Biography

Introduction

Dananananaykroyd are a six-piece indie-rock band from Glasgow, Scotland. Their name is a play on the name of Canadian actor Dan Aykroyd. They have recently performed at Leeds and Reading festivals in 2009.

The band

Line-up

Duncan Robertson - guitar
David Roy - guitar
Calum Gunn - vocals (formerly drums)
John Baillie Junior - drums/vocals
Paul Carlin - drums
Ryan McGinness - Bass

Former members

Giles Bailey - vocals
James Hamilton - drums
Laura Hyde - bass

History

In 2006 Dananananaykroyd released two limited edition 7" singles, "Totally Bone" and "Some Dresses" on Moshi Moshi and Jealous Records respectively. A Japan-only CD EP, collecting both singles, was later released on Tokyo's Klee/Rallye records. Singer Giles Bailey left the group and was replaced by drummer Calum Gunn. Soon after, John Baillie Junior joined the band on drums and additional lead vocals.

Dananananaykroyd released their first EP, Sissy Hits, on London-based Holy Roar Records in June 2008. Shortly after, they introduced ex-Russia drummer Paul Carlin as their new (other) drummer after James Hamilton of Errors left the band. Dananananaykroyd signed to Best Before Records shortly thereafter, and recorded their debut full-length album Hey Everyone! in the US with producer Machine.

The band have toured the UK extensively with bands such as Foals and Johnny Foreigner, and recently completed a European tour with the Kaiser Chiefs. They have also taken part in the 2009 Stag and Dagger music festival, an independent music festival in London, along with Abe Vigoda, Die! Die! Die!, and Teeth!!! among others. . The band played at the Reading and Leeds Festivals in August 2009.

In June 2009, the band announced that bass player Laura Hyde had left the band, and would be replaced on tour by Ryan McGinness..

In August 2009 during a concert in Australia, singer John Baillie Junior fell from the stage and broke his arm causing the band to cancel their appearance at Belladrum Music Festival in Inverness as well as the rest of that Australian tour. He snapped both bones that run from the wrist to the elbow, they had broken near the elbow and had sheered off a chunk of the humorous bone too. He had to have emergency surgery in Sydney to fix the injury where he had 4 metal screws implanted in his bones before flying home. His return show (where he sung the entire set with other lead vocalist Calum) was Reading Festival which the band opened, playing to 10,000+ people on the Radio 1/NME stage. Its not clear when or if John (also known as JBJ) will be able to play drums again, for the time being the band's tour manager Scott Simpson is playing drums at shows, he also played with Arab Strap and Malcolm Middleton.

Sound

The band's sound has been compared to that of Fugazi, Pavement, Blood Brothers and Dischord era hardcore. Their use of distorted guitars and screamed vocals lead to some sources labelling them as a post hardcore band.^[who?] The band have stated they dislike this label however claiming their music is more more pop-orientated^{[citation needed]} and leading to the band coining the genre "fight pop".

Discography

Albums

Hey Everyone! (6 April 2009) UK #154

Singles

"Totally Bone" / "Hey Giles" on Moshi Moshi Records
"Some Dresses" / "Genuine Lbs" on Jealous Records
"Pink Sabbath" / "Chrome Rainbow" on Best Before Records
"Black Wax" / "No Wage" on Best Before Records (23 March 2009)
"Some Dresses" / "America Runs On Duncan" on Best Before Records

EPs

Sissy Hits on Holy Roar Records (9 June, 2008)

Critical reaction

Reviews are generally positive with their band's debut album "Hey Everyone!", receiving 3 stars in the Uncut magazine review The main criticism seems to be the band's name.^[who?]