“...one of the UK's standout dark alternative acts". (Sphere Webzine)
Luxury Stranger is an English band built up around founder member Simon York. Luxury Stranger is based in Nottingham, UK.
Luxury Stranger is a 'Jekyl and Hyde' style of band - a methodical architect in the studio and a passionate powerful monster on the stage. Luxury Stranger's single Nothing Holy entered the European Alternative Music singles top 40 at number 4 in December 2012. The band is currently signed in Germany to AFmusic.
Luxury Stranger have played main support to many up and coming big names, as well as music legends. For example, Gary Numan, Toy, Spear of Destiny, the Chameleons (ChameleonVox) O Children, Red Lorry Yellow Lorry, S.C.U.M, the Damned and more...
At it's core, Luxury Stranger is influenced by the likes of Depeche Mode, David Bowie, Joy Division, Echo & the Bunnymen and Pearl Jam. Other influences have entered the pot during the history of the band depending on band members and where Simon decides to take various band projects.
-------------------
A History...
Luxury Stranger began life in July 2007 as the solo project of Simon York . Simon recorded over 60 songs in various styles, using different instrumentation in order to find what he wanted as the starting point for the sound of Luxury Stranger. From this group of songs came the debut album Desolation which was solely recorded and performed by Simon. Shortly afterward, Simon started to look for musicians for the live side of Luxury Stranger. After a few rehearsals with various musicians, bass player Chris Ruscoe joined the band in February 2008 and April 2008 saw the arrival of drummer Owen Walton .
Luxury Stranger played it's first gig on Friday, 5th September 2008 at Junktion 7, Nottingham. In December 2008, Luxury Stranger signed with Major Digital (an off-shoot of Germany's Major Records). December saw the birth of the 'A Funeral Party' event which were live music and DJ nights currated by members of Luxury Stranger.
In July 2009, Owen left the band and was replaced by Paul Sycamore . It was around this time that Luxury Stranger was starting to be recognised as a 'band to watch' by the UK Goth scene.
In December 2009, Luxury Stranger made its first trip to play in Germany. The band played with German Post-Punk legends Die Art. Around this time, Luxury Stranger started work on the second album. Work initially started with drummer Owen Walton but the recordings were scrapped upon his departure. In March 2010, Luxury Stranger returned to Germany and made its first trip to the Netherlands to support Levinhurst (featuring Lol Tolhurst and Michael Dempsey - both founder members of the Cure). In April 2010 Luxury Stranger plays at the Whitby Goth festival fringe event 'The Other Side' with Nosferatu. In May 2010, Luxury Stranger played in Hagen, Germany and then at the Wave Gotik Treffen festival in Leipzig Germany.
In September 2010, Luxury Stranger played a Nottingham show with the Gothic band, O Children. Luxury Stranger released the single 'Precious for Evermore' at this show. The single also included the track 'Completion' which was the first co-written song between Simon York and Chris Ruscoe. In October 2010, Luxury Stranger played a very special show with Red Lorry Yellow Lorry. This would be the last show for members Chris Ruscoe and Paul Sycamore as part of the Luxury Stranger line-up.
Luxury Stranger always prides itself on its professionalism and also on playing live as much as possible, in order to raise its profile and gain new fans. Due to the departure of Chris Ruscoe and Paul Sycamore, Simon played two pre-booked dates as 'intimate acoustic' shows. December 2010 saw the fourth 'A Funeral Party' event being staged - this time with Simon York and special guests on DJ duties and live music coming from the Amber Herd, the Last Cry and the Death Notes. The second album 'Commitment and Discipline' was released on 31st December 2010.
A new Luxury Stranger line up was 'unveiled' at a special charity show on Saturday 15th January 2011. Chris Tuke on bass and Neal Spowage on drums (both ex-members of The Screaming Banshee Aircrew).
This line up played European dates with ChameleonsVox (ex-The Chameleons).
Neal left the band in June 2011. Simon and Chris started auditions for a new live drummer while committing to pre-booked shows using a drum machine. This gave Luxury Stranger a different feel and helped develope the writing process. In October, Simon recruited Tim Smith as the new live drummer for the band. The new line-up played a packed out show at the Duchess, York, in November 2011.
