Artist description SEVENBALL’s output has been described as "…understated power with tinges of sadness and pain." [Sullen Soundz Experience mp3.com Radio], and "Gorgeously intense, serious music." [:Here magazine, Apr' 2000]. Their Bright Boy E.P, distributed by Translution Records (and sold in HMV and Virgin Megastores), garnered much acclaim and brought them to the attention of Sony Records, with many reviews concentrating the striking vocals; "…Luke Ritchie's vocals are gravel laden, yet soar above the spacious web of electro-acoustic guitars being spun beneath them" [:Here magazine], "…excellent male vocals…" [NSMA website Jan 2000], "The vocals are dramatic throughout." [Listen.com]. Described as "…the great white hope of the York Uni campus bands…" [Nouse newspaper 11/3/98], their music has been compared to that of Ben Harper, Pearl Jam, Led Zeppelin and Jeff Buckley; "Dark ballads the like of which Pearl Jam and Stone Temple Pilots used to come out with at their most inspired moments." [:Here magazine], "Imagine Jeff Buckley crossed with Pearl Jam and the result is Sevenball. Emotional stuff!" [Vision newspaper 23/6/00], and their live performances as "…unified and smooth…", "…the members of Sevenball work together live, rather than trying to outdo each other or overstretch themselves." [Nouse newspaper, 11/3/98]. Having just recorded their second E.P, Open, SEVENBALL are keen to concentrate on live performances, having secured a number of gigs in the Yorkshire area. They have been concentrating writing new material and securing their individual sound in an effort to push the band further.

Musical Influences Jeff Buckley/Led Zeppelin/Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals

Artist History SEVENBALL emerged in the late February of 1997, winning the prestigious York University Battle of the Bands with their third ever live performance. A fearsome determination and an original, if raw sound, propelled the band past the competition, to secure them invaluable studio time, from which emerged the highly acclaimed debut E.P, Bright Boy. The nucleus of the band is the kinetic partnership of Luke Ritchie (vocals, rhythm guitar), and Andrew Dunn (lead guitar), a collaboration of such intensity and passion that has, on more than several occasions, left audiences with aching limbs. Luke's powerhouse vocals rip through a twisted canvas of visceral emotion, guiding, commanding and hauntingly honest. His rich and distinctive tones blend smoke-scarred depth with a gentle, and deceptively bright falsetto, while Andrew's dangerous and inspired guitar drives the unstoppable momentum of their music. His lap slide in particular possesses a charged, mesmerising rhythm that demands support of highest degree. On bass guitar, James provides a muscular and resonant flow, guaranteed to make an audience groove, precise and funky and accentuated by the fresh and fat drumming of Ben Reeves. As a complete unit, James's full flavour and Ben's un-restrained, aggressive power, supply SEVENBALL with the ability to play to their full potential.

Group Members Luke Ritchie - vocals, rhythm guitar; Andrew Dunn - lead guitar; Ben Reeves - drums; James Hoskins - bass

Instruments vocals/electric guitar/acoustic guitar/slide guitar/bass/drums

Albums Sevenball have just finished recording the follow-up to 1999's Bright Boy EP. The 'Open' single – featuring live favourite 'Through' along with the slower 'Flotsum' as b-sides – is currently being mixed. The rough mixes sound wicked...

Press Reviews Bright Boy E.P reviewed in :here magazine: Dark ballads the like of which Pearl Jam and Stone Temple Pilots used to come out with at their most inpsired moments. Lead singer, Luke Ritchie's vocals are gravel-leaden, yet soar above the spacious web of electric and acoustic guitars being spun beneath him, with female backing harmonies lifting the whole lot that little bit higher in all the right places. This is intense dreamy music that would feel as much at home in a close unplugged environment as it would played with a full band, as demonstrated by Luke's acoustic performance at our launch party in March. Gorgeously intense, serious music. ------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- Joe Crane Memorial Night. Nouse Music Editor Ben McArdle attends the tribute night to the late Joe Crane. "The first on the main stage were Sevenball, the great white hope of York Uni.'s campus bands. In my third year of watching York Uni. bands, I've ground a lot of enamel from my teeth in my time here. Sevenball are the first Uni. band I've heard that have got a chance of making to the mainstream. Unlike many of the fevered egos in bands at the moment, the members of Sevenball work together live, rather than trying to outdo each other or overstretch themselves, so the band's sound comes across as unified and smooth. Their music is post-Pearl Jam, with tinges of Radiohead and Nirvana, but has its own distintive style rather than emulation of their influences. Power, melody, energy... one to watch." (from Nouse Newspaper, York, 11th March 1998)

Location York, North Yorkshire - United Kingdom

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