| Klaxons | |
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Klaxons at the Eurockéennes 2007
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| Background information | |
| Origin | London, England |
| Genre(s) | Dance punk, Indie rock, New Rave |
| Years active | 2005-present |
| Label(s) | Polydor, Modular, Geffen, Angular, Merok Records |
| Website | Official website |
| Members | |
| Jamie Reynolds James Righton Simon Taylor-Davis Steffan Halperin |
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| Former members | |
| Finnigan Kidd | |
Klaxons are a Mercury Prize winning English band, based in London. The Eurockéennes de Belfort is one of France 's largest rock Music festivals The Eurockéennes (a wordplay involving the words rock and London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. 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 A music genre is a categorical and typological construct that identifies musical sounds as belonging to a particular category and type of music that can be distinguished from other Dance-punk (also known as disco-punk, punk-funk and indie-dance) is a Music Indie rock is genre of Alternative rock that primarily exists in the independent Underground music scene New Rave (sometimes labelled Nu Rave or Neu Rave) is a term applied to several types of music that go from fusing elements of electronic, rock In the Music industry, a record label can be a Brand and a Trademark associated with the Marketing of music recordings and Music Polydor Records is a Record label currently headquartered in the UK, and is a subsidiary of Universal Music Group. Geffen Records is an American Record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and operated as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label Angular Recording Corporation is an Independent record label originally based in New Cross, South East London. Jamie Oliver Jack Reynolds (born July 29, 1980 in Bournemouth, England) is co-vocalist and bass guitarist of London-based band Klaxons James Righton (born James Nicholas Righton 25th August, 1983 in Stratford-Upon-Avon, England) is co-vocalist and keyboardist of London Simon Taylor-Davies (born Simon Lee Campbell Taylor on June 18 1982 in Warwick, England; also credited as Simon Taylor) is lead Steffan Liam J Halperin (born 12th August, 1985) is the drummer of the London based 'nu-rave' band Klaxons and is a later addition to the band having The Mercury Prize, formerly the Mercury Music Prize and currently known as the Nationwide Mercury Prize for Sponsorship reasons is an annual music prize 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 The word 'klaxon' is derived from the Greek verb klazō, meaning "to shriek", and most commonly refers to air-raid sirens or other warning devices. Klaxon is a trademark for an electromechanical horn or alerting device Greek (el ελληνική γλώσσα or simply el ελληνικά — "Hellenic" is an Indo-European language, spoken today by 15-22 million people mainly
Following the success of previous singles "Magick" and "Golden Skans", the band released their debut album, Myths of the Near Future on January 29, 2007. "Magick" is a song released by London new rave band Klaxons on October 30, 2006. " Golden Skans " is a song released by London band Klaxons on 22 January 2007. Myths of the Near Future is the debut album by English band Klaxons on 29 January 2007 through Polydor Records. Events 904 - Sergius III comes out of retirement to take over the papacy from the deposed Antipope Christopher. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The album won the 2007 Nationwide Mercury Prize. The Mercury Prize, formerly the Mercury Music Prize and currently known as the Nationwide Mercury Prize for Sponsorship reasons is an annual music prize [1]
After headlining their first tour (the 2007 NME Indie Rave Tour), as well as playing numerous festivals and headlining tours worldwide, the band started working on their follow-up album in October 2007. The NME Tours consist of a variety of tours organised by British music industry publication NME. [2]
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Simon Taylor-Davis grew up in Stratford Upon Avon where he met James Righton, who was a year below him in school. Simon Taylor-Davies (born Simon Lee Campbell Taylor on June 18 1982 in Warwick, England; also credited as Simon Taylor) is lead Stratford-upon-Avon (ˌstrætfɚd əpɒn ˈɛɪvən is a Market town and Civil parish in south Warwickshire, England. James Righton (born James Nicholas Righton 25th August, 1983 in Stratford-Upon-Avon, England) is co-vocalist and keyboardist of London James taught Simon how to play guitar, and later they (along with members of Pull Tiger Tail) were in a band called 'Hollywood is a Verb' which was very briefly active in mid-2004. Pull Tiger Tail (often abbreviated to PTT are an Indie rock band based in London and originating from Stratford-upon-Avon and Edinburgh; they While studying Fine Art at Nottingham Trent University Simon was approached by Jamie Reynolds, the boyfriend of one of his housemates, to form a band because of their shared love of nu-krautrock pioneers Die Plankton. Nottingham Trent University ( NTU) is a University in Nottingham, England. Jamie Oliver Jack Reynolds (born July 29, 1980 in Bournemouth, England) is co-vocalist and bass guitarist of London-based band Klaxons
Jamie Reynolds grew up in Bournemouth and Southampton and was active in several short-lived bands from his early teens. Jamie Oliver Jack Reynolds (born July 29, 1980 in Bournemouth, England) is co-vocalist and bass guitarist of London-based band Klaxons Bournemouth ( is a large coastal resort town in the Borough of Bournemouth in Dorset, England. Southampton ( IPA /ˌsaʊθˈhæmptən/ is the largest city in the county of Hampshire, on the south coast of England He dropped out of school to work in record shops over the next few years, then moved to London after he was made redundant, spending his redundancy money on a studio kit in order to record with Simon and James under their early guise of "Klaxons (Not Centaurs)"[3].
