Artist – String Driven

Title – SONGS FROM ANOTHER COUNTRY

Label – Backshop Records

Catalogue No – BSRCD003

Release date – 13 July 2009

Distribution – Cadiz

“A distinctive voice that really communicates”  NetRythms

“Shows the old ones are still the best ones” AmericanaUK

It all started in 1972 with the release of their self-titled album STRING DRIVEN THING when the band headed up by Chris and Pauline Adams burst on to the progressive folk-rock scene and took the music press by storm. Thirty seven years later and Chris Adams is back with a stunning new album of genre breaking material fronting a new band with the shortened name of String Driven yet still showcasing his distinctive vocal and song writing talent. The new album SONGS FROM ANOTHER COUNTRY has that definitive Americana feel and the ten stunning new compositions from the pen of Chris Adams prove he still possesses strong song writing credentials. Place To Lie is a superb opening track with a rock steady beat and the more mellow tracks such as Kelvin Way and Affairs Of The Heart display Adams’ signature wire and red wine vocal delivery, soft yet strong, emotive and meaningful.

The line up of String Driven comprises Dick Drake on all things percussive, bassist Andy Allan and guitarist George Tucker all of whom played on the critically acclaimed final String Driven Thing album MOMENTS OF TRUTH. Released in 2007 the album was described by Maverick magazine as “One of the sweetest Americana albums of the year.” A string of shows will be announced shortly and the album SONGS FROM ANOTHER COUNTRY will show both audience and music press alike that String Driven are a force to be reckoned with in the genres of Americana and folk/roots. This is the album that will bring the song writing of Chris Adams and String Driven into the 21^st century gaining them many new fans.

A brand new website is now on-line, for more information please visit:

www.stringdriven.com

www.myspace.com/stringdriven

For Syndicated Articles relating to String Driven please visit:

String Driven RSS Feed

String Driven Gig Diary RSS Feed

Written by James H Soars

After the break, the boys let loose with the new album which hit the spot with a knowledgable audience. The set closed on curfew time of 11.30pm with Nightclub and Circus, but the reaction prompted management to allow one final number… that old Showstopper, ‘Jack Diamond’. So why choose Sammy Dow’s? Well as Chris explained, when he wrote ‘Another Night’ in Pollokshields all those years ago, it was his local!!

With the impending release of “Songs From Another Country” and a shortened band name, the webmaster caught up with Chris Adams to get the inside story.

The big question must be the name change. Why drop the THING?

Well, this present line-up has gradually evolved into a totally different beast, with its own distinct identity, so I wanted to differentiate it from the band that made the Charisma albums.

So why didn’t you change it for the last album, ‘Moments of Truth’?

Good question. I actually thought about putting it out under my own name, because the material was more singer songwriterish, but Pauline was still playing with us, so I took the easier option. In the end, though, it was a mistake, because the name always conjures up Graham’s freaky violin and that’s now totally gone.

So in a sense, the ‘Thing’ was Graham?

Well obviously the name predates him, but in a strange way, when he appeared, it felt like we’d been waiting for him to come along. He picked up on our energy, and we took off. Trouble was, he was always more into Prog Rock than I was, and that came through in my writing.

You find the line-up influences your songwriting?

Definitely! There’s no way I could have written Heartfeeder if he hadn’t been there. It’s the same thing with George. Having him back in the band has taken us in a rockier, more Americana direction.

George has replaced your son, Robin ?

Yes. we’ve worked on and off over the years. He was in the band that made “Live In Berlin” and he played bottleneck & mandolin on Moments, so when Rob decided to do his own thing, it was an easy choice.

And Robin’s concentrating on a solo career?

Yes, he recently won the Billy Kelly Songwriting Award and part of the prize was recording a single with Glasvegas producer John McLaughlin, plus he’s doing an album with his brother Chris, so he’s a busy man these days. But he did some great backing vocals for us on the album.

There’s no Pauline this time?

No, she decided to hang up her tambourine after we got to play ‘Circus’ in the big top at the Belladrum Festival! But she never says ‘never’.

But the rhythm section is still the same?

Of course! Working with Andy and Dick has always been this effortless groove. Things seem to start happening by themselves. That’s when the songs really start to flow.

I believe the new band had its first outing at Fifestock.

Yeah, we were really happy with the gig. It was a lovely little room – very atmospheric – and we got to road test songs from the new album.

You hinted that the new material is rockier…

Well over the years, people have always said that we’re harder hitting live than on record, so we felt it was time to redress the balance.

Your producer, Danny Mitchell, how did he get involved?

The intention was to do it with John Beland of the Flying Burrito Brothers, whom we worked with in Canada, but that never came together. Then an old friend of mine, John Flanagan suggested Danny. I knew his CV, that he’d worked with Midge Ure and Bob Geldof, so I called and asked him if he’d like to hear the stuff. He came to a rehearsal, liked what he heard and we really hit it off. Working with him was a joy. I think you can hear that in the work.

Are there any gigs in the pipeline?

We’re doing a secret preview in Glasgow in April and a couple of dates in Bavaria in May, then we’re looking to do some London gigs.

How about a launch?

We’re working on that. Watch this space.

Next time round we’ll find out more about the new album, Songs From Another Country

The New Album is due out on June 24th.

STRING DRIVEN THING from Glasgow were one of the most innovative progressive/folk rock bands of their time. Their selftitled album and “The Machine That Cried”, released in 1972 resp.1973 were miles ahead of the competition!

As STRING DRIVEN, Chris Adams still leads the group with an Americana sound.  The new album, “Songs from Another Country” is due for release in 2009

Utilising Wordpress & a heavily recoded theme originally developed by Michael Hutagalung, the new site allows the band to release information about upcoming gigs and record releases as well as post videos and tracks from recent performances.

The previous official website is located here, so go take a look and compare the old and the new!

STRING DRIVEN THING playing live at The Famous Bein Inn 2007.

As STRING DRIVEN, Chris Adams still leads the group with an Americana sound.  The new album, “Songs from Another Country” is due for release in 2009.