Frost (UK band)
Encyclopedia
Frost* is an English
neo-progressive rock
supergroup
, formed in 2004 by Jem Godfrey
and members of Arena
, Kino
, and IQ
. Frost* released their first studio album, Milliontown
, in 2006, before splitting up. In 2008, Godfrey reformed Frost*, adding Darwin's Radio vocalist and guitarist, Declan Burke, to the lineup, and released their second album, Experiments in Mass Appeal
. The band disbanded again in 2011, to reunite later in September, after a brief hiatus.
- better known to the wider world for his work creating chart-topping pop hits for bands including Atomic Kitten
- when he made a conscious decision to return to his own musical past writing and playing progressive music, in the band Freefall.
After listening to a broad selection of contemporary progressive music, he first approached John Mitchell
of Arena
, The Urbane and Kino
, (and currently lead guitarist and singer for It Bites
). Mitchell then introduced Godfrey to John Jowitt
(also of Arena, and additionally IQ
and Jadis), subsequently leading to meeting Andy Edwards
(of The Wikkamen, Priory of Brion, IQ and the Ian Parker Band). John Boyes, Godfrey's former band-mate in Freefall in the 1990s, and from the band Rook, had already performed significant rhythm guitar work on the early recordings.
, the 26 minute long eponymous final track of which was inspired by the book The Apprentice by Gordon Houghton. Similarly, The Other Me and Black Light Machine form a suite loosely influenced by Paul McKenna
's book How to Mend Your Broken Heart. The album was released in the United States on July 18, 2006 and in Europe on July 24. The band went on a brief tour to play a selection from the album, supporting Pallas
on a four date tour of the Netherlands
and Germany
in October 2006.
on MySpace
on the 29th of the month (since removed), and re-iterated by InsideOut in a bulletin on the same site two days later (expired) - that due to his increasing professional and personal commitments elsewhere, Frost* would be dissolved after fulfilling four remaining concert dates. It later emerged that an appearance at the RoSfest
in 2007, in America - which was the final scheduled date - had been cancelled. The final appearance of Frost* for the time being, in support of their album Milliontown, was back-up for The Flower Kings at The Scala in Kings Cross, London, on December 10, 2006.
However, in early 2007, Godfrey revived the band name and wrote in his blog about writing material for a second Frost* album. Godfrey has throughout 2008 posted several videos on YouTube
called the "Frost* Reports," under the user name Planetfrost. In between the recording in early 2008, Frost* supported Spock's Beard
for a small tour. Videos documenting their tour are also included on their YouTube site.
Following the band's reformation, Godfrey recruited Declan Burke of Darwin's Radio to supplement vocals and guitars on the follow-up album, Experiments in Mass Appeal
which was released on November 17, 2008.
In November 2008, Andy Edwards
announced that due to his new job as a college lecturer he would no longer play live with the band, although he might be involved in future recording work.
In January 2009, Nick D'Virgilio
of Spock's Beard
was announced as guest drummer for Frost*'s performance at RoSFest 2009. Going forward, live drumming duties were to be handled by Alex Thomas (SquarePusher, Badly Drawn Boy), but will now be handled by Craig Blundell.
In May 2009, John Jowitt
announced his departure from the band. With gigs scheduled in support of Dream Theater, Jem announced bass duties would be handled by Level 42
guitarist, Nathan King.
On May 29, 2009, Jem announced via AudioBoo
that a live Frost* album, recorded at ROSFest 2009, would be titled "The Philadelphia Experiment". Excerpts from that performance were released as a limited edition EP, titled "FrostFest Live CD", including a new song called "The Forget You Song", recorded at The Cube, East Sussex.
Godfrey gathered not only fellow Frost* mates John Mitchell (It Bites), Andy Edwards
, Dec Burke and Nathan King, but also enlisted the talents of Tara Busch, Mark "madfiddler" Knight, Lyndon Connah and original Frost* guitarist, John Boyes, for the one-off project. A special Frost* Report, Dividing Line edition, was posted on Godfrey's blog, as well as PlanetFrost*, the band's YouTube channel, providing a video chronicle of the song's status.
Jem announced on March 31 on the Frost* forum that the track was completed and would be included as a bonus track on the 2-disc live album, "The Philadelphia Experiment."