The lineup was recently bolstered with the addition of drummer Steffan Halperin (former drummer Finnigan Kidd left to focus on another band, Hatcham Social [4])), who was recruited for live gigs after appearing on the album version of the track "Atlantis To Interzone" (the rest of the percussion on Myths of the Near Future was provided by the album's producer James Ford). Steffan Liam J Halperin (born 12th August, 1985) is the drummer of the London based 'nu-rave' band Klaxons and is a later addition to the band having Myths of the Near Future is a short-story collection by J G Ballard, first published in 1982 James Ford is an English Musical composer, Record producer and Musician. As of early 2007 Halperin had become a quasi-official fourth member of the band, being listed on Klaxons MySpace page and present in several interviews. However he remains mostly absent from the band's music videos, appearing only in the early video "Atlantis to Interzone" and briefly in the 2007 re-release of "Gravity's Rainbow". "Atlantis to Interzone" is a song by British indie electro act Klaxons.
Klaxons' debut single, "Gravity's Rainbow" was released on March 29, 2006 on Angular Records. "Gravity's Rainbow" is a song by British act Klaxons which appears on their album Myths of the Near Future. Events 1461 - Wars of the Roses: Battle of Towton - Edward of York defeats Queen Margaret to become King Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Angular Recording Corporation is an Independent record label originally based in New Cross, South East London. Only 500 copies were released, and all were printed on a 7" vinyl decorated by the band themselves. Radio 1's Steve Lamacq was the first DJ to play the band and band recorded a Maida Vale session for his show on the strength of 'Gravity's Rainbow'. The band's second single, "Atlantis to Interzone", was released on June 12 of the same year. "Atlantis to Interzone" is a song by British indie electro act Klaxons. Events 1381 - Peasants' Revolt: in England, rebels arrive at Blackheath. It was their first release for new label Merok and led to further coverage in the NME. The New Musical Express (better known as the NME) is a Popular music Magazine in the United Kingdom which has been The song enjoyed even more radio coverage including play from Zane Lowe and daytime BBC Radio 1 plays from disc jockey Jo Whiley, who repeatedly, and mistakenly, called the song "Atlantic To Interscope". Johanne "Jo" Whiley (born 4 July 1965 in Northampton) is an English radio DJ on BBC Radio 1, and a Television Zane Lowe also wrongly credited the song as "Atlantis To Interscope". Zane Lowe (born Alexander Zane Reid Lowe on 7 August 1973 also known as 'Zipper' is a radio DJ and television presenter [5].
They released their first EP, Xan Valleys in the US on October 16, 2006 on Modular Recordings. An extended play ( EP) is a Vinyl record, CD, or Music download which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify Xan Valleys was the first EP released by ' New Rave ' band Klaxons. Events 456 - Magister militum Ricimer defeats the Emperor Avitus at Piacenza and becomes master of the western
In 2006, the band signed to Polydor Records. Polydor Records is a Record label currently headquartered in the UK, and is a subsidiary of Universal Music Group. Polydor's first action was to take all of Klaxons videos off YouTube. Their first single for the label, "Magick", was released on October 30, 2006 and reached #29 in the UK Top 40 the following week. "Magick" is a song released by London new rave band Klaxons on October 30, 2006. Events 637 - Antioch surrenders to the Muslim forces under Rashidun Caliphate after the Battle of Iron bridge. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official UK Charts Company (OCC on behalf of the British record industry
In August of that year, Klaxons played at the Reading and Leeds festivals, playing in the Carling tent on each festival site. The Carling tent, at both festivals, is the smallest stage and as a result large numbers of people were forced to watch from outside the tent. Fans sounded "Klaxons!" and cheered loudly between songs, brandishing glowsticks, seemingly giving credit to the "New Rave" (see below) bandwagon label. New Rave (sometimes labelled Nu Rave or Neu Rave) is a term applied to several types of music that go from fusing elements of electronic, rock This term was coined by Angular Records founder Joe Daniel and later used by NME to describe the burgeoning scene. Angular Recording Corporation is an Independent record label originally based in New Cross, South East London. The New Musical Express (better known as the NME) is a Popular music Magazine in the United Kingdom which has been
