The Filaments
Encyclopedia
The Filaments are a street-punk band with brass. They formed in 2000 in Chelmsford, Essex UK. Influences cited include Rancid, The Clash, Operation Ivy, The Business, The 4-Skins, and The Specials.
, Deadline and Roger Miret and The Disasters
followed this release. The Filaments gained a reputation for their immense live shows in the UK, and on the European mainland.
Their second album ‘..Whats Next?’ was released in 2004 on Household Name Records
. This time the band showed a greater depth in song writing; UK '82 style punk was mixed with a wide range of influences including Dub, 2-tone influenced ska and Psychobilly. Following this release The Filaments went on to tour alongside popular U.S acts such as The Horrorpops and Leftover Crack
, as well as playing festivals including Glastonbury, Wasted / Rebellion (Blackpool) , Rude Boys Unity (Geneva) and Punk 'n' Disorderly (Berlin).
The Filaments performed a live session on Mike Davies Radio 1 punk show in 2005.
In 2005, lead vocalist Jon Fawkes emigrated to America and The Filaments subsequently disbanded. On the 10th July 2005 they played their farewell show at the City Invasion tour at The Astoria, London.
In March 2006 The Filaments played two sold out reunion shows at The Relentless Garage in Highbury, London with punk band Deadline and the Rebellion punk festival in Blackpool Winter gardens August 2007.
In August 2009 they reformed to support Suicide Bid
at The Relentless Garage, Highbury London. Jon Fawkes had moved back to the UK permanently at this time and later The Filaments officially announced they had reformed.
The Filaments are currently recording a new record set for release in 2012.
, which has featured ex-members of The King Blues
, The Skints
, Ex-Cathedra, P.A.I.N, Inner Terrestrials, Deathskulls, Sonic Boom Six
, The Foamers
, King Prawn
and more. Suicide Bid mix reggae, dub, punk and dancehall, and have a new album expected for release in 2012.
- expressing their love of 2-tone ska and heavy dub reggae. Joined by vocalists Majah Tunder and Babar Luck
(previously of King Prawn
), their album ‘Happy Days With….’ was released in 2008 through Rebel Alliance
.
. This album featured guest musicians from members of The Hold Steady
, World/Inferno Friendship Society and Morning Glory
.
featuring on studio album ‘Save The World Get The Girl.’
Career
Their debut album 'Skull and Trombones' was released in 2001 on New Blood Records and tours with The CasualtiesThe Casualties
The Casualties are an American street punk band from New York City, New York, formed in 1990.-Biography:The Casualties members aimed to return to what they viewed as the "golden era" of street punk, embodied by bands such as The Exploited, Charged GBH , which they believed had disappeared by...
, Deadline and Roger Miret and The Disasters
Roger Miret and the Disasters
Roger Miret and the Disasters are a street punk group formed by Agnostic Front frontman Roger Miret. The band was formed in 1999. They released their first self-titled debut album in 2002 on Hellcat Records and "Give 'Em The Boot" was released as a single to promote the album. A second album, 1984,...
followed this release. The Filaments gained a reputation for their immense live shows in the UK, and on the European mainland.
Their second album ‘..Whats Next?’ was released in 2004 on Household Name Records
Household Name Records
Household Name Records is a DIY punk rock record label, based in London, UK. It has been home to notable artists including Howards Alias, Lightyear, and Adequate Seven. It was started in 1996 by David "Lil" Giles and Katherine "Kafren" Vik to promote unknown UK bands...
. This time the band showed a greater depth in song writing; UK '82 style punk was mixed with a wide range of influences including Dub, 2-tone influenced ska and Psychobilly. Following this release The Filaments went on to tour alongside popular U.S acts such as The Horrorpops and Leftover Crack
Leftöver Crack
Leftöver Crack is an American punk rock band formed in 1998, following the breakup of the ska punk band Choking Victim. Primarily playing an amalgam of ska and hardcore punk, they classify themselves as "crack-rocksteady". The band is currently signed to Fat Wreck Chords for CD releases, and...
