Bloc Party
Left to right: Lissack, Moakes, Tong and Okereke London, April 20, 2007
Background information
Origin	London, England
Genre(s)	Indie rock Post-punk revival
Years active	2003–present
Label(s)	Vice Records Wichita V2
Associated acts	Pin Me Down
Website	http://www.blocparty.com/
Members
Kele Okereke Russell Lissack Gordon Moakes Matt Tong
Former members
David Searston Mat Coleman James Chorley

Bloc Party are an English indie rock band, composed of Kele Okereke on vocals and rhythm guitar, Russell Lissack on lead guitar, Gordon Moakes on bass guitar and Matt Tong on the drums. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland Indie rock is genre of Alternative rock that primarily exists in the independent Underground music scene Kele Okereke (born Kelechukwu Rowland Okereke on 13 October 1981 in Liverpool) is the vocalist and Guitarist for English Indie rock Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, which is often contrasted with Speech. Rhythm guitar is the use of a Guitar to provide Rhythmic chordal Accompaniment for a singer or other instruments in a Musical ensemble Russell Dean Lissack (born March 11, 1981) is the Lead guitarist of London -based Indie rock band Bloc Party Lead guitar refers to the use of a Guitar to perform Melody lines instrumental fill passages, and Guitar solos within a song structure Gordon Peter Moakes (born 22 June 1976) is an English Bassist and Backing singer for English Indie rock band The electric bass guitar (also called electric bass, or simply bass; ˈbeɪs as in "base" is a Stringed instrument played primarily with the Matthew Tong (born Matthew Chee HungTong 29 April 1979 in Bournemouth) is the Drummer for English Art rock A drum kit (also drum set or trap set) is a collection of Drums Cymbals and sometimes other Percussion instruments such as cowbells Their brand of indie art rock has been compared to bands such as Radiohead, The Cure, Blur, The Smashing Pumpkins, Pixies and Joy Division. Radiohead The Cure are an English rock band that formed in Crawley, West Sussex in 1976 Blur are an English Alternative rock band that formed in London in 1989 The Smashing Pumpkins are an American Alternative rock band that formed in Chicago, Illinois in 1988 Pixies are an American Alternative rock band formed in Boston Massachusetts in 1986 Joy Division were an English rock band formed in 1976 in Salford, Greater Manchester.

The band formed in 1999 after Okereke and Lissack decided to form a band at the Reading Festival. They went through a variety of names, before settling on Bloc Party in 2003. Moakes joined the band after answering an advert in the magazine NME, and Tong was picked out from an audition. The New Musical Express (better known as the NME) is a Popular music Magazine in the United Kingdom which has been Soon after, Bloc Party got their break by giving BBC Radio 1 DJ Steve Lamacq and Franz Ferdinand lead singer Alex Kapranos a copy of their demo, "She's Hearing Voices", which was then released as a single. A disc jockey (also known as DJ or deejay) is a person who selects and plays recorded music for an audience Steve Lamacq (born 16 October 1965) sometimes known by his Nicknames Lammo (given to him by John Peel) or " The Cat Alex Kapranos ( Greek: Άλεξ Καπράνος born Alexander Paul Kapranos Huntley, March 20, 1972 in Almondsbury, Gloucestershire " She's Hearing Voices " is a song by Bloc Party that was first released on their 2004 EP Banquet.

In February 2005, the band released their critically acclaimed debut album Silent Alarm in the United Kingdom, which NME later made their Album of the Year. Silent Alarm is the debut Studio album by British Indie rock band Bloc Party. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located ^[1] The album went on to be certified platinum in the UK a year later. The band built on this success with the release of their second studio album, A Weekend in the City, on February 5, 2007, in the UK and February 6 in the United States. A Weekend in the City is the second Studio album by Bloc Party, which was released on 5 February 2007. Events 1576 - Henry of Navarre converts to Roman Catholicism in order to ensure his right to the throne of France. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 46 BC - Julius Caesar defeats the combined army of Pompeian followers and Numidians under Metellus Scipio The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The album reached a peak of #2 in the UK and #12 in the Billboard Hot 200. The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard

History

Formation and rising popularity (1999–2004)

