BAND BIOGRAPHY

With a pedigree that stretches back over many years, with roots reaching to the 70's and 80's with Electric Light Orchestra, the 90's with ELO Part II and from 2001 to the present as The Orchestra, heralding a continuing era of unparalleled symphonic rock!

Following Bev Bevan's retirement at the end of 1999 and their triumphant sell-out concerts at London's Royal Albert Hall and Manchester's Bridgewater Hall, Mik Kaminski, Louis Clark, Kelly Groucutt, Eric Troyer, Parthenon Huxley and the latest recruit Gordon Townsend regrouped as The Orchestra. The new name acknowledged each member's illustrious former membership of the Electric Light Orchestra and/or ELO Part II but also forges ahead a future utilising the spectacular symphonic rock sound for which they are unequalled.

The completion of their first stunning album 'No Rewind' signaled the band's rebirth in a most positive manner. Produced by Eric Troyer, Parthenon Huxley and Jim Jacobsen (eels), No Rewind was recorded without a single penny from any record label - admirable and courageous when you consider how today's music industry operates. 10 tracks and more were recorded in studios in Los Angeles and New York over a two-and-a-half year period during breaks in the band's hectic worldwide touring schedule. Recording sessions were booked around shows, guaranteeing that band members would be in the same city at the same time. It's not easy to "get together and jam" with a bassist and violinist domiciled in England, a keyboardist in New Jersey, a conductor in Ohio and both guitarist and drummer in Los Angeles.

Of course, the album turned out brilliantly….

With each band member contributing in equal measure, No Rewind contained many highlights across its 10 tracks: Lou's strings in the outro of the title track, Mik's soloing in Let Me Dream; Eric and Kelly's vocal harmonies on Can't Wait and Twist & Shout (yes, that one); Gordon's fill before the final chorus of Over London Skies; the solo Hux shares with Mik during Say Goodbye... and much more. Tthe a capella part of Before We Go includes an exquisite guest vocal appearance by Jeffrey Foskett of Brian Wilson's band.

Eric Troyer, brimful with an infectious and almost overwhelming enthusiasm, sums up just how positive The Orchestra have been in creating No Rewind:

“I have to say that all of the former ELO members showed an amazing adaptability, sparkling creativity and an adventurousness spirit in their contributions to the new album. We’ve stepped into new territory, inspired by the new and young blood in the band (Hux and Gordon). I think this is some of the best work of Lou's career and that goes for Mik too (check his inspiring writing and violin work on Let Me Dream and others). Kelly, who is still a killer vocalist and writer (Before We Go) provides the historic ELO-edge to the sound and creativity of the background vocals on all tracks.”

No Rewind is an album you are going to want to Replay everytime……..