"The Dividing Line" premiered during The Dividing Line's 10th anniversary broadcast on Saturday, April 3, 2010.
On April 14, 2011, Godfrey announced that he is writing new material, this time without a band. The name of the project is yet unknown.
Frost* are currently set to perform a sold-out Christmas show at the House of Progression, Kingston Upon Thames on December 16, 2011.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
neo-progressive rock
Neo-progressive rock
Neo-progressive rock is a sub-genre of progressive rock, developed in the UK and popular in the 1980s, although it lives on today....
supergroup
Supergroup (music)
In the late 1960s, the term supergroup was coined to describe "a rock music group whose performers are already famous from having performed individually or in other groups"....
, formed in 2004 by Jem Godfrey
Jem Godfrey
Jeremy "Jem" Godfrey is a British music producer, keyboardist and songwriter.Godfrey was responsible, with Bill Padley at Wise Buddah music, for many UK number one hits including Atomic Kitten's platinum-selling single, "Whole Again", which earned the pair two Ivor Novello Award nominations, and...
and members of Arena
Arena (band)
Arena are a British neo-progressive rock band founded in 1995 by Clive Nolan and Mick Pointer. Most of the band's lyrics are written by Nolan, though Pointer contributed lyrics to Sirens and other tracks on the first two albums....
, Kino
Kino (UK rock band)
Kino was a British neo-progressive rock band made up of members from other progressive rock acts .The band released their debut album Picture in February 2005.-Line up:*John Mitchell: lead...
, and IQ
IQ (band)
IQ are a British neo-progressive rock band founded by Mike Holmes and Martin Orford in 1981 following the dissolution of their original band The Lens...
. Frost* released their first studio album, Milliontown
Milliontown
-Track listing:# "Hyperventilate" – 7:31# "No Me No You" – 6:06# "Snowman" – 3:55# "The Other Me" – 4:51# "Black Light Machine" – 10:06# "Milliontown" – 26:35## "One Underground"## "Abracadaver"## "The Only Survivors"## "Core"## "The Chosen Few"...
, in 2006, before splitting up. In 2008, Godfrey reformed Frost*, adding Darwin's Radio vocalist and guitarist, Declan Burke, to the lineup, and released their second album, Experiments in Mass Appeal
Experiments in Mass Appeal
Experiments in Mass Appeal is the second studio album by UK neo-progressive rock group Frost*. Jem Godfrey documented the making of this album with videos via "Frost Reports" on Youtube, under the username "planetfrost". According to Godfrey, this album is much more band oriented and collaborative...
. The band disbanded again in 2011, to reunite later in September, after a brief hiatus.
Formation
Frost* was formed in September 2004, by songwriter, producer and musician Jem GodfreyJem Godfrey
Jeremy "Jem" Godfrey is a British music producer, keyboardist and songwriter.Godfrey was responsible, with Bill Padley at Wise Buddah music, for many UK number one hits including Atomic Kitten's platinum-selling single, "Whole Again", which earned the pair two Ivor Novello Award nominations, and...
- better known to the wider world for his work creating chart-topping pop hits for bands including Atomic Kitten
Atomic Kitten
Atomic Kitten were an English girl group from Liverpool, first established in 1997. Created by Andy McCluskey, the final line-up, and most commercially successful, consisted of Natasha Hamilton, Liz McClarnon, and Jenny Frost...
- when he made a conscious decision to return to his own musical past writing and playing progressive music, in the band Freefall.
After listening to a broad selection of contemporary progressive music, he first approached John Mitchell
John Mitchell (musician)
John Mitchell is guitarist, vocalist and songwriter for the UK band It Bites. He also plays guitar for a number of other progressive rock bands including Arena, The Urbane, Kino, Frost*, and John Wetton.In 2008, Mitchell joined A, playing bass in place of original bass player Daniel P...
of Arena
Arena (band)
Arena are a British neo-progressive rock band founded in 1995 by Clive Nolan and Mick Pointer. Most of the band's lyrics are written by Nolan, though Pointer contributed lyrics to Sirens and other tracks on the first two albums....
, The Urbane and Kino
Kino (UK rock band)
Kino was a British neo-progressive rock band made up of members from other progressive rock acts .The band released their debut album Picture in February 2005.-Line up:*John Mitchell: lead...
