The Zutons
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| The Zutons | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Liverpool, England |
| Genre(s) | Rock Alternative Rock Indie Rock |
| Years active | 2001–present |
| Label(s) | Deltasonic |
| Website | http://www.thezutons.com |
| Members | |
| Dave McCabe Russell Pritchard Sean Payne Abi Harding |
|
| Former members | |
| Boyan Chowdhury | |
The Zutons are an English indie rock band from Liverpool.
Contents |
[edit] History
The Zutons formed in Liverpool in 2001, taking their name from The Magic Band guitarist Bill Harkleroad, better known as Zoot Horn (or "Zuton") Rollo. Dave McCabe had previously been in Tramp Attack, and Russ and Sean were in The Big Kids (with Howie Payne of The Stands). Originally a four-piece, Sean's girlfriend Abi Harding began joining The Zutons on stage for a couple of songs mid-set, playing simple saxophone lines. She was very popular with the crowd. The other band members liked the way her saxophone enhanced their sound. Abi became a full member, contributing vocals and sax.
At first, the band had to battle comparisons to The Coral. Both bands were Merseyside bands prominent members of the Liverpool music scene, on the same record label, and they shared the same producer, Ian Broudie. The band's music has proved difficult to categorize, being described as "psychedelic cartoon punk" [1]. McCabe, who is also the lead songwriter, includes amongst his influences Talking Heads, Devo, Sly & the Family Stone, Dexys Midnight Runners and Madness.
The first record the band put out was the 3-track CD Devil's Deal, released in September 2002. The following spring they released Creepin' An' A Crawlin', and then the download-only single Haunts Me in November 2003. The band's "Z" logo was changed early in 2004 to avoid confusion with the Zenith logo.
The Zutons' debut album, Who Killed...... The Zutons? was released in April 2004, and initially reached #13 in the UK album chart. However, after nearly a year later, it managed to move up to #9 in early 2005. The LP had a specially printed 3-D cover and came with Zutons 3-D viewing glasses, which many fans then wore to their concerts. Early copies of the album also included a bonus 4-track CD of alternative versions of their songs. The album was critically acclaimed and was a nominee for the 2004 Mercury Music Prize. The band themselves were nominated for the British Breakthrough Act award at the 2005 BRIT Awards. The album was later re-issued following the single Don't Ever Think Too Much, with that song being added as track 13. The track "Confusion" was used in an advert for Peugeots 307 car advert in the UK during 2004-2005.
The new album Tired of Hanging Around was released on April 17, 2006 and reached #2 in the UK album charts. The first single from the album "Why Won't You Give Me Your Love" and the second single "Valerie" both peaked at 9 in the charts, a fair achievement considering their highest place previously had been with the single "Don't ever think too much" at 15. The band toured the UK in May 2006 following the release of this album. They played at the Jersey Live Festival on September 2, 2006 before their second UK tour which began in November 2006. In October 2006, they performed at the The Secret Policeman's Ball. On New Year's Eve 2006, the Zutons appeared on Jools Holland's annual Hootenanny on BBC television on which they performed their songs Valerie, Why Don't You Give Me Your Love? and It's The Little Things We Do.
As the November tour began, the band gave an interview to STV discussing songwriting, making videos and their American dates with The Killers. In a separate interview, Payne complained about the tendency of music writers and magazines to generalise a particular city as the breeding ground of new 'movements', "A lot of bands get lumped in when they’re in the same neck of the woods and journalists–especially in England–like to make a big deal out of that and make it into a scene, as if the individual bands aren’t good enough to write about."[1]
The Zutons recorded a live session for Live from Abbey Road on 25th August 2006. Three songs from their second album were aired: "Hello Conscience", "I Know I'll Never Leave" and "Valerie" (with the ending of "Railroad" from "Who Killed...... The Zutons?" attached to the end). Their performance was shown on Channel 4 in the UK and the Sundance Channel in the USA on an episode shared with Shawn Colvin, Nerina Pallot and Ray LaMontagne.
The band announced on July 13, 2007 that guitarist Boyan Chowdury has left The Zutons, citing "musical differences".[2]
The band released their third studio album titled You Can Do Anything on June 2, 2008. The first single was "Always Right Behind You" which was released on May 26, 2008. The album was recorded earlier in the year in Los Angeles, California
On 17 May 2008 The Zutons appeared on Soccer AM as guest stars. They played their new single at the end to celebrate the last show of the season. This summer the Zutons are playing seven gigs in forest settings as part of The Forestry Commission's forest tour. On Sunday 8th June they visit Bedgebury in Kent, home of the National Pinetum.
The Zutons recently revealed a new act on stage where they drop their instruments in between songs and parade around in a synchronised fashion, chanting: 'The Bill is arguably the best prime time drama show to have been screened on ITV although Porridge Robinson takes some beating'. Jennings.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
- Who Killed...... The Zutons? (April 19, 2004) Deltasonic #9 UK (Platinum)
- Tired of Hanging Around (April 17, 2006) Deltasonic #2 UK (2x Platinum)
- You Can Do Anything (June 2, 2008) Deltasonic #6 UK
[edit] Singles
| Year | Title | Chart Positions | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart | UK Download Chart | |||
| 2002 | "Devil's Deal" | 119 | - | - |
| 2003 | "Creepin' And A Crawlin'" | - | - | - |
| 2003 | "Haunts Me" | - | - | - |
| 2004 | "Pressure Point" | 19 | - | Who Killed...... The Zutons? |
| 2004 | "You Will You Won't" | 22 | - | Who Killed...... The Zutons? |
| 2004 | "Remember Me" | 39 | - | Who Killed...... The Zutons? |
| 2004 | "Don't Ever Think (Too Much)" | 15 | - | Who Killed...... The Zutons? |
| 2004 | "Confusion" | 37 | - | Who Killed...... The Zutons? |
| 2006 | "Why Won't You Give Me Your Love?" | 9 | 10 | Tired of Hanging Around |
| 2006 | "Valerie" | 9 | 16 | Tired of Hanging Around |
| 2006 | "Oh Stacey (Look What You've Done!)" | 24 | - | Tired of Hanging Around |
| 2006 | "It's the Little Things We Do" | 47 | - | Tired of Hanging Around |
| 2008 | "Always Right Behind You" | 26 | 25 | You Can Do Anything |
| 2008 | "What's Your Problem" | - | You Can Do Anything | |
[edit] References
- ^ The Zutons at Ukula Magazine.
- ^ "Zutons guitarist quits band", NME.com, 2007-07-13. Retrieved on 2007-07-13.
[edit] External links
- Official site
- MySpace page
- CNN interview with The Zutons
- stv interview with The Zutons
- In The Attic interview with The Zutons
- The Zutons review on The Mag
- The Times Article: The Zutons open up with their third album You Can Do Anything
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