Stormcellar are a cult original roots band based in Sydney, New South Wales.
2024 Updates
Mixing rock and roll, blues, country and Americana, Stormcellar know how to make great music.
The 2019 Sydney Blues Players of the year & Best Live Act for 2 years running, hosts & founders of the annual Cooma Roots & Blues Festival, with 15 albums, 5 US tours and a track record of producing chart topping original Blues & Roots content, Stormcellar continue to be Australia’s most prolific roots act.
BASILISK REVIEW BY EMMA DRIVER: APR 2024
Stormcellar, Basilisk
The basilisk – a mythical serpent that will slay you where you stand if you dare to look it in the eye – is an intriguing concept for a Stormcellar album. This is a band whose songs are unafraid to look a few hard truths right in the face – the truths that crack our hearts open, or the ones we ignore at our peril in our late-capitalist fug. In looking at things how they are, front on, the songs on Basilisk keep us plugged into this nutty life, yet still upright and putting one foot after the other. It’s a very human journey; in fact, the album unfurls like a journey, or a film soundtrack, which is the way it’s designed to be listened to – from beginning to end, treading its path in one 35-minute hit.
Stormcellar’s rollicking blues core is always strong, but it’s only part of the pleasure here. Where there’s blues, it’s the tightly written kind, slugged with rock and roll, and with lyrics that are grounded in the stuff of contemporary life. ‘A Little Too Much’ kicks us off with a crunch of guitar and Michael Barry’s wailing blues harp. It’s a hand-clapping good time, impossible not to stomp to. (‘You can shake your egg and beat it’ – sure, have yourself a sexy omelette, why not?) It pairs perfectly with ‘I Wanna Get Next to You’ in capturing the fun that flesh-and-blood humans have with each other, this time with a growling refrain and a leave-no-doubts directness, not to mention Paul Read’s slide guitar all over it – building the tension and always in service to the song, never flying off on a self-indulgent whim.
‘Something to Go By’, with its country flavour, offers a quieter moment of connection, affecting and simple. ‘I don’t need to hear other people’s business’ – amen to that! ‘Hey Head in the Clouds’ is a sunny slice of optimism, punctuated by banjo and guitar (courtesy of the James Brothers) and cheerful harmonies; fingers crossed that it bolsters the confidence of its subject who has ‘lived a life less ordinary’. That’s another Basilisk theme: stepping outside the normal flow of things for a less-ordinary life, attuned to what is whispered in the darker corners.
It’s a theme that bubbles up in ‘We Will Not Be Forgotten’, as Skypta Vind’s electronic pulse anchors the otherworldly vocals that beam in ‘like a call from outer space’. A crackling comms link features on the brief ‘Running and Screaming’, which offers a warning from the other side (somewhere) – ‘Can’t say if we’re gonna survive / Be sure to smash that like and subscribe!’ Dropping bombs based on a millions thumbs-up doesn’t actually seem too far off, but let’s hope Stormcellar don’t win the award for best dystopian prediction any time soon.
The sweeping ‘Giants Fall’, with its tender cello motifs, is a worthy closer. ‘Go and break my heart’, one of the track’s repeated refrains, does what it says on the tin (i.e. beware the heartbreak, all ye unwary listeners), while the ending – ‘All I want is to forget myself’ – suggests how (regrettably) impossible that is.
Michael Barry’s vocals are as malleable as these songs, and he can deliver a vocal in a seemingly infinite number of modes: gruff, conversational, quiet, or with one eyebrow raised, but all of them seeking connection. Because the words are important here, and there’s meaning to be had on even the most fleeting listen. Lines like ‘Angry’s how you show you care’ (‘We Will Not Be Forgotten’) or ‘Chasing unicorns kinda wears me down’ (‘Something to Go By’) leap out, with the rest of their story filled out on repeated plays.
Just as important is what happens around every lyric – Paul Read’s slide guitar textured and affecting one minute, raucous and rowdy the next, and the unflappable rhythm of Theo Wanders underpinning it all (on the insistent, beautifully handled shuffle of ‘Fantasia on “Dreams of Better Days”’, for instance), no matter what musical cuisine is on the menu. Noel Little and Ben Halin on bass, and Paul Surany on guitar, are integral too, and the guest artists add depth, along with production that pushes at the edges of what these songs can do.
