Pool Of Sound - The Sums

 

Smaller

'The Sums' is a 4 piece band from Liverpool fronted by legendary singer songwriter Peter 'Digsy' Deary, also known for his friendship with Noel Gallagher and also having a song wrote in his name by Oasis, 'Digsy's Dinner', from their debut album Definitely Maybe. Digsy was front man for the 90s indie chart topping band 'Smaller' who were a part of the UK Brit pop scene who smashed into the indie chart top 10 with classic singles taken from the critically acclaimed album, 'Badly Badly', such as 'Wasted', 'Stray Dogs and Bin Bags', 'God I Hate This Town' and 'Is', featuring Noel Gallagher on guitar.
Noel also lists 'Smaller's' album 'Badly Badly' as one of his favourite albums of all time. They were very much in demand and toured with 'The Stereophonics', 'Catatonia', Paul Weller and 'Oasis' and much more. The band recorded a 2nd album in 1997 which was never released as, soon after the recording sessions, their record label ran into financial difficulties and folded, which left the band stranded.

'Smaller' stayed together with various line-up changes along the way and continued on their creative path before in 2005 singer/song writers Peter (Digsy) Deary and Chris Mullin decided to end the band and take a new avenue of creativity re launching the band as 'The Sums'. The name change come about after the band, still then called 'Smaller', had just finished recording 11 tracks in Liverpool's The Ranch studios in 2005, which seemed at the time a good point to change the name. Their streak of misfortune continued, when they discovered, days before they were due to finish recording & mix the tracks, that the hard drive had gone missing and the files with the 11 tracks where gone. The hard drive stayed missing for a further 5 years until one day a phone call came through with the 'guess what I’ve found?' news… The unfinished recordings needed some attention and were produced and mixed by Chris Mullin and Digsy and in October 2011 the band released it as their debut album called, 'If Only' with an additional 2 tracks recorded elsewhere. 

 

They also released an EP called, 'Treat Your Victim', in 2008 featuring demos that where originally intended for release by various record labels. 'Start at the Finish', released in 2015, was the eagerly awaited second studio album from the band, a story of achieving whilst being the underdog. Hailing from Liverpool's backstreets they have produced a kaleidoscope of sounds with a psychedelic twist of subtle loops and samples, whilst not losing sight nor sound of their 4 piece guitar driven roots with added heart felt vocal arrangement. The album was recorded in Box Studios, Liverpool, from February 2014 to November 2014 as they ran a campaign via Pledge Music to successfully raise the funds to go into the studio to record the new 13 track album. They stayed close to their guitar driven routes but spiced things up with an array of cleverly pieced audio samples, subtle loops and added psychedelic over tones and pulses. Peter Deary and bass player Chris Mullin write strong, passionate songs with seriously addictive melodies, and pen lyrics which are as sharp as a knife. They could be the creative force behind any artist, from star performers to the emerging artists, and are open to any publishing offers for their back catalogue and future arrangements. This album captures the band perfectly. Guitarist Lee Watson provides fantastic guitar work and ensures strong and to the point guitar parts are delivered, and with his valued creative input, along with drummer Chris Campbell keeping the backbone firmly in place, the band as a whole are the complete package.

The Sums 2018

Tributes were paid to their lead guitarist Lee Watson who died in 2016 aged 45. As sad as this was, they felt things must continue, even though they would never be the same but it is how Lee would want it as the music matters to them all, and Lee will forever be a part of the music they create. The band set out to continue on their musical journey, working on new tracks for their next studio album which will be in loving memory of Lee. They then found themselves caught up and severely losing out in the collapse of Pledge Music, but they persevered with the recording and release of their new album, 'Better', to bless the year with one of its finest and most irresistible collection of rock/pop songs. It has been an altogether tough time since their last album with the death of Lee hitting band mates, fans and indeed music hard, but using his memory and enduring inspiration, the Liverpool quartet forged ahead with long-time friend in guitarist Richy Northcote joining up for the up and coming gigs with vocalist/guitarist Peter 'Digsy' Deary, bassist/vocalist Chris Mullin, and drummer Chris Campbell. 

see also :- http://www.thefootballvoice.com/2022/06/pool-of-sound-professor-yaffle.html