The Four Storeys

Oxford, England's Four Storeys are led by brothers Nick Kenny (vocals/guitar) and Simon Kenny (bass), both formerly of vastly-underrated mid-'90s Brit-pop/mod revivalists Thurman; drummer Dan Goddard (ex-Nubiles) and keyboardist "Pete" fill out the rest of the lineup. After forming in the winter of 1998, they are only now being touted as part of a contemporary U.K.-based "canyon rock" movement which may or may not (depending on how you categorize them) include bands like Delta, Mojave 3, the Glasgow-based Cosmic Rough Riders, January, or their Truck labelmates Goldrush (formerly known as Whispering Bob). Each of these bands, like the Storeys, are bent on returning to American country-rock and folk-rock roots -- Buffalo Springfield/the Byrds/the Band/Neil Young/Bob Dylan -- adding banjo, tack piano, and other archaic old west instrumentation (kitchen implement percussion and scratchy samples), putting a not-too-subtle emphasis on wheezy slide-guitar waltzes, chiming guitar pop, and mournful/soulful vocals. The Four Storeys' first release, Castaway, was originally issued by Shifty Disco's "singles club" in February 1999. They followed up by releasing subsequent singles for Truck Records. Their first album, Betting on Now, recorded through necessity in bedrooms and landings by old friend and producer Jon McLoughlin, was released in October 2000. ~ Bryan Thomas, All Music Guide