User:Travers2000

COAST is an English folk rock group, based in Southampton, UK. COAST is Paul Eastham (lead vocals, keyboards, guitar, accordian), Alec Stone (acoustic guitar, vocals), Chris Barnes(percussion), Mark 'Mongo' Mongan (drums), Russ Barnes (Lead Guitar) and Hamish Ferguson (bass).

History
COAST was formed in the winter of 2007 by singer-songwriter Paul Eastham. Classically trained pianist Eastham had previously co-written and co-produced the first EP by Welsh singer Duffy, the eponymously titled Aimée Duffy (EP) which was released in 2004 under the Welsh Awen Records label. Eastham also played keyboards, synths and guitar on the EP.

COAST's first EP was entitled The Great Crowd and released in January 2008. The EP featured original lead guitarist Phil Marshall. COAST followed up this release with their first live show at the Storm Club in Leicester Square, London on 12th March 2008. The line-up featured Chris Lappage (who by this time had replaced Phil Marshall on lead guitar) along with Phil Langman (Drums) and Ray Drury (Keyboards). Both Phil and and Ray left the band soon after, Phil being replaced on drums by Mark Mongan.

In May 2009 COAST were asked to record the official single for 'Saints Aid' - a charity event organised by Southampton Football Club fans to raise funds to keep the club from going into liquidation. The single 'Colours' was subsequently released on 18th May 2009 and the band appeared at the 'Saints Aid' music festival at St Mary's Stadium in Southampton on 23rd May 2009.

In September 2009 "Colours" hit the top of the German Web Radio Charts.

COAST released their eponymously titled debut album on 21st November 2009. The band held a sell-out album launch show at the Talking Heads in Southampton on the same date. The album was first previewed on the Karin Ingram Show on Radio Borders on 15th November 2009. Karin Ingram is manager of ex-Runrig lead singer Donnie Munro. One song from the album - To The Windward - was reviewed live on air by current Runrig lead singer Bruce Guthro

COAST appeared on the Sally Taylor Show on BBC Radio Solent on 23rd January 2010 ahead of their appearance at Glasgow's Celtic Connections music festival on 24th January 2010.

Whilst on tour in Scotland at the end of February 2010 it was announced that Runrig's drummer Iain Bayne was to become the band's new manager. Iain Bayne introduced the band at their show at Hootananny's in Inverness on 27th February 2010. The band's show at Oban on 26th February was reviewed by The Oban Times. On 8th March 2010 Glasgow's Celtic Music Radio Station selected 'COAST' as their 'Album of the Week'

On 16th March 2010 it was announced that COAST would appear on the same bill as Donnie Munro, Steve Harley, Status Quo and the Sugababes at the Rock4Life music festival near Inverness in May 2010. However, the festival ended up being cancelled by the organisers.

COAST were runners-up in a competition run by Southampton based radio station Wave 105.2 to support Bon Jovi at the O2 arena in London in June 2010.

On 9th April 2010 it was announced that COAST would play their first non-UK show at the annual Danish Tonder Music Festival at the end of August 2010. COAST will be playing on the same stage as Scottish folk rock bands Wolfstone and The Chair.

On 1st July 2010, Chris Lappage (lead guitar) and Adam Bowden (bass) left the band. They were replaced by Russ Barnes and Hamish Ferguson respectively.

Albums

 * COAST (November 21, 2009, Awen Records)

Singles & EPs

 * The Great Crowd EP featuring "The Great Crowd", "These Walls" and "Sepia Eyes" (Jan 7, 2008, Awen Records)
 * Colours - Official "Saints Aid" Single (May 18, 2009, Awen Records)