Russell Lissack and Kele Okereke first met in 1998 in Essex, where Lissack had grown up and Okereke attended school. Russell Dean Lissack (born March 11, 1981) is the Lead guitarist of London -based Indie rock band Bloc Party Kele Okereke (born Kelechukwu Rowland Okereke on 13 October 1981 in Liverpool) is the vocalist and Guitarist for English Indie rock Essex is a county in the East of England. The County town is Chelmsford, and the highest point of the county is Chrishall Common Lissack attended Bancroft's School and Okereke attended Ilford County High School then Trinity Catholic High School, Woodford Green, for sixth form. Bancroft's School is a co-educational independent school in Woodford Green, London, with around 950 pupils aged between 7 and 18 Ilford County High School (ICHS is a selective boys' secondary Grammar school and a Specialist science college in the Barkingside area of the Trinity Catholic High School is a Co-educational, Catholic Comprehensive school located in Woodford Green, Greater London. The sixth form, in the English, Welsh and Northern Irish education systems Commonwealth West Indian countries such as Barbados, Belize They bumped into each other again in 1999 at the Reading Festival and soon after decided to form a band together. ^[2] Joining later were bassist Gordon Moakes, who answered an advert in the NME, and drummer Matt Tong. Gordon Peter Moakes (born 22 June 1976) is an English Bassist and Backing singer for English Indie rock band The New Musical Express (better known as the NME) is a Popular music Magazine in the United Kingdom which has been Matthew Tong (born Matthew Chee HungTong 29 April 1979 in Bournemouth) is the Drummer for English Art rock ^[2] After going through a variety of names, such as Union, Superheroes of BMX, The Angel Range and Diet, the band settled on Bloc Party in September 2003, a play on block party. A block party is a large public celebration in which many members of a single Neighborhood congregate either to observe an event of some importance or simply ^[3] The band has said that the name was not intended to be an allusion to the Soviet Bloc or the Canadian political party Bloc Québécois. During the Cold War, the term Communist Bloc (or Soviet Bloc) was used to refer to the Soviet Union and countries it either controlled or that were The Bloc Québécois ( BQ) is a federal political party in Canada that defines itself as devoted to both the protection of Quebec's interests on a federal However, the band's bassist, Gordon Moakes, said on the group's official Internet forum that it was more a merging of the eastern "Blocs" and the western "parties", in the political sense. Moakes notes that the name was not driven by politics, but rather it "looked, sounded, seemed fine so we went with it. "^[4]

 Music sample:

"Banquet"

"Banquet" was Bloc Party's first and only release by Moshi Moshi, and is typical of their indie rock style.

Problems listening to the file? See media help.

In November 2003, Bloc Party had their track "The Marshals Are Dead" featured on a compilation CD called The New Cross released by Angular Recording Corporation. Angular Recording Corporation is an Independent record label originally based in New Cross, South East London. ^[5] Soon after they released their debut single "She's Hearing Voices" on the then fledgling record label Trash Aesthetics. " She's Hearing Voices " is a song by Bloc Party that was first released on their 2004 EP Banquet. Trash Aesthetics is an Independent record label founded in 2004 by Rob Fawkes and Claire Hewitson. ^[6]

The band got their break after Okereke went to a Franz Ferdinand concert in 2003, and was able to give a copy of the single to both lead singer Alex Kapranos and Radio One DJ Steve Lamacq. Franz Ferdinand is a rock band that formed in Glasgow, Scotland in 2001 Alex Kapranos ( Greek: Άλεξ Καπράνος born Alexander Paul Kapranos Huntley, March 20, 1972 in Almondsbury, Gloucestershire Steve Lamacq (born 16 October 1965) sometimes known by his Nicknames Lammo (given to him by John Peel) or " The Cat ^[7] Lamacq subsequently played the song on his radio show, labeling the track "genius",^[8] and invited them to record a live session for the show. ^[9] The buzz generated off the back of the single lead to another single, "Banquet" being released by Moshi Moshi,^[10] and to the eventual signing with independent label Wichita Recordings in April 2004. " Banquet " is the sixth single from British band Bloc Party. Moshi Moshi Records is a small London -based Independent record label that has released music by bands such as The Rakes, Bloc Party, Hot Wichita Recordings is an Independent record label located in London England. ^[11]

Silent Alarm (2004–2006)

Bloc Party’s Lissack and Okereke on stage in Cardiff in October 2005

Their debut album, Silent Alarm, was released in February 2005 and was met with critical acclaim. Cardiff ( 'kɑːdɪf) is the Capital and the largest city and county in Wales. Silent Alarm is the debut Studio album by British Indie rock band Bloc Party. ^{[12][13][14][15]} It was voted by NME critics as the 2005 album of the year,^[16] and reached #3 on UK album charts^[17] before being certified platinum in the UK. ^[18] The first single from the album, "So Here We Are", made the top 5 on UK charts. ^[17] Further singles "Banquet" (which reached #13 in NME's "Top 50 singles of 2005"), "Helicopter", and "Pioneers", whilst failing to repeat this success, managed to reach the UK top 20. " Helicopter " is a song by British indie rock band Bloc Party. " Pioneers " is a single by Bloc Party from their debut album Silent Alarm. ^[17] The animated video for the single "Pioneers", made by the Shoreditch based Minivegas design agency^[19] was number one in the NME video charts for 4 weeks. Shoreditch is an area of London within the London Borough of Hackney.

