Strangers
A dynamic, versatile three-piece band based in north Essex, UK.
Follow us on these pages to get the latest updates on our music and gig dates.
Biography
Strangers deliver an exciting and dynamic show of classic rock, soul and rythm and blues songs mixed with some lesser-known gems and contemporary favourites by artists such as Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Stevie Wonder, The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Dire Straits, Lindisfarne, Fleetwood Mac, The Beatles, Nina Simone, Metallica, The Eurythmics, The Spencer Davis Group and many, many more!
Strangers came together in 2017 when a group of long-term musicians, all veterans of various professional and semi-professional bands, got together to play a local charity gig in north Essex. This was a great success, and another gig soon followed. Then an invitation to play a summer music festival was readily accepted. Whilst rehearsing for this they realised that their musical approaches and playing styles came together well in the three-piece format and with a shared love of classic and contemporary blues, indie, rock music and well-written songs, they felt that this was a project that should be developed more fully. Strangers now regularly play live venues throughout the region-watch out for them at your local live music venue!
Strangers are:
Chris Chessum: bass guitars, mandolin, lead vocals.
Tony Smy: drums, percussion, backing vocals.
Sean O'Dell: guitars, 12 string guitar, banjo, harmonica, backing vocals.
Strangers came together in 2017 when a group of long-term musicians, all veterans of various professional and semi-professional bands, got together to play a local charity gig in north Essex. This was a great success, and another gig soon followed. Then an invitation to play a summer music festival was readily accepted. Whilst rehearsing for this they realised that their musical approaches and playing styles came together well in the three-piece format and with a shared love of classic and contemporary blues, indie, rock music and well-written songs, they felt that this was a project that should be developed more fully. Strangers now regularly play live venues throughout the region-watch out for them at your local live music venue!
Strangers are:
Chris Chessum: bass guitars, mandolin, lead vocals.
Tony Smy: drums, percussion, backing vocals.
Sean O'Dell: guitars, 12 string guitar, banjo, harmonica, backing vocals.
News from the Band
News from the band
November 2024
Having just played at a number of venues over the past few months including the Kings Arms, St. Osyth, The Black Buoy at Wivenhoe, The Weeley Extravaganza, Thorpe le Soken Social Club and the Warwick Arms Clacton, Strangers are now gearing up for our remaining gigs for 2024 and we are looking forward to our programme for 2025.
Our biggest news of this year is, however, less celebratory. Our dear drummer, Tony, sustained a serious back injury earlier this year and as a result is currently unable to play the drums. Our audiences will remember Tony as not only a superb musician, but as a kind, funny and thoroughly decent chap.
We all wish Tony a speedy recovery.
We would also like to thank Captain for his superb work in volunteering to stand in for Tony- one of the few drummers who could do the job!
2024
Strangers have had a busy start to 2024, playing at The Tavern, Gt. Clacton and we are playing at The Kings Arms, St. Osyth on Saturday 24th February in aid of Greenland Grove Animal Sanctuary: big raffle, great prizes- free entry, all welcome! We are playing at St. Osyth Village Hall and Frinton Tennis Club in April; Tendring Hall on Bank Holiday Monday 27th May; The Kings Arms St. Osyth on Friday 21st June; The Black Buoy, Wivenhoe on Saturday 6th July, The Waggon at Wix on Saturday 10th August; the St. Osyth concert series on Friday 16th August. More to follow!
Summer / Autumn 2023 onward
Strangers have had a busy year thus far and have lots of gigs coming up! We were at Thorpe Sports and Social Club on Saturday 29th April, Little Clacton Hall on Saturday 6th May, St. Osyth's Priory on Monday 8th May, Tendring Hall RNLI Festival on 28th/29th May, The Waggon at Wix on 24th June, Weeley Festival on 15th July, St. Osyth concert series on 18th August, Revved Up 0n 26th August, Thorpe le Soken on 2nd September, Weeley again on 9th September and Buckhurst Hill on 24th September. We will be at Revved Up again later in October and at Thorpe le Soken Sports and Social Club for the Cancer Research UK fundraise on Friday 10th November, we will be playing at St. Osyth Parish Church on Christmas Eve morning and we will be seeing out the old year and welcoming the New Year at the fabulous Waggon at Wix!
Take it easy, Chris, Tony and Sean.
November 2024
Having just played at a number of venues over the past few months including the Kings Arms, St. Osyth, The Black Buoy at Wivenhoe, The Weeley Extravaganza, Thorpe le Soken Social Club and the Warwick Arms Clacton, Strangers are now gearing up for our remaining gigs for 2024 and we are looking forward to our programme for 2025.
Our biggest news of this year is, however, less celebratory. Our dear drummer, Tony, sustained a serious back injury earlier this year and as a result is currently unable to play the drums. Our audiences will remember Tony as not only a superb musician, but as a kind, funny and thoroughly decent chap.
We all wish Tony a speedy recovery.
We would also like to thank Captain for his superb work in volunteering to stand in for Tony- one of the few drummers who could do the job!
2024
Strangers have had a busy start to 2024, playing at The Tavern, Gt. Clacton and we are playing at The Kings Arms, St. Osyth on Saturday 24th February in aid of Greenland Grove Animal Sanctuary: big raffle, great prizes- free entry, all welcome! We are playing at St. Osyth Village Hall and Frinton Tennis Club in April; Tendring Hall on Bank Holiday Monday 27th May; The Kings Arms St. Osyth on Friday 21st June; The Black Buoy, Wivenhoe on Saturday 6th July, The Waggon at Wix on Saturday 10th August; the St. Osyth concert series on Friday 16th August. More to follow!
Summer / Autumn 2023 onward
Strangers have had a busy year thus far and have lots of gigs coming up! We were at Thorpe Sports and Social Club on Saturday 29th April, Little Clacton Hall on Saturday 6th May, St. Osyth's Priory on Monday 8th May, Tendring Hall RNLI Festival on 28th/29th May, The Waggon at Wix on 24th June, Weeley Festival on 15th July, St. Osyth concert series on 18th August, Revved Up 0n 26th August, Thorpe le Soken on 2nd September, Weeley again on 9th September and Buckhurst Hill on 24th September. We will be at Revved Up again later in October and at Thorpe le Soken Sports and Social Club for the Cancer Research UK fundraise on Friday 10th November, we will be playing at St. Osyth Parish Church on Christmas Eve morning and we will be seeing out the old year and welcoming the New Year at the fabulous Waggon at Wix!
Take it easy, Chris, Tony and Sean.
Music Player
Contact
- Saint Osyth, Essex, United Kingdom
