Sound of Guns
Encyclopedia
Sound of Guns are an alternative rock
band from Liverpool
, England formed in 2008. They are signed to independent record label Distiller Records through which they released their debut album 'What Came From Fire' on 28 June 2010.
The band released single 'Breakwater' (produced by Mike Crossey Arctic Monkeys
, Blood Red Shoes
) on 4 April 2011 as a download only give away through their website and are currently working with renowned music producer Dave Eringa (Manic Street Preachers
, Ocean Colour Scene
), before touring the UK with The View
in April 2011.
After Andrew Metcalfe and Simon Finley's band had split up in the summer of 2007, the pair set up a small studio in a disused social club in Liverpool and spent the next few months writing and recording some new material. At the end of 2007 they were introduced to Nathan Crowley, whose previous band had recently ended too. By the start of 2008, the three had begun writing and recording songs together, some of which would eventually end up on Sound Of Gun's debut album 'What Came From Fire'. In need of other musicians to complete the line-up, Nathan played the new recordings to Lee Glynn, a guitarist with whom he had played with previously. Lee had made plans to return home to his family in Australia, but on hearing the recordings, decided to stay and join Sound Of Guns on guitar.
After a few months of writing and rehearsing as a four piece, the band booked their first shows. After several unsuccessful auditions for a bass player, they decided to go ahead with the shows, and have the bass parts recorded to a backing track until they found the right bass player. It was at their first hometown show at the Barfly in Liverpool that the Sound Of Guns line-up was completed. John Coley, a friend of Nathan Crowley, was in the crowd that night, and was so impressed with the raw energy and powerful performance from Sound Of Guns, that he joined the band there and then.
Over the next few months, the band gigged endlessly around the country and carried on recording new material as a five piece. By the end of 2008 they self released their debut single 'Alcatraz', that was recorded and produced by the band, and gained a fair amount of major radio airplay, including XFM and Radio 1.
Distiller Records
After more writing and touring, the band soon found themselves at the centre of some serious interest from major and independent record companies. During this time, Distiller Records offered to release their next single. The band took up this offer, and 'Architects' was released in June 2009 as a limited edition 7" vinyl, again gaining more radio airplay. The band then headed out on tour in support of this release, and played numerous shows which included 4 gigs at Glastonbury Festival, opening the main stage at Latitude Festival and Radio 1's Big Weekend. The band were invited by Radio 1 to perform four songs at the legendary Maida Vale studios.
After signing a record contract with distiller records the band set about writing towards their debut release and on 26 October 2009 Sound of Guns released their first EP 'Elementary of Youth' through distiller records. The EP was available on a 7” gatefold single, which will included a CD and the band’s own fanzine ‘Retail Rodeo’ and digital download. Consisting of four tracks, ‘Elementary of Youth’, ‘Lightspeed’ (both mixed by Dave Eringa (Manic Street Preachers/Idlewild)), ‘Dead Sea Scrolls’ and ‘Gallantry’. The lead track 'Elementary of Youth' was quickly picked up by BBC Radio 1
's Zane Lowe
and given the title of 'Hottest Record In The World' as well as XFM
'Single Of The Week' by Steve Harris
Controversy
During a UK tour in March 2009 Sound Of Guns found themselves surrounded by armed police in Wakefield after a mix up involving the bands name led to the group being mistaken for gangsters, as reported by NME
In 2010 the band released Singles 'Alcatraz' and 'Architects' ahead of their debut album. 'Architects' reached
Number 1 HMV 7" Singles Chart, was Playlisted by BBC Radio 1 daytime and XFM daytime. BBC Radio 1 also gave the track 'Single Of The Week' (Greg James) and XFM 'Single Of The Week'(Steve Harris).
Track list
, Ocean Colour Scene
, Idlewild
to record material that will be released in 2011.
In late 2010 the band announced they are to release single 'Breakwater' taken from the yet untitled second album as a free download via the bands website. In support of this they also announced a UK tour for with The View.
, The View
, Delphic
Adam Green
. They toured the United Kingdom
in the summer of 2010, following the release of their debut album, "What Came From Fire".
In August the band appeared at both 2010 Reading and Leeds Festivals having previously performed at Glastonbury, Radio 1's Big Weekend,, Latitude and various other UK festivals. The band also appeared at Mallorca Rocks in 2010 and the inaugural Dubai Sound City festival in 2009
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
band from Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
, England formed in 2008. They are signed to independent record label Distiller Records through which they released their debut album 'What Came From Fire' on 28 June 2010.
