Thirteen Stars (UK band)

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Thirteen Stars is a British rock band based in Cumbria, UK. The band was formed in 2009, and currently consists of Matthew "Hoss" Thompson (lead vocals, guitar), Jacksson "Jax" Sedgwick (guitar, backing vocals), Steve Revier (bass guitar) and Andrew Bates (drums).

The band's style has been described as "Southern Style Boogie".. The band regularly tour the UK and Europe , and have performed at festivals such as Hard Rock Hell . The band has released four studio albums and one live EP , with a new studio album due in 2019.

History

Origins, nomenclature and solo years

The band began in 2009, when frontman (and then, sole member) Hoss Thompson began writing songs for a full-length album. Thompson made the decision to independently release the album under the moniker "Thirteen Stars". This name was inspired by the Betsy Ross flag, which features thirteen stars. On the name, Thompson writes "At the time, it felt like artists were being forced into incredibly narrow pigeon-holes regarding genre, and my favourite bands were multi-faceted in their songwriting, drawing inspiration from wherever they wanted. This seemed to me a better and more interesting way to work, and in some small way that felt a little revolutionary, so I looked up revolutionary flags and the Betsy Ross flag spoke to me".

As a multi-instrumentalist, Thompson played every instrument and performed every vocal part on the subsequent self-titled debut, "13 Stars", which was released in 2010.

In 2011, Thirteen Stars released their follow-up album, North By North West. This, like the self-titled debut, was recorded entirely by Thompson.

Formation of full lineup

After the release of North By North West, Thompson decided to put a band together, in order to perform the back catalogue of material live. The first full band lineup comprised Chris Warwick (guitar), Ash Monkton (drums) and Steve Purdham (bass). This lineup began to play gigs throughout various venues in Cumbria.

Late in 2011 the first full band lineup disbanded, with Thompson the sole remaining member. Thirteen Stars reformed, with Sedgwick on guitar and Bates on drums. Matthew Eden completed the lineup on bass guitar.

The new lineup of Thirteen Stars started performing at venues and festivals throughout the UK. In 2012, Thirteen Stars released their third album, Way D'ju, named after a Cumbrian slang greeting. This was the first Thirteen Stars album to be recorded with members other than Thompson alone.

Prior to this point in their history, the band had been trading and performing under the name "13 Stars" (with the first word of their name being the number 13, instead of the written word). For all releases after 2012, the band began trading and performing under their current name, "Thirteen Stars".

The White Raven and subsequent touring

2014 saw the band signed to Off Your Rocka Recordings. Under this label, the band recorded and released their fourth full-length album, The White Raven. "The White Raven" album helped earn the band greater recognition and a stronger public following than any previous release. In late 2015, Eden left the band and was replaced by Ryan Bell.

On 5th November 2015, Thirteen Stars released their first music video, for the song "Tired of Waiting", the first single from The White Raven.

On Friday 13th November 2015, the band opened the main stage of Hard Rock Hell festival in Pwhelli, Wales, to a sold out crowd.

In February 2016, the band embarked on a European tour, as the opening act for The Quireboys.

In May 2016, the band played at HRH Ibiza. During this month, the band also released their second ever music video, for the song "Daddy's Girl" from the White Raven

In November 2016, Thirteen Stars played on a nationwide UK tour opening for Hayseed Dixie. A second such tour, also opening for Hayseed Dixie, began in July 2017.

In 2018, the band released Cheek By Jowl., a live EP consisting of songs recorded during the Hayseed Dixie support tour. In the same year, the band set out on a co-headline UK tour with The King Lot

Lineup changes and new album

In early 2018, Bell left the band. He was replaced by Steve Revier, and this completed the current lineup.

The first live outing of the new lineup was a five-date headline tour of Spain in April 2018.

The band are due to enter the studio in July 2018, to start recording the follow-up to The White Raven.

Band Members

Current Members

• Hoss Thompson - Lead Vocals, Guitar (2009-present)
• Jax Sedgwick - Guitar, Backing Vocals (2011-present)
• Andrew Bates - Drums (2011-present)
• Steve Revier - Bass Guitar (2018-present)

Previous Members

• Chris Warwick - Guitar (2011)
• Steve Purdham - Bass Guitar (2011)
• Ash Monkton - Drums (2011)
• Matthew Eden - Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals (2011-2015)
• Ryan Bell - Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals (2015-2018)

Gear

Hoss is known to primarily use a Gibson Les Paul and a Gretsch White Falcon for touring and recording.

Jax primarily uses a Gibson Les Paul and a Fender Stratocaster.

Hoss and Jax are both endorsed by 65 Amps.

Steve uses a Chowny CHB-1 bass guitar, with an Ashdown amplifier.

Thirteen Stars' drumkit is a custom-painted "orphan" kit (every component was bought individually from separate drumkits). Notably, every drum has thirteen stars painted on the exterior of the shell.

Discography

• Thirteen Stars (2010)
• North By North West (2011)
• Way D'ju (2012)
• The White Raven (2015)
• Cheek By Jowl EP (2018)
• Unnamed fifth studio album (2019)

Thirteen Stars (British band)

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