Exit State
| Company type | Rock group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2005 |
| Headquarters | England |
| Products | Music albums, EPs |
Exit State was a rock group from England established in 2005 by Roy Bright, producing two EPs alongside three full-length albums.
History
The band originated in Lancashire, drawing members from Burnley, Preston, and Rossendale. Their musical style was influenced by acts such as Foo Fighters, Metallica, Led Zeppelin, and The Who. Critics often likened their sound to that of Foo Fighters, Lostprophets, and Therapy?.
Formation (2005–2008)
Roy Bright formed the band following the dissolution of Deponeye, an East Lancashire outfit that had attracted some industry interest in 2004 due to their inclusion on the FlatOut video game soundtrack and an offer from Revolver Records. Bright ended Deponeye because of varying levels of dedication among its members.
Initially, Exit State consisted of a trio: Roy Bright, Sara Leigh, and Lee Walmsley. Their early repertoire included material originally written by Deponeye. In early 2006, Walmsley departed to focus on indie rock projects and was temporarily replaced by Jason Shuttleworth from Burnley’s metal group I.C.O.N. Shuttleworth was later succeeded by Eddie Sims on bass; however, Sims preferred playing guitar, which led to Graham Storton joining as the permanent bassist. Leigh and Sims left concurrently when Leigh relocated to London.
Subsequently, Adam Stephenson joined as guitarist while James Henderson from I.C.O.N. handled drumming duties on a temporary basis. Stephenson became an official member in November 2006.
The band began establishing themselves within the North West England rock circuit and competed in a Preston-based battle of the bands event in 2007. After The Freespirits disbanded, drummer Peat Hicks joined Exit State. The band advanced to the semi-finals before shifting focus to recording their debut EP, Anybody Out There, which was produced by Steve Fenton at Calder Recording Studios in Mytholmroyd. Fenton’s production portfolio includes work with Happy Mondays, T. Rex, John Helliwell, and The New Mastersounds.
Anybody Out There and Bad Days EPs (2008–2009)
Utilizing the Anybody Out There EP as a springboard, the band expanded their live performances across the country and achieved radio airplay. During a February 2008 show in Leeds, producer Steve Fenton approached them about reviving his dormant label Cone Records with intentions to sign Exit State once it became active again. The band agreed to consider this proposal should no other offers materialize.
In May 2008, Anybody Out There received positive critical attention; Rock Sound Magazine praised it as "satisfyingly heavy, unexpectedly catchy and unashamedly experimental...Impressive!". That summer, Riverbeat Records expressed interest in signing the group; however, they declined as they did not find the deal beneficial. Around this period, frontman Bright sustained a broken jaw following an unprovoked assault outside a nightclub in Burnley. During his recovery over three months, the band decided to seek a new bassist to replace Storton.
Steve Fenton then renewed his interest in signing them under his newly rebranded King Prawn Records label but agreed to delay finalizing any contract until a permanent bassist was secured. In September 2008, Bright, Stephenson, and Hicks met Phil Ireland from Preston who joined as bassist in October.
Discussions with Fenton recommenced; by November 2008 the band received a contract which they signed with King Prawn Records in February 2009. Returning to Calder Recording Studios in January 2009 under Fenton’s guidance, Exit State re-recorded all tracks from Anybody Out There incorporating Ireland’s bass parts along with a tightened rhythm section between Hicks and Ireland. Vocal tracks remained largely unchanged with only minor guitar overdubs.
On 30 June 2009, King Prawn Records released the Bad Days EP which earned favorable reviews from online platforms such as Manchester Music and Komodo Rock but attracted limited coverage from major print magazines.
Death of a Rockstar (2009–2010)
Throughout 2009, Exit State embarked on an extensive tour, sharing stages with notable artists such as Blaze Bayley, former frontman of Iron Maiden and Wolfsbane, as well as Witchfynde. Recording sessions for their debut album, Death of a Rockstar, commenced in September 2009 under the guidance of producer Steve Fenton at Calder Recordings. The project reached completion by Christmas 2009 at The Chairworks Studios in Castleford and was subsequently mastered by Ray Staff at AIR Studios in London.
In April 2010, the band secured their inaugural professional management contract with Rocksector Records. This partnership facilitated support opportunities alongside ex-AC/DC vocalist Dave Evans and The Black Spiders. Additionally, Exit State performed with The More I See, which includes former Prodigy guitarist Gizz Butt, and toured alongside The Black Mollys, featuring members from Enuff Z'nuff.