The first single from their debut album, "Golden Skans", was released on January 22, 2007. " Golden Skans " is a song released by London band Klaxons on 22 January 2007. Events 565 - Eutychius is deposed as Patriarch of Constantinople by John Scholasticus. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. It reached #16 in the UK Singles Chart on download sales alone, two weeks before the official release of the CD. It climbed to #14 the next week, eventually peaking at #7 after the CD release. On January 24, Klaxons performed on the BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge, performing "Golden Skans" and a cover of Justin Timberlake's "My Love", to great acclaim from Jo Whiley. Events 41 - Gaius Caesar (Caligula, known for his eccentricity and cruel Despotism, is Assassinated by his disgruntled The Live Lounge is a segment of The Jo Whiley Show, on the British radio station BBC Radio 1. Justin Randall Timberlake (born January 31 1981 He has English ancestry although he has also claimed some American Indian ancestry probably through unconfirmed " My Love " also known as " Let Me Talk To You (Prelude/My Love " is a hit single co-written by Justin Timberlake, T Johanne "Jo" Whiley (born 4 July 1965 in Northampton) is an English radio DJ on BBC Radio 1, and a Television [6] The band then released "It's Not Over Yet", a cover version of a song originally by Grace. "It's Not Over Yet" is a cover song by the British act Klaxons, and is the fifth official release from their album Myths of the Near Future In Popular music, a cover version, or simply cover, is a new rendition ( Performance or Recording) of a previously recorded commercially released Grace were a 1990s Dance music act consisting of DJs Paul Oakenfold and Steve Osborne and various singers including Jazz singer The track included the "My Love" cover as a b-side, and reached #13 in the UK Singles Chart. The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official UK Charts Company (OCC on behalf of the British record industry [7]
Their debut album, titled Myths of the Near Future, was released on January 29, 2007. Myths of the Near Future is the debut album by English band Klaxons on 29 January 2007 through Polydor Records. Events 904 - Sergius III comes out of retirement to take over the papacy from the deposed Antipope Christopher. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. It entered the UK Album Charts at #2, beaten only by Norah Jones's album Not Too Late. The UK Albums Chart is a list of Albums ranked by sales in the United Kingdom. Norah Jones (born Geethali Norah Jones Shankar on March 30 1979) is an American Singer-songwriter, Pianist, Keyboardist Not Too Late is the third Studio album by Jazz and pop musician Norah Jones, released on EMI in Australia
The band have recently begun writing for their second album which will be produced again by James Ford. It will not be called Myths of the Near Past.
On September 20, 2007 it was revealed that the band were to release a double album featuring 27 tracks mixed exclusively by Klaxons. Events 451 - The Battle of Chalons takes place in North Eastern France. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Entitled A Bugged Out Mix, the band follow in the footsteps of Miss Kittin, Erol Alkan, Felix Da Housecat and Simian Mobile Disco, who have all made similar contributions. Miss Kittin (born Caroline Hervé, 1973 in Grenoble, France) is an Electronic music DJ vocalist, and songwriter Erol Alkan is a London -based electro DJ of Turkish descent He was resident DJ and founder of London club night Trash. Felix da Housecat (born Felix Stallings Jr on August 27, 1971 in Chicago, Illinois Simian Mobile Disco are an English production and Remix team Formed from the ashes of Simian in 2005 its members are James Ford and James Anthony It was officially released on 1 October 2007. Events 331 BC - Alexander the Great defeats Darius III of Persia in the Battle of Gaugamela. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. [8]
Klaxons singled out a new song that has strong prog influences as a guide to one possible direction the album may go in, revealed recently NME. Guitarist Simon Taylor said: "We wanna make something that's bigger and softer and louder and lo-fi and heavier produced - just lots of contradictions. I think it's gonna be like the last record but swollen. We've been listening to a lot of European prog music and dubstep and dance and folk. A huge broad variety of things really. There's one track we've been playing in soundcheck, it's this massive prog opus. "
Klaxons performed with the singer Rihanna on the song "Umbrella" which had "Golden Skans" mixed into the background during the Brit Awards 2008 held in London on February 20, 2008. Rihanna (pronounced /riːˈɑːnə/ born Robyn Rihanna Fenty; February 20 1988 is a Barbadian singer, model and Fashion designer Events 1472 - Orkney and Shetland are left by Norway to Scotland, due to a Dowry payment 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common
Klaxons won 'Best Album' at the 2008 NME Awards held at London's Indigo Arena, Feb 28, having won 'Best New Band' the previous year. Klaxons also won 'Best International Album' and 'Best International Track' for Golden Skans at the first American NME awards, which were held in Los Angeles. " Golden Skans " is a song released by London band Klaxons on 22 January 2007.
