website: www.reverbnation.com/stratusrocks
www.facebook.com/stratusrocks
twitter: @StratusR0cks
Email us at stratusrocks@hotmail.co.uk

STRATUS ROCKS! Ring any bells? Well that’s about to change! After many years of building their solid foundations in the secretive shadows, Stratus Rocks is claiming centre stage. With their unique outlook on classic rock and 90’s grunge mixed with that something different, the band play the music that they want to hear!

Stratus Rocks from Southend-on-Sea, Essex, UK, was started by a chance meeting between Stu (Guitar) and Lee (Vocals) during a football match at the pub. Although their opinions on the beautiful game differed substantially it wasn't too long before talk moved onto music, a subject they definitely saw eye to eye on. Both with a love for classic heavy rock and a feeling of deep dissatisfaction about the current musical scene they decided to get together for a jam. This proved difficult because of commitments with other bands. However, when they did finally get together in Lee’s hallway, it was clear that the chemistry was definitely there.

For two years Stratus Rocks (or Stratus as they were known at the time) grew from strength to strength wowing audiences with their explosive and passionate performances mixed with exquisite musicianship and talented song writing. They won new fans at every event leading to their first independent EP release of "Society's Leper". With hundreds of copies and downloads sold the forth track "The Medicine" appeared on BBC Essex's "introducing" radio show. Then just as Stratus Rocks' success had reached a point for them to head back into the studio to work on their second EP,” Hindsight Beyond Hindsight”, a clash of personalities led to their bass player and drummer leaving the band. Stu the bands’ guitarist, co-songwriter and co-producer, stepped in and played bass guitar so that "Hindsight Beyond Hindsight" actually happened.

Promoting the EP was helped by the addition of Lee's sister on bass and her boyfriend on drums. With a complete line up, Stratus smashed every gig they had with truly memorable performances. Unfortunately, they left the band in early 2012 to seek lifetime ambitions to travel.

Lee's distinctive voice, on/off stage charisma and ability to captivate his audience knows no bounds, especially when combined with Stu’s electrifying solos and mind shattering riffs. As a duo, Lee and Stu were noticed, talked about, and full of promise, the only hindrance was finding other permanent band members that shared their chemistry.

Then the strangest of things happened…
An old mutual friend (who knew of Stratus Rocks’ predicament with the impending departure of their bass player and drummer) bumped into Alex (Bass) and thought this was too good a combination to miss! He re-introduced the incredible bass player Alex to Stu. Alex and Stu first met in 1997 via an advert for a band in the local music shop window. They went on to learn their craft and hone their skills playing together as teenagers in their successful Southend band Backlash, who most notably had air play on Radio Caroline.
A jam was then arranged with Lee at a local studio. It had been 7 years since Alex and Stu had played together, it was like a missing piece of the puzzle and Alex joined the band.

Stratus Rocks went on to write and perform new acoustic material whilst they looked for the drummer that would tie them all together. Dan was recommended by an old school friend of Stu’s, and was put through his paces facing some tough competition during auditions. Having played since he was 13, Dan has developed a style that is both classic yet modern, fitting in with and completing Stratus Rocks’ diverse and talented background.

The band decided to change its name from Stratus to STRATUS ROCKS in January 2013, feeling that the new band members signified a new approach and era in the bands history. With new material having airplay on the MTM Rock Show with Jaspa, and a live appearance on Phoenix98Fm’s Musical Meanderings show STRATUS ROCKS are set to rise and rise.

This extremely talented quartet are writing their most exciting material to date!!