, (and currently lead guitarist and singer for It Bites
It Bites
It Bites are an English progressive rock and pop fusion band, formed in Egremont, Cumbria, England in 1982 and best known for their 1986 single "Calling All The Heroes", which gained them a Top 10 UK Singles Chart hit...
). Mitchell then introduced Godfrey to John Jowitt
John Jowitt
John Jowitt is a bass guitarist known for his work with UK progressive bands Ark, IQ, Arena and Frost*. He has been awarded the British Classic Rock Society's award for best bass player ten times, each year between 1993 and 1998 and again between 2002 and 2004, and again in 2010 and 2011.-References:...
(also of Arena, and additionally IQ
IQ (band)
IQ are a British neo-progressive rock band founded by Mike Holmes and Martin Orford in 1981 following the dissolution of their original band The Lens...
and Jadis), subsequently leading to meeting Andy Edwards
Andy Edwards
Andy Edwards is a drummer who came to prominence as a member of Robert Plant's Priory of Brion, in which he played from 1999-2001. He was also the drummer with the Ian Parker Band, appearing on the albums Lost and Found and Inside. In 2005 he replaced Paul Cook as the drummer of IQ...
(of The Wikkamen, Priory of Brion, IQ and the Ian Parker Band). John Boyes, Godfrey's former band-mate in Freefall in the 1990s, and from the band Rook, had already performed significant rhythm guitar work on the early recordings.
Recording and performance
Frost*'s first album was titled MilliontownMilliontown
-Track listing:# "Hyperventilate" – 7:31# "No Me No You" – 6:06# "Snowman" – 3:55# "The Other Me" – 4:51# "Black Light Machine" – 10:06# "Milliontown" – 26:35## "One Underground"## "Abracadaver"## "The Only Survivors"## "Core"## "The Chosen Few"...
, the 26 minute long eponymous final track of which was inspired by the book The Apprentice by Gordon Houghton. Similarly, The Other Me and Black Light Machine form a suite loosely influenced by Paul McKenna
Paul McKenna
Paul McKenna is an English hypnotist and self-improvement author.McKenna has written and produced books and multimedia products, hosted self-improvement television shows and presents seminars in hypnosis, neuro-linguistic programming, weight loss and motivation.-Career:Paul McKenna started in...
's book How to Mend Your Broken Heart. The album was released in the United States on July 18, 2006 and in Europe on July 24. The band went on a brief tour to play a selection from the album, supporting Pallas
Pallas (band)
Pallas are a progressive rock band based in the UK. They were one of the bands at the vanguard of what was termed neo-progressive during progressive rock's second-wave revival in the early 1980s...
on a four date tour of the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
and Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
in October 2006.
Dissolution and re-birth
Shortly after returning from the tour, Godfrey announced - by way of an article on the band's blogBlog
A blog is a type of website or part of a website supposed to be updated with new content from time to time. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in...
on MySpace
MySpace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
on the 29th of the month (since removed), and re-iterated by InsideOut in a bulletin on the same site two days later (expired) - that due to his increasing professional and personal commitments elsewhere, Frost* would be dissolved after fulfilling four remaining concert dates. It later emerged that an appearance at the RoSfest
Rites of Spring festival
The Rites of Spring festival or RoSfest is a US annual progressive rock festival - established in 2004 - which takes place on the end of April or early in May. The festival was held at the Colonial Theatre in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania until 2007, and then moved to the Keswick Theatre in Glenside,...
in 2007, in America - which was the final scheduled date - had been cancelled. The final appearance of Frost* for the time being, in support of their album Milliontown, was back-up for The Flower Kings at The Scala in Kings Cross, London, on December 10, 2006.
However, in early 2007, Godfrey revived the band name and wrote in his blog about writing material for a second Frost* album. Godfrey has throughout 2008 posted several videos on YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
called the "Frost* Reports," under the user name Planetfrost. In between the recording in early 2008, Frost* supported Spock's Beard
Spock's Beard
Spock's Beard is a progressive rock band formed in 1992 in Los Angeles by brothers Neal and Alan Morse. Neal played keyboards and was the lead vocalist, as well as being the primary songwriter before leaving the band in 2002 to pursue a solo career. Alan plays electric guitar...
for a small tour. Videos documenting their tour are also included on their YouTube site.
