Suns of Stone

RISING SUNS
Canada's Suns Of Stone
Interview by The Dedicated Rocker Society

Starting off playing small bars in Ottawa in early 2012, Suns Of Stone, singer, Alan Charlton, guitarist Jimmy King, bassist Andrew Erlandson and drummer Alex Scott, quickly expanded to playing nearby cities and larger venues. Jimmy went to college at a recording studio and upon graduation was hired on part time. The band recorded their first EP by themselves and financed it completely independently. With great reaction they buckled down and recorded their first full length album over the second half of 2012.

Their self titled debut album was recorded in Ottawa at Audio Valley Studios and was produced by both Steve Foley and Jimmy King. The album captures the band in their essence, bringing both their hard rocking sound and southern/blues influences together. Blues inspired guitar riffs, powerful vocals and a heavy rhythm. Rock n’ roll with a modern sound and throwback edge. Influenced by the rock giants of the 70’s and groove rock from the new generation. Compared to bands such as: Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Black Crowes, Queens of the Stoneage, Led Zeppelin and Rival Sons.

Alan Charlton and Jimmy King gave us the lowdown about their self titled debut release and insight about what Suns Of Stone are all about. Here's what they shared with us.

Q: How long has the band been together? Has the band line up stayed the same?

We formed the band in 2011 and spent most of the year putting together our sound and jamming as much as we could. In 2012, Andrew came in on the bass to replace original member Doug Wallace shortly after we released our EP.

Q: What is the story behind the name of the band? Who came up with it?

Our original name, unbeknownst to us, was already taken. So that left us scrambling to find a new one. After having the first 10,000 ones quickly shot down, we finally all agreed upon Suns of Stone on the condition that it was spelled with a 'u'. Jimmy came up with the band name and Alex insisted on the spelling. In hindsight, we now realize most people assume it's spelled the other way around.

Q: Lynyrd Skynyrd, Led Zeppelin and Black Crowes , from what we've read, are couple of ways your band's sound is influenced by. Would that be an accurate assessment? Who are your musical influences?

That would be a fair assessment although there are a ton of bands that influene us. In fact there are new ones everyday! First and foremost, we are music fans ourselves. Enormous music fans. We are heavily influenced by the 60's and 70's rock movement and to break it down band-by-band would just leave a bunch unnamed.

Let's talk about your debut release:

Q: How long did it take to record?

We spent the second-half of 2012 recording the album in intervals. Financing the album independently brought on its own hurdles adding a longer waiting time to the release date.

Q: How many songs did you actually write for the album?

We started off with about 20 songs we considered recording for the album and by the end we had 10 lying on the cutting floor.

Q: What is your songwriting process like? Group or individual?

Jimmy is always coming up with new riffs and song ideas on the guitar. He'll usually bring a bunch of new material to the band to hear what sounds best when you add all of the instruments to the mix. From there Alex and Andrew work out the rhythm section for the new tunes. Alan will often improvise his vocal melodies and lyrics throughout the songwriting process, but its often that first idea that's the best. The songs that come together right away are usually our favorite ones.

Q: Where was the video for, "Rise Up" shot? How long was the shoot? Memorable moments (good or bad) during the making of the video?

We shot all of the footage for 'Rise Up' over three days in January of 2013 while on tour. We had a couple friends along with us to help shoot the live shots and had the band members shoot most of the off-stage moments. This video was a lot of fun to put together and was the first video we've shot independently! One night that sticks out was the night we played the Sound Academy in Toronto where we got to sign our first autographs. Since then, we released our next music video for 'Talking To Me' which was shot professionally in Ottawa.

Q: What separates Suns Of Stone from the other bands that are out there right now?

We try to be as transparent as a band as we can. We know what music we like and we're straightforward about it. What you hear on a Suns of Stone recording is what you hear live - we've got nothing to hide.

Q: As a band, what goals have you set for yourselves?

We probably have a lot of the same aspirations as most younger bands out there, but its hard to know exactly what is going to come your way and what's possible given your resources. Tour places we've never been, record another album and keep moving forward. Play as much as we can!

Q: Any plans on playing any shows in L.A.? What about playing music festivals this coming Summer?

We'd love to get the chance to get down to L.A. As of now our summer dates haven't been sorted out, so we'll have to see how everything unfolds. With our album released in January 2014 through Bad Reputation (France), we're looking to get over to Europe this summer. For now we're going with the flow, enjoying the ride and we can't wait to see where it takes us.

Q: Any parting comments or messages to your fans you would like to pass along?

Well, we have a saying up here in Canada: 'Live Long and Prosper'. We hope to do all three.

Suns of Stone look forward to a bright future and career touring and recording in the music scene. The band has big plans for 2014, both nationally and in expanding outside their homeland. True to their attitude, they will remain the same guys they’ve always been. Down-to-earth rock n’ rollers that can’t wait to get on stage every opportunity they get. They are a bunch of hard working guys with jobs and bills to pay. They’ll see you soon world. REAL soon. Catch them at a stage near you.

