Frightened Rabbit

Frightened Rabbit
Frightened Rabbit perform at the Pitchfork Music Festival
Background information
Origin	Selkirk, Scotland
Genres	Indie rock, indie folk
Years active	2003–present
Labels	Hits The Fan Records (2006) Fat Cat Records (2007—2010) Atlantic Records (2010-present)
Associated acts	The Fruit Tree Foundation, Piano Bar Fight, The Twilight Sad, We Were Promised Jetpacks, Make Model
Website	www.frightenedrabbit.com
Members	Scott Hutchison Grant Hutchison Billy Kennedy Andy Monaghan Gordon Skene

Frightened Rabbit is a Scottish indie rock band from Selkirk, formed in 2003. The lineup consists of lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist and lyricist Scott Hutchison, guitarist and bassist Billy Kennedy, guitarist Andy Monaghan, drummer Grant Hutchison and guitarist and keyboardist Gordon Skene. Since 2004 the band has been based in Glasgow.

The band released its debut album, Sing the Greys (2006), on independent label, Hits the Fan, before signing to Fat Cat Records in 2007. In 2008, the band released its second studio album, The Midnight Organ Fight, to critical acclaim. The band's third studio album, The Winter of Mixed Drinks, was released in 2010, with the band signing to Atlantic Records later that year. A fourth studio album, Pedestrian Verse, was released in February 2013.

History

Beginnings

In 2003, singer/guitarist Scott Hutchison used the name Frightened Rabbit, which came from a name his mother gave him in his youth due to his chronic shyness, as a stage moniker for his solo shows. The project became a full-fledged band with the addition of his brother Grant Hutchison on drums in 2004, and guitarist Billy Kennedy in 2006. During early shows, the band would give out their email address for those interested in receiving a free demo. After a time during which few demos were sent out, Scott said that he would send out biscuits with the music, which led to a rise in requests for the demo. This led to a lasting impression with the recipients.

I'd send them to the U.S. and stuff, and they'd turn up as bags of crumbs, but I think it's still something that people will remember. I don't know, I suppose it was just one of those little things that people will remember, rather than making it disposable and forgettable.

Sing the Greys

The band released their debut album Sing the Greys in May 2006 on local label, Hits The Fan. The band was offered a deal from Fiction Records but ultimately the label withdrew their offer. In January 2007, The Self-Starter Foundation brought the band to the east coast of the United States for a short tour. The band returned to the United States in March to play SXSW. Brighton indie label Fat Cat Records released a remixed/remastered version of the album in the USA in October 2007, distributed by Caroline Distribution. The band then embarked on a full American tour. The album was released in the UK in November 2007.

The Midnight Organ Fight

Earlier in 2007, the band had recorded a new album, The Midnight Organ Fight at producer Peter Katis's Tarquin Studios in Bridgeport, Connecticut. This album was released April 15, 2008.

After recording The Midnight Organ Fight, the current quartet line-up was completed with the addition of guitarist/keyboardist Andy Monaghan of Piano Bar Fight (who have previously played as support to Frightened Rabbit). In an interview, Scott mentions that he "met him on New Year’s Eve, in Glasgow, in a bar. I was really hammered and I was like ‘why don’t you come and play some shows with us man?’ and he was like ‘Yeah!’. The next day, I got a text like ‘Do you remember… did you say something about this or is it my imagination?’".

The band supported Death Cab for Cutie during their November 2008 UK & Irish tour, and released a live album, Quietly Now! in October.

The Winter of Mixed Drinks

Whilst touring in support of The Midnight Organ Fight, Scott Hutchison noted that he was "excited at the prospect of being in the studio again," and that stated that he "can't do another break-up album 'cause I haven't had one this year! Maybe it'll just be a little less focused on me".

Hutchison subsequently announced plans to head to Crail, Fife to write material for the band's third studio album:

The theme I'm going for is pushing yourself out to the edge of things and being alone, feeling lost and not knowing where you are, which is how I've felt recently. It's not all fun and games, but hopefully it'll just be less obviously personal and brutal than the last record. Less oppressive.