HMV describes Klaxons as "acid-rave sci-fi punk-funk", a phrase lifted directly from Tim Chester's Radar feature in NME, while their MySpace page touts 'Psychedelic / Progressive / Pop'. New Rave (sometimes labelled Nu Rave or Neu Rave) is a term applied to several types of music that go from fusing elements of electronic, rock MySpace is a popular social networking Website offering an interactive user-submitted network of friends personal profiles blogs groups photos music and However, they are one of the isolated acts being referred to as 'Nu Rave', a genre term coined by Angular Records founder Joe Daniel, who released the trio's first single. Angular Recording Corporation is an Independent record label originally based in New Cross, South East London. Though the band's sound is decidedly art rock, they draw upon some less common influences - notably the rave culture of the 1990s, which they appropriate and redefine in a post-modern fashion. Art rock is a term describing a subgenre of Rock music that tends to have "experimental or avant-garde influences" and emphasizes "novel sonic texture A rave (or rave party) is a term in use since the 1980s to describe Dance Parties (often all-night events Postmodernism literally means 'after the modernist movement' While " Modern " itself refers to something "related to the present" the movement of modernism Their influences are perhaps most represented in their covers of rave hits "The Bouncer" by Kicks Like a Mule and "Not Over Yet" by Grace. In Popular music, a cover version, or simply cover, is a new rendition ( Performance or Recording) of a previously recorded commercially released Kicks Like A Mule is a rave/electronic music duo consisting of Richard Russell and Nick Halkes " Not Over Yet " is a song by Grace, released as a single in 1995 which peaked in the UK Singles Chart at #6 and topped the Hot Dance Music/Club Play Grace were a 1990s Dance music act consisting of DJs Paul Oakenfold and Steve Osborne and various singers including Jazz singer Both tracks have since been released by the band, the first as part of a double a-side with "Gravity's Rainbow" in March 2006 and the latter as a single on June 25, 2007 titled "It's Not Over Yet". A-side and B-side originally referred to the two sides of 7 inch Vinyl records on which singles were released beginning in the 1950s "Gravity's Rainbow" is a song by British act Klaxons which appears on their album Myths of the Near Future. Events 524 - Battle of Vézeronce, the Franks defeat the Burgundians Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. "It's Not Over Yet" is a cover song by the British act Klaxons, and is the fifth official release from their album Myths of the Near Future
While the band are consistently hailed as the defining act of the sparsely-populated Nu Rave movement, Klaxons have worked to avoid being typecast as champions of the disputed genre that may or may not exist. It is questionable whether or not the style referred to as "New Rave" is even appreciably different from the older genre dance-punk. Dance-punk (also known as disco-punk, punk-funk and indie-dance) is a Music Even so, Klaxons member Jamie Reynolds expressed no regrets at the dubious honour, saying that ". . . it's great that it started as an in-joke and became a minor youth subculture"[9]
Klaxons' music is often supernatural and magic-realist in theme, as shown in a number of song titles and lyrical content. Magic realism, or magical realism, is an artistic Genre in which magical elements or illogical scenarios appear in an otherwise realistic or even "normal" Examples of this are "As Above, So Below" (favourite saying of Aleister Crowley), "Atlantis to Interzone" (a William Burroughs reference), "Magick" (Crowley) and "Four Horsemen of 2012"/"Gravity's Rainbow" (Thomas Pynchon references). Aleister Crowley, born Edward Alexander Crowley (ˈkroʊli (12 October 1875 – 1 December 1947 was a British Occultist Writer, mountaineer William Seward Burroughs II ( – ˈbʌroʊz was an American Novelist, Essayist, Social critic, painter and Spoken word "Magick" is a song released by London new rave band Klaxons on October 30, 2006. Gravity's Rainbow is an epic postmodern novel written by Thomas Pynchon and first published on February 28 1973. Thomas Ruggles Pynchon Jr (born May 8 1937 is an American writer based in New York City, noted for his dense and complex works of Fiction. The lyrics to "Forgotten Works" are based on Richard Brautigan's In Watermelon Sugar. Richard Gary Brautigan ( January 30, 1935 – ca In Watermelon Sugar is a Novella written by Richard Brautigan published in 1968
| Date of Release | Title | Uk Top 40 Chart Position | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 29, 2006 | "Gravity's Rainbow" / "The Bouncer" | - | Myths of the Near Future |
| June 12, 2006 | "Atlantis to Interzone" | - | Myths of the Near Future |
| October 30, 2006 | "Magick" | 29 | Myths of the Near Future |
| January 22, 2007 | "Golden Skans" | 7 | Myths of the Near Future |
| April 9, 2007 | "Gravity's Rainbow" (Re-recording) | 35 | Myths of the Near Future |
| June 25, 2007 | "It's Not Over Yet" | 13 | Myths of the Near Future |