For more info on SUNS OF STONE:

http://www.sunsofstone.com/ - The Dedicated Rocker Society

Suns Of Stone / Same
Spielzeit: 38:10
Medium: CD
Label: Bad Reputation, 2014
Stil: Classic Hard Rock
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Review vom 30.01.2014


Steve Braun


Die Quelle, die beständig bluesinfizierte Bands aus der Hard'n'Heavy-Sparte ans Tageslicht befördert, scheint nie versiegen zu wollen und erfrischt all jene, die der allgegenwärtigen Plastikmusik schon lange überdrüssig geworden sind. Als neuester Emporkömmling legen die Suns Of Stone hier ihr Debütalbum vor.
Am stärksten scheint die junge Truppe aus dem Osten Kanadas von den 'Jungen Wilden', die den Blues Rock in den Neunzigern mit neuer Härte aufgemischt haben, beeinflusst worden zu sein. Auch bei den letzten beiden Skynyrd-Alben und dem härteren Material der Krähen hat man offenbar gut aufgepasst. Falls man kurzerhand eine Parallele zu ihrem Sound suchen müsste, würde man bei den Rival Sons am schnellsten fündig.
Das eine Bein der Suns Of Stone wurzelt im 'klassischen' Hard Rock, das andere tief im Blues. Unschwer zu erraten, dass dieser Umstand die Zuhörerschaft spalten kann. Was mancher als neue Schaumkrone auf der Retrowelle feiern wird, könnte von der Gegenseite als 'altbacken' und 'ewiggestrig' abgekanzelt werden. Die Reflexe in der Musikszene funktionieren in der Regel zuverlässig. Der aufmerksame Leser wird ahnen können, welcher Seite der Verfasser zugeneigt ist...
Das auf "Suns Of Stone" Gebotene ist durchaus beachtenswert. Die die Rhythmussektion bildenden Andrew Erlandson (Bass) und Alex Scott agieren druckvoll, dynamisch, dicht und bilden so die perfekte Basis für Jimmy King, der seinen Sechssaiter finessenreich zu bedienen versteht. Sänger Alan Charlton, mit einer einprägsamen Rockröhre bestückt, beseelt nicht nur das Projekt, sondern verleiht den Songs wahre Flügel. Dadurch generieren die Suns Of Stone einige echte Ohrwürmer. Bereits nach dem rüpelhaft bollernden "Hold On Me", dem knallig riffenden "Rise Up" und glutvoll dampfenden "Stormbringer" haben dich die vier Kanadier fest am Haken.
Lupenreiner Southern Rock wird mit "Another Dollar" geboten, während "A Little More" ziemlich Crowes-mäßig schräg rockt, was uneingeschränkt auch für das mitreißende "Sun Don't Shine" gilt. Vielleicht hätten die Herren mal öfter die 'Handbremse' ziehen sollen, denn dass sie die Powerballade bestens draufhaben, beweisen sie mit "Piece Of Mind" nachdrücklich.
Songwriting wie Arrangements sind durchweg überzeugend und schlüssig. Aber - ich werde nicht müde, das anzuprangern - eine Spielzeit unter vierzig Minuten ist heutzutage kaum mehr befriedigend. Beim nächsten Longplayer darf hier ruhig noch eine Schüppe draufgelegt werden!!
Wer auf schnörkellos-bluesorientierten, unpolierten Hard Rock ohne irgendwelchen überflüssigen Schnick-Schnack steht, den bedienen die Suns Of Stone einwandfrei. Eine Startbahn zum Durchstarten scheint angelegt, was Band wie Management bereits ankündigen. Diese Truppe sollte man also unbedingt im Auge behalten...
Line-up:
Alan Charlton (vocals)
Jimmy King (guitars)
Andrew Erlandson (bass)
Alex Scott (drums) - Rock Times (Germany)

Il est loin le temps des albums insipides et mal produits par une chaine musicale (MTV pour ne pas la nommer) plus soucieuse de son tiroir-caisse que de la réelle qualité artistique. Le rock est un éternel recommencement et ce groupe canadien fait partie des tout meilleurs et nous sort un album éponyme qui revisite énergiquement le genre.
Ils restituent avec beaucoup de justesse une musique vintage avec un son moderne et bourré de feeling. Et quand je dis « feeling », ce n’est pas un vain mot ! Un véritable album enregistré comme tel avec le souci de la perfection sonore…une perfection plus d’une fois atteinte sur ces dix titres. Ils piochent aux racines du blues, mariant ces influences à un rock pêchu qui doit beaucoup aux disques sortis à la charnière des sixties et des seventies. Une période où les musiciens se préoccupaient plus de faire de la musique qu’à en vendre. Le chanteur Alan Charlton possède une étendue vocale qui laisse pantois et transcende chaque morceau avec ce qu’il faut de déraillement dans la voix. Le trio guitare – basse – batterie emmené par le très inspiré Jimmy King est au diapason et trouve un juste compromis entre exécution carrée et improvisation bien maitrisée. Ce premier opus procure des frissons jusqu’à la moelle épinière, les riffs sont tranchants et donnent envie de se bouger et le chant clair et puissant est d’une efficacité redoutable.
Un petit chef d’œuvre de Classic Rock et ces canadiens originaire d’Ottawa réussissent l’exploit de faire aussi bien que Rival Sons et Birth of Joy réunis. C’est dire ! Première grosse baffe de l’année !!!
www.sunsofstone.com
5/5
arno Jaffré - Daily Rock France

« Riffs de guitare inspirés blues, chant puissant, rythme soutenu, Rock n Roll avec un son moderne et un regard sur le passé, influences des 70′s jusqu’au rock de la nouvelle génération », c’est ainsi que le groupe Suns Of Stone décrit son pari. La formation relativement récente de hard rock canadien, composée de Jimmy King, Alex Scott, Alan Charlton et Andew Erlandson, donne en effet, à première écoute, une agréable sensation de vintage paradoxalement rafraîchissante. Si l’on restera dubitatif sur la « modernité » de l’ambiance du groupe, qui donne plutôt l’impression d’être resté suspendu quelque part entre deux les âges des seventies et des eighties, on ne peut en revanche pas lui retirer une certaine qualité dans cette investissement en direction du old school.

