BIOGRAPHY
The Smiling Strangers was an idea by Jeff Reynolds. They were formed in early 2004 and after some pleading, arm-twisting, favour-calling and hours slaving over an acoustic guitar and drum machine, the project was born. Their first CD `Dangerous Times` was released early in 2005 on QCGS Records, quickly followed by their second album `Spaces, Graces and Smiling Faces` in 2006. Their long awaited third album, `All The Way`, was released in November 2007.
PERSONNEL
JEFF REYNOLDS
Jeff was born and bred in Nottingham. He has been a member of SOLID AIR and THE ORDAINED. With SOLID AIR, Jeff toured extensively over ten years or so, playing at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and the Greenbelt Arts Festival. They released four critically acclaimed albums before disbanding in 1992. Jeff formed THE ORDAINED with Lucy Winkett, Pete Powers and Peter Moreton in 1993. They released an album called `Chaucer Street` in 1997. After some years of musical inactivity Jeff decided to embark upon The Smiling Strangers project. When not searching for that elusive chord to fit into his mid eight, Jeff can be found on the Golf Course, Cricket Pitch and fervently supporting Nottingham Forest. Jeff loves music and has lost count of the amount of CDs he owns. His influences are many and varied but his heroes are John Martyn, Steve Earle, Clive Gregson and Squeeze.
LUCY WINKETT
Lucy was born in Chalfont St. something or other. She met Jeff when they studied together at college in Birmingham. She knew that Jeff and her would get on, musically, when she realised they both liked Crowded House. When pressed and after a shandy or three, they are both known to launch into the full CH repertoire, so beware.
RUE RANDALL
Rue was born in Nottingham and has known Jeff for nearly 30 years. Rue has passion for music and songwriting and he was the driving force behind SOLID AIR. He owns the most battered Fender Strat in the known world, its value increases by the second but, do not even bother, because he will not sell. When not being part of The Smiling Strangers project, Rue is often found messing about on boats. Rue is also part Danish.
PETE POWERS
Pete was born in Birmingham and has played the drums since he was a teenager. He met Jeff when they studied at college together in the early 1990s and was a founder member of The Ordained. Pete is also co-founder of QCGS Music/Records and all other QCGS related activities including the annual retreat with Lord Greystoke, PB, Phil, Big Tim, Cedric The Saxon and Jeff. Remarkably Pete has been known to take a seven wood off the tee.
PETER MORETON
Peter is the newest recruit to the band of strangers and he brings a wealth of experience to the line up. Not only is he a keyboard wizard and vocalist, he`s also on the tv alot being famous. Pete was part of the famed ORDAINED line up in the nineties and he is still recovering.
