Artist description Bystander have an array of self-penned material and a good work rate. If it's strong sounding riffs and great dynamics your after, then look no futher.

Music Style Bystander play their own brand of Alternative\Post-Rock

Musical Influences Pearl Jam, Mogwai, Sonic Youth and Nirvana

Similar Artists They have been described by some as both noisy and melodic. They have songs ranging from mellow and rythmic to angst-ridden 2 minute teasers.

Artist History The band is based far away from the centre of the universe in the depths of North Devon in the small and overcrowded town of Bideford. It was once said that North Devon is in the middle of nowhere, not true for you have to pass all the way through nowhere to get there. This passage to North Devon is usually taken along the Link Road or the A36 to non yokels. It is a tragic road, a duel carriageway that bends and winds it's way up and down from Taunton to the sea. Anyone wishing to traverse this irritating road beware as there are many cameras, the most notable is very close to another dubious place known as 'South Molton'. Follow the road down past a town called Barnstaple and then nine miles after that look out for the lights of Bideford. As far as dangers go, some of the Pig farming community and the Exmoor Beast are your only worries. Once here, though, I'm sure you'll find it a most pleasant place(apart from Caesars Palace!). The band itself started in maybe October, the exact date escapes me but we just got together and crashed out a few songs in Nicks parents dining room (their tolerance still amazes me). We were all in bands before and had gigged on the same bills before so we knew each other and what to expect. We played our first gig with Yoshimitsu at the Exeter Inn which is a grotty little pub in Barnstaple. We recorded before hand a cheaply made and quite dodgy tape to give out and for some reason people seemed to latch on to it. We got more gig's (as you do) and we've pretty much gone on from there but as I'm writing this it's only February so there should be a lot more to write in the future. The tracks that you can download have just been recorded at various live shows and practice sessions, they sound pretty awesome so I hope you take time to listen to the songs that will regularly be posted this site..

Group Members Dave Hoare - Vocals/Guitar, Richard "Blackheart" Olde - Guitar,Tom Hopkins - Bass, Nick Harman - Drums.

Instruments Guitars/ Drums / Bass / Vocals

Albums Bystander - Accessorise 6 track EP - More coming soon.

Press Reviews Silva, Bystander and Seven Days - Review courtesy of Jodi Knightsmith and the North Devon Journal.... The second band to play were newcomers 'Bystander', who I'm told have only been playing together since November '99. I found this astounding as all of their material was their own and, in my opinion, exceptionally good. I especially enjoyed their first number 'Thinking about the Score' which started with an instantly infectious guitar riff before the rest of the band were faded in to produce a number that sounded to me like it could have been produced by an upbeat version of Nirvana and their vibrant new song "Image". Bystander were a tightly moulded unit, especially in comparision to 'Seven Days' before them, who limped through a set of badly played covers!. They ranged from loud to very loud. If ever the noise level became low enough so you could hear the ringing in your ears then you knew two things: one, they were building up slowly to another blast of immense sound, and two, things would be even worse (better!!??) when 'Silva' next played with their own brand of processed tripe!......Bystander had excellent stage presence with powerful guitar/vocals from Dave Hoare and never failed to amuse the audience. They played skillfully with excellent backing from Richard "Blackheart" Olde (Guitar\noise) Tom Hopkins on Bass and Nick Harman (Drums) provided a thunderous beat for the rest of the band to work from, and they did, excellently, which showed on the faces of the punters that jumped up and down throughout!!. Apart from the fact that all of their names sound made-up! I Know there is'nt anything fake about 'BYSTANDER' whose energetic playing sytle was bursting with vitality and their self penned material was extremly well delivered and a shining example to any young band. They deserve to do well, as I'm sure they will....

Additional Info Keep an eye on this site as any new or unheard demos, live tracks and rehearsals will be previewed here first!

Location Bideford(it's a town), N.Devon - United Kingdom

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