Following the band's reformation, Godfrey recruited Declan Burke of Darwin's Radio to supplement vocals and guitars on the follow-up album, Experiments in Mass Appeal
Experiments in Mass Appeal
Experiments in Mass Appeal is the second studio album by UK neo-progressive rock group Frost*. Jem Godfrey documented the making of this album with videos via "Frost Reports" on Youtube, under the username "planetfrost". According to Godfrey, this album is much more band oriented and collaborative...
which was released on November 17, 2008.
In November 2008, Andy Edwards
Andy Edwards
Andy Edwards is a drummer who came to prominence as a member of Robert Plant's Priory of Brion, in which he played from 1999-2001. He was also the drummer with the Ian Parker Band, appearing on the albums Lost and Found and Inside. In 2005 he replaced Paul Cook as the drummer of IQ...
announced that due to his new job as a college lecturer he would no longer play live with the band, although he might be involved in future recording work.
In January 2009, Nick D'Virgilio
Nick D'Virgilio
Nick D'Virgilio is an American drummer and multi-instrumentalist musician, often referred to as NDV, best known as a former member of the progressive rock band Spock's Beard. He was also one of two drummers chosen to replace Phil Collins in Genesis on the Calling All Stations album...
of Spock's Beard
Spock's Beard
Spock's Beard is a progressive rock band formed in 1992 in Los Angeles by brothers Neal and Alan Morse. Neal played keyboards and was the lead vocalist, as well as being the primary songwriter before leaving the band in 2002 to pursue a solo career. Alan plays electric guitar...
was announced as guest drummer for Frost*'s performance at RoSFest 2009. Going forward, live drumming duties were to be handled by Alex Thomas (SquarePusher, Badly Drawn Boy), but will now be handled by Craig Blundell.
In May 2009, John Jowitt
John Jowitt
John Jowitt is a bass guitarist known for his work with UK progressive bands Ark, IQ, Arena and Frost*. He has been awarded the British Classic Rock Society's award for best bass player ten times, each year between 1993 and 1998 and again between 2002 and 2004, and again in 2010 and 2011.-References:...
announced his departure from the band. With gigs scheduled in support of Dream Theater, Jem announced bass duties would be handled by Level 42
Level 42
Level 42 are an English pop rock and jazz-funk band who had a number of worldwide and UK hits during the 1980s and 1990s.The band gained fame for their high-calibre musicianship—in particular that of Mark King, whose percussive slap-bass guitar technique provided the driving groove of many of the...
guitarist, Nathan King.
On May 29, 2009, Jem announced via AudioBoo
AudioBoo
AudioBoo is a website which allows users to post and share sound files. AudioBoo was developed by UK-based and partially funded by Channel 4 and was launched in March 2009.-Technology:...
that a live Frost* album, recorded at ROSFest 2009, would be titled "The Philadelphia Experiment". Excerpts from that performance were released as a limited edition EP, titled "FrostFest Live CD", including a new song called "The Forget You Song", recorded at The Cube, East Sussex.
The Dividing Line
On February 2, 2010, Jem announced via his blog that he had been invited to participate in the 10th anniversary party of The Dividing Line Broadcast Network, Vancouver, British Columbia's internet-based progressive rock radio station. Godfrey accepted, and, to thank them for their support of Frost*, tasked himself to write and record a new Frost* song, aptly titled, "The Dividing Line," to be completed within the eight weeks then remaining until the party.Godfrey gathered not only fellow Frost* mates John Mitchell (It Bites), Andy Edwards
Andy Edwards
Andy Edwards is a drummer who came to prominence as a member of Robert Plant's Priory of Brion, in which he played from 1999-2001. He was also the drummer with the Ian Parker Band, appearing on the albums Lost and Found and Inside. In 2005 he replaced Paul Cook as the drummer of IQ...
, Dec Burke and Nathan King, but also enlisted the talents of Tara Busch, Mark "madfiddler" Knight, Lyndon Connah and original Frost* guitarist, John Boyes, for the one-off project. A special Frost* Report, Dividing Line edition, was posted on Godfrey's blog, as well as PlanetFrost*, the band's YouTube channel, providing a video chronicle of the song's status.