Certains des titres de cet album éponyme Suns Of Stone font en effet penser, d’une façon plutôt positive, à des bandes-son de séries type Sons Of Anarchy. La toute première chanson des dix, par exemple, « Hold On Me », évoque certaines images de bikers en vitesse de croisière sous un soleil brûlant, tout un imaginaire qui colle à la peau de cette époque dont les Suns revendiquent l’influence. De la même façon, la toute dernière chanson de l’album, Piece Of Mind, sent bon le juke-box usagé et la fumée des bars à deux heures du mat’. C’est le bon point des Suns : ils font revivre sous nos yeux un univers qui aujourd’hui n’est plus.
Leur capacité à redonner vie à ce qui pourrait sembler passé de mode, on peut en trouver les symptômes dans la qualité de l’interprétation de cette musique qui en elle-même n’est pas très originale et n’invente rien. Le jeune groupe a une énergie qui se ressent même dans les enregistrements studios. Leurs performances à Toronto et Ottawa en 2013 prouvent, par leur succès auprès des spectateurs et de la presse spécialisée, que toute la force du groupe est là. « Rise Up » ou « Stormbringer » sont d’ailleurs des titres qui semblent être destinés avant tout au live. Ce dernier fait d’ailleurs partie des morceaux un peu plus blues de l’album, qui par un tour de force ne tombe pas dans du mou ou de l’ennuyeux grâce à la voix du chanteur, dont on mesure tout le timbre dans « Another dollar ». Cependant, en terme d’emploi à bon escient des talents d’Alan Charlton, l’album reste assez inégal, avec des titres comme « A little more » qui passeront assez inaperçus à l’écoute, en raison aussi de paroles un peu répétitives, sans être catastrophiques pour autant. La batterie aussi, utilisée intelligemment dans « For Some Reason », apporte définitivement quelque chose en terme d’énergie, quelque chose qui fait que l’on lâche ce qu’on est en train de faire pour écouter le morceau.
C’est un album qui subit également de fortes influences de grands groupes comme Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple… dont le groupe ne se cache pas vraiment. Des morceaux comme « Down The Road » pourraient aussi être des clins d’œils en nous faisant le plaisir de ne pas tomber dans la surréférence, comme c’est un travers courant dans le rock old school. Mais en fin de compte, seuls deux titres se démarquent réellement des autres dans cet album : « Talking to me » avec un riff plutôt original et une simplicité efficace dans le refrain, mais surtout « Sun Don’t Shine » qui sort vraiment du carcan formel intro-riff-refrain qui coince quelque chose dans la composition de tous les autres morceaux de l’album. L’introduction y est en effet assez différente de d’habitude et il y a un certain décalage entre la voix et le riff qui accroche l’oreille, une certaine dissonance qui mène à penser que ce jeune groupe peut emprunter dans un prochain album une route vraiment originale, vraiment à lui.
On est en effet face à une formation prometteuse, de bons musiciens possédant une simplicité rafraîchissante mais qui ne se détachent pas encore beaucoup de leurs influences. Certes, ils font du hard rock, genre musical dont le propre est d’avoir des riffs très cousins voire jumeaux d’un groupe à l’autre, mais leur autobiographie insiste sur le fait qu’ils recherchent l’originalité, et en effet, il est tout à fait possible de créer de nouvelles mélodies encore, et de revisiter à l’infini ce genre de l’énergie pure et simple. Cet album prouve que les Suns Of Stone ont l’envie et la passion nécessaire pour attirer l’œil sur quelques-unes de leurs compositions. La suite saura dire si la formation toute récente, vieille de moins d’un an, a su suivre la brèche ouverte par ses premiers titres vraiment originaux, ou si elle est restée figée dans le monde des 70’s, des juke-box et des bande-son de séries biker.
Emma Grimal - Bring Me The Sound (France)

Canadian quartet Suns Of Stone follow a southern-edged blues rock path that has been trodden by a thousand predecessors, and while it may not be the most original route to follow they find their way along it with assurity and confidence.
Filled with crunching, driving riffs and swaggering melodies, lying somewhere between the bravura of a fledgling Black Crowes and the lachrymose meanderings of Duane and Greg Allman, the album has a easy gentility about it which is as pleasant as it is surprising. Alan Charlton’s voice is rich and gravelly, while Jimmy King’s picking is as sweet as the ripest fig and his slide work is as genteel as the whisper of a feather across a sweat-soaked back.
The band also bring enough originality – such as the funked up second half of ‘Another Dollar’, which reminds of a heavier Oddsocks Revival – to augment their passion for a genre which can be overplayed but in this case is understated in its effectiveness.
Track list:
Hold On Me / Rise Up / Stormbringer / Another Dollar / Talking To Me / A Little More / Down The Road / Sun Don’t Shine / For Some Reason / Piece Of Mind
Recommended listening: Talking To Me
‘Suns Of Stone’ is out now on Bad Reputation. - Planet Mosh (UK)