Despite pre-booked shows, plans being made for a tour and release of a new single prior to the anticipated third album, Chris announced his decision to leave Luxury Stranger in January 2012 to concentrate on his own band. In February 2012, the new look Luxury Stranger, including Tim Bond on bass, played a special show for the BBC at Fibbers, York. Shortly afterward, Simon leaked demos of tracks he'd been working on via Soundcloud. The single Nothing Holy has been delayed due to having to spend time bringing Tim Bond up to speed with LS' back catelogue.
Simon focussed on his musical roots a little more for the new material - imagine the Cure (circa Faith and Pornography) if they had the power of Soundgarden. The darkness of Black Rebel Motor Cycle Club with the elegance of classic Echo & the Bunnymen. The musical craftsmanship of Depeche Mode with the energy of Pearl Jam. Bowie and Bolan if they'd done their apprenticeships in a world of post-punk and 'grunge' - THIS is the new Luxury Stranger.
Luxury Stranger released the Nothing Holy/Ripple single in November 2012 on CD and then on download. The single entered the European Alternative Music singles top 40 chart at number 4 in week 51 of 2012 (17th December). Luxury Stranger aim to release an EP which will feature the track Face before releasing the much anticipated third album. To date, Simon has written over 60 songs and pieces of music for the third album (currently titled 'Welcome to the Machine', although there are rumours of it being called either 'Pay the Price' or 'Darkness always falls upon the light'). Some of the songs may feature on the fourth album (currently titled 'Sonics and Solice') if new material hasn't been written for it.
The band continue to play live as often as possible and plan to return to Europe in 2013 after signing with a new European booking/promotion company - Endless.
Keep checking the official LS website http://www.luxurystranger.net for up-to-date news and gigs as well a merch.
You can also find out information by clicking the 'like' button on the band's Facebook page: www.facebook.com/LuxuryStranger
All recorded songs to date copyright 2007-2013 SDBsongs, SDBsongs/M'aidez Music and SDBsongs/M'aidez music/Sisterray.
Luxury Stranger is an English band built up around founder member Simon York. Luxury Stranger is based in Nottingham, UK.
Luxury Stranger is a 'Jekyl and Hyde' style of band - a methodical architect in the studio and a passionate powerful monster on the stage. Luxury Stranger's single Nothing Holy entered the European Alternative Music singles top 40 at number 4 in December 2012. The band is currently signed in Germany to AFmusic.
Luxury Stranger have played main support to many up and coming big names, as well as music legends. For example, Gary Numan, Toy, Spear of Destiny, the Chameleons (ChameleonVox) O Children, Red Lorry Yellow Lorry, S.C.U.M, the Damned and more...
At it's core, Luxury Stranger is influenced by the likes of Depeche Mode, David Bowie, Joy Division, Echo & the Bunnymen and Pearl Jam. Other influences have entered the pot during the history of the band depending on band members and where Simon decides to take various band projects.
-------------------
A History...
Luxury Stranger began life in July 2007 as the solo project of Simon York . Simon recorded over 60 songs in various styles, using different instrumentation in order to find what he wanted as the starting point for the sound of Luxury Stranger. From this group of songs came the debut album Desolation which was solely recorded and performed by Simon. Shortly afterward, Simon started to look for musicians for the live side of Luxury Stranger. After a few rehearsals with various musicians, bass player Chris Ruscoe joined the band in February 2008 and April 2008 saw the arrival of drummer Owen Walton .
Luxury Stranger played it's first gig on Friday, 5th September 2008 at Junktion 7, Nottingham. In December 2008, Luxury Stranger signed with Major Digital (an off-shoot of Germany's Major Records). December saw the birth of the 'A Funeral Party' event which were live music and DJ nights currated by members of Luxury Stranger.
In July 2009, Owen left the band and was replaced by Paul Sycamore . It was around this time that Luxury Stranger was starting to be recognised as a 'band to watch' by the UK Goth scene.
