Fun (band)
fun. | |
|---|---|
 Lead singer Nate Ruess at the Bonnaroo Music Festival on June 10, 2012 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Genres | Indie pop, indie power pop[1] |
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Labels | Fueled by Ramen, Nettwerk, Hassle |
| Members | Nate Ruess Andrew Dost Jack Antonoff |
| Website | www |
Fun (stylized as fun.) is an American Indi-Pop band based in New York City that was formed by Nate Ruess, formerly of The Format. After the 2008 breakup of The Format, Ruess formed Fun with Andrew Dost and Jack Antonoff of Anathallo and Steel Train respectively.[2] Fun has released two albums: their debut Aim and Ignite in 2009 and their latest Some Nights in February 2012.
The band is best known for its hit single "We Are Young" featuring Janelle Monáe. "We Are Young" reached number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and Digital Songs charts, becoming the first alternative song to top the Billboard Hot 100 chart since Coldplay's "Viva la Vida" in 2008. It also peaked at number one on the UK Singles Chart. "Some Nights" was released as the album's second single in May 2012, peaking at number 11 on the Hot 100 chart, and becoming their second song to reach platinum status in the USA.
History
2007–2008: Career beginning and formation
The Format split in February 2008. Immediately afterward Nate Ruess asked Andrew Dost and Jack Antonoff to join his new project. Dost had toured with The Format and provided various instrumentation. Ruess met Antonoff after The Format toured with Steel Train.[3] The three began working together in New Jersey within a week. Ruess sang melodies while the other two provided music for them.[4] The first demo song the band recorded was "Benson Hedges," which was made available for free in Spin's September 20, 2008 article on the band.[5] Fun approached Steven McDonald, who produced The Format's album Dog Problems with Ruess, to produce their debut album. McDonald was enthusiastic about the project and stated, "I can’t believe what we’re working on here. This crushes anything I’ve ever done."[4]
2009–2010: Aim and Ignite
Recording took place in the fall of 2008. The band's first single, "At Least I'm Not as Sad As I Used to Be" was made available as a free download on the band's Myspace page on April 6, 2009.[6] Aim and Ignite was released on August 25, 2009 and had positive reviews. AbsolutePunk.net's Drew Beringer praised the album, stating it was "what a pop album 'should' sound like" and "the most essential pop album of 2009."[7] Allmusic called the album "progressive, but in the best possible way" and admired Ruess's lyrics for "investigating the larger truths of life...with a witty approach that keeps the songs bubbling merrily along on a positive note".[8] Dave de Sylvia of Sputnikmusic wrote, "Aim and Ignite isn’t the most consistent pop album around," but he ultimately commended the album as "a superbly mixed and arranged album made by musicians who clearly understand the limits and potential of pop music".[9] Estella Hung of PopMatters was less impressed with the album. She praised songs "Be Calm" and "The Gambler", but criticized the lyrics and production of the album's early tracks. Hung concluded that while Aim and Ignite is "pretty original to say the least", it "fails to live up to the Format’s last outing."[10] Popdose's Ken Shane called the album "an interesting and unusual listen." Shane applauded the album's songwriting and said "many of the songs are really good," but he objected to the "cute" production, desiring to hear the band "in a more stripped-down form." He ended his review with: "I have a similar problem with Dr. Dog, a band that was recommended to me by a number of people. I think much of their recorded work is too fussed over, but when I saw them live and their sound was more stripped down out of necessity, emphasizing their powerful songwriting, I thought they were wonderful. Perhaps the same fate awaits me with Fun."[11] The album reached number 26 on Sputnikmusic's top 50 albums of 2009. The album peaked at 71 on the US album charts.
Fun began its first North American tour on November 8, 2008 with Jack's Mannequin.[12] The debut album Aim and Ignite was released on August 25, 2009.[13] In reviewing the album, The Washington Post called some of the arrangements "theatrical, much like those on Panic! at the Disco's 2005 debut".[14] In February 2010, Fun supported Jack's Mannequin on their headline tour, along with Vedera which was followed by their first UK appearances in March. Their current touring band also includes Will Noon, Rob Kroehler, Emily Moore, Nate Harold, and Jon "Jonny Thunder" Goldstein.[15] In April 2010, Fun supported Paramore's headline tour. Other support for the tour includes Relient K and Harriet Ellis of Summer Beats.[16] The band then embarked on a full UK tour in May. On August 4, 2010, Fun announced that they had signed with label Fueled by Ramen.[17]
On August 14, 2010, it was announced via the Official Paramore Fan Club that Fun would be opening for Paramore on their November UK tour.[18] In 2010 Fun's single, "Walking the Dog," was used in a commercial for the travel site Expedia.com.[19] In 2010, Will Noon (formerly of Straylight Run) played drums with Fun on tour, according to Noon's Twitter page.[20] To celebrate the Paramore UK tour and the band’s new single ‘Walking The Dog’, Hassle Records gave away a free download of an acoustic version of the track.[21] On April 27, 2011, a video of the band performing a new song entitled "Carry On" was uploaded to YouTube.[22]
2011–present: Some Nights
 |
On May 17, 2011, the band released "C'mon" as a joint single with Panic! at the Disco, who they opened for on their 2011 Vices & Virtues Tour.