So if this is what happens when the basilisk tricks you into a staring contest, let’s have at it. Locking eyes with hard truths is risky, but it can be a hell of a good time too. And with Stormcellar as your guide, it’s a risk worth taking.
(Emma Driver, April 2024)
What's been said About Stormcellar:
"Stormcellar are an innovative roots music band from Australia that has spent the last 11 years blending many different roots genres with multimedia and human performance....Stormcellar radiates the confidence of an established band comfortably pushing its creativity in public. All of this music is deserving of your time and fans of lyrical songwriting may find this to be their new favorite band. Play these albums for anyone needing a reason to still believe in perfectly-executed guitar-and-vocal music."
“Stormcellar is a band that has done one of the hardest tricks of all, that being making simple roots music with individuality and modern appeal. This isn't a history-lesson outfit obsessed with recreating one particular place and time. It's a 21st Century group that makes new music while standing on old shoulders. Highly recommended. You should probably stop reading and go buy this record”
Mike O’Cull, mikeocull.com
‘James Taylor with Cojones….Killer riffs & powerhouse songwriters’
No Depression Magazine
‘Over the years, the band has continued its evolution by crossing the paths of other music, other artists, up to this double CD that offers us this successful mix of stories of life, musicality, and freedom, a privilege of artists who know how to free themselves from styles and modes. Fed by blues, rock, folk ... they are Australian, which is why I chose the word Australiana to describe their music.’
‘Blues Again’ Magazine, France
‘There is a harder edge to the band…but the genre is not damaged one iota! It’s successfully right in the pocket throughout. Their original material is well within the range, with some political stances taken (“We the People”, “Chalk Angels”) – the few covers appropriately chosen and played… a paving stone in the pathway of a good band as they find their “voice” in this music. The blues takes many forms… this is just one or two of them! Good stuff.’
LIVING BLUES #252; Vol. 48, #6 - December 2017... pp. 55/56.
‘Fun, quirky and original’ Drum Magazine, Sydney
An iconic Sydney mix of Roots, Blues, Rock & Folk, Stormcellar have achieved local and international recognition for 14 years worth performance & production, with three #1 albums on the local Australian Blues & Roots Charts and chart positions in the US & France.
Stormcellar have produced 14 albums, been reviewed in Living Blues & No Depression, gained a spot for their self produced viral videos on the Today Show & ABC's RAGE and continued recording with some of the top talent in AUS & the US, touring with DC Bellamy (Aretha Franklin), recording, writing for and backing Millage Gilbert (Elmore James Band), Danny Cox (Brewer & Shipley), writing with Rick Lyons (Awarded US Midwest Poet), Larry Crane (Cougar Mellencamp Band), Mike 'Fettler' Kerin (Slim Dusty Band), Harry Brus (Renee Geyer), Bukhuchulun Ganburged (Mongolian Khyrgraa Master), Dr Geoffrey Gartner (Sydney Ballet Orchestra), Marina de Tomayo (Flamenco Australia) and the Enmore Solidarity Choir. While they were at it, Stormcellar wrote & recorded the theme song 'Return of the King' for Five Dock’s own wrestling sensations AWE (Australian Wrestling Entertainment).
Stormcellar spent 18 months in service to the mighty Radiators as support; they've played US & Australian Festivals & Community events, bars, clubs and street fairs from Tamworth to Nashville, Chicago, Indianapolis, Wollongong & can be found anywhere from late night bars in Newtown to market mornings in Bowral, or lost on a highway in the US Midwest.
To contact Stormcellar & Stormcellar Collective
Australia:
Paul Read
USA
Roger Onbestaand
Virtual Manager
US: 773 382 8852
or send us an email via CONTACT FORM
For more information, check out our music and videos here.
What's Been Going On Recently?
2024
APR - 'Liquidator', from alternate universe version of Stormcellar 'STÜRMKELLER'. Add unnecessary Umlauts.
Mar - 2 good reviews for Basilisk. MJEB described as a 'Creative Genius' in one review. MJEB denies accusation loudly and to as many people as he can find.
Mar - MJEB's releases AI image generated videos for Giants Fall, Hollow Tree and Morning flame. That boy is right into it huh?
Mar- 'waiting on a message from Bob' 2nd single from BOB project
Feb - 'Morning flame' , first single from the BOB project
Jan - 'Basilisk', 15th release.