In December 2009, Luxury Stranger made its first trip to play in Germany. The band played with German Post-Punk legends Die Art. Around this time, Luxury Stranger started work on the second album. Work initially started with drummer Owen Walton but the recordings were scrapped upon his departure. In March 2010, Luxury Stranger returned to Germany and made its first trip to the Netherlands to support Levinhurst (featuring Lol Tolhurst and Michael Dempsey - both founder members of the Cure). In April 2010 Luxury Stranger plays at the Whitby Goth festival fringe event 'The Other Side' with Nosferatu. In May 2010, Luxury Stranger played in Hagen, Germany and then at the Wave Gotik Treffen festival in Leipzig Germany.
In September 2010, Luxury Stranger played a Nottingham show with the Gothic band, O Children. Luxury Stranger released the single 'Precious for Evermore' at this show. The single also included the track 'Completion' which was the first co-written song between Simon York and Chris Ruscoe. In October 2010, Luxury Stranger played a very special show with Red Lorry Yellow Lorry. This would be the last show for members Chris Ruscoe and Paul Sycamore as part of the Luxury Stranger line-up.
Luxury Stranger always prides itself on its professionalism and also on playing live as much as possible, in order to raise its profile and gain new fans. Due to the departure of Chris Ruscoe and Paul Sycamore, Simon played two pre-booked dates as 'intimate acoustic' shows. December 2010 saw the fourth 'A Funeral Party' event being staged - this time with Simon York and special guests on DJ duties and live music coming from the Amber Herd, the Last Cry and the Death Notes. The second album 'Commitment and Discipline' was released on 31st December 2010.
A new Luxury Stranger line up was 'unveiled' at a special charity show on Saturday 15th January 2011. Chris Tuke on bass and Neal Spowage on drums (both ex-members of The Screaming Banshee Aircrew).
This line up played European dates with ChameleonsVox (ex-The Chameleons).
Neal left the band in June 2011. Simon and Chris started auditions for a new live drummer while committing to pre-booked shows using a drum machine. This gave Luxury Stranger a different feel and helped develope the writing process. In October, Simon recruited Tim Smith as the new live drummer for the band. The new line-up played a packed out show at the Duchess, York, in November 2011.
Despite pre-booked shows, plans being made for a tour and release of a new single prior to the anticipated third album, Chris announced his decision to leave Luxury Stranger in January 2012 to concentrate on his own band. In February 2012, the new look Luxury Stranger, including Tim Bond on bass, played a special show for the BBC at Fibbers, York. Shortly afterward, Simon leaked demos of tracks he'd been working on via Soundcloud. The single Nothing Holy has been delayed due to having to spend time bringing Tim Bond up to speed with LS' back catelogue.
Simon focussed on his musical roots a little more for the new material - imagine the Cure (circa Faith and Pornography) if they had the power of Soundgarden. The darkness of Black Rebel Motor Cycle Club with the elegance of classic Echo & the Bunnymen. The musical craftsmanship of Depeche Mode with the energy of Pearl Jam. Bowie and Bolan if they'd done their apprenticeships in a world of post-punk and 'grunge' - THIS is the new Luxury Stranger.
Luxury Stranger released the Nothing Holy/Ripple single in November 2012 on CD and then on download. The single entered the European Alternative Music singles top 40 chart at number 4 in week 51 of 2012 (17th December). Luxury Stranger aim to release an EP which will feature the track Face before releasing the much anticipated third album. To date, Simon has written over 60 songs and pieces of music for the third album (currently titled 'Welcome to the Machine', although there are rumours of it being called either 'Pay the Price' or 'Darkness always falls upon the light'). Some of the songs may feature on the fourth album (currently titled 'Sonics and Solice') if new material hasn't been written for it.
The band continue to play live as often as possible and plan to return to Europe in 2013 after signing with a new European booking/promotion company - Endless.
Keep checking the official LS website http://www.luxurystranger.net for up-to-date news and gigs as well a merch.
You can also find out information by clicking the 'like' button on the band's Facebook page: www.facebook.com/LuxuryStranger
All recorded songs to date copyright 2007-2013 SDBsongs, SDBsongs/M'aidez Music and SDBsongs/M'aidez music/Sisterray.
New Wave Indie Post-punk