard rock band formed in Edmonton, Kentucky in 2001. They were signed to Roadrunner Records until 2015; the band is now signed to Mascot Label Group. The band consists of Chris Robertson (vocals, guitar), Ben W ...
's tour of the UK when original support band The Answer pulled out. The band have since completed a short UK headlining tour during March 2009, which found many of the dates completely sold out, and have released a third EP titled "Start of Something". This contained four songs; the album track "Start of Something", along with 3 acoustic recordings ("Don't Drink The Water", "Where You Comin' From" and a new, previously unheard song, "Things Could Be Worse").


Second album and future activities

After a well received performance at the Download Festival in June 2009 the band announced that they would spend most of the rest of the year writing, rehearsing and recording songs for their second album. On 10 August 2009, the band confirmed on their official site that they had been working on a second album, saying ''"That's right, people, album 2 is coming along leaps and bounds"''. On 25 August 2009,
Richie Richie or Richy is a masculine given name or short form (hypocorism) of Richard. It is also a surname. First name * Richie Ashburn (1927–1997), American Major League Baseball player, member of the Hall of Fame * Richie Benaud (1930–2015), Aust ...
was quoted on the band's official forum as saying, "New album over halfway there and fingers crossed for a
Christmas Christmas is an annual festival commemorating Nativity of Jesus, the birth of Jesus Christ, observed primarily on December 25 as a Religion, religious and Culture, cultural celebration among billions of people Observance of Christmas by coun ...
release with a tour to follow early in 2010!". On 2 October, Toby MacFarlaine posted a message to fans on the bands forum saying, ''"Ok, so you want an exclusive?? To MY ears, this record sounds like a perfect and almost biblical mixture of Megadeth, Alice in Chains and The Beatles. My other bandmates may have a different take on it. But, for me, if you don't like any of those three bands then you need to get Spotifying (and then purchasing!!) immediately. Oooohhhhh my gutnisss, are you kids in for a fucken TREAT! xx".'' On 21 June 2010, it was announced that drummer Robin Goodridge's former band Bush were reforming. It has been reported that Goodridge and frontman, Gavin Rossdale, are the only members from the original line-up to return to the band. In a public appearance Dan Hawkins revealed he had been rehearsing with The Darkness, and that 2011 will see The Darkness reform and tour. On 9 December 2010 Toby Macfarlaine announced on his Twitter that Stone Gods are on hiatus. On 15 March 2011 The Darkness announced that they would reform. The day after Toby MacFarlaine posted on Stone God's official forum, ''"Lack of malice. Traces to follow. Love all of y'all. Let's do it again some time. xxT" '' Regarding the status of the band, and the unreleased second album, former drummer
Ed Graham Edwin James Graham (born 20 February 1977) is an English musician who is best known as the original drummer of the rock band The Darkness, as well as the subsequent successor band Stone Gods fronted by guitarist and singer Richie Edwards. ...
noted in 2012, "I know they made a second album which Dan was hoping to release at some point. Obviously if you make something you want people to hear it, you know? So I hope he manages to get it released somehow. I don't think we'll ever be reforming but there is a second album that is out there so maybe that will come out." During an appearance at The Guitar Show in Birmingham on 24 February 2018, Dan Hawkins mentioned that the second Stone Gods album might be released during 2018. In April 2021, an official Stone Gods Instagram account was opened that Richie and Toby both follow. This has sparked the possibility of a reunion or the release of the band's long awaited second album. At a fan Q&A in October 2023, Dan was asked if a second Stone Gods album was going to be released - he responded "Yes".


Band members

*
Richie Edwards Richie Edwards (born 25 September 1974) is an English musician. He was briefly the bassist of the British hard rock band The Darkness and the guitarist/vocalist of their successor band Stone Gods. He was confirmed as a member on 13 June 20 ...
– lead vocals, rhythm guitar (2006–2010) *
Dan Hawkins Dan, Danny or Daniel Hawkins may refer to: * Dan Hawkins (American football) (born 1960), American football coach and former player and sportscaster * Daniel Hawkins (politician) (born 1960), American politician in the Kansas House of Representat ...
– lead guitar, piano, backing vocals (2006–2010) *Toby MacFarlaine – bass, backing vocals (2006–2010) *
Ed Graham Edwin James Graham (born 20 February 1977) is an English musician who is best known as the original drummer of the rock band The Darkness, as well as the subsequent successor band Stone Gods fronted by guitarist and singer Richie Edwards. ...
– drums, percussion (2006–2008) * Robin Goodridge – drums, percussion (2008–2010)


Discography


Studio albums


EPs


Singles


References


External links


Official website

Official Stone Gods discography

Official MySpaceUnofficial Website
Stone Gods Temple
FlamingWhopper.com
UK-Based Fan Site for The Darkness, Stone Gods, Hot Leg & British Whale (Est. 2005)
outofthedarkness.co.uk
Fan based media website for The Darkness, Stone Gods, Hot Leg and British Whale

* ttp://scorpio-promotions.com/SCORP-REVIEW/MUSIC/Articals/greatest-overlooked.html Stone Gods Named 2nd Best Overlooked Artists Of Recent Times By Scorpio PR & Review'br>Video Interview With Stone Gods By 'Metal Gods TV'
{{Authority control English hard rock musical groups English heavy metal musical groups English musical quartets