The band were met with good reviews from critics in the United States and they toured there heavily in the 18 months that followed. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the ^[20] In early 2006 they finished their tour with sold out shows in both Los Angeles, Miami and Berkeley. Los Angeles (lɑˈsændʒələs los ˈaŋxeles in Spanish) is the largest City in the state of California and the American West Berkeley is a city on the east shore of San Francisco Bay in Northern California, in the United States. ^[20] The album went on to sell more than 350,000 copies in North America and over a million worldwide. ^[18] After the success of this album, the established electronic group The Chemical Brothers soon collaborated with Okereke for "Believe", a track on the Brothers' Push the Button album. The Chemical Brothers are an English Grammy Award winning Electronic music duo of Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons (occasionally referred to as Chemical " Believe " was the second single from The Chemical Brothers 2005 Album Push the Button. Push the Button is the fifth Studio album by British Electronica group The Chemical Brothers, first released in January ^[21] An album of remixes of tracks from Silent Alarm was released at the end of August in the UK. ^[22] This remix album, Silent Alarm Remixed, retained the album's original track list and includes remixes from the likes of Ladytron, M83, Death from Above 1979, Four Tet and Mogwai. Silent Alarm Remixed is the Remix album to Bloc Party 's debut album Silent Alarm. Ladytron are an electronic pop band originally formed in Liverpool, UK M83 is an Electronic music group consisting of Anthony Gonzalez (and formerly Nicolas Fromageau and was formed in Antibes, France in 2001. Death from Above 1979 were a Toronto based Canadian Dance-punk duo Kieran Hebden (born 1980 in Putney, London, England, United Kingdom) is a Post-rock and electronic musician Mogwai are a Scottish rock group from Glasgow, Scotland. Formed by Stuart Braithwaite and Dominic Aitchison in 1995 ^[23]

During July, Bloc Party recorded two new tracks with Silent Alarm producer Paul Epworth. Paul Epworth is a British music producermusician and songwriter The songs were released as an EP titled Two More Years. Two More Years is British band Bloc Party 's third EP, released October 26, 2005 in Japan, along ^[24] The released of the EP was accompanied with a re-release of Silent Alarm, which included "Two More Years" along with former single "Little Thoughts". "Two More Years" was later released to coincide with their October 2005 UK tour. ^[25] The single format contained a remix of "Banquet" done by The Streets, for which a video was also recorded. Mike Skinner (born 27 November 1978) more commonly known by his stage name The Streets, is a Rapper from Birmingham, England ^[26]

The band also contributed the track "The Present" to the Help!: A Day in the Life compilation, the profits of which benefits the War Child charity. Help! A Day in the Life, released in 2005 brought together many contemporary artists from Britain and Canada. For other uses see War Child (disambiguation War Child is a non-governmental organization founded by British filmmakers Bill Leeson ^[27] In 2005, their album track "Like Eating Glass" was used on the soundtrack of low-budget horror film, Cry Wolf,^[28] and was remixed for use on Electronic Arts skateboarding game Tony Hawk's American Wasteland. Cry_Wolf is a Murder mystery 2005 film directed by Jeff Wadlow after he won one million dollars at the 2002 Chrysler Film Competition Skateboarding is the act of riding and performing tricks using a Skateboard. Tony Hawk's American Wasteland, also known as THAW (and unofficially as Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 7) is a Video game that ^[29]

A Weekend in the City (2006–present)

