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| Biography |
Niall Graham (Vocals)
Stephen Hill (Guitar)
Michael Kent (Drums & Percussion)
Stuart Murphy (Bass Guitar)
Paddy Steele (Guitar)
The Black Tokens are a Belfast-based 5-piece Alt/Indie Rock band with musical influences brewed in 90's Britpop, 80's Indie,
70's Punk, 60's Mod and Northern Soul. Originally formed in 2016, by Stuart Murphy (Bass), Mike Kent (Drums) and
Paddy Steele (Guitar), the addition in early 2005 of Stephen Hill (Guitar) and Niall Graham (Vocals) to the band has
strengthened and matured them to the level of taking the "next step".
Drawing on all these genres they have formed a sound that is very distinctive and described as very "now". A full bodied
blend of soaring guitars, pounding drums, driving bass and vocals that range to kingdom come and back. The Black Tokens have
a real knack of writing songs that you don't want to get out of your head. They play a broad range of sounds from the
fast-paced punky "Burn The Trains" to the anthemic rockwall that is "How Does It Feel?" to the poprock anthem that is
"Simple Jamaican" as well as a nod to Pete Townshend on the acoustic number "Rise Now".
The band has received a significant amount of Northern Irish press coverage, as well as radio airplay (in places as far off
as Spain and the USA) and interviews, at the same time building a loyal local following, performing in front of significant
crowds in Northern Ireland's premier venues, namely The Limelight, The King's Head, Auntie Annies and Lavery's Bunker, as
well as being asked to support Irish supergroup / Slane Castle perfomers Halite (including former members of The Frames,
Therapy? and Wilt) as well as a handful of shows in Dublin.
"A band who have always been busy, but this year sees them step it all up a gear" - Belfast Telegraph January 2006
2006 is already proving to be an extremely busy year for the band with them embarking on a week-long Scottish tour in March
as well as having gigs booked in London, Liverpool and Norwich with many more UK gigs to be announced. They are currently in the studio
recording their first proper EP release, which they plan to have out to the public in February/March. The band have had a
number of enquiries from independent record labels who have been interested on signing up the band and releasing a single,
but the band have chosen to hold back until the right offer comes along.
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