2014 is already proving to be the year of Suns of Stone, Ottawa’s rising rock band with a comparative edge that echoes the classic anthems of the 70s with southern/blues influences in a more contemporary sound. Recently signing a European distribution deal through Bad Reputation for their self-titled album, the band is also set to debut a new music video for ‘Talk to Me’ (view the teaser here) sometime this month and will be hitting the studio to work on a new full-length album. Suns of Stone have already made their mark on the Capital and continue to push forward with rave reviews coming from across Canada, South America and Europe. Compared to big names like Lynyrd Skynyrd and The Black Crowes, the band strives to create pure and simple rock songs with a message that resonates with everyone.
Spread across a couch at the Black Sheep Inn after an electrifying performance and heavy applause, the three of the four members of Suns of Stone spoke candidly to OLM about what it’s like to be a band in Ottawa.
(Suns of Stone is: Alan Charlton, vocals, Andrew Erlandson, bass, Alex Scott, drums and Jimmy King, guitar)
OLM: Why do you guys play music?
Alex: Performing, specifically, the rush of playing in front of people, especially during a good show, there’s really no feeling like it.
Andrew: I would describe it as fun as shit. It’s probably the best thing you can do with your free time. People always like to see what other people in their hometown are doing. Ottawa’s always been very warm to receive us, which is nice. It’s not really why we do it, but you can tell that people actually enjoy what you do as a musician, you feed off that. It’s definitely why we keep doing it.
Alan: Why you play music is like why do you want to do anything? I mean, why play a sport, it’s the same type of idea. When you play, you get your own satisfaction out of doing it, the whole scene is great – seeing new bands and being a part of that.
OLM: What do you think about Ottawa vs. Montreal vs. Toronto, which sees a lot of talent go to greener pastures/bigger cities where they feel more supported and play for bigger audiences?
Andrew: I think it’s a good thing, the whole difference is fantastic. Bands from Montreal with the same influences as we would have in Ottawa will develop with a different sound, it promotes diversity and culture in Canada. It’s fantastic. Bands you hear on the East Coast are very different from Alberta, B.C., up north even and same with the different parts in the States. Where you’re from plays a huge role in what you end up becoming as a musician. I’m not trying to say an equivalent band or band in the same genre in Toronto is better because they’re from Toronto, but they’re different because of that reason and it’s good. We like to play Toronto, Montreal soon, hopefully, because we end up running into these bands that are like us, it’s good to meet like-minded people.
Alex: Ottawa is up and coming, the scene is better. I don’t think you’re going see much of people leaving Ottawa anymore. The scene is growing, the support is coming up higher than it’s ever been. I work within it and I see it all the time. It’s now a whole lot of people, not just music but the whole arts scene in general. It’s awesome to see it happening and I don’t think you’re going to see bands leave the city as much as you used to.
Alan: Ottawa is behind just because of the fact that Montreal and Toronto are bigger and they’ve had more of a scene and have been invested for a longer time. It’s harder for an Ottawa band to get instant recognition that a Toronto or Montreal band would. I think it’s slowly starting to change but I still do think a band that’s from Toronto or Montreal, they do instantly still get more credit than a band from Ottawa.
OLM: What are the types of challenges you’ve faced as a band?
Alex: Um ya, the weather. Winter shows are a big challenge.
Andrew: Just being in a band and organizing people to be at the same place at the same time to do the same thing. It’s almost impossible in some cases.
Alex: Everyone has a different schedule, no one does the same thing and no one lives beside each other like we used to. It was easy when you lived in your parents’ place, but now you have to go to a jam space and rent the space, make sure you have the gear, etc. So getting the band together before you even hit a note is a challenge in itself.
Alan: The challenge is always having to be on top of things all the time. You have to drive it constantly or else you won’t get anywhere.
OLM: What’s the message you want to get across with your music?
Alex: I think the music speaks for itself. What we’re trying to do is bring back the basics, like the original reason you listened to a rock band was because it was fun, before you know that they were political or religious or anything. The first thing that happened was you heard them and you liked them. For me, when I’m playing drums live or just jamming on my own, one of the essential goals is to make something that I enjoy and then make it enjoyable for the listener. Some of our songs do have meanings and every one could be interpreted differently, but that’s part of what we do. It doesn’t have to be just one message.
Andrew: Our most basic message is just to have a great time because we have a great time with what we do and we hope that people who come to see us live at least share in the experience.
Alan: Part of it just making music for yourself but I still like having a good crowd interaction. If I was just playing something and no one gave a shit about it, I don’t think I’d be as happy.
Suns of Stone will be playing at Rainbow Bistro on February 7th. For more information, visit www.sunsofstone.com.
- See more at: http://www.ottawalife.com/2014/01/suns-of-stone-ottawas-edgier-old-school-rock-band/#sthash.fdE6LOsg.dpuf
Written by: Kimberly Lochhead on January 15, 2014. - Ottawa Life Magazine

Ce premier album, éponyme (qui suit un EP 6 titres, autoproduit, datant de 2012) est l’œuvre d'un quatuor d'Ottawa. Et si les 4 Canadiens sont du Nord la musique qu'ils pratiquent est un mélange de stoner, de blues rock et de rock sudiste comme quoi on n'est pas obligé de vivre en Floride ou au Texas pour pratiquer avec bonheur ce genre de musique. J'ajouterai à ces influences une petite dose de funk car certaines chansons ont par moments un certain groove.