On November 7, 2011, the band announced that their next album would be titled Some Nights. Its first single, called "We Are Young" featuring Janelle Monáe, has since been used in several other media including:
- Gossip Girl season 5 episode 24 "The Return of the Ring"
- 90210 season 4 episode 24 "Forever Hold Your Peace"
- Glee season 3 episode 8 "Hold On to Sixteen"
- introducing the Game Changer of the Year at the 2011 WWE Slammy Awards
- Chuck season 5 episode 8 "Chuck Versus the Baby"
- Chevrolet Chevy Sonic Super Bowl XLVI commercial "Stunt Anthem", also featuring American professional skateboarder Rob Dyrdek and the rock band OK Go.[23]
- a vignette promoting the WWE Wrestlemania XXVIII Main event match between John Cena and The Rock
- BBC Radio One as Scott Mills' Big Thing
- The trailer for the Judd Apatow film This Is 40
- "We Are Young" was used by Apple in a promotional video of their recent retail development in Grand Central Terminal.[24]
On December 12, 2011, the band's song "One Foot" was available for instant streaming and free download on Nylon's website.[25]
On February 13, 2012, the band released an album stream of Some Nights on their website along with a note from Ruess thanking fans for their ongoing support. Ruess states he is "over the moon about what you're about to hear and falling asleep knowing that as soon as I wake up, this will no longer be a dream."[26] It was released on February 21, 2012 through Fueled by Ramen.[27]
On February 29, 2012 the band kicked off the start of their North American tour in support of Some Nights.[28]
On March 7, 2012, Fun's single "We Are Young" reached the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. This makes Fun the first multi-member rock band to have a No. 1 Billboard debut on the Hot 100 since Nickelback's "How You Remind Me" in December 2001/January 2002.[29] On April 11, 2012, Billboard.com announced that Fun's "We Are Young" also made Digital Sales history. As the song was at the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for a sixth consecutive week, it has become the first, and at this time only, song that has ever gained 300,000+ downloads for seven weeks straight.[30]
On March 19, 2012, Fun was announced as a performing band at the Bonnaroo 2012 music festival.
On May 27, 2012 the song "Some Nights" appeared on the series finale of Harry's Law which starred Kathy Bates, and the song was shown being sung by actress Karen Olivo and Lisa Nicole Carson.
On June 3, 2012, Fun performed "We Are Young" at the 2012 MTV Movie Awards with Janelle Monáe.
"We Are Young" peaked at number 1 on May 27, 2012 in the UK.
On June 5, 2012, the music video for Fun's song "Some Nights" was released on YouTube.
On June 10, 2012, Fun performed at "Bonnaroo Music Festival" in Manchester, TN.
On June 21, 2012, Fun performed on Today.
On June 22, 2012, Fun performed on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.
On June 29, 2012, Fun performed on the Miller Lite Stage at Summerfest, the World's Largest Music Festival, in Milwaukee, WI.
On June 29, 2012, Fun performed "We Are Young" on the Graham Norton Show in the UK.
On July 26, 2012, Fun performed "Some Nights" on Sunrise in Sydney, Australia.
On August 2, 2012, Fun performed at the River Stage at Great Plaza, Penn's Landing Philadelphia, PA.
On August 3, 2012, Fun performed at Osheaga 2012 in Montreal, Canada.
On August 4, 2012, Fun performed at Lollapalooza in Chicago, IL.
On August 8, 2012, Fun performed at Buzz Under the Stars in Kansas City, MO.
On August 12, 2012 Fun performed at Outside Lands in San Francisco, CA
On August 13, 2012, the band was interviewed on The Colbert Report and performed on the deck of the USS Intrepid as the first act in "Stephest Colbchella '012: Rocktaugustfest".
Current members
| Band member | Duration | Related note(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Jack Antonoff | 2008—Present | Vocals, guitar |
| 2012—Present | Drums | |
| Andrew Dost | 2008—Present | Range of instruments |
| Nate Ruess | 2008—Present | Lead vocalist |
| Touring member | Duration | Related note(s) |
| Nate Harold | 2009—Present | Bass guitar, vocals, sampler |
| Emily Moore | 2009—Present | Guitar, vocals, keyboard, saxophone |
| Will Noon | 2010—Present | Drums |
Former members
| Touring member | Duration | Related note(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Jon Goldstein | 2008-2010 | drums |
| Rob Kroehler | 2008–2010 | Guitar |
| Maggie Malyn | 2008 | Violin |
| Will Yates | 2008 | Bass guitar |
| Ryan Lallier | 2010–2011 | Guitar |
| Michael Newsted | 2010 | Bass guitar |
| Mike Schey | 2010 | Guitar |
| Evan Winiker | 2011 | Bass guitar |
Discography
- Studio albums
- Aim and Ignite (2009)
- Some Nights (2012)
Awards
mtvU Woodie Awards (2012)
- Breaking Woodie - "We Are Young" (Nominated)
NewNowNext Awards (2012)
- Brick of Fame Music Artist (Nominated)
Teen Choice Awards (2012)
- Choice Rock Group (Won)
- Choice Rock Song - We Are Young (Nominated)
- Choice Single by a Group -We Are Young (Won)
- Choice Breakout Group (Nominated)
MTV Video Music Awards (2012)
- Best New Artist - Fun. (Pending)
- Best Pop Video - We Are Young (Pending)
References
- ^ Chris DeVille (April 18, 2012). "Feature: fun. at LC Pavilion". Columbus Alive. The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved 27 April 2012.
