Martin Stephenson and The Daintees

Formed in Sunderland in 1982 around singer, guitarist and songwriter Martin Stephenson, Martin Stephenson and The Daintees developed a repertoire at the crossroads of folk-rock, folk and a roots-tinged pop, with elements of rockabilly, rock ’n’ roll and touches of punk. The band released its first singles in the early 1980s and consolidated this flexible, melodic and often acoustic blend on Boat to Bolivia (1986), Gladsome, Humour & Blue (1988), Salutation Road (1990) and The Boy’s Heart (1992). After this initial period, Martin Stephenson disbanded the group to pursue a solo career, before reviving Martin Stephenson and The Daintees from 2000 onwards. Since the reformation the group has returned to the stage regularly and expanded its discography with several albums, including Western Eagle (2008), California Star (2012), Haunted Highway (2015), Bayswater Road (2017), Chi Chi and the Jaguar (2019), Howdy Honcho (2021) and You Belong To Blue (2023). Martin Stephenson and The Daintees therefore retain an identity rooted in the North-East of England, between British folk songwriting, pop energy and a taste for spare arrangements.