Third in the mean and moody male vocalists Ralph's been checking out this week is Liverpool singer/songwriter Tony Steele who has returned to music with a new single Starting From Scratch, released on September 25th and showcasing a stripped down folk/rock sound.
Session musicians Charlie Landsborough Jnr, Laura Mackinlay, Peter MacParland and Grant Walker complete the line up of his band Tony Steele and The Massacre
Tony's first band Monkey Steps, a psychedelic Scouse skiffle group, supported Alabama 3 and Pete Doherty. They also gave Catfish and the Bottlemen their first Liverpool gig when the young Welsh band opened for them at Liverpool's legendary Cavern Club
Tony's lyrics are based on the three years he spent away from music drawing inspiration from the ups and downs that life has thrown at him.
Starting From Scratch is honest songwriting at it's best delivered with a gritty, unfussy and heartfelt vocal.
His new music was premiered at two gigs in London supporting Zak Starkey's band Penguins Rising and Inder Goldfinger's The Winachi Tribe, and was so well received that he has announced a UK tour, starting with a gig supporting John Power at Liverpool's Kazimier.
Tony Steele and The Massacre will also be supporting Cast in Kendal, Alloa, and Paisley as well as headlining gigs in Birmingham, London, and Glasgow. The band will also be supporting John McCullough and the Escorts in Liverpool.