Simon Thorne
Simon Thorne began his professional music career in 1990 as guitarist and writer with London band Honeychile. Support slots with Stereo MC’s, Brand New Heavies, and Bobby Womack, saw the band sign a major deal with Columbia Records. After exhaustive tours, musical differences and the failure of the band’s first single, Simon quit, and with band mate Tommy Jones, set up a new writer/producer team.
Indulging their love of the emerging US/UK house scene and embracing computer technology (then Atari 520s!), they quickly found club success under the name So Damn Tuff, with releases on Sound Of Soho and Azuli Records. A major publishing deal with Universal Music followed.
Signing to Warner Brothers’ East West Records, they then produced two more club hits, ‘Pleasure and Pain’ and ‘Heaven', but the label rejected the third single, 'Joy', resulting in Simon and Tom leaving the label.
Turning down offers from two other major labels, Sony and MCA, they signed to independent label Champion Records under the name Staxx, and released four singles. 'Joy', 'You,' 'Shout' and 'Temptation'
Their first release was ‘Joy’ in 1994. It charted in Europe and the UK and became an international club hit appearing on compilation albums worldwide, including Ministry of Sound. International sales success followed with a further Sony (New York) deal, resulting in two USA Billboard Dance No 1s, a No3, and an ASCAP award, under the name Staxx of Joy. In 1997, 'Joy' was a No12 hit in the UK sales charts on re-release.
As part of Champion Records 25 year celebrations 'Joy' was released again in 2005 with new mixes. To quote Champion's website: ''Joy' is a true anthem that has not only stood the test of time, but helped define house music and rocked the floor every time!'.
Deep Dawn by ST is available in Shot2funk's All Releases page
Simon & Tom went on to set up their own North London studio and produce tracks and remixes for a host of labels for over six years, including Inferno and A&M , as well as for their own in-house label, STJ Records. They also produced award winning music for SKY and National Geographic channels.
By the end of the 90’s, the dance era had peaked, and a decade of endless studio hours, partying, and constant touring had taken its toll. Simon decided to semi-retire from producing and now leads a rather more chilled life in Bristol.
However, currently working with Simon Ottway to develop the Shot2funk label, expect some occasional new tracks and a forthcoming exclusive DJ mix of some old skool classics from Simon’s 90's house and garage label, STJ Records.
Simon
