Sisteray are a British four-piece rock band from London, UK. Formed in 2015, the band consists of Niall Rowan (lead vocals/rhythm guitar), Michael Hanrahan (bass/vocals), Daniel Connolly (lead guitar/vocals) and George Greenhalgh (drums).[1]

Sisteray
Sisteray playing at the 100 Club
Sisteray playing at the 100 Club
Background information
OriginLondon, England
GenresRock and roll, Punk rock, Alternative
Years active2015–present
LabelsVallance Records
MembersNiall Rowan
Daniel Connolly
George Greenhaulgh
Michael Hanrahan
Past membersRyan Connolly
Marco Biagini
Calum Landau
Websitesisteray.com

History

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The band formed in Camden, London. Sisteray is an alternative four piece guitar band from East London formed around the songwriting partnership of singer Niall Rowan and lead guitarist Daniel Connolly, along with Michael Hanrahan on bass guitar and Ryan Connolly, younger brother of Daniel, on drums.[2][3]

Ryan left the band to focus on his university studies in 2015 and was replaced by Italian national Marco Biagini.[4][5] Marco brought with him a "musical background, playing in the Conservatory Music in Italy for 18 years'".[6]

The band released their debut single No Escape in June 2015, which was recorded and produced at Bark Studios, London by Brian O'Shaunessey (Primal Scream).[7]

In late 2015, the band recorded a Double A-side single, A Wise Man Said / Back to Yours, recorded at Lightship 95 in London, produced and mixed by former Test Icicles frontman Rory Attwell (Palma Violets, The Vaccines). The single was released on 12 February 2016,[8] having already gained radio airplay from BBC Radio 1,[9] BBC 6 Music,[9] Radio X[10] and Amazing Radio and being named This Feeling's Track of the Day in January 2016.[11] This was followed up by the release of a single track 'Who R Ya?' in collaboration with 1234 Records (Buzzcocks).[12][13]

In December 2016, Sisteray signed to Independent Label, Vallance Records.[14] They released on the label was 00:01:57 Faaast Food on 24 February 2017.[15] This was followed up by 5 track EP 15 Minutes on 14 April,[16] peaking at 22 in the iTunes charts. The project title, 15 Minutes, refers to Andy Warhol's famous "15 minutes of fame" statement. The band explain: "Now more than ever, people seem to be given 15 minutes and 15 minutes only. It's not an album and it's not a single. It's simply a statement about the times we are living in..."[17] The release saw the bands popularity grow, having been championed by BBC Radio 1,[18] Radio X, BBC 6 Music, Louder Than War, Fred Perry[19] and Clash.[20][21] The band went on to play Camden Rocks and Reading festival [22] that same year, followed by sold-out shows in Sheffield and London.[23]

In 2018, Marco Biagini was replaced by Calum Landau.[24]

The band run a regular club night called Welcome to the Monkey House at various venues in London. The club night has grown in popularity and has seen the band open internationally, with two Paris nights.[25]

In 2018, the band announced a new 4-track EP titled 'Sisteray Said' was released in September, following a sold-out show at London's Dingwalls.[26][27][28] The EP gained notable press,[29][30][31][32] with Louder Than War describing "Sometimes when you hear a band for the first time you know that there is just that little ‘je ne sais quoi’ about them. Something that sets them aside slightly, something that makes you sit up and pay attention as they distance themselves from the rest of their counterparts. Yes, you've guessed it, Sisteray are one such band." The EP peaked at number 9 in the iTunes chart. Notable performances at Isle of Wight Festival,[33] Camden Rocks Festival,[34] Tramlines,[35] The Great Escape[36] and a live streamed Pirate Studios session on Facebook; along with a performance live on Radio X and a series of radio plays has seen the bands popularity grow significantly.[37] The band toured the new EP in October and November [38] of 2018, concluded with a sold-out show[39] at London's famous The 100 Club,[40] which was attended by former England defender Stuart Pearce, after championing the band on TalkSport.

On April Fools' Day, 1 April 2019, premiered their new Brexit themed single April Fools on John Kennedy's Radio X show.[41]

In November 2019, Sisteray released the single All Boys Club, produced and mixed by Rhys Downing (Bruno Mars, Pete Doherty).[42]

Musical style

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Sisteray are influenced by 1970s punk era bands such as the Buzzcocks, the Gun Club and the Clash. Other influences include the Smiths,[43] Nirvana and the Pogues.[44] Sisteray have also cited John Cooper Clarke and Patti Smith[45] as influences on their music.

