Editors (band)
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Editors are an British indie rock band from Birmingham, consisting of Tom Smith (lead vocals, rhythm guitar, piano), Chris Urbanowicz (lead guitar and synth), Russell Leetch (bass guitar and backing vocals), and Ed Lay (drums, percussion and live backing vocals). In 2006, Editors were nominated for the Mercury Prize, and are currently being lauded as the second biggest British band of the decade after Arctic Monkeys.[1]
History
Formation Years
The band met studying Music Technology at Staffordshire University and then relocated to Birmingham after graduation.[2] Their brand of sweeping indie rock is frequently compared to the sound of bands such as Interpol, Echo and the Bunnymen, The Sound, Joy Division, Franz Ferdinand, Kitchens of Distinction, The Chameleons and U2. The band were not always known by their current name, but were intially known as Pilot but quickly realised it was taken, so they then becam known as The Pride.[3] They made a promo under this name with the tracks 'Come Share The View' and 'Forest Fire'.[4] They then changed the line-up and became known as Snowfield. Ed Lay replaced Geraint Owen on drums as he began to focus on his Welsh band The Heights. The band soon released a 6 track EP, all of which went on to become Editors songs. They played their debut gig at the request of Fused Magazine before becoming a popular unsigned band.[5] They remained with this name until they signed with Kitchenware Records in September 2004.
The Back Room (2005-2006)
Editors' debut single "Bullets" was released as a limited edition of 500 on Kitchenware Records on 24 January 2005[6]; and was produced by Gavin Monaghan, also known for his work with The Twang and Scott Matthews. It quickly gained support from radio stations such as Xfm and 6music.[7] As other singles were released their popularity and fanbase grew larger. Their debut album The Back Room was released 25 July 2005, to critical acclaim and commercial success. They also gained a high profile support slot, supporting Franz Ferdinand in Arenas across the UK and Europe.[8] After the re-issue of their single "Munich" "The Back Room" rose up the charts peaking at number 2, going platinum in the process. The Back Room was released in the United States on 21 March 2006 on FADER Label and sold 35,000 albums after 20 weeks.[9]The lead single in the US, "Munich" received radio airplay from a number of American stations supporting indie music, including two major Los Angeles radio stations; KXLU 88.9 FM and KCRW 89.9 FM. As evidence of the buzz the band has created across the pond, they were slated to play influential American festivals in 2006 such as Coachella and Lollapalooza. Editors performed "Munich" on Late Night with Conan O'Brien on Thursday 30 March 2006.
An End Has A Start (2007-2008)
Editors recorded their second album, An End Has A Start, with producer Jacknife Lee in Grouse Lodge, Ireland over a 3 month period in early 2007.[10] It was released on 25 June 2007 and went straight to number 1 in the album charts. It was preceded by the Top 10 single Smokers Outside The Hospital Doors on the 18th. Tom Smith also mentioned "We’ve definitely moved on, it's definitely not the same record again. It's much more ambitious. We never felt like we were going through any kind of difficult second album nonsense. We never hit any wall of 'we don't have enough singles' or 'that sounds shit'. It was all very natural and easy-going."[11] On 23 June 2007, Editors played at the Glastonbury Festival in a late time slot on The Other Stage. The band also contributed a cover of The Cure's "Lullaby" to the Radio 1 Established 1967 compilation, which was released on 1 October 2007.
On 24 October 2007, Editors played a 75 minute set for the BBC Electric Proms at KOKO in London with backing from a classical string quartet. Following their first number, "Bones", Tom Smith said "We are very proud and honoured to be part of the Electric Proms. It is traditional to do something different so tonight there are eight of us onstage together."[12] On 14 January 2008, Editors were nominated for one Brit Award, in the Best British Group Category. After engaging in a extensive World Tour and doing some summer festivals, Editors plan to work on their upcoming third album. [13]
Samples
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Discography
Studio albums
-
The Back Room (25 July,2005)
#2 UK
#14 US Heatseeker Chart
Nominated for Mercury Prize. -
An End Has a Start (25 June, 2007)
#1 UK
#1 US Heatseeker Chart
EPs
- Snowfield Demo EP (2003), (self-release)
Singles
| Year | Song | UK Singles Chart | UK Download Chart | IRL | GER | Dutch Top 40 | Dutch Mega Top 50 | BEL | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | "Bullets" | 54 | - | - | - | - | - | - | The Back Room |
| 2005 | "Munich" | 22 | - | - | - | - | - | - | The Back Room |
| 2005 | "Blood" | 18 | - | - | - | - | - | - | The Back Room |
| 2005 | "Bullets (re-issue)" | 27 | - | - | - | - | - | - | The Back Room |
| 2006 | "Munich (re-issue)" | 10 | 3 | 42 | - | - | - | - | The Back Room |
| 2006 | "All Sparks" | 21 | 35 | - | 82 | - | - | - | The Back Room |
| 2006 | "Blood (re-issue)" | 39 | - | - | - | - | - | - | The Back Room |
| 2007 | "Smokers Outside the Hospital Doors" | 7 | 18 | 39 | - | - | 25 | 47 | An End Has a Start |
| 2007 | "An End Has a Start" | 27 | - | - | 88 | - | 45 | - | An End Has a Start |
| 2007 | "The Racing Rats" | 26 | - | - | - | 12 | 13 | 36 | An End Has a Start |
| 2008 | "Push Your Head Towards The Air" | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | An End Has a Start |
References
- ^ http://www.mailonsunday.co.uk/pages/live/articles/live/live.html?in_article_id=513123&in_page_id=1889
- ^ Ankeny, Jason, All Music Guide Editors, Full Biography. Accessed 28 November 2007
- ^ http://spinner.aol.com/artists/the-interface/editors
- ^ http://p223.ezboard.com/EDITORS-on-Conan-this-Thursday/fartistareabulletinboardfrm82.showMessage?topicID=162.topic
- ^ http://www.editorsmusic.co.uk/biographies/index.asp
- ^ http://www.surgeradio.co.uk/music/artists/0efe858c-89e5-4e47-906a-356fa953fd6e.html
- ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/berkshire/content/articles/2005/04/06/reading_2005_line_up_feature.shtml
- ^ http://www.nme.com/news/franz-ferdinand/21509
- ^ http://www.expressmilwaukee.com/article-602-the-importance-of-being-earnest.html
- ^ http://www.grouselodge.com/content.php?ID=185&PHPSESSID=fcdf616b1e1b191fbc6faa5031ed870f
- ^ http://top40-charts.com/artists/biography.php?aid=6392
- ^ Editors pull in string quartet for BBC Electric Proms 24 October 2007. Accessed 16 November 2007
- ^ http://forum.editorsofficial.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=8095
External links