Gordon Moakes tuning at Madison Square Garden in 2007

Bloc Party's second album, A Weekend in the City, was produced by Garret "Jacknife" Lee. Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG, and known colloquially as The Garden, has been the name of four Arenas in New York City. A Weekend in the City is the second Studio album by Bloc Party, which was released on 5 February 2007. Garret "Jacknife" Lee is a Grammy Award winning music producer and remixer ^[30] It was released on February 5, 2007 in the United Kingdom and February 6 in the United States,^[31] though it had been leaked since November 2006. Events 1576 - Henry of Navarre converts to Roman Catholicism in order to ensure his right to the throne of France. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located The United States of America —commonly referred to as the An Internet leak occurs when a party's confidential Intellectual property is released to the public on the Internet. ^[32] It was released on the UK iTunes store before the physical release, and reached the #2 spot in the Official UK Chart. iTunes is a proprietary digital media player application introduced by Apple Inc ^[33] The album also reached #2 in the Australian and Belgian charts,^[34][35] and debuted at #12 in the Billboard 200, with 48,000 copies sold. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. The Kingdom of Belgium is a Country in northwest Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts its headquarters as well as those The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard ^[36] The first single, "The Prayer", was released on January 29,^[37] and became the band's highest charting single in the UK Top 40, reaching #4. " The Prayer " is the first single from Bloc Party 's second album A Weekend in the City, except for in the US where it will be the Events 904 - Sergius III comes out of retirement to take over the papacy from the deposed Antipope Christopher. The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official UK Charts Company (OCC on behalf of the British record industry ^[38] In the build up to the release of the album, BBC Radio 1 DJ Zane Lowe aired a live set from the Maida Vale studio featuring a mix of old and new songs, on his evening radio show on January 30, 2007. Zane Lowe (born Alexander Zane Reid Lowe on 7 August 1973 also known as 'Zipper' is a radio DJ and television presenter Maida Vale is a residential district in West London between St John's Wood and Kilburn. Events 1648 - Eighty Years' War: The Treaty of Münster is signed ending the conflict between the Netherlands and Spain Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ^[39] On February 1, 2007, A Weekend in the City was made available to listen to for free through the band's official MySpace page. Events 1327 - Teenaged Edward III is crowned King of England, but the country is ruled by his mother Queen Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. MySpace is a popular social networking Website offering an interactive user-submitted network of friends personal profiles blogs groups photos music and ^[40]

The next single, "I Still Remember", was Bloc Party's highest charting American single, peaking at #24 on the Modern Rock Chart. " I Still Remember " is a song by Bloc Party from their second studio album A Weekend in the City. ^[41] The band released their third single "Hunting for Witches" with an accompanying video clip in August 2007. " Hunting For Witches " is a song by Bloc Party, and it is the third single of their Second Studio album A Weekend in The single became their only ARIA Chart entry, peaking at #20. The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. ^[42]

In October 2007 it was announced that Bloc Party would release a new single, "Flux", on November 13—ahead of their end of year gigs. " Flux " is a song by Bloc Party which was released as a single on 12 November 2007. Events 1002 - English king Ethelred orders the killing of all Danes in England, known today as the St ^[43] The track was also produced by Jacknife Lee,. ^[44] Flux, an electronic song, was highly different to previous singles released by the band. Electronic music is music that employs Electronic musical instruments and Electronic Music technology in its production ^[45]

The band's first gig following the release of A Weekend In The City was on February 5, 2007, in Reading,^[46] and was broadcast live on BBC 6 Music that night. Events 1576 - Henry of Navarre converts to Roman Catholicism in order to ensure his right to the throne of France. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ^[47] On May 20, 2007, Bloc Party headlined on the In New Music We Trust stage at the BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend at Preston. Events 325 - The First Council of Nicaea &ndash the first Ecumenical Council of the Christian Church is held Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ^[48] They also performed at the UK leg of Live Earth on July 7, 2007, at Wembley Stadium. Live Earth is an annual event developed to to combat climate change. Events 1456 - A retrial verdict acquits Joan of Arc of heresy 25 years after her death Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Wembley Stadium is a Stadium in Wembley, located in the London Borough of Brent in London, England. ^[49] Furthermore, the band played sets at T in the Park and Oxegen 07 that same weekend,^[50][51] as well as Glastonbury and the Reading and Leeds Festivals. T in the Park is a major Music festival that has been held annually in Scotland since 1994 Oxegen '07 was the fourth Oxegen festival to take place following the dissolution of its predecessor Witnness in 2004. Glastonbury is a small town in Somerset, England, situated at a Dry point on the Somerset Levels, south of Bristol. ^[52][53] Bloc Party announced a tour of Australia and New Zealand in August 2007, which would include a special appearance at the Splendour in the Grass Festival on August 5. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. New Zealand is an Island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses (the North Island and the South Island Splendour In The Grass is an annual Music festival held in July at Belongil Fields, outside Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australia Events 642 - Battle of Maserfield - Penda of Mercia defeats and kills Oswald of Bernicia. ^[46] On September 17, 2007 they recorded a set for the PBS show Austin City Limits,^[54] a day after playing at the Austin City Limits Music Festival,^[46] and on October 27, 2007, the band performed a set at London's Roundhouse with the Exmoor Singers, a London based choir, as part of the BBC Electric Proms. Events 1176 - The Battle of Myriokephalon is fought 1462 - The Battle of Świecino (or Battle of Żarnowiec Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The Public Broadcasting Service ( PBS) is a Non-profit Public broadcasting Television service with 354 member TV stations in the Austin City Limits is an American Television music program and a staple of the Public Broadcasting Service. The Austin City Limits Music Festival is an annual three-day music and art festival in Austin Texas 's Zilker Park. Events 312 - Constantine the Great is said to have received his famous Vision of the Cross. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The Roundhouse is an arts venue in London, England. The Roundhouse has hosted notable performers Morrissey, The Stranglers, Sonic Youth The Exmoor Singers of London Chamber Choir is a choir with a strong focus on music by living composers and in particular British Composers. For the musical composition see Chorale. A choir, chorale, or chorus is a Musical ensemble of Singers The set included songs from both Silent Alarm and A Weekend In The City along with the first UK live performance of "Flux". ^[55]

