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Sound of Guns

Sound of Guns are an alternative rock band from Liverpool, England formed in 2008. They are signed to independent record label Distiller Records through which they released their debut album 'What Came From Fire' on 28th June 2010.

In November 2010, virtual festivals[1] announced the bands biggest live show to date headlining Liverpool Sound City Festival at St Georges Hall.

They are currently working with renowned music producer Mike Crossey (Arctic Monkeys, Blood Red Shoes) before touring the UK with The View in November and December 2010.

History

Early Years

After Andrew Metcalfe and Simon Finley's band had split up in the summer of 2007, the pair set up a small studio in a disused social club in Liverpool and spent the next few months writing and recording some new material. At the end of 2007 they were introduced to Nathan Crowley, whose previous band had recently ended too. By the start of 2008, the three had begun writing and recording songs together, some of which would eventually end up on Sound Of Gun's debut album 'What Came From Fire'. In need of other musicians to complete the line-up, Nathan played the new recordings to Lee Glynn, a guitarist with whom he had played with previously. Lee had made plans to return home to his family in Australia, but on hearing the recordings, decided to stay and join Sound Of Guns on guitar.

After a few months of writing and rehearsing as a four piece, the band booked their first shows. After several unsuccessful auditions for a bass player, they decided to go ahead with the shows, and have the bass parts recorded to a backing track until they found the right bass player. It was at their first hometown show at the Barfly in Liverpool that the Sound Of Guns line-up was completed. John Coley, a friend of Nathan Crowley, was in the crowd that night, and was so impressed with the raw energy and powerful performance from Sound Of Guns, that he joined the band there and then.

Over the next few months, the band gigged endlessly around the country and carried on recording new material as a five piece. By the end of 2008 they self released their debut single 'Alcatraz', that was recorded and produced by the band, and gained a fair amount of major radio airplay, including XFM and Radio 1.

Distiller Records

After more writing and touring, the band soon found themselves at the centre of some serious interest from major and independent record companies. During this time, Distiller Records offered to release their next single. The band took up this offer, and 'Architects' was released in June 2009 as a limited edition 7" vinyl, again gaining more radio airplay. The band then headed out on tour in support of this release, and played numerous shows which included 4 gigs at Glastonbury Festival, opening the main stage at Latitude Festival and Radio 1's Big Weekend. The band were invited by Radio 1 to perform four songs at the legendary Maida Vale studios.

After signing a record contract with distiller records the band set about writing towards there debut release and on 26th October 2009 Sound of Guns released there first EP 'Elementary of Youth' through distiller records. The EP was available on a 7” gatefold single, which will included a CD and the band’s own fanzine ‘Retail Rodeo’ and digital download. Comprising of four tracks, ‘Elementary of Youth’, ‘Lightspeed’ (both mixed by Dave Eringa (Manic Street Preachers/Idlewild), ‘Dead Sea Scrolls’ and ‘Gallantry’. The lead track 'Elementary of Youth' was quickly picked up by BBC Radio 1's Zane Lowe and given the title of 'Hottest Record In The World'[2] as well as XFM 'Single Of The Week' by Steve Harris

What Came From Fire

After touring in support of the 'Elementary Of Youth' EP, the band headed into the studio to record their debut album. However, instead of using a commercial studio, the band opted to build their own studio using the advance from their record contract, and spent the end of 2009 recording their debut album, producing it themselves. The album was mixed by Chris Potter (The Verve, U2) in Jan 2010 and was released in June 2010, titled 'What Came From Fire'. It was preceded by two more single releases, 'Alcatraz' in April 2010 and 'Architects' in June 2010. Both were new versions of the songs and weren't limited editions this time round.

In 2010 the band released Singles 'Alcatraz' and 'Architects' ahead of there debut album. 'Architects' reached Number 1 HMV 7" Singles Chart, was Playlisted by BBC Radio 1 daytime and XFM daytime. BBC Radio 1 also gave the track 'Single Of The Week'[3] (Greg James) and XFM 'Single Of The Week'(Steve Harris).

Present

The band are currently writing new material for their follow-up to 'What Came From Fire', and are heading into the studio with Mike Crossey (Artctic Monkeys, The Enemy, Razorlight) to record material that will be released in early 2011.

They are also supporting The View on their forthcoming UK tour in Nov/Dec 2010 and are headlining the Liverpool Sound City Festival at St George's Hall in 2011.

Controversy

During a UK tour in March 2009 Sound Of Guns found themselves surrounded by armed police in Wakefield after a mix up involving the bands name led to the group being mistaken for gangsters, as reported by NME[4]

Tours & Festivals

The band toured extensively across the UK during 2009-2010 and have supported acts including; The Courteeners, The View[5],Delphic [6] Adam Green. They toured the United Kingdom in the summer of 2010, following the release of their debut album, "What Came From Fire".

In August the band appeared at both 2010 Reading and Leeds Festivals having previously performed at Glastonbury,Radio 1's Big Weekend[7],, Latitude and various other UK festivals. The band also appeared at Mallorca Rocks in 2010 and the inaugural Dubai Sound City festival in 2009


Members


References

  1. ^ "Sound of Guns to top Liverpool Sound City 2011". Virtual Festivals : http://www.virtualfestivals.com. 09 October, 2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); External link in |work= (help)
  2. ^ "Elementary of Youth 'Hottest Record In The World'". Clink Music Magazine : http://clinkmusicmagazine.com/2009/09/29/sounds-of-guns-release-ep-entitled-elementary-of-youth/. 09 October, 2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); External link in |work= (help)
  3. ^ "Single of the Week". BBC : http://www.bbc.co.uk. 2 August 2010. {{cite web}}: External link in |work= (help)
  4. ^ "Band Mistaken for Gangsters". NME : hhttp://www.nme.com/news/nme/43773. Tuesday, March 31, 2009. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); External link in |work= (help)
  5. ^ "Blog » The View announce UK supports". Myspace : http://www.myspace.com/dryburgh. Tuesday, October 26, 2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); External link in |work= (help)
  6. ^ "Sound Of Guns Return To Brighton". http://www.xyzmagazine.co.uk. September 1, 2009. Retrieved 09 November, 2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); External link in |work= (help)
  7. ^ "BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend". BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/bigweekend/2009/artists/soundofguns/. Tuesday, October 26, 2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); External link in |work= (help)

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