The band released single 'Breakwater' (produced by Mike Crossey Arctic Monkeys
Arctic Monkeys
Arctic Monkeys are an English indie rock band. Formed in 2002 in High Green, a suburb of Sheffield, the band currently consists of Alex Turner , Jamie Cook , Nick O'Malley and Matt Helders...
, Blood Red Shoes
Blood Red Shoes
Blood Red Shoes are an indie rock duo from Brighton, England. They have released two full-length albums, Box of Secrets and Fire Like This, plus a slew of early singles on limited 7" vinyl pressings.-Formation:...
) on 4 April 2011 as a download only give away through their website and are currently working with renowned music producer Dave Eringa (Manic Street Preachers
Manic Street Preachers
Manic Street Preachers are a Welsh alternative rock band, formed in 1986. They are James Dean Bradfield, Nicky Wire, Richey Edwards and Sean Moore. The band are part of the Cardiff music scene, and were at their most prominent during the 1990s...
, Ocean Colour Scene
Ocean Colour Scene
Ocean Colour Scene are an English Britpop band formed in Moseley, Birmingham in 1989. They have had five Top 10 albums and six Top 10 singles to date.-Early days :...
), before touring the UK with The View
The View (band)
The View are a Scottish indie rock band. They incorporate various styles such as punk, pop, alternative rock, pop punk, powerpop, folk, and acoustic in their music....
in April 2011.
History
Early yearsAfter Andrew Metcalfe and Simon Finley's band had split up in the summer of 2007, the pair set up a small studio in a disused social club in Liverpool and spent the next few months writing and recording some new material. At the end of 2007 they were introduced to Nathan Crowley, whose previous band had recently ended too. By the start of 2008, the three had begun writing and recording songs together, some of which would eventually end up on Sound Of Gun's debut album 'What Came From Fire'. In need of other musicians to complete the line-up, Nathan played the new recordings to Lee Glynn, a guitarist with whom he had played with previously. Lee had made plans to return home to his family in Australia, but on hearing the recordings, decided to stay and join Sound Of Guns on guitar.
After a few months of writing and rehearsing as a four piece, the band booked their first shows. After several unsuccessful auditions for a bass player, they decided to go ahead with the shows, and have the bass parts recorded to a backing track until they found the right bass player. It was at their first hometown show at the Barfly in Liverpool that the Sound Of Guns line-up was completed. John Coley, a friend of Nathan Crowley, was in the crowd that night, and was so impressed with the raw energy and powerful performance from Sound Of Guns, that he joined the band there and then.
Over the next few months, the band gigged endlessly around the country and carried on recording new material as a five piece. By the end of 2008 they self released their debut single 'Alcatraz', that was recorded and produced by the band, and gained a fair amount of major radio airplay, including XFM and Radio 1.
Distiller Records
After more writing and touring, the band soon found themselves at the centre of some serious interest from major and independent record companies. During this time, Distiller Records offered to release their next single. The band took up this offer, and 'Architects' was released in June 2009 as a limited edition 7" vinyl, again gaining more radio airplay. The band then headed out on tour in support of this release, and played numerous shows which included 4 gigs at Glastonbury Festival, opening the main stage at Latitude Festival and Radio 1's Big Weekend. The band were invited by Radio 1 to perform four songs at the legendary Maida Vale studios.
After signing a record contract with distiller records the band set about writing towards their debut release and on 26 October 2009 Sound of Guns released their first EP 'Elementary of Youth' through distiller records. The EP was available on a 7” gatefold single, which will included a CD and the band’s own fanzine ‘Retail Rodeo’ and digital download. Consisting of four tracks, ‘Elementary of Youth’, ‘Lightspeed’ (both mixed by Dave Eringa (Manic Street Preachers/Idlewild)), ‘Dead Sea Scrolls’ and ‘Gallantry’. The lead track 'Elementary of Youth' was quickly picked up by BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
's Zane Lowe
Zane Lowe
Zane Lowe also known as 'Zipper', is a radio DJ and television presenter. He was born in New Zealand and grew up in Auckland, where he was a presenter on the local music station Max TV, before moving to England...
and given the title of 'Hottest Record In The World' as well as XFM
Xfm
Xfm is a brand of two commercial radio stations focused on alternative music, primarily indie pop, and owned by Global Radio.-History:Xfm was created in London in 1992 by Sammy Jacob, who later co-founded NME Radio in 2008. Xfm subsequently expanded to a network of four stations; there are...