Le groupe, doté d'un chanteur, Alan, à la voix rauque qui colle au style (aux styles?) pratiqué, aime principalement les mid tempos et les tempos lents tout en gardant la tradition sudiste de l'accélération finale (« Another dollar » ou Down the road »). D'ailleurs celle de « Another dollar » avec sa basse très présente est un de ces moments groovy un peu funk bien que le morceau fasse très LYNYRD SKYNYRD. Le groupe aime aussi le blues que ce soit via une intro (avec effet vieilli) pour « Stormbringer » qui restera lent mais plus du côté sudiste ou des morceaux entiers comme le bluesy mais lourd « For some Reason » ou l'enjoué « Piece of mind ». Malgré son intro à la slide lente, « Sun don't shine » va accélérer est fera penser à un autre grand nom du sudiste BLACKFOOT.

SUNS OF STONE ne prétend pas inventer quoi que ce soit mais joue une musique vraie avec une importance du feeling et du groove... Ce disque respire l'honnêteté et fait grand plaisir à écouter. Pas d’esbroufe juste de la bonne musique servie par un bon gros son !
http://www.sunsofstone.com/ - 11 visite(s)

reverbnation - 20 téléchargements
Rédigé par : Papy Cyril | 15/20 | Nb de lectures : 322 - VS-Webzine (France)

Add a little blues, add a vocalist with a soar, harsh voice and some skilled musicians that are capable to create a musical atmosphere and you might become Suns Of Stone. This band is hailing from Canada and by far the best release of Bad Reputation Records to date! I was a little worried that the label was going to confirm their name literally, with substandard releases, but this one pushes Bad Reputation a huge step forward into the right direction. This is music like music always should be: honest, pure, and hitting you straight in the heart! Recently I had the honor to receive the latest Spiral Arms album ‘Freedom’.

I was stunned when I heard the first track ‘Dropping Like Flies’, but unfortunately, the quality of the songs declines throughout the album. Well, it looks like ‘Suns Of Stone’ is vice versa. The first track is called ‘Hold On Me’, which is a nice opener that spreads the talent of the band immediately. Let’s say that this track is the one that is easy accessible, followed by ‘Rise Up’. From then on, the quality level increases from highlight to highlight.

This band is influenced by rock giants like The Black Crowes, Queens Of The Stone Age, Rival Sons, and even Lynyrd Skynyrd and Led Zeppelin. The track ‘Rise Up’ made me think on Rose Tattoo as the vocals of Alan have a little comparison with Angry Anderson, but without being overdone. ‘Stormbringer’ is a logical continuation and ‘Another Dollar’ has a very nice guitar riffing opener.

The quartet of Suns Of Stone are all capable and have the perfect skills to write and entertain a huge crowd of music fans. This is a band with a golden future ahead, they only need to spread their music on a live platform as often as possible. Canada is not exactly nearby, but with these songs, it must be possible to bring them over to European Summer Festivals! The band is also planning to shoot a video for the track ‘Talking To Me’ and that’s a great decision as this track is probably my personal favorite of the moment!



My rating: 90 / 100



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95+ : Outstanding, high valued albums & Classic Ones… a direct purchase is advisable !

Between 90 and 95: Surpasses the style of music, must be heard/ordered by every Metal fan

Between 80 and 89: Good in its own genre, recommended for those hooked on it

Between 70 and 79: Decent but best previewing

Between 60 and 69: Rather moderate

Between 50 and 59: Bad, substandard

50- : Rubbish - Metal to Infinity

It may be axiomatic to point out that every generation has its musical heroes, but what is also true is that every generation also has its revivalists. Harking back to that most revered of decades, the seventies, Suns of stone are an unashamedly retro-fitted rock act who share a love of Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Rainbow and Lynyrd Skynyrd and who kick up one hell of a storm on their debut album, playing tribute to the beloved acts of their youth with a surprisingly gutsy collection that emphasises the blues at the heart of heavy rock.

Suns of stone’s self-titled debut is a short record that seems to pass in even shorter order. At thirty-seven minutes it exits in the age of albums prepared for vinyl run times, and, thanks to its crunchy riffs and memorable melodies, it passes in the merest blink of an eye. First track ‘hold on me’ sets the tone with its blazing riff and gritty vocals. Nothing here is over-done, with the band adopting a powerful, live sound that undoubtedly represents their sound on stage. The delivery is energetic and full of attitude, as evidenced on ‘rise up’, the album’s second track that opens with a rolling, percussive assault before sliding into a lascivious groove, all throbbing bass and fluid guitar work. It’s classic rock with the only concession to modernity being the crisp, modern production values, and the result is refreshingly authentic and obviously a labour of love for the band. Stealing the title of ‘stormbringer’ from Deep Purple, the song is straight-up heavy blues with a powerful vocal performance at its heart and a strong groove reminiscent of the Doors at their very best, whilst the solo that concludes the song is fine indeed. ‘Another dollar’ is a harder edged song, with a sleazy riff and gritty solos giving way to Alan’s blue-collar blues as he howls “I break my back each day just digging for another bone. I have a drink of whiskey, light a smoke when I’m done…” You can imagine the song being ground out in a beer and whiskey soaked basement, as drunken punters roar their approval as they sink their beers.

Keeping the pace brisk, ‘talking to me’ is a classic hard rock number with a bouncy riff that wouldn’t sound out of place on a Purple album, Alan’s vocals cutting through the centre of the mix and perfectly complimenting the gruff rhythms and chunky guitar work. In contrast, ‘a little more’ is a darker, more soulful song that has a similar atmosphere to that conjured on the recent Joe Bonamassa / Beth Hart effort ‘Seesaw’ and a relaxed, elegant solo at its core. You can’t keep a hard-rocking band down for long, however, and ‘down the road’ races with the energy of vintage Hawkwind, the nitrous powered riffs seemingly tailor made for open-topped cars and the wide vistas of the American highways. ‘Sun don’t shine’ is similarly wide in scope, being a country-tinged barnstorming beast, veering between the pomp of Led Zeppelin and the southern groove of the Allman Brothers with aplomb. ‘For some reason’ grinds away beautifully (think QOTSA covering Black Sabbath) and then the album draws to a close with ‘Piece of mind’, a laid-back, southern-style ballad with a hefty chorus and a memorable melody that sits between ‘ten’ era Pearl jam and Lynyrd Skynyrd.

