Biography
Introduction
History
Originally formed in 1999, the band comprised Guy McKnight (vocals), Andy Huxley (lead guitarist), Marc Norris (rhythm guitarist), Symren 'Sym' Gharial (bassist), and Tom Diamantopoulo (drummer), until May 2005, in which Andy Huxley "decided to leave due to a decrease in musical similarities" to form the death-jazz band Vile Imbeciles and was replaced by Rich Fownes from With Scissors. In their first few years as a band, they were known for their large black car with red and orange flames on each side. According to Guy McKnight on MTV Two's Gonzo the car has now gone. The band are renowned for their intense live shows, where McKnight regularly leaves the stage during numbers to mingle with the crowd
They have released two full-length albums, Hörse Of the Dög in 2002 and The Royal Society in October 2004. The band have released seven singles on various different formats, each release has had several b-sides included and so the band have a large amount of songs that cannot be found on their albums.[citation needed] The song "Mister Mental" was featured on the film, Shaun of the Dead, the movie also contained posters and other references to the band.
The band have on rare occasion disguised themselves (dressed up as green bees) as a band called The Boogs, a band that had apparently signed with their old record label, No Death. They released one song as The Boogs which was a B-side on one of their singles. The song is titled "Palomino's Dream". A video was also made for the song, which featured them dressed up as green bees in New York.
In 2003 Guy McKnight, Tom Diamantopoulo and former member Andy Huxley all became Buddhists after giving up drugs. In an interview, former member Andy Huxley was questioned about his reasons for giving up drugs he said "Because it's irresponsible, and you can't get anything done, and it stifles your creativity, and there's no benefit in it really, apart from its like going on vacation constantly, I can't write any songs when I'm on drugs, I need to be sober".
The band have played at both The Glastonbury Festival and The Reading and Leeds Festivals for several years running. They have also toured and supported many mainstream bands, including; System of a Down, Placebo, Klaxons, Murderdolls, Queens of the Stone Age and Scars on Broadway.
They released their EP, "In The Garden" on 23 July 2007 on digital format, with the hard copy's release being pushed back to the first week of September. The hard copy was released with a bonus live album and Ouija Board. This was the first release from the band since the departure of Huxley in May 2005. A 15 date tour took place to promote the release, starting in Manchester on 23 July 2007 and ending in London on 7 August; this was the first time the band had toured for two years. A mini tour took place during the end of 2007 and the start of 2008, with Christmas, Halloween and New Years shows.
On 7 April 2008, a few days after an announcement that Fownes was joining Nine Inch Nails, it was announced via Eighties's MySpace page that Fownes would be leaving the band. The band wished him luck and stated that they had no intention of splitting up and would begin auditioning for a new lead guitarist. On 4 June however, it was announced that Fownes would no longer play with Nine Inch Nails.
The band are currently working on new material and attempting to find a new record deal, after the collapse of their deal with Island Records.
During gigs in July 2008, Fownes was replaced by friend of the band, Tristan McLenahan. Gharial was also absent. His place was filled by With Scissors frontman, Charley Hunt. In November, 2008 McLenahann became a full member of the band and Gharial also returned. It was announced that the band were to travel to France to record their new album, set to be released in September 2009 and preceded by single releases in Summer 2009.
Discography
Albums
- Hörse of the Dög (September 20, 2002; No Death/Island Records; UK #144)
- The Royal Society (October 25, 2004; No Death/Island Records; UK #68)
- Forthcoming Third Album (TBA, 2009)
Singles
| Date of Release | Title | Uk Chart Position | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 4, 2002 | "Morning Has Broken" | 83 | Hörse Of the Dög |
| September 16, 2002 | "Celebrate Your Mother" | 66 | Hörse Of the Dög |
| January 6, 2003 | "Psychosis Safari" | 26 | Hörse Of the Dög |
| May 12, 2003 | "Chicken" | 30 | Hörse Of the Dög |
| January 12, 2004 | "Mister Mental" | 25 | The Royal Society |
| June 28, 2004 | "I Could Be an Angle" | 35 | The Royal Society |
| October 11, 2004 | "Rise of the Eagles" | 40 | The Royal Society |
Demos/Promos/EPs
- Original Two Track Demo (1999; No Death)
- System of a Down Tour Sampler (2005; No Death)
- In The Garden Ep (July 23, 2007; No Death)
DVDs
- Eighty Degrees of Separation (DVD)1
- I Could Be an Angle (DVD)
Note 1: This DVD was intended to promote the "Love Music Hate Racism" campaign. A small number of copies were dispatched to fans, who were instructed to pass them on to see how far they could get it. It has been said that some have reached as far as Japan and Mexico.
