Martin Stephenson & The Daintees, Helen & the Horns, Mir
Martin Stephenson is a supremely gifted singer, songwriter, musician and performer, whose career in music stretches back now almost twenty years. Born in County Durham, in the North-East of England, on the 27th. July 1961, Martin was initially fired up to play in a band when the punk rock phenomenon went overground in the late 1970’s. Then, as now, however, Martin’s free spirit incorporated a love for an eclectic range of musical styles, from rockabilly, show tunes, through to straight ahead rock and full-tilt punk.
He convened The Daintees in the early 80’s, the name deliberately chosen as a response to the humourlessness and angst of much of the music of the time. The Daintees became one of the first bands to sign with the Newcastle-upon-Tyne based independent label, Kitchenware, and their debut single, ‘Roll On Summertime’ was a sparkling, cheerful item that announced the arrival of a considerable new talent.
After Kitchenware packed Martin to London Records, he released the marvellous debut album, ‘Boat To Bolivia’ (1985) with The Daintees, under the Production auspices of future Pixies/Bunnymen/James sound man Gil Norton. The album positively burst with excellent, rootsy pop songs, boasting a veritable rainbow of styles, sung and played with a youthful enthusiasm and warmth that paradoxically, perhaps, displayed a mature, unique songwriting voice.