Lifesigns

For the Star Trek: Voyager episode, see Lifesigns (Star Trek: Voyager).

Lifesigns
Lifesigns in 2017
Lifesigns in 2017
Background information
GenresProgressive rock
Years active2008–present
Members
Past members
Websitelifesignsmusic.co.uk

Lifesigns are an English progressive rock band, first conceived by lead singer and keys player John Young in 2008. By 2014, the band's lineup included Steve Rispin as their sound engineer, Jon Poole on bass and vocals, Martin "Frosty" Beedle on drums, percussion and vocals, and formerly Niko Tsonev on guitars and vocals. After Tsonev departed the band in 2016, Dave Bainbridge joined on guitar and additional keys. Beedle left the band in 2020 and was replaced by Zoltán Csörsz.

The band are noted for their keyboard-driven melodic prog rock sound and pop rock influences. Lifesigns released their self-titled debut studio album in 2013. Their third and latest studio album, Altitude, was released in 2021.

History

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Lifesigns was conceived in 2008 by John Young. Working together with sound engineer Steve Rispin, John started to lay the grounds for the Lifesigns album in 2008. In 2010, John was joined by longtime friend Nick Beggs on bass, Chapman Stick and background vocals, and by drummer Martin "Frosty" Beedle to complete the first lineup of the band.

The band worked for over two years to complete their self-titled debut album, with notable guest stars such as progressive rock legend Steve Hackett (Genesis), Jakko Jakszyk (King Crimson), Thijs Van Leer (from Focus) on flute, and Robin Boult (from Fish) on guitar. "Lifesigns" was released on 5 February 2013.

Promotional photo at the time of debut. From left: Martin "Frosty" Beadle, John Young, Nick Beggs

The band began live performances in 2014. As Nick Beggs was busy with other musical endeavors (notably touring with Steve Hackett), Jon Poole was recruited to handle bass and vocals, while Niko Tsonev (departed the band August 2016) took up the guitar duties. The band performed on the progressive "Cruise to the Edge" in the Spring of 2014, as well as appearances in England and continental Europe. In addition to the entire Lifesigns debut, other songs performed included material from the John Young Band, as well as new material.

In October 2015, Lifesigns released a live DVD titled Under the Bridge - Live in London, filmed at a venue beneath the Stamford Bridge stadium, over two nights in January of the same year. The project was crowdfunded via PledgeMusic.

In September 2017, Lifesigns released their second studio album, Cardington. The Prog Report described it as "a specific and customized alcove of prog that does not sound quite like anything else".[1] It features recordings of "Different", "Impossible", and "Voice in My Head", and four new tracks. Cardington features guitarist Dave Bainbridge who subsequently joined the band's live lineup in June 2017.[2] It was their second crowdfunded project, and they met their funding target within 48 hours of launching the campaign. The album reached no. 20 on the Independent Albums Chart and no. 76 on the Physical Albums Chart in the UK.[3][4]

2018 has seen the band perform several live dates throughout the U.K., with further live dates in March/April 2019 on the Cruise to the Edge and in Europe.

On 15 January 2020, the band released a 4-track digital EP titled Lifesigns Music, featuring one track from each of their previous releases. A radio edit of "Impossible", which previously featured on Cardington, was released as a single with an accompanying music video.[5]

On 9 June 2020 Frosty Beedle announced his departure from the band. Zoltán Csörsz (Flower Kings, Karmakanic) was announced as his replacement on 12 June 2020.

In 2021, Lifesigns released their third studio album, Altitude. It was produced during the COVID-19 pandemic and received financial support via an independent crowdfunding campaign.[6] The album was first made available as a download, and a CD release followed on 8 March 2021.[7][8] The band will embark on a European tour later in 2023, with a live album and a new studio album expected to follow.[9] Live in the Netherlands was later announced for release on 3 July, featuring audio recorded in August 2022 at the Poppodium Boerderij in Zoetermeer.[10]

Members

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Current members

  • John Young – keyboards, lead vocals (2008–present)
  • Steve Rispin – sound engineer, production (2008–present)
  • Jon Poole – bass guitar, vocals (2014–present)
  • Dave Bainbridge – guitar, keyboards (2016–present)
  • Zoltán Csörsz – drums, percussion (2020–present)

Guests

  • Simon Phillips – drums, percussion (Guest on Cruise To The Edge 2024)

Former members

Discography

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Studio

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  • Lifesigns (2013)
  • Cardington (2017)
  • Altitude (2021)

Live

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  • Under the Bridge - Live in London (DVD - 2015)
  • Live in the Netherlands (2023)
[edit]
  • Lifesigns at 'The Horns' Watford in July 2014
    Lifesigns at 'The Horns' Watford in July 2014
  • Lifesigns at 'Under The Bridge' in January 2015
    Lifesigns at 'Under The Bridge' in January 2015
  • Lifesigns at 'The Portland Arms' Cambridge in December 2014
    Lifesigns at 'The Portland Arms' Cambridge in December 2014

References

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  1. ^ "Lifesigns – Cardington (Album Review)". Prog Report. 10 June 2017. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  2. ^ Moon, Grant (1 August 2017). "Lifesigns take us behind the scenes of their new album Cardington". Louder Sound. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  3. ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50 - 22 September 2017 - 28 September 2017". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
  4. ^ "Official Physical Albums Chart Top 100 - 22 September 2017 - 28 September 2017". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
  5. ^ Ewing, Jerry (10 February 2020). "Lifesigns release video for new single Impossible". Louder Sound. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  6. ^ "Lifesigns launch crowdfunding campaign for Altitude". Louder Sound. 14 August 2020. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
  7. ^ Ewing, Jerry (26 November 2021). "Lifesigns to release new album Altitude in early 2021". Louder Sound. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  8. ^ Cope, Chris (31 May 2021). "The unstoppable rise of UK proggers Lifesigns". Louder Sound. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  9. ^ Ewing, Jerry (10 January 2023). "Lifesigns announce plans for a new live and studio album". Louder Sound. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  10. ^ Ewing, Jerry (2 June 2023). "Lifesigns confirm new Live In The Netherlands album for July". Louder Sound. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
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