The Frestonians are Peter on vocals/guitar, Wendy on vocals/guitar, Tom on bass and Greg on drums. Originally formed in 2019, the band are from Ipswich, Suffolk, UK. Musical influences range from the blues, rock to alternative rock.
During the UK Lockdowns, the band regularly performed on line gigs including Giving Gigs, Let’s Rock the Lockdown, Socially Distant Fest and the Virtual Open Mic. The band featured on BBC Radio Suffolk and the John Peel Centre’s Whole SheBang show. The band now regularly perform in venues around East Anglia, UK including The Smokehouse, Ipswich and the Queen Street Brewhouse, Colchester.
Their debut EP “Midnight” was released in January 2022. The EP was recorded at the Audio Lab in Ipswich in December 2021. Jon Clayton, OneCat Studios was the producer. Tracks on the EP have received many plays on local and internet radio stations plus included in Spotify playlists across the world.
The band achieved the BBC Introducing Track of the Week in May 2022 for the track “Lock Away My Soul”. The band were also nominated in the NMG Awards in September 2022, coming 3rd in the Audience Choice vote and 4th for the Track of the Year vote with “Midnight”.
The "Live in The Smokehouse" EP was released on 1 January 2023 featuring tracks performed live at the November 2022 gig.
A new EP, Slow Dance, which includes new material was released on 10 February 2023.
Videos supporting released singles from the Midnight EP plus performances in gigs can be found on the band’s Youtube channel.
Recent reviews can be found in the Media section below.
Review of Smokehouse gig February 2023 - Tempus Frayed/The Silver Lines/The Frestonians/Ryan Redwood - Hayley Clapperton
Review of the Slow Dance EP February 2023 - The Beat
Interview on BBC Radio Suffolk covering the Slow Dance EP and gig at The Smokehouse, Ipswich February 2023 - BBC Radio Suffolk
Came 3rd in the Audience Choice, 4th in the Track of the Year at the NMG Awards 2022 - NMG Awards
Nominated in the Alternative category in New Music Generator Awards 2022. Also in public vote for the Audience Choice and Track of the Year - NMG Awards
Feature on the band after the NMG Awards nominations - Nub News
BBC Introducing in Suffolk Track of the Week May 2022 - BBC Introducing
BBC Radio Suffolk interviewing Tom regarding The Forthlin Sessions April 2022 - BBC Radio Suffolk
"From the shoegaze introduction there’s a softness-meets-arena-rock vastness and appeal to the song, but as the vocals come in we get a clearly unique sound, a fresh pop-rock or even folk-like melody, and a story that takes us step by step through these scenes and poetic images; which naturally connect with the ethereal mood of the music." - Stereo Stickman review of Midnight
“...the threesome rips through a 12-bar Roots Rock barn burner. Guitarist Peter tears up the fretboard while drummer Wendy sings a lovelorn blues torch song. Meanwhile she and bassist Tom lay down a solid backbeat groove.” - The Static Dive review of Mississippi Delta Blues
“Review of What's In It For Me?” - Holy Crap Records podcast episode 198
Tom and Wendy interviewed about the release of the Midnight EP February 2022 - BBC Radio Suffolk
BBC Radio Suffolk interviewing Peter about the band's on line gigs during the Lockdown February 2021 - BBC Radio Suffolk
