Band of Skulls

Band of Skulls

Guitarist Russell Marsden (front) and bassist Emma Richardson (back) in 2014
Background information
Also known as Fleeing New York (2004-2008)
Origin Southampton, England
Genres
Years active 2004–present
Labels Electric Blues Recordings/PIAS UK(UK)
Vagrant Records(US)
Kobalt[5]
Website bandofskulls.com
Members Matt Hayward
Russell Marsden
Emma Richardson

Band of Skulls are an English rock band from Southampton, consisting of Russell Marsden (guitar, vocals), Emma Richardson (bass, vocals), and Matt Hayward (drums). The group formed after meeting in college, although Marsden and Hayward have been friends since school. Band of Skulls have released four studio albums, their most recent being By Default in May 2016.

History

Initially, the group played at night clubs in the Greater London area and recorded some demos under the name of Fleeing New York before changing their name to Band of Skulls in November 2008. The band's original demos were recorded in Hayward's father's shed-studio.

Band of Skulls' debut album Baby Darling Doll Face Honey, distributed by Shangri-La Music, was released exclusively on the iTunes Store on 6 March 2009, followed by a general release on 20 March. The track "I Know What I Am" was chosen as iTunes' free Single of the Week to coincide with the digital release. The song was also featured in the soundtrack for TV series Friday Night Lights, Volume 2, which was released on 4 May 2010.[6] The song also appeared in Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock. Another track that was not actually on the album, "Friends", was included on The Twilight Saga: New Moon soundtrack in November 2009.[7]

On 23 March 2010, Band of Skulls released Friends EP, which includes the studio-recorded version of "Friends", a live version, and a music video of the song.[8]

Band of Skulls played at the SXSW Festival in early 2010 and toured the Midwest in March in support of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. The band appeared on the French TV show Taratata broadcast in March 2010, where they covered the song "Sympathy for the Devil" by The Rolling Stones with the band John & Jehn.[9] In April 2010, they toured the U.S. and Canada followed by England in May 2010, including a sold-out show at the London Electric Ballroom. On 28 June 2010, Band of Skulls supported The Dead Weather at The Roundhouse in London.[10] In July 2010, the band covered Goldfrapp's "Strict Machine" for Australian radio.[11] They were also one of three bands who opened for Muse on 4 September 2010 at Lancashire County Cricket Ground.[12] In October 2010 they also toured to South Africa to play at the annual Rocking The Daisies festival.

On 26 October 2010, Band of Skulls released a live album called Live on KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic, containing an in-studio performance from KCRW radio's Morning Becomes Eclectic program.

On 5 October 2011, the band released "The Devil Takes Care of His Own"—the first single to be taken from the new album—with an accompanying music video.[13] The second studio album Sweet Sour was recorded at Rockfield Studios in Wales. It is produced by Ian Davenport (Supergrass, Badly Drawn Boy), who also produced their debut album, and was released on 21 February 2012 in the US, and 20 February 2012 in the UK and Europe.

On 12 April 2012, Channel 4 broadcast a short documentary starring the band. They discuss the formation of Band Of Skulls through to going from working the bars of their hometown to playing music in front of expansive crowds of adoring fans across the globe. It is a rare and intimate insight into the world of Band Of Skulls, focusing of their success and achievements over the years.[14]

On 13 October 2012, Band of Skulls played the 11th Annual Austin City Limits Music Festival. The show was briefly interrupted by a rainstorm that soaked the front of the stage, including Russell's pedal board, prompting the band to leave the stage while crews dried and moved the affected equipment. The band was able to return and complete their set after about a 10-minute delay.

On 20 March 2014, Band of Skulls performed on Late Night with Seth Meyers. The band played "Asleep at the Wheel".[15]

On 22 September 2014, Band of Skulls performed on Later with Jools Holland playing the title track from their recent album 'Himalayan'

Band of Skulls shared new track 'So Good' on 28 April 2016, releasing it on Spotify the same day.[16]

Musical style

AllMusic's James Christopher Monger called the band's music "gritty, ferociously heavy indie rock & roll out of the mist of blues history",[17] while Jon O'Brien of the same website observed a "scuzzy garage rock sound".[18]

Discography

Studio albums

Album Album details Peak chart positions
UK AUS
[19]		 IRE NL US
Baby Darling Doll Face Honey
  • Released: 18 September 2009
  • Label: You Are Here Music/Band of Skulls (UK), Shangri-La Music (US)
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 — — — 97 —
Sweet Sour
  • Released: 17 February 2012
  • Label: Electric Blues Recordings/PIAS (UK), Vagrant Records (US)
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 14 35 53 60 138
Himalayan
  • Released: 31 March 2014
  • Label: You Are Here Music/Band of Skulls (UK), Psycollective/Kobalt (US)
 21 24 — 84 55
By Default
  • Released: 27 May 2016
  • Label: BMG
 41 54 — — —

