Kelly Jones Discography

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Kelly Jones (born 3 June 1974) is a Welsh singer-songwriter and guitarist and the lead singer of the band Stereophonics. Influenced by classic rock bands such as The Who, Led Zeppelin, AC/DC and the Sex Pistols, Jones is noted for his strong, gravelly voice, which has been described as "whiskey" vocals.As a lyricist, Jones is also strongly influenced by Neil Young, Bob Dylan and Otis Redding. Jones has a talent for poetry, having had several works published. He is also known in the media for his cynical view of fame and criticism of manufactured mainstream pop music.

Early life and debut

Jones lived in the village of Cwmaman, near Aberdare, where he became friends with neighbours, Stuart Cable and Richard Jones and they formed a covers band together. Showing a talent for writing in his youth, he considered being a scriptwriter before being a musician and studied film at college. The BBC showed an interest in some of his early work but, as the band progressed from a covers band to writing their original material, he decided to use his narrative side more towards writing lyrics.

Jones also flirted with the idea of boxing, and was a successful boxer at youth level. Much of his early life is documented in the Stereophonics debut album, including his account of his teen years on a market stall. These are wryly documented in More Life in a Tramps Vest from the Stereophonics first album released in 1997, Word Gets Around.

Stereophonics made a big splash in 1996 as the first band to be signed to Richard Branson`s new Virgin Records label V2. Their distinctive sound offered a blend of Oasis-inspired Britpop and `70s-influenced rock & roll earning them a series of big UK hits. However, this did not come at once - their debut EP Looks Like Chaplin did not have enough copies made to enter the charts, their next single Local Boy in the Photograph was one place shy of making the UK Top 50. Although constant gigging and countless support slots earned them much praise and a growing fanbase. Fellow Welsh band Manic Street Preachers put the band as support on many of their 1996-97 tour, this brought the band a lot of new fans.

Their debut LP Word Gets Around did however make it to #6 in the UK Album chart, something that in those days was unheard of for a small Welsh trio.

Personal life

Jones is the youngest of three brothers. His father, Arwyn Jones, was a factory worker, who also sang in local men`s working clubs where they lived in South Wales, in his band Oscar And The Kingfishers. Arwyn managed to secure a record deal with Polydor, but never achieved any mainstream success.

Jones is a friend of Scottish actor Ewan McGregor and also wrote and performed the theme song to the world motorcycle series Long Way Round in 2004. Numerous Stereophonics tracks featured in the series and Jones discussed ideas for the title song with Ewan McGregor by text message during the trip. Jones cites AC/DC as his favourite band.

Jones is known for his preference of wearing vintage clothing, and owns at least twenty leather jackets including several variations of his trademark tan leather jacket. He is frequently seen wearing sunglasses even at night time concerts and indoors. Jones is a fan of Leeds United football club.

In 2000 Jones went to (his friend and band photographer) Julian Castaldi`s home, kicked down his front door, smashed his window with a brick and then vandalised his two cars with a sc