, as well as playing festivals including Glastonbury, Wasted / Rebellion (Blackpool) , Rude Boys Unity (Geneva) and Punk 'n' Disorderly (Berlin).
The Filaments performed a live session on Mike Davies Radio 1 punk show in 2005.
In 2005, lead vocalist Jon Fawkes emigrated to America and The Filaments subsequently disbanded. On the 10th July 2005 they played their farewell show at the City Invasion tour at The Astoria, London.
In March 2006 The Filaments played two sold out reunion shows at The Relentless Garage in Highbury, London with punk band Deadline and the Rebellion punk festival in Blackpool Winter gardens August 2007.
In August 2009 they reformed to support Suicide Bid
Suicide Bid
Suicide Bid are a musical collective from Manchester, London, Philadelphia, Scotland and a few more places. They released their first CD, a mini album entitled This Is The Generation in late 2005...
at The Relentless Garage, Highbury London. Jon Fawkes had moved back to the UK permanently at this time and later The Filaments officially announced they had reformed.
The Filaments are currently recording a new record set for release in 2012.
Suicide Bid
Lead vocalist Jon Fawkes also heads up the collaborative project Suicide BidSuicide Bid
Suicide Bid are a musical collective from Manchester, London, Philadelphia, Scotland and a few more places. They released their first CD, a mini album entitled This Is The Generation in late 2005...
, which has featured ex-members of The King Blues
The King Blues
The King Blues are a punk band from London, England, credited for fusing ska and folk together with influences from punk rock and hardcore punk. Tariq Ali described the band's sounds as 'rough, radical music that should unsettle the rulers of this country. A new generation of musicians are...
, The Skints
The Skints
The Skints are a reggae/dub/ska/reggae rock band from London, United Kingdom. Since 2008 the band have toured extensively, playing hundreds of shows, supporting bands that include Gym Class Heroes, Sublime with Rome, Reel Big Fish, Less Than Jake, The Slackers, Gogol Bordello and Bedouin...
, Ex-Cathedra, P.A.I.N, Inner Terrestrials, Deathskulls, Sonic Boom Six
Sonic Boom Six
Sonic Boom Six are a five-piece rock band from Manchester, United Kingdom. Their eclectic sound combines different elements of several genres and has been described by Kerrang! as "taking ska, pop, grime, dubstep, punk and metal apart, then rebuilding them as a hyperactive hybrid"...
, The Foamers
The Foamers
The Foamers first got together back in 1996, and were formed in a pub in Epsom, Surrey by Chris, Carlos and Kerem, soon to be joined by Tom. After a few months of writing and practising in true punk rock fashion they recorded a bunch of tracks in a local studio which had been converted from a...
, King Prawn
King Prawn
King Prawn were a prominent band of the UK ska punk scene during the 1990s and early 2000s.King Prawn blended elements of punk, hardcore, metal, ska, dub, reggae, and hip hop into their music, which they dubbed wildstyle....
and more. Suicide Bid mix reggae, dub, punk and dancehall, and have a new album expected for release in 2012.
The Babylon Whackers
In the summer of 2007, The Filaments recorded an album under the name The Babylon WhackersThe Babylon Whackers
The Babylon Whackers are a UK Punk group that blends 2-Tone ska, dub and reggae. They formed in 2007 in Chelmsford, Essex UK. Influences cited include Rancid, The Clash, The Specials, Hepcat, Max Romeo and Lee 'Scratch' Perry.-History:...
- expressing their love of 2-tone ska and heavy dub reggae. Joined by vocalists Majah Tunder and Babar Luck
Babar Luck
Babar Luck is a songwriter and musician based in the UK. Born in Pakistan in 1970 & moving to London at the age of 8 years, Babar Luck found solace in the world & sounds of music....
