Friendly Fires

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Friendly Fires
Background information
Origin St Albans, Hertfordshire, UK
Genres Alternative, disco, funk[1][2]
Years active 2006–present
Labels XL Recordings
Website wearefriendlyfires.com
Members
Ed Macfarlane
Jack Savidge
Edd Gibson

Friendly Fires are an English band from St Albans, Hertfordshire, England. They are currently signed to XL Recordings. Their self-titled debut album was released on 1 September 2008[3] and was announced as one of the shortlisted twelve for the 2009 Mercury Prize on 21 July 2009.[4]

Contents

[edit] History

Friendly Fires met at St Albans School. At age 13, in Year 8/9 (the second or third year) the members formed their first band, a post-hardcore outfit called First Day Back[5][6] , covering songs by Green Day and other rock-like artists, which existed until they began university. During this time lead singer Ed Macfarlane released his own music (under his own name) through the electronica label Skam, and Precinct Recordings. Upon leaving university they formed a new band inspired by dance music, "lush shoegaze melodies",[7] and classic pop songwriting.[7] The name Friendly Fires originates from the opening track of the Section 25 LP Always Now. The band consider German techno label Kompakt, Carl Craig and Prince to be their greatest influences.

In late 2007, they became the first unsigned band to appear on Channel 4's Transmission programme.[8] Their single "Paris" achieved "Single of The Week" in The Guardian newspaper, NME magazine, and also on Zane Lowe's BBC Radio 1 show. They have toured extensively, with past performances taking place throughout the UK, Europe, Japan, USA, Canada, Mexico, South America and Australia.

In May 2008, their song "On Board" was featured in North American television commercials for Nintendo's Wii Fit. "On Board" is also featured in the trailer for the upcoming PlayStation 3 game Gran Turismo 5. "White Diamonds" is featured in one of the episodes in the second season of the American television series Gossip Girl. "Jump in the Pool" is the theme tune to BBC1's Final Score for the 2009/10 Football Season, aired on Saturday afternoons. "In The Hospital", and "Lovesick", are featured in the PC/Xbox360/PS3 driving game "Colin McRae: DiRT 2". "Lovesick" is played on Soccer AM as the weeks football fixtures are announced.

In September 2008, theiy released their first LP : Friendly Fires, featuring the singles "On Board", "Paris", "Jump in the Pool", "Skeleton Boy" and, later on, "Kiss of Life", present on the second disc of the enhanced LP edition (featuring various remixes).

The album was certified double gold in the UK; the band was nominated for a Best Breakthrough Award at The South Bank Show Awards and for ‘Best Dancefloor Filler’ at the NME Awards. They were also second on the bill on the NME Awards Tour 2009.

On 21 July 2009, the band was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize.

On 19 January 2010, the band was nominated for two Brit Awards; Best British Group and British Breakthrough Act.

Friendly Fires have contributed the soundtrack to the Frank Miller-directed advertisement for 'Guilty', a women's fragrance by Gucci. It is a cover of Depeche Mode's song 'Strangelove'.

On 27 September Friendly Fires released a mix CD through Berlin-based K7 records, and London club promoters Bugged Out!. It leans heavily towards the band's disco, house, boogie and techno influences.

In May 2011, their second album, Pala was out. The first single is "Live Those Days Tonight", that will soon be followed by "Hawaiian Air".

On 25 May it was announced that Friendly Fires were planning their biggest UK tour to date, starting in Brighton on 10 November and going through cities such as Birmingham, Newcastle, Glasgow and London.

On 20 August Friendly Fires announced that their trumpet player, Richard Turner, who contributed to their live shows, had died. Richard Turner suffered a cardiac arrest while swimming on 19 August.