2023
OMG I can't blog, I have things to mix. this is what we have put out so far this year!
Hey Head in the Clouds - Single - FEAT: The James Bros
We Will Not Be Forgotten - Video and Single - FEAT: Skypta Vind
The Duke - video
Go Down Easy Unplugged -video
I Disappear unplugged - Video.
JAN - First single from the Greenhouse Project 'Something to go by'
2022
DEC - 'Signposts' debuts at #6 on Australian Blues and Roots Chart, Stormcellars...12th top 10 placement?
NOV - Hosts of the 5th Annual C.R.A.B festival in Cooma.
NOV - 14th album 'signposts' released
JUNE-AUG - 'Strange pleasures',
2021
NOV - Hosts of 4th Annual C.R.A.B festival in Cooma.
OCT 21 'Sweet Grace of Mercy - 13th release from stormcellar, recorded in Clarksdale, mixed in Australia by band member MJEB
SEPT 'Fool for you' released as a single
MAR 2021 - First live gig for Stormcellar since 2020!
FEB 2021 - Downtime Season 2 commenced
'Best of Downtime' Volume 1 released
FEB 'Upside of down' released as single.
2020
Dec 2020 - 'Downtime Season 1' album in production, first Stormcellar Collective album in Production
Nov 2020 - Stormcellar Collective host 3rd annual Cooma CRAB
Aug 2020 - Stormcellar wins SBS Members Choice Award, 2nd year running.
Mar 2020 - Streaming show 'Downtime' launched featuring Stormcellar Collective
Feb 2020 - Stormcellar complete 5th US tour
Feb 2020 Production commenced on 12th Studio album In Clarksdale MS
Feb 2020 Stormcellar hosts fundraiser for WIRES in Kansas City, appears on Kansas City Fox 4 Morning Show with Kathy Quinn.
2019
November 2019 - 2nd 'C.R.A.B' festival curated by Stormcellar
Aug - 'Cross Fire' from the Salon project with Den Hanrahan and Christina Crofts released on video & single.
July - Stormcellar win Blues Player of the Year challenge, headed to memphis in 2020.
June - Stormcellar 'best live band' award from the Sydney Blues Society, in a tie with the legendary Foreday Riders!
MAY - One in a million diamond hawke remix released
Mar - Stormcellar Country Collection Vol 1. released online
Mar - C.R.A.B festival 2 confirmed!
Feb - Stormcellar Blues Collection Vol 1. released online.
Feb - Video for 'Go Down Easy' released using home footage from 4RAR/6RAR's Vietnam deployment 1969
Last Quarter of 2018
- Joined our friends at the Inaugural C.R.A.B Cooma
- Released Safe Harbour (SC 1801)
- Released Safe Harbour/Rogue State Companion album set ( SC1803)
- Safe Harbour/Rogue State goes to #3 on the ABARC Charts
- Safe Harbour/Rogue State gets reviewed in France!
- Made like, a bunch of videos. Pirouette, Minor Miracle (oh i like that one) and some other stuff. Go to youtube chan
AUGUST 2018
First video from the Sydney Identity Project/SC11 'Pirouette' released
SC11 enters final mixing
Sydney Identity Project commences
JULY 2018
Beyond 5D project continues
'Weather Permitting' Tour commences
SC10 is mastered
SC11 tracked
JUNE 2018
SC10 Enters Mixing. Yeah.
SC11 in tracking.
Also - 10 years Underground, a Decade of Stormcellar digital collection released. 35 tracks curated from the first 10 years and 9 albums. Leaves off half of our favourites. Yeah. Well.
April - 'The Midwest Triptych' released, a 25 track collection of Everywhere Feels Like Home, Kansas City Gold and Defiance, as it was (sort of) intended to be.
Feb: 'Pirouette' first track from SC11 released as a single We really do this stuff in quite a peculiar order.
Also pretty sure I made some videos. Go look on our Youtube.
DEC 2017
'Kansas City Gold' given a pretty decent write up in Living Blues Magazine
Stormcellar appear at the 2017 Sydney Blues & Roots Festival
Multimedia 'Anti anxiety' project 'the 5D project ' released https://youtu.be/v7LKajNgnnk
OCT 2017 -
'DEFIANCE' #1 on Australian Blues & Roots Chart, Stormcellar's 3rd #1 Album.
