YFriday

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YFriday

Background information
Origin Newcastle upon Tyne, England
Genre(s) Alternative rock
Christian rock
Years active 1994–present
Label(s) Survivor Records
Website www.yfriday.com
Members
Ken Riley
Gav Richards
Danny Smith
Dez Minto

YFriday are a British Christian rock and worship band from Newcastle upon Tyne.

Contents

[edit] History

The group was formed in 1994[1] and were originally an evangelistic outreach band known as WhyFriday?.[2] The name comes from a monthly Youth for Christ programme, for which lead singer Ken Riley was asked to form a band.[2]

To begin with, the WhyFriday? outreach programme had a regular attendance of about 50-60 young people, but this steadily grew and the programme is now held in the Newcastle City Hall,[2] which seats around 2,000. The WhyFriday? programme now has around 800 attendees each month, and the band still play there regularly.

Following the 1999 release of the Rainmaker album, the band were approached by Kingsway with an offer of a 3 year recording contract.[2]

Bassist Danny Smith joined the band in 2001,[3] in time for the Open album. It was at this time that the band made the decision to go full time,[3] and the band also released and EP.[2]

[edit] Band members

Band membership has changed slightly since the original formation. The band went full-time in 2001, with the release of their Open album.[3]

[edit] Ken Riley

Ken Riley is the lead singer and guitarist of YFriday, and also writes most of the songs. He is the worship leader at the Oasis Christian Fellowship, (an Elim Pentecostal Church) in Whitley Bay.[citation needed] He became a Christian after his wife, Amanda, began attending the church, and Ken subsequently went along as well.[citation needed]

[edit] Dez Minto

Dez Minto is YFriday's drummer, the son of a minister from Gateshead, and has a Methodist background.[citation needed]

[edit] Danny Smith

Bassist Danny Smith joined the band in 2001.[3] He attends an Anglican church where he is part of the worship band and helps with the youth work.[citation needed]

[edit] Gav Richards

Keyboard and second guitar player Gav Richards comes from a Free Church in Hartlepool.[citation needed]

[edit] Discography

[edit] Albums

[edit] EP

  • Why Friday? (199?) - Very rare Audio Cassette Featuring 'Tear Down the Walls' among others.
  • Songs of Heaven (2003)
  • Worship EP - Set for release in Jan '09

[edit] Gallery

Yfriday live in Motherwell

Yfriday live in Motherwell

Yfriday live in Motherwell

[edit] Gear

Ken Riley: Gibson Les Paul Deluxe, Gibson Les Paul Junior, Fender Telecaster Deluxe, Marshall 1986 50W Amp, Marshall 1960 TV Cab, Vox AC30 Amp, Taylor GS Acoustic guitar, Pedaltrain Pro pedalboard, TC G-System, TC VPD1 Pedal, Z-VEX Fuzz Factory pedal, Electro-Harmonix Big Muff pedal, Volume Pedal, Shure Beta 58 Mic[4]

Danny Smith: Fender USA Precision Bass guitar, Fender USA Jazz Bass guitar, Ashdown ABM-500RC Amp, Ashdown ABM-410T Cab, Boss TU-2 Tuner Pedal, Boss GEB-7 Graphic Pedal, Ibanez TS9DX Pedal, Z-VEX Wooly Mammoth Pedal[4]

Gav Richards: Korg Triton Keyboard, M-Audio Keystation Pro88 Keyboard, Apple Macbook, Keyboard Stand, M-Audio Quattro, Shure Beta 58 Mic, Line 6 Variax Guitar, Orange AD30 Amp[4]

Dez Minto: Jalapeno Custom Drumkit, Sabian Cymbals, DW Bass drum pedals, Pearl Hardware + Stands, 10U Gator Rack Case[4]

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ Top Dog promotions: yfriday. Retrieved on 2007-10-26.
  2. ^ a b c d e WesleyOwen profile of YFriday. Wesley Owen. Retrieved on 2007-10-26.
  3. ^ a b c d Cummings, Tony (2003-10-30). Children of the Revolution. Cross Rhythms Magazine. Cross Rhythms. Retrieved on 2007-10-26.
  4. ^ a b c d YFriday Gear page. Retrieved on 2007-11-08.