Maybe you've been following fun.'s emo-fried, Queen-inspired power-pop since the trio brought together members of The Format, Steel Train and Anathallo in 2008. If so, you probably heard "We Are Young" when the band released it last September. Perhaps you discovered the song when the "Glee" cast performed it in December.
- ^ Martin, Hannah (September 15, 2009). "A new dynamic to Fun: Nate Ruess", Boston Globe, p. G3.
- ^ Introducing: Fun.. Retrieved June 11, 2010.
- ^ a b "About - Fun". Retrieved November 24, 2009.
- ^ Kiser, Matt. "Members of the Format, Steel Train, Anathallo Unite as Fun.", Spin, 2008-08-20. Retrieved 2008-09-19.
- ^ "Dear You: Letter from Nate + new song!". Fun.'s MySpace Blog. April 6, 2009. Retrieved November 25, 2009.
- ^ Beringer, Drew (25 July 2009). "Fun. - Aim & Ignite - Album Review". AbsolutePunk.net. Retrieved 23 November 2009.
- ^ Poet, J. "allmusic ((( Aim and Ignite > Review )))". Allmusic. Retrieved 26 February 2010.
- ^ de Sylvia, Dave (18 August 2009). "Fun. - Aim and Ignite Review". sputnikmusic. Retrieved 23 November 2009.
- ^ Hung, Estella (18 November 2009). "Fun.: Aim and Ignite < Reviews". PopMatters. Retrieved 23 November 2009.
- ^ Shane, Ken (27 August 2009). "CD Review: Fun., "Aim and Ignite"". Popdose. Retrieved 23 November 2009.
- ^ Tate, Jason (November 8, 2008). "Introducing: Fun. - News Article". AbsolutePunk.net. Retrieved November 24, 2009.
- ^ "Aim and Ignite is out today! Listen to a special track now". August 25, 2009. Retrieved November 23, 2009.
- ^ Dunham, Nancy (September 18, 2009). "CD Review: Fun.: Aim and Ignite", The Washington Post, p. T8.
- ^ The Format's Ruess talks about music and Fun.. Retrieved June 11, 2010.
- ^ Paramore to tour US with Fun. and Relient K. Retrieved June 11, 2010.
- ^ "Special Letter From Nate & Live Web Chats with Fun.!". Fun.'s Website. August 4, 2010. Retrieved August 4, 2010.
- ^ Bhamra, Satvir (2010-08-14). "B.o.B and Fun. to join Paramore on UK tour". Amplified.tv. Retrieved 2011-08-13.
- ^ "Expedia.com commercial featuring "Walking the Dog."!". September 4, 2010. Retrieved September 4, 2010.
- ^ willnoon. "will noon (willnoon) op Twitter". Twitter.com. Retrieved 2011-08-13.
- ^ Bhamra, Satvir (2010-11-15). "FREE Download: 'Walking The Dog' (acoustic) by fun". Amplified.tv. Retrieved 2011-08-13.
- ^ "Fun. - Carry On (Live @ TCNJ)". YouTube. Retrieved 2011-08-13.
- ^ "Chevy Sonic "Stunt Anthem"". YouTube. January 27, 2012. Retrieved February 2, 2012.
- ^ "Apple - Apple Events - Apple Special Event March 2012". Events.apple.com.edgesuite.net. 2012-03-07. Retrieved 2012-07-11.
- ^ "Free Music: Fun - Nylon Magazine". Nylonmag.com. 2011-12-12. Retrieved 2012-07-11.
- ^ "Fun". Ournameisfun.com. 2012-06-23. Retrieved 2012-07-11.
- ^ "Fun. Album Title and Release Date". 8 November 2011. Retrieved 8 November 2011.
- ^ Common, Tyler. "fun. reveal spring 2012 tour dates". Alternative Press Online. Retrieved June 27, 2012.
- ^ "Fun.-tastic! 'We Are Young' Tops Hot 100". Billboard.com. 2009-09-14. Retrieved 2012-07-11.
- ^ "Music Charts, Most Popular Music, Music by Genre & Top Music Charts". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2012-07-11.