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| Sound Of Guns |
In 2007, with vocalist Andy Metcalfe and Simon Finley's previous band 'Freemaker' and Nathan Crowley's band, 'The Veras', splitting up roughly around the same time, things came together when, after a couple of months recuperation, Simon and Andy in need of a guitarist put out an advert to which Nathan responded. Andy and Simon had set up a small studio in a disused social club in Allerton, Liverpool and spent the next few months writing and recording some new material before Nathan joined them. By the start of 2008, they had begun writing and recording songs together, some of which would eventually end up on 'Sound Of Gun's' debut album, 'What Came From Fire'. In need of other musicians to complete the line-up, Nathan played the new recordings to Lee Glynn, a guitarist with whom he had played previously. Glynn had made plans to return home to his family in Perth, Western Australia, but on hearing the recordings, decided to stay and join 'Sound Of Guns' on guitar.
After a few months of writing and rehearsing as a four piece, the band booked their first shows. Following several unsuccessful auditions for a bass player they decided to go ahead with the shows and have the bass parts recorded to a backing track until they found the right bass player. It was at their first hometown show at the Barfly in Liverpool that the 'Sound Of Guns' line-up was completed. John Coley, a friend of Nathan's, was in the crowd that night, and was so impressed with the raw energy and powerful performance from the band that he joined them there and then.
The line up was now formed, with Andy Metcalfe on vocals, Lee Glynn on guitar, Nathan Crowley on guitar, John Coley on bass guitar and Si Finley on drums.
Over the next few months, the band gigged endlessly around the country and carried on recording new material as a five piece. By the end of 2008 they self-released their debut single 'Alcatraz', recorded and produced by the band it gained a fair amount of major radio airplay, including on XFM and Radio 1. Distiller Records, an independent label based in West London, offered to release their next single and the band took up this offer, with 'Architects' released in June 2009 as a limited edition 7" vinyl. In October 2009 Zane Lowe broadcasted accolades of pure unbridled love for them, describing them as, "British rock and roll from the heart" as well as labelling their debut EP 'Elementary Of Youth' as his Hottest Record In The World on his Radio 1 show. Steve Lamacq too got involved in the love-in as he featured them as his new favourite band on his 6music radio show.
During a UK tour in March 2009 they were arrested in Wakefield after someone overheard 'a bunch of Scousers' discussing guns and called the police, assuming they were armed raiders.
They spent the end of 2009 recording their debut album, 'What Came From The Fire', producing it themselves and mixed by Chris Potter ( 'The Verve' and 'U2') in January 2010, and it was released in June 2010. It was short listed for the 'XFM' new music award and was highlighted as one of the albums of the year.
In 2011 they played their first gig that year at St. Georges Hall, Liverpool with a headline set for Sound City. Andy said, "Sound City means a lot to us, we've been kind of saving it for this gig. We got our first little taste of it when we supported 'The Zutons' there two years ago, so for us to go back and headline is really special." That year also saw them start writing for their new album and in early 2012, 'Angels and Enemies', was released to critical acclaim. FMV Magazine described the record as, "an excellent return for 'Sound Of Guns'; one that not only gives their die-hard fans the crowd-pleasing anthems they wanted, but also provides another stepping stone as they attempt to break into the mainstream fold."
In 2013 their Facebook page announced, "Sound Of Guns are going on a hiatus. We have all decided to take a break from the band so that we can focus on other commitments/projects that we have put aside for the past 5 years. We'd like to thank everyone for all their endless support. Our families, friends and everyone who has worked tirelessly in getting the band to were it is today.
Most importantly we'd like to thank our fans. Without you guys we wouldn’t be anywhere and the support from you has kept us going strong for the past five years.
Thank you all, from Andy, Nathan, Lee, Coley & Simon."
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