I started writing this review some time ago, and one of the reasons it took so long is I kept finding myself getting suckered into just sitting back and enjoying the music free from the distraction of trying to write about it. It’s one of those records that is equally a pleasure whether you are sitting, trying to listen to it in detail or to kick back and enjoy a beer and a chat with friends whilst it rocks in the background. More to the point it’s just a pleasure to listen to – a warm, melodic gem that, whilst not reinventing the wheel, does a grand job of showing just how good the wheel can sound when polished to perfection. If you dig blues-infused hard rock, then this massively enjoyable record is for you. - Sonic Abuse

Ottawa’s Suns of Stone are a classic rock band with bluesy influences. They cross over from Bad Company at their best to The Black Crows, with occasional Purple influences that extend beyond the familiar title of the self penned ‘Stormbringer’.

There’s a variety of influences ranging from melodic classic rock to rock blues and occasional traces of southern rock, on a self titled debut album that is an honest and mostly successful attempt at finding their own style within the 70’s classic rock genre.

The task they set themselves is as obvious as it is difficult, in trying to cut an album that fuses the past with the present and produces material recognisable as their own. They sure give it their best shot, with some stonking classic rock and in vocalist Alan Charlton they have a singer with the range and presence to fill what is left of the rock radio airwaves.

The band teeters on the brink of hard rock, but constantly pulls back from a total engagement, mainly because of the consistent quality of their melodies and big grooves that refuse to become bogged down in sludgy arrangements.

Listen for example, to the penultimate track ‘For Some Reason’, which is a hard rock classic in the making, full of pounding rhythms, a great vocal and echoes of Rush, circa ‘Snakes & Arrows’. The problem is it never quite believes in its own potential destiny. It’s still a great track by a band that has much to bring to the contemporary rock scene.

Alan Charlton delivers a tough vocal on the opening ‘Hold On Me’ and he’s even better on the staccato rhythms of the bone crunching ‘Rise Up’. Jimmy King adds a scorching solo on a song that wouldn’t be out of place on a Sammy Hagar ‘Chicken Foot’ album. ‘Stormbringer’ is another fine song with a strong melodic hook that will surely give the band a chance of some deserved airplay.

There’s a slight change of direction on the southern rock influenced ‘Sudden Dollar’, which starts out as a guitar heavy, distant cousin of Skynyrd and then suddenly changes tempo to usher in a hypnotic chanted vocal and a wah-wah inflected solo over a thumping bass line

Charlton stars again on the melodic chorus of the Aerosmith influenced ‘Talking To Me’, while ‘A Little More’ is slow burner that kicks in with repeated plays. It’s a compact, guitar led groove on which the bass player Andrew Erlandson and drummer Alex Scott provide the whip crack rhythm to rack up the tension, before Scott cuts through with dirt toned melodic solo.

This is a well produced album full of several great vocals, insistent riffs, sparkling solos and a vibrant core and all that’s missing is a defining anthem to make it memorable

‘Down The Road’ finds the band musically cruising down the highway and evoking the song title, as King adds stellar guitar and Charlton growls out the vocal. ‘Sun Don’t Shine’ is full of jangling guitars and a fat sounding bass, as Charlton adds an early Ozzy vocal, before a snappy country tinged guitar break.

The band slips through the gears over some staccato rhythms before a blazing solo full of beautifully warped notes and a return to the original groove, great stuff. The album finishes with the southern tinged rock ballad ‘Piece Of Mind’ which almost provides an anthemic finish to a great album, but lacks a climactic resolution.

Each repeated play of ‘Suns Of Stone’ draws you in and breathes fresh life and spirit into old school classic rock. It’s an album that I will frequently return to and unhesitatingly recommend to classic rock fans. ****

Review by Pete Feenstra - Get Ready To Rock (UK)

Now, an initial listen to this tough little album will have y’all thinking it’s just another lump of leaden, bluesy pub rock, but you’d be wrong. Like a fine Tennessee whiskey, “Suns Of Stone” is a real slow burner that needs just a little patience to appreciate. What this Canuck quartet has done is to use a solid foundation of blues and hard rock, mix in just a pinch of the jagged arsedness of the desert session outfits, the swampy boogie of Texas’ old guard (“A Little More” and “For Some Reason”), an occasional wink to the gritty soul and backwoods country funk of the boys from The Appalachian and Blue Ridge Mountains (“Stormbringer” and “Talking To Me”) and a not inconsiderable tipped hat to those old wild eyed southern boys out of Florida, Alabama and Georgia (“Another Dollar” and “Piece of Mind”). There’s a stomp inheirited from some strange cousins from the west, and bubbling deep, deep down underneath it all is an understated, easy going, sun soaked California groove thang. On paper, it all sounds a bit clichéd but the band has got the balance just right, the innate hard rock influences of the Canadian badlands giving the album enough of a punchy twist to lift it above the blues rock mire. The song writing itself is a bit belt and braces, but the album’s subtleness in depth admirably compensates.
“Suns Of Stone” will not be the best southern tinged bluesy hard rock album that you’ll hear this year, but there’s enough to suggest that these boys just might be onto something a bit special.
POWERPOINTS:7
PHIL KANE
- Powerplay Rock & Metal Magazine (Issue 159, Nov 2013)