Released on 31 May 2010, Death of a Rockstar garnered widespread acclaim from both online critics and UK-based magazines. Black Velvet magazine commended the group’s fusion of metal, pop, and rock ’n’ roll elements, while Big Cheese Magazine recognized them as a durable force within the music scene. Although Rock Sound Magazine offered a less favorable review, other outlets such as Circle Pit TV and Mudkiss Fanzine praised the album’s robust sound and bright prospects.
In June 2010, Exit State revealed plans to serve as the principal support act for a UK tour with Marseille, the band led by former CITV Art Attack presenter Neil Buchanan. This tour was scheduled to run from September through December.
The music video for "Lost Beyond Belief," the opening track from the album, began airing on Kerrang! TV in May 2010 and eventually climbed to the top position on the channel’s request show chart.
Signing to Rocksector Records (2011)
On 13 July 2011, Exit State announced their transition from King Prawn Records to Rocksector Records. This change was described as advantageous for both parties—the band and the labels—aligning Exit State with artists such as Fury UK, Attica Rage, former AC/DC vocalist Dave Evans, and Falling Red. The strategic move aimed to leverage the band's recent momentum but resulted in postponing their second album, Black Veins, until October 2011.
Black Veins (2011)
Exit State unveiled their sophomore studio album, Black Veins, on 3 October 2011. Consisting of 12 tracks and produced by Steve Fenton, this release showcased notable improvements in both production quality and artistic maturity. Critics regarded it as a milestone in the band's career; Don Jackson-Wyatt of Circle Pit Rock and Metal Webzine remarked that Exit State had firmly established their musical identity while setting an example for emerging bands. The album also features a guest guitar solo by ex-The Prodigy guitarist Gizz Butt on the track "All For You."
Stephenson leaves (2011)
On 19 September 2011, Exit State announced that Adam Stephenson, their long-serving lead guitarist, would be departing due to escalating personal and professional obligations that conflicted with the band’s recording and touring schedule. The group expressed gratitude for his vital role since their formation. Ollie Cordwell from labelmates Fantasist was brought in as a temporary lead guitarist to fulfill remaining shows throughout 2011 while a permanent replacement was sought.
Matt Harris joins (2012)
On 26 January 2012, Exit State announced Matt Harris as the successor to Adam Stephenson. Harris, who draws inspiration from bands like Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, began his guitar journey at age 14 and is predominantly self-taught. Having previously played in the metal outfit Wheels Of Confusion, he brought a blend of classic and contemporary influences to the group. Lead vocalist Roy Bright emphasized the thorough recruitment process and regarded Harris as the perfect addition to evolve Exit State’s musical direction.
Tour with Michael Schenker (2012)
During May 2012, Exit State embarked on a UK tour alongside Michael Schenker, with performances in cities including Wolverhampton, Manchester, Glasgow, and London. The tour was distinguished by appearances from ex-Scorpions members Herman Rarebell and Francis Buchholz, enhancing the tour’s prestige.
Let's See It All (2013)
In February 2013, Exit State revealed plans for their third studio album titled Let's See It All, scheduled for release on 24 June 2013. The band described the record as featuring a fresh and energetic sound, combining expertly crafted songs with refined production quality, representing a pivotal point in their artistic growth.
Patrons for chARTUK
Also in February 2013, Exit State was appointed as Official Patron of chART – Children's Hospice Arts, an organization devoted to improving the lives of children with life-limiting illnesses through engagement with music and the arts.
Family connection
Roy Bright, the band’s frontman, is the half-sibling of former Premier League footballer Mark Bright, who currently serves as a regular BBC Sport analyst on Match of the Day.
Current
- Roy Bright – vocals, guitar
- Philip Ireland – bass guitar, backing vocals
- Peat Hicks – drums, backing vocals
- Matt Harris – guitar
Former
- Lee Walmsley – bass
- Sara Leigh – drums, backing vocals
- Jason Shuttleworth – bass
- Eddie Sims – bass, guitar
- Graham Storton – bass, backing vocals
- Scott Knowles – guitar
- James Henderson – drums
- Adam Stephenson – guitar
Albums
| Year | Details |
|---|---|
| 2010 | Death of a Rockstar
|
| 2011 | Black Veins
|
| 2013 | Let's See It All
|
EPs
| Year | Details |
|---|---|
| 2008 | Anybody Out There
|
| 2009 | Bad Days
|