According to Tong, Bloc Party are in the early stages of their next album. The sound will have the "rawness" of Silent Alarm, but the "experience" of A Weekend in the City. ^[56] The band have also been announced as part of the Reading and Leeds Festivals on August 23 and August 24, 2008. Events 79 - Mount Vesuvius begins stirring on the feast day of Vulcan the Roman god of fire Events 49 BC - Julius Caesar 's General Gaius Scribonius Curio is defeated in the Second Battle of the Bagradas River 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common ^[57]

Musical style

Bloc Party claim that their variation of spiky guitar rock draws on influences such as The Cure, The Jam, Blur, The Smashing Pumpkins, Sonic Youth, The Smiths, Pixies, Joy Division, Mogwai and Gang of Four. The Cure are an English rock band that formed in Crawley, West Sussex in 1976 The Jam were an English Mod revival band active during the late 1970s and early 1980s Blur are an English Alternative rock band that formed in London in 1989 The Smashing Pumpkins are an American Alternative rock band that formed in Chicago, Illinois in 1988 Sonic Youth is an American Alternative rock band formed in New York City in 1981 The Smiths were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1982 Pixies are an American Alternative rock band formed in Boston Massachusetts in 1986 Joy Division were an English rock band formed in 1976 in Salford, Greater Manchester. Mogwai are a Scottish rock group from Glasgow, Scotland. Formed by Stuart Braithwaite and Dominic Aitchison in 1995 Gang of Four are an English Post-punk group from Leeds. Original personnel were singer Jon King, guitarist Andy Gill, bass guitarist Particular parallels were made between Bloc Party and Gang of Four upon their arrival on the music scene,^[58] yet the band were "mildly infuriated" at such references, claiming they had never "particularly liked" Gang of Four. ^[32] To achieve their unique guitar style, numerous delay effects pedals are implemented. ^[59]

During the recording of the second album, the band suggested it would contain "some truly R'n'B styled beats, a song where [Tong] and [Moakes] play drums simultaneously [and] both eggshell-thin fragility and trouser-flapping hugeness",^[60] seemingly rejecting their typical indie rock sound. During this era, Bloc Party have developed and evolved their sound. The style has been compared to and inspired by such bands as Radiohead, U2, Depeche Mode and Björk. Radiohead Depeche Mode (dəˌpɛʃˈmoʊd are an English Electronic music band formed in 1980 in Basildon, Essex. Björk Guðmundsdóttir (born 21 November 1965 is an Icelandic Singer-songwriter, Composer, actress and music producer. ^[61] Some of the most noticeable changes are the songs have come more layered and less raw. With the release of Flux, Bloc Party's style has become even more diverse with the inclusion of electronic music. Electronic music is music that employs Electronic musical instruments and Electronic Music technology in its production For the third album, Matt Tong has said, "I think our new stuff is going to be a lot less textured than the last record. I think the third studio incarnation of Bloc is going to be a bit like the rawer earlier Bloc, but with experience. " They are working with producer Paul Epworth again. ^[62]

Discography

Main article: Bloc Party discography

• Silent Alarm (2005)
• A Weekend in the City (2007)

References

External links

• Official site
• Bloc Party at MySpace
• NME Artist page
• Bloc Party discography at MusicBrainz
• Bloc Party at Last.fm
• Bloc Party at Discogs
• Bloc Party at Allmusic