http://www.shapesoxford.co.uk

A short history

The Shapes are:Anthony Kelly – Guitar and Lead Vocals (also plays in The Factory Lights)Steve White – Drums, Backing Vocals, (plus Guitars, Mandolin, Banjo & Bouzouki) (also plays in La Phooka)Gary Warmington – Bass Guitar (also plays in La Phooka and The Factory Lights)Jez Bale – Lead & Rhythm GuitarEd Bressan – Acordion, Backing Vocals & Trumpet (also plays in The Factory Lights) Alix Champ – VocalsClaire Heaviside – Sax (also plays in Moogieman and The Masochists, pandapopalypse and The Balkan Wanderers)Andy Boyd – TrumpetBethan McDonald – Trombone (also plays in Storyteller)

Anthony played in many local bands including The Flex (in the early 80’s) and the popular band Soul Devotion (90’s). Before forming The Shapes, Tony lead The Morose Brothers a Celtic Irish combo.

Tony recruited Jez Bale on lead guitar, Oxford legend Tony Jezzard on Hammond Organ and well know West Oxfordshire legend Steve White, who (Tony says) is a genius on Drums, Guitar & Mandolin, Banjo & Bouzouki.

After watching local bands for 10 years or so, including Gold Rush, Stornoway and the Epstein, Anthony was inspired to return to song writing, something he hadn’t done for 20 years.

The creative juices were stirred and a 7-track demo album called Dark Clouds was recorded at Big Boys Studios in Witney, Oxfordshire, with Steve White playing almost all of the instruments.

This was swiftly followed by a 3-track EP entitled Baby You’re Strange and then a 4-track EP called Like.

The band have graced many stages since then, playing all over southern England, and get great responses to the live shows. This has included many festival appearances.

Right now the band are writing and recording new material and gigging regularly. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.