In May 2009, a video appeared online of Hutchison performing a new track, entitled "Swim Until You Can't See Land". The song was later revealed as the first single from the forthcoming third album.

In October 2009, the band members unveiled the album's title, The Winter of Mixed Drinks, and announced the arrival of a fifth band member, Gordon Skene (formerly of Make Model). According to Scott Hutchison:

A lot of the new record is heavily layered and it felt like too much for the four of us to do. We need another member to get them at their full impact. I dunno, we're kind of bored of each other. We just need to add some fresh meat.

The Winter of Mixed Drinks was released in March 2010.

The band made their U.S. television debut on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on May 25, 2010, performing "Nothing Like You". In June 2010, they appeared on The A.V. Club covering The Lemonheads. On October 12, 2010, the television crime drama Detroit 1-8-7 featured the song "Yes I Would." The first single from the album, "Swim Until You Can't See Land" was also used in the trailer for the 2010 movie, "The Beaver (film)". They have also been chosen personally by Belle & Sebastian to perform at their second Bowlie Weekender festival, presented by All Tomorrow's Parties in the UK in December 2010. Again, the band supported Death Cab for Cutie during their 2011 North American tour.

A Frightened Rabbit EP

A Frightened Rabbit EP was released on July 28, 2011 and was available exclusively on their subsequent tour. On October 19, 2011, the EP was released as a free download to subscribers to the band's newsletter, with the announcement of a limited-run vinyl being available for pre-order. The songs on the album are Scottish Winds, Fuck This Place, and The Work.

In addition to Frightened Rabbit, Camera Obscura's Tracyanne Campbell contributes vocals on "Fuck This Place". Archie Fisher sings on "The Work".

In 2010, Hutchison wrote, recorded and performed with The Fruit Tree Foundation, appearing on its debut album, First Edition.

Pedestrian Verse

On December 6, 2011, Clash Music reported that Frightened Rabbit were planning to record their fourth album, and Scott Hutchison states, "it's written, essentially," noting that they are on the production stage. Scott states, "We’re experimenting with minor keys, which is actually new for us," remarking upon the idea of a new sound. The band announced that on May 1, 2012 they would start recording the fourth album.

The fourth album will also mark the first time for the band that it is not Scott Hutchison alone with the task of songwriting, with Hutchison saying that "it's done nothing but benefit the new songs." The album is expected to be released early in 2013, preceded by an EP, entitled State Hospital, featuring Scottish vocalist Aidan Moffat, released September 25th, 2012.

On tour in 2012 for support of State Hospital, Scott announced that the album would be released in February 2013. In November 2012, Frightened Rabbit announced the name of their new album, Pedestrian Verse, via their official Facebook page.

Band lineup

Concerning the band's lineup, Scott Hutchison notes that: "The initial lineup in Frightened Rabbit was just myself. I had really only been messing with my 4 track for about 6 months before I started playing some shows on my own. Some of the songs still didn't have words and I was mostly just mumbling nonsense half the time. Grant joined a year later, making the outfit much noisier. Billy came along about 6 months after this and actually made it a bit less noisy. He's very calming like that is Billy. Andy has been in the band since January, and adds all the extra details we were missing before. Still not sure if we're finished gathering members". In 2009, Make Model band member Gordon Skene joined Frightened Rabbit, playing their first live show with Skene on November 6, 2009.

The band has displayed some indifference towards music, saying that they "can take it or leave it."

Critical reception

Sing The Greys

Reception for Sing the Greys varied, but was generally good. Sputnikmusic gave the album a 3.0 (out of 5), noting, "An unremarkable debut, but one that planted the seeds for future excellence." Pitchfork Media was more optimistic, giving it a 7.5 (out of 10), and Dusted Magazine stated, "Better get out of the way. These guys are just getting started."

