Friendly Fires
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Friendly Fires | |
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| Background information | |
| Origin | St Albans, Hertfordshire, UK |
| Genres | Alternative dance |
| Years active | 2006–present |
| Labels | XL Recordings |
| Website | www.wearefriendlyfires.com |
| Members | |
| Ed Macfarlane Jack Savidge Edd Gibson Rob Lee (live only) |
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Friendly Fires are a Mercury Prize nominated English dance punk band from St Albans, Hertfordshire. They are currently signed to XL Recordings. Their self-titled debut album was released on 1 September 2008[1] and was announced as one of the shortlisted twelve for the 2009 Mercury Prize on July 21, 2009. [2]
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[edit] History
Friendly Fires met at St Albans School. At age 14, the members formed their first band, a post-hardcore outfit called First Day Back[3][4] 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"[5], and classic pop songwriting[5]. 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[6]. 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, Canada, Mexico and the USA. 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.
The album was certified 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 25 October 2009, the band appeared on Channel 4's Live From Abbey Road.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Studio Albums
| Year | Album | Cover Art |
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| 2008 | Friendly Fires
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[edit] EPs
| Year | Album | Cover Art | Tracklisting[7] |
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Photobooth[8]
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1. Photobooth - 7:08 2. It's Over Now - 4:12 3. Your Love - 4:45 |
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Cross The Line EP[9]
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1. Bring Out Your Dead - 2:12 2. On Board - 3:45 3. Strobe - 3:09 |
The Remix EP[10]
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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
| Year | Title | Cover art | Album |
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| 2007 | On Board
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Paris
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| 2008 | Jump in the Pool
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| 2009 | Skeleton Boy |
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| Kiss of Life |
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(Re-Release Edition) |
[edit] References
- ^ Drowned In Sound Friendly Fires announce debut album details
- ^ http://www.clashmusic.com/news/mercury-music-prize-nominations
- ^ http://www.stalbansblog.co.uk/2008/10/st-albans-band.html
- ^ El Naaqib, Sofi. Disorder Magazine (2007) Friendly Fires
- ^ a b Hampson, Simon. Fact Magazine (2006) Friendly Fires (Google cache result)
- ^ T-Mobile Transmission: Friendly Fires - Paris
- ^ http://www.last.fm/music/Friendly+Fires
- ^ Discogs.com: Friendly Fires - Photobooth EP
- ^ Discogs.com: Friendly Fires - Cross The Line EP
- ^ Discogs.com: Friendly Fires - The Remix EP