Appearances in compilations
| Year | Song | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | "Fishfingers" | HMV Playlist, New music - New artist |
| "Giant Bones" | Kerrang, The best of 2002 | |
| "Morning Has Broken" | Sonic Mook Experiment vol.2 (future rock 'n' roll) | |
| Rock save the queen | ||
| 2003 | "Chicken" | Kerrang - Vol.6 (High Voltage) |
| "Whack Of Shit (Demo)" | Bang On Target (Vol 1) | |
| "Psychosis Safari" | Q The Album | |
| X-Ray CD#05 | ||
| Sk8er Rock Vol.1 | ||
| 2004 | "Psychosis Safari" | Acupuncture rocks |
| Music from the TV drama NY-LON | ||
| The Music from and Inspired by Gran Turismo 4 |
||
| "Mister Mental" | Shaun Of The Dead Soundtrack |
Unreleased songs
The following is a list of new unreleased songs, recorded after the departure of Huxley.
- "Love Turns To Hate"
- "Alone Again"
- "Surrender"
- "Count The Voices"
- "I Hate The Blues"
- "Music To Make Love To"
- "I Got The Fear"
- "Under My Chin"
- "The Bads"
- "Kemptown Animal"
- "Eureka"
- "A Man For All Seasons"
- "Mission From God"
- "Summer Must Die"
- "Rise and Fall"
- "Vendetta"
- "Riptin"
- "Seaford Song"
- "Home Made"
- "Sister"
- "Monsieur Cuts"
- "So Long, Good Night"
- "Never Be The Same"
- "Laboreimus"
The following is a list of songs that have either not been released or have been renamed:
- "All Rise"
- "Get Lost"
- "Make Me Feel Good"
- "Rude"
- "Sing"
- "Stomper"
Old song names
The band have changed the names of several of their songs from the demo and touring stages to the time of release. These include:
- "Lazy Bones" which became "Giant Bones"
- "Mister Fearful" which became "Mister Mental"
- "Wild Bull" which became "Temple Music"
- "Clonk Chicane" which became "Rise of the Eagles"
- "Race to The Rock and Roll Concert" which became "The Fool"
- "Year of the Pervert" which became "Freud’s Black Muck"
- "Remember the Glory Years" which became "When I Hear You Call My Name"
- "Wig Sister" which became "I Rejection"
- "Dinner" which became "Alone Again"
- "Not In The Field" which became "Mission From God"
- "Someone to Eat With" and "Music for Lovemaking" which became "Music to Make Love to"
- "Falling Down For You" which became "Rise and fall"
Videography
Band members
Current members
- Guy McKnight – vocals (1999–present)
- Marc Norris – rhythm guitar (1999–present)
- Tom Diamantopoulo – drums (1999–present)
- Sym Gharial - bass guitar (1999–present)
- Tristan McLenahan– lead guitar (2008–present)
Stand-in members
- Charley Hunt – bass guitar (2008); temporarily replaced Sym
Previous members
- Andy Huxley – lead guitar (1999–2005)
- Rich Fownes – lead guitar (2005–2008)
External links
References
Biography from Wikipedia

In The Garden EP
The Royal Society
Rise Of The Eagles
I Could Be An Angle
Chicken
Psychosis Safari
Horse of the Dog