The Midnight Organ Fight

Metacritic gave The Midnight Organ Fight an 80 out of 100, citing "generally favorable reviews based on 16 critics." Pitchfork gave it an 8.1, and Pop Matters gave it a 7 out of 10.

The Winter Of Mixed Drinks

Reviews were favorable for this album. BBC remarks, "from the off the record strikes a brighter beat." The Guardian gave the album 4 out of 5 stars, and similarly, NME gave it an 8 out of 10.

In comparison to The Midnight Organ Fight, some reviewers found The Winter Of Mixed Drinks a bit worse. While Metacritic gave The Midnight Organ Fight an 80, they gave The Winter of Mixed Drinks a 78 out of 100. This time, however, it was based on 28 critics. Although Pitchfork Media gave Midnight Organ Fight an 8.1, they gave Winter Of Mixed Drinks only a 6.6. No Ripcord gave the album a 6 out of 10, stating, "I wish there was a better way to say 'it just isn't as good as their last one.'"

However, other reviewers thought The Winter Of Mixed Drinks to be better than The Midnight Organ Fight. The A.V. Club rated The Midnight Organ Fight an A-, while it gave The Winter Of Mixed Drinks an A. Allmusic states, "on The Winter of Mixed Drinks, they focus and polish Organ Fight’s epics -- and add a healthy dose of optimism."

Charitable work

Frightened Rabbit has done extensive work with Invisible Children music coalition project, going on tour with them in 2011. They performed songs for them, including a cover of the Death Cab For Cutie song, "Different Names For The Same Thing", as well as performing the song "Scottish Winds", from off of their new EP. At the end of the tour, they auctioned off the guitar they played during the tour, signed by the members, and the proceeds went to the Invisible Children corporation. They are currently participating in a fund raiser for Invisible Children, their goal being to raise $2,500.

Members

• Scott Hutchison — lead vocals, rhythm guitar (2003—present)
• Grant Hutchison — drums, percussion, backing vocals (2004—present)
• Billy Kennedy — lead guitar, bass guitar, keyboards, backing vocals (2005—present)
• Andy Monaghan — guitar, bass guitar, keyboards, backing vocals (2008—present)
• Gordon Skene — guitar, keyboards, backing vocals (2009—present)

Discography

Main article: Frightened Rabbit discography

Studio albums

• Sing the Greys (2006)
• The Midnight Organ Fight (2008)
• The Winter of Mixed Drinks (2010) No. 61 UK, No. 84 US
• Pedestrian Verse (2013) No. 9 UK, No.1 SCO

EPs

• A Frightened Rabbit EP (2011)
• State Hospital (2012) UK #53 US #163

Live

• Quietly Now! (2008)

Singles

• "Be Less Rude"/"The Greys" (November 5, 2007)
• "It's Christmas So We'll Stop" (December 17, 2007)
• "Head Rolls Off" (March 3, 2008)
• "Fast Blood" (May 26, 2008)
• "I Feel Better"/"The Twist" (September 22, 2008)
• "It's Christmas So We'll Stop" (2008 Version) (December 15, 2008)
• "Swim Until You Can't See Land" (November 16, 2009)
• "Nothing Like You" (February 22, 2010)
• "Living in Colour" (June 14, 2010)
• "The Loneliness and the Scream" (November 22, 2010)
• "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" featuring Craig Finn of The Hold Steady (2010) B-side
• "The Woodpile" (January 28, 2013)
• "Backyard Skulls" (April 1, 2013)
• "Norland Wind" (April 20, 2013) (with Lau)
• "Architect" (April 20, 2013) (with Manchester Orchestra)

Compilations

• "It's Christmas So We'll Stop" - Avalanche Records Alternative Christmas (2009)

External links

• Official Site
• Frightened Rabbit on Myspace
• Frightened Rabbit at Allmusic
• Frightened Rabbit The Self-Starter Foundation profile