Del Currie, Andy Ridley, and Ian Crawford, known collectively as FONO, are members of the newest infiltration of British musical innovators changing the face of modern music. Known for their intense live shows, off-the-cuff pop hooks, and a Monty Python-inspired sense of humor, FONO is destined to be a mainstay on the modem music scene for years to come.
FONO's story is Del Currie's story. Having spent the last two and a half years playing in clubs and pubs, Currie, a committed Christian, began to do some soul searching. "I started to search for what God's plans were for my life. I walked, talked, ate and slept music. It sounds weird now, but my ultimate sacrifice to God—to show Him how much I loved Him and wanted to know His plans for me—was to give up my music."
Del was serious about his sacrifice. "I didn't touch my guitar and I completely stopped writing music for a year. The whole time, I was always trying to find out what it was that God wanted me to do. I didn't care what it was. I used to go to church hoping that today the word would be for me, that God would have something else to inject into my life."
The tune-free journey did have an end and Currie did receive his word. It was an event that left a permanent impression on Currie and his friends. The church that Currie attends was running a conference, called Vision. He had been asked to help run sound and was joined by Andy Ridley, his pastor's son. By 9:30pm, Andy and Del were growing restless. They wanted to head home. The guest speaker/evangelist, Steve Bennett pointed up at Del and asked him to come down for prayer. Del's ducking behind the soundboard didn't do him any good, since Andy was pointing directly at him.
"I went down to the front nervously and stood in front of this guy. He started to pray and in his mind's eye he could see a black horse inside a corral. The horse was butting his head up against the sides of the corral with frustration, trying to find a way out. Then the gates on the corral flung open and the horse went running free over the mountains. He said that tonight God was ready to open the gates and set me free for what he had planned for me."
If this wasn't enough, the speaker informed Currie that God had new songs for him, that He wanted him to record. "God was giving me my heart's desire," Del commented, "but only after I put Him first."
Del and friend, Ian Crawford (bass, vocals) began to create music with the ferocity of a crazed animal. Ridley soon joined them on drums. The new trio quickly created a sound that blended the brashness of The Who, the intensity of The Alarm, the pop hooks of Badfinger, and the modern musical stylings of the Foo Fighters and Bob Mould's Sugar. The pieces seemed to be coming together.
FONO soon hit the studio to record an independent project. From the get-go, it seemed like a good idea, but no one seemed interested in the album. Rather than growing disappointed, the trio waited on the Lord and He delivered. Shortly after, FONO won a competition placing them in front of a crowd of 50,000 screaming fans as the opening band for Bon Jovi. They were entered in Kerrang! magazine's favorite unsigned band list, received the strong support of several mainstream radio shows, and landed a recording deal with a Zomba imprint.
Soon, Crawford, Ridley, and Currie found themselves in the able production hands of Adi Winman (Suede, Jamiroquai), recording their debut, Goesaroundcomesaround—a startling portrait of modern hard rock musical impressionism covered with a defining musical portrait of God's grace. The album was released in Europe, but, due to a corporate restructuring, never reached American soil. In early 1999, KMG Records picked up FONO's contract. With a complete remix by Marc Chevalier (All Star United), and a few brand new cuts ("Drift Away" "Splendid," "Round and Round"), Goesaroundcomesaround released worldwide in the summer of '99.
Del Currie, Ian Crawford, and Andy Ridley have survived the rough waters of professional music making, and have emptied their pockets, putting their integrity, ingenuity, and tenacity under the stage lights. The show will go on.
Source: http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/artists/fono.html