From Ottawa come the amazing SUNS OF STONE with their self-titled rocking’ debut CD, if you like rock and southern rock then check it out. The guys are: Alan Charlton – vocals, Jimmy King – guitar, Alex Scott – drums and Andrew Erlandson – bass guitar. ‘Everyone in the band has been playing music from a young age’, says Alan. ‘We came together as a band after a couple of years of wanting to get something going. We were driven by our passion for music, as most are, to see what we could accomplish and then decided to take a run at it. We want this to be our career.’ Inspired by rock music from the 60’s and 70’s these are the types of band’s that Alan still finds himself listening to the most. ‘The new rock revival bands are invading that territory. There wasn’t really a single inspiration behind the album. Of all of our music, these songs went together the best and it worked out being our debut.’ Suns Of Stone are rock n’ roll with a modern sound and throwback edge. ‘As a band, we write and play the music we love. We’re a band of down-to-earth guys and we hope the music we play reflects that point,’ he adds. As a debut its a great introduction to the band and their sound. ‘We got to bring out our southern and blues influences to our hard rocking style. It’s in your face rock n’ roll. Its music you want to rock out and have a beer listening to,’ he says. The guys recorded the album at Audio Valley Studios in Ottawa with both Jimmy and Steve Foley at the helm as producers. ‘Recording started in the summer of 2012 and by the fall we had finished almost the entire album. We went back in a few times after that to add a few things while it was being mixed.’ For the future the band have got a music video in the works and they plan to start recording again next year. ‘On top of that we want to keep playing as much as possible and really would like to make our way overseas to hit the stages over there.’ More info at: www.facebook.com/sunsofstone and www.sunsofstone.com - Fireworks Magazine (Issue 60 Nov/Dec 2013)

You could argue that retro-rock bands are ten-a-penny at the moment and the introduction of another band who have been raised on a diet of Led Zeppelin and all manner of 1970’s southern-tinged rock n roll might be easily shrugged off. That would be foolish in the case of Suns Of Stone.

The band made their breakthrough last year with a much lauded EP and have been riding high since. They have just released their debut album so there is no better time than now to introduce yourselves to the Suns Of Stone.

There is nothing pretentious about this band it’s just straight forward soulful rock n roll, just how it used to be.

The key thing about the band that you need to know is, they are good. Very good.

Check out the video below for proof:
- Deadhead Donnie (Blog)

When my girlfriend told me that her dad had asked us to come with him to see The Zombies at the Sound Academy in Toronto on Sunday night, my first thought was, “Oh great, a bunch of geriatric dudes playing songs I mostly don’t know from the ‘60s. Sounds like a blast. . . .” But then she told me that he invited us for beer and ribs before the show, and suddenly I had plans for Sunday night.

When we got to the venue, it was a little sparse. That’s okay; I’ve never been one for crowds. The audience was a little more mixed than I’m used to. In fact, there were more grey heads than otherwise. No problem there; at least I didn’t have to worry about spilling my drink after being pushed around by rowdy teenagers. There was nothing wrong with the atmosphere, it was just. . . different. At least, from what I’m used to.

Before long, the opening act took the stage, Ottawa’s Suns of Stone. Now, maybe I was just being cynical (okay, I was definitely being cynical), but my first thought was, “Oh man, amateur hour. Here we go.” And admittedly, the band took a song or two to find their footing. But once they found it, boy, did they ever.

The four piece’s particular flavour or rock is a blending of Skynard-style ‘70s throwback, with The Black Keys’ radio-friendly sensibilities, and a liberal application of Jimmy Page-inspired guitar riffs. But comparisons aside, the band just played some good old-fashioned rock ‘n roll, and they played it well.

They had a few fans in the audience, but they were significantly outnumbered by the older folks who were just there for some psychedelic pop-rock. Despite a slightly chilly welcome, they did their thing and won over a crowd that was more than a little impatient for the main act. And they definitely left with more fans than they had coming in.

Colour me impressed.

Suns of Stone have a debut EP which is available as a free download on their website. Get it while it’s hot!

Oh, and by the way, The Zombies were fantastic, you ageist jerks. - Raz Mataz Magazine

January 14 2013 - One of our favorite hard rock bands was named Wise, Young & King. The band broke up, and 2 of the members (singer Alan Charlton and drummer Alex Scott) are now part of a new band called Suns of Stone. We have no idea why Wise, Young & King are no more but at least we get to experience Suns of Stone. The hard rocking band opened up for Michael White & The White and delivered a kick ass hard rock show to the early attendees. The band all wore matching black outfits with white ties (an odd choice to be honest for a hard rock band), and we really dug their sound. We leave you with some pics from their set.
- Terry Makedon

Interview with SUNS OF STONE

October 16, 2012


I recently sat down with one of my favourite Canadian bands to talk music, rock n’ roll, life and… makeup. Here’s my chat with two of the most engaging & down-to-earth musicians working in canadian music – none other than Alan & Jimmy from Ottawa blues rock n’ roll band SUNS OF STONE.

So I’ll start at the very beginning – I remember being at the first-ever Suns of Stone show last winter…and you guys killed it that night; the crowd loved it. What was going thru your minds that night?