(previously of King Prawn
King Prawn
King Prawn were a prominent band of the UK ska punk scene during the 1990s and early 2000s.King Prawn blended elements of punk, hardcore, metal, ska, dub, reggae, and hip hop into their music, which they dubbed wildstyle....
), their album ‘Happy Days With….’ was released in 2008 through Rebel Alliance
Rebel Alliance
The Alliance to Restore the Republic is an interstellar faction of the fictional universe of Star Wars....
.
The 241ers
Whilst living in America lead singer Jon Fawkes joined forces with Stockyard Stoics’ Joe Piglett and Brendan Bekowies and formed political acoustic outfit The 241ers. Their debut album ‘Murderers’ was released in 2008 on Dirty Faces and Household Name RecordsHousehold Name Records
Household Name Records is a DIY punk rock record label, based in London, UK. It has been home to notable artists including Howards Alias, Lightyear, and Adequate Seven. It was started in 1996 by David "Lil" Giles and Katherine "Kafren" Vik to promote unknown UK bands...
. This album featured guest musicians from members of The Hold Steady
The Hold Steady
The Hold Steady is an American indie rock band from Brooklyn, New York, formed in 2004. The band consists of Craig Finn , Tad Kubler , Galen Polivka , Bobby Drake , and Steve Selvidge...
, World/Inferno Friendship Society and Morning Glory
Morning Glory
Morning Glory is a 1933 pre-Code American drama film which tells the story of an eager but naive would-be actress and her journey to stardom. It stars Katharine Hepburn, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., and Adolphe Menjou. The movie was adapted by Howard J. Green from the play by Zoe Akins, and was directed...
.
Jonny One Lung
Lead vocalist Jon Fawkes also performs as an acoustic artist under the name Jonny One Lung - a nickname given to him by Argy Bargy drummer Ray Bussey after his lung collapsed on stage at The Army & Navy, Essex in 2000.Black Radio
Lead guitarist / second vocalist Mike Jones also fronts rock n roll punk band Black Radio. Their debut E.P ‘No Frills, No Skills, Stripped Down & Faster Thank Your V8’ was self released in 2006. The Black Radio / The Ruling Class split 7" was released in 2007 through Bootleg Booze Records.Slow Science
Drummer Al Gunby currently drums for indie punk band Slow Science. Gunby was also the drummer for The King BluesThe King Blues
The King Blues are a punk band from London, England, credited for fusing ska and folk together with influences from punk rock and hardcore punk. Tariq Ali described the band's sounds as 'rough, radical music that should unsettle the rulers of this country. A new generation of musicians are...
featuring on studio album ‘Save The World Get The Girl.’
Beat The Red Light
Trombonist Pookie is also the frontman for thrash ska band Beat The Red Light.The Ambition
Trumpet player Iain Mackaye was the bass player in hardcore punk band The Ambition.Members
- Jon Fawkes (aka Jonny One Lung): Lead vocals, Guitar
- Mike Jones (aka The Boss): Vocals, Lead Guitar
- Herve Laurent : Bass, Back-up Vocals
- Al Gunby : Drums
- Iain Mackaye (aka Bones): Trumpet, Back-up Vocals
- Pete Hudson : Saxophone, Back-up Vocals
- Pookie : Trombone, Back-up Vocals
Former Members
- Meg Charnly : Trombone
- John Poulton : Bass
- Tim Wilson : Drums
- Rob Bellman : Trumpet
- Paul Humberstone : Trombone
Discography
| Year | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Skull & Trombones | New Blood Records |
| 2001 | The Filaments / Deadline Split 'Punk Unity' | DSS Records |
| 2003 | The Filaments & BBK & Body Bag & Beans 'Mucho Mas Chaos' | Infested Records |
| 2004 | ...What's Next? | Household Name Records |
| 2007 | Stockyard Stoics / The Filaments 'The Special Relationship' | Roots Rock Rebel |