About this user
The Haley Band story starts in Philadelphia, Pa, where Steve Haley started his own project after splitting from his former hard-rock band of four years, Trashlight Vision.
The name seemed to be the only thing plaguing Haley as he vacillated between starting a solo project or a group project. He knew he wanted to do something different and credits his bassist Mitch Hug, whom he met via Myspace, as coming up with idea to name it Haley. I was going back and forth between going "solo" or as a band. It was Mitch that said just call it Haley and make it a band. Straight from Hug, I didn't like the name Nympho [Steve Haleys band prior to Trashlight Vision] or using Steve Haley but Haley is short, to the point, and cool. It just happens to be Steve's last name
As a songwriter from an early age, Haleys influences run deep and wide, including mammoths like David Bowie, Iggy Pop, The Stooges, and the Sex Pistols. However, it was a show at Irving Plaza in New York where a chance encounter leading him to meet Joey Ramone, and a European tour with the Buzzcocks that Haley sites as the defining moment for his music. Joey was such a straight up cool dude and watching the band that partly shaped my musical taste every night on that tour was mind blowing.
After the breakup of Trashlight Vision, Haley spent many months writing his own material and revisiting his goals. After doing the usual business of searching for new band members, and through a serendipitous posting on Craigslist and Myspace, Haley snatched up Mitch Hug, former bassist for Boxer and My Dog Lucy with tour credits including opening for Fuel and 7 Mary 3. Hug also collaborates on the songwriting and lends back-up vocals to Haley.
The drummer, co-writer, back-up vocalist, and third edition to the band, Stripes, had been touring Europe in another band, Blitzkid when he and Steve first crossed paths on the circuit and got to know each other. But it was only after Stripes run with Gorgeous Frankenstein, featuring Doyle from the Misfits, ended, that they linked up.
After a mere six months of playing together, the band set out to record their first full-length self-titled album, Haley, with Phil Nicolo which was recorded at Studio 4. Under intense creative strain, an over abundance of caffeine, and a decided lack of sleep, many of the songs were written, recorded, and perfected in studio. Stripes recalls, We wrote most of the record in two months, we recorded (and finished writing) in 12 days.
Haley has already gained critical review; Jay Stone, radio host of The Faction a syndicated broadcast on Sirius Radio calledHaley the band of the year 2008. In addition, Haley received a glowing write-up in Rock Sound, the UKs premier rock magazine.
Hug sums up the trio succinctly, The band has really clicked from the very beginning, with not knowing any of the guys in the band it was never awkward or felt like we had to try to make things work. Everything just seemed to fall into place. I know bands that have been around for years and have not established the bonds that we have over the last six months.
Hometown
Philadelphia
Country
United States
Occupation
Band
HaleyTourDiary
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