 |  |  | ||||||||
 |  | |||||||||
 | ||||||||||
When post-punk hit the United Kingdom in the late 70's, bands such as Echo & The Bunnymen, The Smiths, The Fall, Aztec Camera, Orange Juice and U2 were formed all over the UK. Among these greats, representing the northern tip of England was Martin Stephenson and the Daintees. Not long after the group formed in Newcastle, the major labels stood up and took notice. With a deal signed at London Records in the UK & Capital Records in the USA, the Daintees were poised for success.
Regarded as one of the best live bands in the UK, their unmatched dynamics allowed them to at one moment be a full blown celebration and at the next a quiet haunting prayer of song led by just Stephenson and his guitar. They headlined the Glastonbury Festival, built big followings all over Europe and with solid tours from coast to coast alongside the likes of Hothouse Flowers and Melissa Etheridge, also placed a strong foothold in the United States.
Despite Stephenson and the Daintees great (and growing) success, during their height of popularity you could still find Stephenson busking on the street of a small village or playing in a small pub in a far away place to a handful of people. Stephenson preferred it that way - he wanted to connect with each and every soul. He wasn’t part of any hip scenes or trying to be something he was not…he just remained true to his art and shared his songs and poems with those who would listen. Audiences appreciated the fact that such a world class artist would want to connect on such a personal level. He was the pub poet for the common man in the UK. The British press loved him and they still do. You will not find a better songster on the planet and Hell’s Half Acre is true testament to that.