Personnel

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  • Niall Rowan - lead vocals and rhythm guitar
  • Daniel Connolly - lead guitar and backing vocals
  • George Greenhalgh - drums
  • Michael Hanrahan - bass and backing vocals

Discography

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  • No Escape (2015)
  • A Wise Man Said / Back to Yours (2016)
  • Gentrification (2016)
  • Who R Ya? (2016)
  • 00:01:57 Faast Food' (2017)
  • 15 Minutes of Sisteray (2017)
  • 00:03:08 Queen's English (2017)
  • 3 Minutes of 00:03:53 (2017)
  • White Knuckle Joyride Feral Five Remix (2017)
  • Algorithm Prison (2018)
  • Wannabes (2018)
  • Algorithm Prison Feral Five Reconstruction (2018)
  • Sisteray Said (2018)
  • April Fools (2019)
  • All Boys Club (2019)

References

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  1. ^ "Sisteray // London based alternative band". Sisteray // London based alternative band. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
  2. ^ "Sisteray - London's number one emerging rock band". Sisteray.com. Retrieved 11 November 2013.
  3. ^ "Sisteray - 'Sisteray' | EP Review". Words For Music. 28 January 2013. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
  4. ^ "SISTERAY: Voice of a Generation". Echoes And Dust. 27 July 2017. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
  5. ^ Musicmusingsandsuch (25 April 2017). "INTERVIEW: Sisteray". musicmusingsandsuch. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
  6. ^ "WPGM Interviews: Sisteray - Political Lyrics, Musical Influences And '15 Minutes'". WE PLUG GOOD MUSIC. 28 April 2017. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
  7. ^ "Track Review: No Escape // Sisteray". The Indiependent. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  8. ^ "THIS FEELING BIG IN 2016 TRACK OF THE DAY: Sisteray 'A Wise Man Said' - Gigslutz". Gigslutz. 9 January 2016. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  9. ^ a b "Sisteray - New Songs, Playlists, Videos & Tours - BBC Music". BBC. Retrieved 6 September 2016.
  10. ^ "X-Posure with John Kennedy | Monday to Thursday 10pm to 1am". Radiox.co.uk. Retrieved 6 September 2016.
  11. ^ "THIS FEELING BIG IN 2016 TRACK OF THE DAY: Sisteray 'A Wise Man Said'". Gigslutz.co.uk. 9 January 2016. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
  12. ^ "1234 Records | SISTERAY". 1234 Records. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  13. ^ "BUZZCOCKS". 1234-records. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
  14. ^ "Vallance Records | SISTERAY". Vallance Records. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  15. ^ "00:01:57 - Single by Sisteray". Itunes.apple.com.
  16. ^ "Sisteray Share Blistering New Project '15 Minutes'". Clash Magazine. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  17. ^ "Sisteray Share Blistering New Project '15 Minutes'". Clashmusic.com.
  18. ^ "Sisteray - New Songs, Playlists & Latest News - BBC Music". BBC. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  19. ^ "Playlists and interviews exploring British subculture: Sisteray". Fredperry.com. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  20. ^ "Sisteray : Queen's English - the new national anthem? - video premiere". 25 April 2017.
  21. ^ "SISTERAY – NME Artist Services". Artists.nme.com. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  22. ^ "BBC Radio London - BBC Music Introducing in London, WOWH, Sisteray at Reading Festival 2017".
  23. ^ "SISTERAY". Facebook.com.
  24. ^ "Punk is hotting things up again and one band is about to blow up". The Canary. 2 September 2018. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
  25. ^ "Welcome To The Monkey House - Paris launch party". Facebook.com.
  26. ^ London, The Kolberg Partnership. "Sisteray live at Dingwalls, Dingwalls, Middle Yard, Camden Lock, London - Music Event in London". AllinLondon. Retrieved 29 August 2018.
  27. ^ "5 minutes with...Sisteray - News - Hastings Fat Tuesday". Hastingsfattuesday.co.uk. Retrieved 29 August 2018.
  28. ^ "Sisteray 'Algorithm Prison'". Indie Buddie. 6 April 2018. Retrieved 29 August 2018.
  29. ^ "SISTERAY – 'Sisteray Said' EP Review - Punk Online".
  30. ^ "LITTLE INDIE : EP Review :: Sisteray - Sisteray Said". LITTLE INDIE. 31 August 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  31. ^ "Sisteray – Sisteray Said (EP)". Aural Aggravation. 26 August 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  32. ^ Buddie, Indie (5 September 2018). "SISTERAY 'Sisteray Said' EP". Indie Buddie. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  33. ^ "Sisteray". isleofwightfestival.com. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  34. ^ "Camden Rocks in an extra rocking year! | Music | The Zine UK". Music | The Zine UK. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  35. ^ "Crystal Stage: Fringe at Tramlines listings - Exposed Magazine". Exposedmagazine.co.uk. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  36. ^ "SISTERAY bring it to Brighton: Great Escape 2018 - Scene Sussex". Scene Sussex. 21 May 2018. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  37. ^ "Log In or Sign Up to View". Facebook. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  38. ^ Savva, Maria (5 July 2018). "SISTERAY Announce 'Sisteray Said' UK Tour, October 2018!". Rock And Roll. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  39. ^ "SISTERAY". Facebook.com. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  40. ^ hiapop (12 October 2018). "100 Club to host Fightback". Louder Than War. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  41. ^ "SISTERAY". Facebook.com. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  42. ^ "Discography". Rhys Downing. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
  43. ^ "Sisteray // London based alternative band". Sisteray // London based alternative band. Retrieved 7 September 2016.
  44. ^ "RIFFED". 20 March 2015. Retrieved 7 September 2016.
  45. ^ "Sisteray: "Expect a lot of noise, and a lot of love" | Stow Festival". Stowfestival.com. 25 August 2015. Retrieved 6 September 2016.