(Jimmy): That was a really good show, a lot of fun. I was just anxious to get through that first show – because it was brand new music no one had heard yet, a brand new band no one had heard, plus I hadn’t played onstage in a long time. We’re lucky it went so well. But it was like, ok now we’ve done a show, we know who we are, and we’re gonna keep on getting better.

You’re a rock n’ roll band to the core and have a genuine love for rock music. Do you find that people are excited about rock again, despite being in a time so focused on computers & DJ’s?

(Alan): I think if anything, music is gonna keep turning around in that sense. Right now computers are such a part of live shows, but I can’t foresee that being the biggest thing permanently. We play what we’re good at. I like the fact that rock n’ roll is timeless music. You listen to music for a lot of reasons, sometimes to escape, or sometimes you feel a song understands where you are…but we’re not the kind of band that’s gonna play you to sleep. We want you to have fun and have a good time. If you come out to a show, we want you to have a good time. That’s the way it should be.

I’ve seen the way the audience responds to you, and your live show got some great reviews right out of the gates. How has it felt getting those reactions?

(Jimmy): It’s the whole reason why we do it. To relate to someone else and hear that they got it, that’s worth more than any dollar. That’s the whole point of what we want to do as a band. We want to provide a good night for someone. We like to play, and we love to play for people who want to hear us.

Has music always been a big influence on you?

(Jimmy): I’ve never known a life without music. When I was 13, my mom noticed I had a vinyl record player on top of my cd player, so she went and got some vinyls out of the other room and said ‘You have to listen to this song.’ She played Sweet Leaf by Black Sabbath and I remember thinking, ‘What is this? What is this? I cannot define this.’ And right there – I needed a guitar. From that point on, it changed my life. Classic rock – that music came before us; it was like the village elders passing it down to us. Ive always had a love for music, but I feel like this is what im supposed to be. And it’s because of that music – The Stones, Zeppelin, Blue Oyster Cult, all that good stuff. It set the bar.

You write these big rock songs, yet they’re very genuine & relatable. What’s the secret?

(Alan): Well, there’s no point in not being genuine…if you’re not, it shows through eventually. A lot of people, its hard for them to distinguish between everyone’s problems and just their own world – they’re not looking at the big picture. A lot of people have a hard time getting out of that.

(Jimmy): I can think of a bunch of bands that I like, but that I might not want to be. We’re exactly who we’re trying to relate to, and that’s why it works. We’re not different from anyone…everybody wants the same things, everybody wants it a little easier, a little better. And we’re no different.We work hard, we play hard, get the job done, then go home and have a beer.

A lot of musicians are struggling with how to make a business around music; how to rise above the fray. What are your views on that?

(Alan): I think there is a way to do it properly… for us, we just push for people to connect with the band, so they can come back and see us play again. It’s about audience – that’s what’s gonna drive your career. It’s not about cd sales at shows. It’s gonna be – can you get people back out to see you again? Do they like you enough to see you live? If they like you enough, they’ll buy a CD. But you have to establish yourself first. You have to give people a reason to support you.

Another big issue is the whole social-media circus. It’s an unavoidable thing, but I think a lot of bands feel pressure to engage in it in ways they’re not always comfortable with. What’s your take on that?

(Alan): I don’t tweet and I never will. But I’d argue that it’s the social media people who are causing all this, it’s not even the musicians. Anyone from the promotion or management side – they want to see that everyone Likes you. So its them telling all these bands that that’s what they need to do – just get people to Like you. I’ve been told, all you need to do is ‘get more likes, get more likes.’ Everyone’s advising bands to do that – so t - Gina Ree (Music Inkorporated)

A packed venue, a strong line-up of local Ottawa bands, good beer on tap and a healthy dose of optimism for what was to come. I went into to the Atomic Rooster on that night expecting to see some hearty rock and roll… some real meat and potatoes sound. I did not leave hungry… or sober.

Excuse me for this little rant:

It seems a difficult task nowadays to really succeed as a rock and roll band. When bands such as Nickelback (who, by the way, recently lost a popularity contest to pickles -
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/feb/24/nickelback-popularity-contest-pickle) seem to define what rock is all about nowadays, any attempt to
have a genre-boosting sound seems destined to be, well, pickled. We are the descendants of greats; sons and grandsons of what was once the most dominant and era-defining genre of its time. We have a responsibility to further their work, not water it down and call it rock… much less post-grunge as some people see it. Don’t get me wrong; we have a veritable bevy of amazing rock and roll bands out there right now… but who else is dominating the charts in such fashion?

Anyways…

The Suns of Stone epitomize what new rock should sound like. New, and yet old; done, but yet become undone. A tinge of the Queen’s of the Stoneage mixed with a hint of Skynard and layered with semblances of the Black Crowes, Suns of Stone just simply rock. Nothing pretentious, nothing overdone… just exactly what you’d want in a rock and roll band. Their live show is a non-stop red-bull like injection of energy from beginning to end and they only leave you wanting more. Do check out my personal
favourite 'Don't want my love', a dense, energetic blend which just bleeds sound and soul.

Their new EP is powerfully lyrical, heavy and mobile in sound. Like a locomotive chugging down the tracks spouting out thick black notes from its hybrid coal-and-rock-and-roll-driven engine. This stuff will run you down if you’re not careful.

These guys make me proud of the indie rock scene in Canada. Knowing that musicians like these guys are out there puts a smile on my face and a bounce in my step; it’s hope for the future and it’s excitement for the current state of rock and roll.

Bite, braun and a bit of bad-assery: this is the Suns of Stone.

- Jae Pyl, IMN - Independent Music News