Nov 2017
5D Sonic Reference (sound track to 5D project) in production, will be Stormcellar's 10th album.
Beyond 5D (5D project part 2) in Pre Production for Q1 2018
11th album in production, working title SC11, 2018. First single 'Pirouette' released.
The '5D Project' released, a secret link to an atmospheric multimedia project involving live recordings in situ with the sounds of the environment.
OCT 2017 - 'DEFIANCE' #1 on Australian Blues & Roots Chart, Stormcellar's 3rd #1 Album.
Stormcellar Announced for Sydney Blues & Roots Festival,
'Defiance' Album of the week on Bluesbeat Radio
SEPT 2017 - 10th project, working title '5D' started in post production. 11th project started.
AUG 2017 - 5th US tour postponed after one of the lads had a health scare. Rescheduled for 2018 'cos he's All Right.
June 2017 - 'Defiance', 9th album released. Recorded 7 tracks for our 10th album, released a few more videos including Chalk Angels, made with a bloke in Virginia and now we're doing more stuff.
MAY 2017 - A bunch of videos released, 9th album 'Defiance' due out pretty much any time. 5D project started. More airplay. Yeah we've been busy.
MAR 2017 Recap - 9th album almost done, part 3 of the midwest triptych 'Defiance' due out mid year. New videos released. More radio airplay.
DEC 2016 - Stormcellar's 9th Album enters mixing in Indiana.
DEC 2016 - DC Bellamy goes on National Public Radio in the US to talk about the Kansas City Gold project.
DEC 2016 Kansas City Gold getting airplay on approx 250 stations world wide, inc US, Australia, France, the UK and Canada.
NOV 2016 Stormcellar's 8th album KC Gold getting airplay on 250 radio stations world wide!
OCT 2016 Gene Deer, 2016 Indiana Legend Award Winner announces East Coast Tour of OZ with Stormcellar. (UPDATE- Gene didn't get his passport in time for Jan, tour postponed)
OCT 2016 Stormcellar does Marrickville Street Fair
OCT 2016 Kansas City Gold Reaches gets syndicated Airplay in the US & Canada, with over 150 Stations now playing the album.
OCT 2016 Kansas City Gold Reaches #6 on Australian Blues & Roots Chart
OCT 2016 - Millage interview by Australian DJ's whilst Michael's interviewed by US DJ's!
SEPT 2016 'Introducing Stormcellar' double album of Everywhere Feels Like Home + Curious Assembly gain airplay on US AAA radio
SEPT 2016 Kansas City Gold 'Album of month' on 2RRR
SEPT 2016 - ninth album recorded in Indianapolis with producer Alan Johnson (Paul Rodgers/John Fogerty/Kid Rock/Larry Crane/Duke Tumatoe) and guests Gene Deer, Larry Crane, PJ and Rob Dixon.
AUG 2016 - 4th US Tour, including 2nd year in a row at Nickelplate Festival.
AUGUST 2016 Kansas City gold debuts on Australian Blues & Roots Charts at #23
JULY 2016 - 'Kansas City Gold' completed
FEB 2016 - 'I'm Better Off Without You' released as a single.
Q4 2015 - Original soundtrack 'Everywhere feels like home' released. debuts at #15 on the Charts. Not bad for a soundtrack eh?
Q4 2015 - Original soundtrack 'Everywhere feels like home' released. debuts at #15 on the Charts. Not bad for a soundtrack eh?
SEP 2015 Recorded 'KC Underground sessions' with Kansas City All Stars line up including Millage Gilbert and Ron Teamer.
SEP 2015 Recorded 'Better off without you' at Static Shack, Indianapolis
SEP 2015 Stormcellar at Nickeplate Fest, Fishers IN
AUG 2015 Stormcellar at Byron Crossroads Festival, Rockford IL, 2nd year in a row!
AUG 2015 Stormcellar US Tour 3
MAY 2015 Stormcellar tour with Kansas City Legend, DC Bellamy on Australian East Coast Tour
APRIL 2015 Stormcellar announced for Longview Festival, October
Interview with Mr Wizard from Australian Guitar Magazine Mar 2015
http://www.australianguitarmag.com.au/2015/05/paul-reid-video-interview/
FEB 2015 - Stormcellar announced for the 2015 Nickelplate Blues Festival in Indiana, I guess that means we're doing our 3rd US tour. Must get around to announcing that.