'Single Of The Week' by Steve Harris
Controversy
During a UK tour in March 2009 Sound Of Guns found themselves surrounded by armed police in Wakefield after a mix up involving the bands name led to the group being mistaken for gangsters, as reported by NME
NME
The New Musical Express is a popular music publication in the United Kingdom, published weekly since March 1952. It started as a music newspaper, and gradually moved toward a magazine format during the 1980s, changing from newsprint in 1998. It was the first British paper to include a singles...
What Came From Fire
After touring in support of the 'Elementary Of Youth' EP, the band headed into the studio to record their debut album. However, instead of using a commercial studio, the band opted to build their own studio using the advance from their record contract, and spent the end of 2009 recording their debut album, producing it themselves. The album was mixed by Chris Potter (The Verve, U2) in Jan 2010 and was released in June 2010, titled 'What Came From Fire'. It was preceded by two more single releases, 'Alcatraz' in April 2010 and 'Architects' in June 2010. Both were new versions of the songs and were not limited editions this time round.In 2010 the band released Singles 'Alcatraz' and 'Architects' ahead of their debut album. 'Architects' reached
Number 1 HMV 7" Singles Chart, was Playlisted by BBC Radio 1 daytime and XFM daytime. BBC Radio 1 also gave the track 'Single Of The Week' (Greg James) and XFM 'Single Of The Week'(Steve Harris).
Track list
Present
The band are currently writing new material for their follow-up to 'What Came From Fire', and are heading into the studio with Dave Eringa Manic Street PreachersManic Street Preachers
Manic Street Preachers are a Welsh alternative rock band, formed in 1986. They are James Dean Bradfield, Nicky Wire, Richey Edwards and Sean Moore. The band are part of the Cardiff music scene, and were at their most prominent during the 1990s...
, Ocean Colour Scene
Ocean Colour Scene
Ocean Colour Scene are an English Britpop band formed in Moseley, Birmingham in 1989. They have had five Top 10 albums and six Top 10 singles to date.-Early days :...
, Idlewild
Idlewild (band)
Idlewild are a Scottish rock band, formed in Edinburgh, in 1995, comprising Roddy Woomble , Rod Jones , Colin Newton , Allan Stewart and Gareth Russell...
to record material that will be released in 2011.
In late 2010 the band announced they are to release single 'Breakwater' taken from the yet untitled second album as a free download via the bands website. In support of this they also announced a UK tour for with The View.
Tours & festivals
The band toured extensively across the UK during 2009-2010 and have supported acts including; The CourteenersThe Courteeners
The Courteeners are a rock band formed in Middleton, Greater Manchester, England in 2006 by Liam Fray , Michael Campbell , Daniel Conan Moores , Mark Cuppello -Formation:...
, The View
The View (band)
The View are a Scottish indie rock band. They incorporate various styles such as punk, pop, alternative rock, pop punk, powerpop, folk, and acoustic in their music....
, Delphic
Delphic
Delphic are an alternative dance band from Marple Bridge, Stockport, Greater Manchester, England. They are signed to Polydor and released the single "Counterpoint" in April 2009 through R&S Records, produced by Ewan Pearson...
Adam Green
Adam Green
Adam Green may refer to:*Adam Green , writer/director of Hatchet*Adam Green , staff cartoonist for the New Art Examiner, early 1990s...
. They toured the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
in the summer of 2010, following the release of their debut album, "What Came From Fire".
In August the band appeared at both 2010 Reading and Leeds Festivals having previously performed at Glastonbury, Radio 1's Big Weekend,, Latitude and various other UK festivals. The band also appeared at Mallorca Rocks in 2010 and the inaugural Dubai Sound City festival in 2009
Members
- Andrew - lead vocalsLead vocalistThe lead vocalist is the member of a band who sings the main vocal portions of a song. They may also play one or more instruments. Lead vocalists are sometimes referred to as the frontman or frontwoman, and as such, are usually considered to be the "leader" of the groups they perform in, often the...
- Lee - guitarElectric guitarAn electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
- Nathan - guitar
- John - bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- Simon - drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....