Extended plays

Live albums

Singles

Year Song Peak chart position Album
UK CAN
Alt
[20]		 CAN
Rock
[21]		 US
Alt.		 US
Main.
2009 "I Know What I Am" 116 — — — — Baby Darling Doll Face Honey
"Blood" — — — — —
"Fires" — — — — —
"Death by Diamonds and Pearls" 138 — — — —
"Friends" — — — — — Friends EP
2011 "The Devil Takes Care of His Own" — 20 45 — — Sweet Sour
2012 "Sweet Sour" 86 — — 28 —
"Bruises" 187 — — — —
"You’re Not Pretty But You Got It Going On" — — — — —
2013 "Asleep At the Wheel" — — — — 38 Himalayan
2014 "Nightmares" — — — — —

Media usage

Awards

Independent Music Awards 2013: "Sweet Sour" - Best Rock/Hard Rock Song[26]

References

  1. ↑ Coplan, Chris (6 October 2011). "Video: Band of Skulls – "The Devil Takes Care of His Own"". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
  2. ↑ "Band of Skulls biography". AllMusic. Retrieved November 23, 2014.
  3. ↑ Harrison, Adam (30 April 2014). "Interview: Band of Skulls' Emma Richardson on Bringing "Himalayan" to North America, and More!". Aesthetic Magazine Toronto. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
  4. ↑ "Band of Skulls - Sweet Sour review". AllMusic. Retrieved November 23, 2014.
  5. ↑ Jones, Rhian. "Band Of Skulls manager and label on unique financial backing". MusicWeek.
  6. ↑ "iTunes Store". itunes.apple.com. Retrieved 2014-07-12.
  7. ↑ "Friends by Band of Skulls Songfacts". Songfacts.com. 2009-03-20. Retrieved 2014-07-12.
  8. ↑ "iTunes - Music - Friends - EP by Band of Skulls". itunes.apple.com. 2010-03-23. Retrieved 2014-07-12.
  9. ↑ "TARATATA N°381 | MyTaratata" (in French). Video.mytaratata.com. Archived from the original on 28 February 2014. Retrieved 2014-07-12.
  10. ↑ "Band Of Skulls Smoke SXSW – The Interview | Live4ever Ezine". Live4ever.uk.com. 2010-03-23. Retrieved 2014-07-12.
  11. ↑ Padgett, Ray. "Band of Skulls Cover Goldfrapp Song about Joyful Sex Rats » Cover Me". Covermesongs.com. Retrieved 2014-07-12.
  12. ↑ "MUSE: NEWS - Extra Tickets for UK Dates Released". Muse.mu. 2010-05-24. Retrieved 2014-07-12.
  13. ↑ "Watch: Band Of Skulls Return | News | Clash Magazine". Clashmusic.com. Retrieved 2014-07-12.
  14. ↑ "4Play - 4Play: Band of Skulls". Channel 4. Retrieved 2014-07-12.
  15. ↑ Francis, Bronya (2014-03-21). "Watch Band of Skulls perform 'Asleep At The Wheel' on Late Night". Thefourohfive.com. Retrieved 2014-07-12.
  16. ↑ Sklinar Green, Kimberley-Marie (2016-04-28). "Band of Skulls share incredible new track 'So Good' ahead of new album and tour". Never Enough Notes. Retrieved 2016-04-28.
  17. ↑ James Christopher Monger. "Band of Skulls - Music Biography - AllMusic". AllMusic.
  18. ↑ Jon O'Brien. "Sweet Sour - Band of Skulls - Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards - AllMusic". AllMusic.
  19. ↑ Ryan, Gavin (4 June 2016). "ARIA Albums: Flume Has Australia's No 1 Album". Noise11. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
  20. ↑ "Canadian Active Rock & Alt Rock Chart Archive: Alternative Rock - December 13, 2011". Canadianrockalt.blogspot.com. 2011-12-13. Retrieved 2014-07-12.
  21. ↑ Archived 14 July 2014 at the Wayback Machine.
  22. ↑ "The New 2011 Mustang V6. 0 to 60 Fast. F to E Slow. (Extended Version)". YouTube. 2010-04-28. Retrieved 2014-07-12.
  23. ↑ "The Hangover 2 | trailer #2 US (2011)". YouTube. 2011-03-31. Retrieved 2014-07-12.
  24. ↑ "Miracle Whip and Proud of It: Jim's Artichoke Dip". YouTube. Retrieved 2014-07-12.
  25. ↑ "Adelaide Kane Web — Reign 1.02 Snakes in the Garden Music". Adelaide-kane.com. 2013-10-25. Retrieved 2014-07-12.
  26. ↑ "THE 12TH ANNUAL INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS WINNERS ANNOUNCED". The Independent Music Awards. Retrieved 2014-07-12.

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