[edit] Discography

[edit] Studio albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
(sales threshold)
UK
[9]		 AUS
[10]		 IRE
[11]		 US
[12]		 US Heat
[13]		 US Indie
[14]		 US Rock
[15]
Friendly Fires 21 — 50 — — — —
Pala
  • Release date: 16 May 2011
  • Label: XL Recordings
  • Formats: CD, music download
 6 19 29 152 3 22 36
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

[edit] EPs

Year Album Track listing[17]
2006
 Photobooth[18] 1. "Photobooth" – 7:08
2. "It's Over Now" – 4:12
3. "Your Love" – 4:45
2007
 Cross the Line EP[19]
  • Released: —, 2007
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
 1. "Bring Out Your Dead" – 2:12
2. "On Board" – 3:45
3. "Strobe" – 3:09
The Remix EP[20]
  • Released: —, 2007
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
 1. "On Board" (Nightmoves Remix) – 8:33
2. "Photobooth" (Mock & Toof Mix) – 7:10
3. "Bring Out Your Dead" (Clark Remix) – 3:37

[edit] Singles

Single Year Peak chart positions Album
UK UK
IND
"On Board" 2007 — — Friendly Fires (+ Deluxe)
"Paris" — —
"Jump in the Pool" 2008 100 —
"Paris" (re-release) — —
"Jump in the Pool" (re-release) 57 31
"Skeleton Boy" 2009 48 —
"Kiss of Life" 30 19
"Hold On" 2010 — — Friendly Fires / Holy Ghost! split 12"
"Live Those Days Tonight" 2011 80 11 Pala
"Hawaiian Air" 92 9
"Hurting" — —
"Blue Cassette" — —

[edit] Guest appearances

Year Song Album
2009 "Paris" Radio 1's Live Lounge – Volume 4
2010 "Stay Here" (with Azari & III)[21] Suck My Deck

[edit] References

  1. ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8033624.stm
  2. ^ http://buzzbands.la/2011/02/10/friendly-fires-add-a-little-funk-to-the-frenzy-at-roxy/
  3. ^ Drowned In Sound Friendly Fires announce debut album details
  4. ^ http://www.clashmusic.com/news/mercury-music-prize-nominations
  5. ^ http://www.stalbansblog.co.uk/2008/10/st-albans-band.html
  6. ^ El Naaqib, Sofi. Disorder Magazine (2007) Friendly Fires
  7. ^ a b Hampson, Simon. Fact Magazine (2006) Friendly Fires (Google cache result)
  8. ^ T-Mobile Transmission: Friendly Fires - Paris
  9. ^ "Chart Stats - Friendly Fires". Chart Stats. http://www.chartstats.com/artistinfo.php?id=12158. Retrieved 19 August 2011. 
  10. ^ "australian-charts.com - Australian charts portal". Hung Medien. http://www.australian-charts.com/search.asp?cat=a&search=Friendly+Fires. Retrieved 19 August 2011. 
  11. ^ "irishcharts.com - Discography Friendly Fires". Hung Medien. http://irish-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Friendly%20Fires. Retrieved 19 August 2011. 
  12. ^ "Friendly Fires Album & Song Chart History - Billboard 200". Billboard. http://www.billboard.com/#/artist/friendly-fires/chart-history/934242. Retrieved 19 August 2011. 
  13. ^ "Friendly Fires Album & Song Chart History - Heatseekers Album". Billboard. http://www.billboard.com/#/artist/friendly-fires/chart-history/934242?f=324&g=Albums. Retrieved 19 August 2011. 
  14. ^ "Friendly Fires Album & Song Chart History - Independent Albums". Billboard. http://www.billboard.com/#/artist/friendly-fires/chart-history/934242?f=326&g=Albums. Retrieved 19 August 2011. 
  15. ^ "Friendly Fires Album & Song Chart History - Rock Albums". Billboard. http://www.billboard.com/#/artist/friendly-fires/chart-history/934242?f=408&g=Albums. Retrieved 19 August 2011. 
  16. ^ "BPI Searchable Database". British Phonographic Industry. http://www.bpi.co.uk/certifiedawards/search.aspx. Retrieved 19 August 2011. 
  17. ^ http://www.last.fm/music/Friendly+Fires
  18. ^ Discogs.com: Friendly Fires - Photobooth EP
  19. ^ Discogs.com: Friendly Fires - Cross The Line EP
  20. ^ Discogs.com: Friendly Fires - The Remix EP
  21. ^ http://wearefriendlyfires.com/news/332/hi-all

[edit] External links

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