LostAlone
LostAlone | |
|---|---|
 LostAlone performing at the M.E.N Arena supporting 30 Seconds to Mars on the Into the Wild Tour | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Derby, Derbyshire, England |
| Genres | Rock, post-hardcore |
| Years active | 2005–present |
| Labels | Graphite Records |
| Members | Steven Battelle Alan Williamson Mark Gibson |
| Past members | Tom Kitchen |
| Website | www |
LostAlone are a British rock band from Derby, Derbyshire that has been active since 2005. The band currently consists of Steven Battelle (lead vocals, guitar), Alan Williamson (bass guitar, backing vocals), and Mark Gibson (drums, percussion, backing vocals). To date, LostAlone have released two albums, Say No to the World (2007) and I'm a UFO in This City (2012).
Since their inception, LostAlone have toured in the UK and mainland Europe supporting a number of major artists such as Enter Shikari, Paramore, My Chemical Romance, and 30 Seconds to Mars on their Into the Wild Tour, as well as completing several European headline tours.[citation needed] They have also made appearances at festivals such as Taste of Chaos, Give it a Name, Download, Reading, T in the Park, Oxegen and Rock am Ring. They received their first major award nomination when they were nominated for "Best British Newcomer" at the Kerrang! Awards in 2007.[1]
History
2005–2008: Formation and Say No to the World
Singer-guitarist Steven Battelle and drummer Mark Gibson formed LostAlone with bassist Tom Kitchen in 2005 after disbanding their previous band Intentions of an Asteroid. Battelle and Gibson then created their own label, Scorpia, to represent their new band and to handle the production and distribution of their subsequent single and album releases. The band's debut album, titled Say No to the World, was released on 11 March 2007. It received positive reviews from critics.[citation needed] The album spawned three singles, "Blood is Sharp", "Unleash the Sands of All Time", both released in 2006, and "Elysium", released in 2007.
2009–present: I'm a UFO in This City
LostAlone signed to U.S. label Sire Records in December 2009, after spending the majority of the year writing the follow-up to Say No To The World. During May 2010, the band recorded in Los Angeles with acclaimed producers Jacknife Lee (Weezer, U2, R.E.M.) and Greg Wells (Mika, Deftones, Katy Perry), executive producer Gerard Way of My Chemical Romance, and engineers Alan Moulder (The Smashing Pumpkins, Nine Inch Nails, Foo Fighters) and Mark Needham (The Killers, Fleetwood Mac, My Chemical Romance). Due to changes in personnel, LostAlone were released from their contract and given the commercial and creative rights to their album, I'm a UFO in This City. On 13 February 2011, the band released the track "Paradox on Earth" from their forthcoming album as a free download. The first official single, "Do You Get What You Pray For?", was released on 5 February 2012, followed by the album's release, via Graphite Records, on 5 March. The second single, titled "Love Will Eat You Alive" was released on the 1 April, with its music video premiering on 27 February.
Influences
Steven Battelle has described the band to be influenced by anything with a pulse and a melody although bands he has referred to more than once have been Queen, Guns N' Roses, Iron Maiden, Mansun, Pink Floyd, Weezer and Beach Boys [2] Whilst none of these are particularly prevalent in the band's overall sound, there are subtle nods to these bands both musically, lyrically and dynamically in the band's music. Battelle (songwriter) in particular, embodies the energy and direction of the band. A versatile vocalist and guitarist, he has developed a unique stage style and aesthetic which has grown to include alternative slide guitar techniques, push-ups on stage mid-song and the inimitable, crowd-pleasing 'flip-catch-guitar-solo-with-shoe' move. The band's style combines fast, heavy riffs with slower, melodic sections and strong vocal harmonies to create a sound that cannot be easily pigeonholed, it sits somewhere within the rock/alternative scene.
Touring
LostAlone have toured extensively across the UK and Europe,[3] supporting several bands, most notably 30 Seconds to Mars, Enter Shikari, Paramore and My Chemical Romance. They have also constantly toured the UK and Europe as a headline act in between supporting more established acts mentioned above. Their first ever show was in Derby on 30 January 2005. The band have also appeared on numerous high-profile European festivals including Taste of Chaos, Give it a Name, Download, Rock am Ring, Rock im Park, T in the Park, Oxegen and the Carling Weekend.[4] They have had one headline tour which was in support of their debut album, Say No To The World. In 2008 started with a five-date headline tour of Finland, then main support to 30 Seconds To Mars in the UK. In February the band again toured with Paramore after which they announced that they would take a break from touring and return to the rehearsal room to write their second record. The band toured as the opening act for 30 Seconds To Mars on their European 2010 Tour and are have recently supported My Chemical Romance on their 2011 UK arena tour along with The Blackout, throughout February. In April 2011, they also toured with My Passion throughout the UK. In February 2012, LostAlone begun a tour with InME which would take them on over 35 dates across the UK and in Europe with a headline show in Derby in April.
Exposure
Following and in support of the release of the singles "Blood Is Sharp", "Unleash The Sands Of All Time" and "Elysium" the band have received significant national and international press interest,[5] most notable being support from Bruce Dickinson (of Iron Maiden) on his BBC Radio 6music rock show. Following an interview on the show, Bruce listed the band in his top 5 singles of 2006.[6] and has regularly played the various singles on his show. Zane Lowe has also regularly included the band on his evening radio show on BBC Radio 1.
The music videos for the singles "Blood Is Sharp" and "Unleash The Sands Of All Time" have been in rotation on many music channels across Europe / UK, including MTV, VH1, and Scuzz.Some high profile bands have declared support for the band by mentioning them frequently in interviews around the world, including all members of My Chemical Romance, Gerard Way, Hayley Williams, Jared Leto, and Bruce Dickinson. The band were nominated for Best British newcomer at the 2007 Kerrang! Awards which they attended. Since the release of the first single 'Do You Get What You Pray For?' from their new album, the band have been gaining huge support from the music press and radio. The first single received 'Single of the Week' status on both Kerrang Radio and XFM, plus Radio One's Zane Lowe showed big support to the track playing it every week. The video also gained 'Video of the week' on Kerrang TV and has stayed in the Hot Rock top 20 for weeks. Scuzz TV also play-listed the video and championed the band.
Band members
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Discography
- Studio albums
- Say No to the World (2007)
- I'm A UFO In This City (2012)
- Extended Plays
- Light The Waves
- Honey and Burlesque
- Singles
- "Blood Is Sharp" (2006)
- "Unleash the Sands of All Time" (2006)
- "Elysium" (2007)
- "Do You Get What You Pray For?" (2012)
- "Love Will Eat You Alive" (2012)
Awards and nominations
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | LostAlone | Best British Newcomer | Nominated |