Jem announced on March 31 on the Frost* forum that the track was completed and would be included as a bonus track on the 2-disc live album, "The Philadelphia Experiment."
"The Dividing Line" premiered during The Dividing Line's 10th anniversary broadcast on Saturday, April 3, 2010.
Indefinite hiatus
Frost* played some select shows in December 2010. On March 1, 2011, Godfrey announced that he had put the band on indefinite hiatus. He stated that the main reasons for his decision were that he felt uncomfortable as the band leader, and that the increased workload from running the band was having a negative impact on his health.On April 14, 2011, Godfrey announced that he is writing new material, this time without a band. The name of the project is yet unknown.
Return of Frost* and third album
On September 16, 2011, Godfrey announced via his blog, that Frost* would once again be returning for a third album, stating "As yet I have no idea of the form, shape, personnel or sound of this new album, but it will definitely be Frost* shaped. I'll once again be making Frost* reports available online during the process and it'll no doubt be a bloody madhouse throughout, but that's Frost*".Frost* are currently set to perform a sold-out Christmas show at the House of Progression, Kingston Upon Thames on December 16, 2011.
Discography
- MilliontownMilliontown-Track listing:# "Hyperventilate" – 7:31# "No Me No You" – 6:06# "Snowman" – 3:55# "The Other Me" – 4:51# "Black Light Machine" – 10:06# "Milliontown" – 26:35## "One Underground"## "Abracadaver"## "The Only Survivors"## "Core"## "The Chosen Few"...
(July 2006; InsideOut; INO-79092) - Frost* Tour EP (July 2008; only available on tour)
- Experiments in Mass AppealExperiments in Mass AppealExperiments in Mass Appeal is the second studio album by UK neo-progressive rock group Frost*. Jem Godfrey documented the making of this album with videos via "Frost Reports" on Youtube, under the username "planetfrost". According to Godfrey, this album is much more band oriented and collaborative...
(November 2008; InsideOut) - FrostFest Live CD (2009; previously available on Frost*'s official homepage)
- The Philadelphia Experiment (June 2010; available on Frost*'s official homepage)
Current members
- Jem GodfreyJem GodfreyJeremy "Jem" Godfrey is a British music producer, keyboardist and songwriter.Godfrey was responsible, with Bill Padley at Wise Buddah music, for many UK number one hits including Atomic Kitten's platinum-selling single, "Whole Again", which earned the pair two Ivor Novello Award nominations, and...
(vocals, keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
) - John MitchellJohn Mitchell (musician)John Mitchell is guitarist, vocalist and songwriter for the UK band It Bites. He also plays guitar for a number of other progressive rock bands including Arena, The Urbane, Kino, Frost*, and John Wetton.In 2008, Mitchell joined A, playing bass in place of original bass player Daniel P...
(guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
s, vocals) - Declan BurkeDeclan BurkeDeclan "Dec" Burke is a guitarist, keyboardist and vocalist. He has performed with Frost* on 2008 "Experiments in Mass Appeal" and the live album "The Philadelphia Experiment" in 2010....
(vocals, acoustic guitar) - Nathan KingNathan King (musician)Nathan King is a guitarist, bass player and singer, and has been a member of Level 42 since 1998. He is also currently working with Frost* and It Bites.-References:...
(bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
) - Craig Blundell (drums)
Former members
- John Boyes (additional guitars)
- John JowittJohn JowittJohn Jowitt is a bass guitarist known for his work with UK progressive bands Ark, IQ, Arena and Frost*. He has been awarded the British Classic Rock Society's award for best bass player ten times, each year between 1993 and 1998 and again between 2002 and 2004, and again in 2010 and 2011.-References:...
(bass guitar) - Andy EdwardsAndy EdwardsAndy Edwards is a drummer who came to prominence as a member of Robert Plant's Priory of Brion, in which he played from 1999-2001. He was also the drummer with the Ian Parker Band, appearing on the albums Lost and Found and Inside. In 2005 he replaced Paul Cook as the drummer of IQ...
(drumDrumThe drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments, which is technically classified as the membranophones. Drums consist of at least one membrane, called a drumhead or drum skin, that is stretched over a shell and struck, either directly with the player's hands, or with a...
s)