FEB 2015 - Stormcellar write Theme song for the Australian Wrestling Entertainment Championships!
JAN 2015 - Stormcellar record our first international co written song 'Sweet Mama', co-written with Ron Teamer, Kansas City KS.
JAN 2015 - Stormcellar announced for 2015 Crossroads Blues Festival in Illinois, USA
DEC 2014 - Stormcellar release 'You Can't Push Me Away', an international US/AUS co produced single featuring DC Bellamy
OCT 2014 - The Curious Assembly appears at #17 On the Collectif Des Radios Blues in France
2nd US Tour Aug-Sept 2014 - Stormcellar open Crossroads Festival in Rockford, Illinois, play shows and festivals in 5 states.
JULY 2014 - 'The Curious Assembly' , Stormcellar's 6th Album, debuts on Aust Blues/Roots Charts at #2
Stormcellar Are
Paul 'Mr Wizard' Read - Slide Guitar & Mandolin
Michael 'MJEB' Barry - Vocals & Harp
Theo 'The Boss' Wanders - Drums & Percussion
Emeritus Members
Michael 'Rosie' Rosenthal - Electric & Acoustic Guitar
Bill Williams - Electric & Acoustic Bass, Mandolin, Guitar
Stormcellar Collective Members Include:
Michael Coggins - Electric & Acoustic Guitar
Paul Surany - Electric and Acoustic Guitar
Ben Halin - Bass
Discography:
2024 - Basilisk, studio album, waiting on a message from bob single, morning flame single, Liquidator (STÜRMKELLER song)
2023 - 'The Duke', 'Something to go by' - Singles
2022 - Signposts
2021 - 'Best of Downtime'
2020 'Sweet grace of mercy'
2020 'Fool For You' Single released
2019 'Crossfire' single released, featuring Den Hanrahan and Christina Crofts
2019 Stormcellar Country Collection Vol 1 released - 34 track downloadable collection
2019 - Stormcellar Blues Collection Vol 1 released - 34 track downloadable collection
2019 Safe Harbour/Rogue State double release - 10 & 11th album in a single release
2019 - Safe Harbour released - 10th album
2018 - 'The Mid West Triptych' and '10 years underground' released as digital collections. Single 'Pirouette' released as ...as...a....Single.
2017- June - 'Defiance' , Part 3 of the Mid West Triptych is released.
2016 - Kansas City Gold, part two of the 'Midwest Triptych' released to rave US reviews, charting at #6 in Australian and getting syndicated radio play in the US & Canada on over 150 stations.
Single - 'I'm better off without you' released feb 2016
2015 - Everywhere Feels Like Home original soundtrack, Q4 2015, part of the 'Midwest Triptych' Charts at #12 in Australia,
Singles 'Sweet Mama' and 'Don't take it so hard on me' Released Q1 2015
Single - The Flood - Released Australia Day, Jan 2015
Single - You Can't Push me away, Stormcellar with Jo Fitzgerald & DC. Bellamy released Oct 2014 - go check it it's awesome.
The Curious Assembly - July 2014 - Debuted at #2 on ABARC charts. Described as 'weird, but good' by Salty Dog. Charted in France.
Hired Guns & Borrowed Glory 2012 - #1 on Aust Blues Roots Chart, #18 on Collectif Des Radio Blues in France, #3 best NTTB albums of the year Blues Underground Network
Carl's Chair 2010 - #7 on Aust Blues Roots Chart, Album of the week CoastFm, Wildman Steve Radio Alabama, listed in best NTTB albums of the year Blues Underground Network
Nuevo Retro 2010 - #1 on Aust Blues Roots Chart, #49 US National Blues Chart
Spacejunk EP - 2009 - #23 on Aust Blues Roots Chart
Whiskey Talking -2008 - #20 on Aust Blues Roots Chart, Debut Album
Album Reviews:
The Curious Assembly reviewed by Bluesblast
No Depression reviews Hired Guns & Borrowed Glory
'Hired Guns & Borrowed Glory' reviewed in France (in French, would you believe?)
Blues Underground Network Reviews Carl's Chair
Contact:
to contact the band use the contact form!