Lifesigns
Lifesigns is an English progressive rock band. As of 2014, the band's members were John Young (Bonnie Tyler, Scorpions, Greenslade, Qango, Asia) on keyboards & vocals, Jon Poole (ex-Cardiacs, Wildhearts, Dowling Poole) on bass & vocals, Martin "Frosty" Beedle (ex-Cutting Crew) on drums, percussion & vocals and formerly Niko Tsonev (ex-Steven Wilson Band) on guitars & vocals. Niko departed the band in August 2016. Dave Bainbridge, (Iona, Celestial Fire, Strawbs) replaced Niko on guitar and also plays additional keyboards. In 2020, Frosty Beedle left, and was replaced by Zoltán Csörsz. Steve Rispin (sound engineer) is the band's fifth member.
Lifesigns | |
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Genres | Progressive rock |
Years active | 2008-present |
Website | http://www.lifesignsmusic.co.uk/ |
Members |
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Past members |
History
Lifesigns was conceived in 2008 by John Young. Working together with sound engineer Steve Rispin, John started to lay the grounds for the Lifesigns album in 2008. In 2010, John was joined by longtime friend Nick Beggs on bass, Chapman Stick and background vocals, and by drummer Martin "Frosty" Beedle to complete the first lineup of the band.
The band worked for over two years to complete their self-titled debut album, with notable guest stars such as progressive rock legend Steve Hackett (Genesis), Jakko Jakszyk (King Crimson), Thijs Van Leer (from Focus) on flute, and Robin Boult (from Fish) on guitar. "Lifesigns" was released on 5 February 2013.
The band began live performances in 2014. As Nick Beggs was busy with other musical endeavors (notably touring with Steve Hackett), Jon Poole was recruited to handle bass and vocals, while Niko Tsonev (departed the band August 2016) took up the guitar duties. The band performed on the progressive "Cruise to the Edge" in the Spring of 2014, as well as appearances in England and continental Europe. In addition to the entire Lifesigns debut, other songs performed included material from the John Young Band, as well as new material.
A live DVD "Under the Bridge - Live in London," filmed over two nights in January 2015, was released in October 2015. The band has made two other appearances on the "Cruise to the Edge" (November 2015 and February 2018).
In September 2017, Lifesigns released their second studio album, "Cardington." The tracklist (which was revealed in February 2017) includes the title track, studio versions of Different, Impossible and Voice In My Head, and new songs Touch, Chasing Rainbows and N. Like the debut, the album has several guest guitar players, including Dave Bainbridge (Iona, Strawbs, Celestial Fire), Niko Tsonev (Steven Wilson Band, Lifesigns), Robin Boult (Fish, The Freemasons, Phats and Small), Menno Gootjes (Focus). It was announced in June 2017 that Dave Bainbridge had joined the band and will be providing guitar/keyboards for live shows.
2018 has seen the band perform several live dates throughout the U.K., with further live dates in March/April 2019 on the Cruise to the Edge and in Europe.
2019 saw the beginning of writing studio cd #3, “Altitude,” which is expected to include writing/arranging input from Dave Bainbridge. Some of the songs expected to be included are “Last One Home,” “Gregarious” and the title track, a roughly 15 minute epic. Altitude will be released in January 2021 and was self-funded through a pledge campaign on the band's website.[1]
On 9 June 2020 Frosty Beedle announced his departure from the band. Zoltán Csörsz (Flower Kings, Karmakanic) was announced as his replacement on 12 June 2020.
Discography
Studio
- Lifesigns (2013)
- Cardington (2017)
- Altitude (forthcoming 2021)
Live
- Under the Bridge - Live in London (DVD - 2015)
Gallery
- Lifesigns at 'The Horns' Watford in July 2014
- Lifesigns at 'Under The Bridge' in January 2015
- Lifesigns at 'The Portland Arms' Cambridge in December 2014
Lifesigns track listing
- Lighthouse
- Telephone
- Fridge Full Of Stars
- At The End Of The World
- Carousel
Cardington track listing
- N
- Voice in My Head
- Chasing Rainbows
- Different
- Impossible
- Touch
- Cardington
Altitude track listing
- Altitude
- Gregarious
- Ivory Tower
- Shoreline
- Fortitude
- Arkhangelsk
- Last One Home
- Altitude (reprise)
References
- Henderson, Alison (2013). "Lifesigns: the first wave in the new British prog tsunami". Progarchy. Retrieved 10 October 2014.
- "Lifesigns review". Sheffield Live!. 30 May 2014. Retrieved 10 October 2014.
- Henderson, Alison (26 January 2015). "John Young's prog vehicle recording live DVD in the capital". Prog Magazine/Team Rock Limited. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
External links
- "Lifesigns - Altitude Pledge Campaign". lifesignsmusic.co.uk. Retrieved 2020-12-07.