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'''Haunts''' were a British rock band based in north London and Hertfordshire. Described as 'Noirists', their musical style combines elements of [[punk rock|punk]], new wave, [[electronic dance music|dance]], [[progressive rock|prog rock]], [[indie rock|indie]] and [[Britpop]]. The band refer to themselves simply as 'new wave'. Haunts' line-up consists of Banks (vocals, guitar, synth), Alex Woodcock(guitar, backing vocals), Gareth Grover (drums, backing vocals) and Mitch Mitchener (bass guitar, backing vocals). Haunts disbanded in 2009, and are now taking part in separate ventures. |
'''Haunts''' were a British rock band based in north London and Hertfordshire. Described as 'Noirists', their musical style combines elements of [[punk rock|punk]], new wave, [[electronic dance music|dance]], [[progressive rock|prog rock]], [[indie rock|indie]] and [[Britpop]]. The band refer to themselves simply as 'new wave'. Haunts' line-up consists of Banks (vocals, guitar, synth), Alex Woodcock (guitar, backing vocals), Gareth Grover (drums, backing vocals) and Mitch Mitchener (bass guitar, backing vocals). Haunts disbanded in 2009, and are now taking part in separate ventures. |
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==Early history== |
==Early history== |
Revision as of 15:23, 14 January 2010
Haunts |
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Haunts were a British rock band based in north London and Hertfordshire. Described as 'Noirists', their musical style combines elements of punk, new wave, dance, prog rock, indie and Britpop. The band refer to themselves simply as 'new wave'. Haunts' line-up consists of Banks (vocals, guitar, synth), Alex Woodcock (guitar, backing vocals), Gareth Grover (drums, backing vocals) and Mitch Mitchener (bass guitar, backing vocals). Haunts disbanded in 2009, and are now taking part in separate ventures.
Early history
Banks and Woodcock formed Haunts in late 2006 and shortly after recruiting Grover (from Woodcock's previous band) as drummer produced a demo of the song "Bomz II Drop" which quickly started to draw attention to the band via the internet. The line-up was finalised with Mitchener being recruited (from Banks' previous band) to play bass guitar, and shortly after this the band received a request from Welsh band Lostprophets to support them at a sold out 'secret' show at London's Scala on April 26, 2007. This was followed by tours with Switches, The Sunshine Underground and Funeral For a Friend, as well as many low-key dates at indie club nights in London. Haunts made their first festival appearance on June 24, 2007 at London's Hyde Park Calling festival.
Haunts released their debut single, "Low Slung City Skyline" through Grand Recordings in September 2007 on 7" vinyl. The single was limited to 500 pieces and features unusually elaborate packaging. All musical and design production was done by the band themselves, a work ethic they have persevered with on subsequent releases (Woodcock is a graduate of Chelsea College of Art & Design; Banks is an established record producer, most notably having produced Gallows' critically acclaimed debut album Orchestra of Wolves[1]). The single won BBC Radio 1's 'Fresh Meat' competition hosted by DJ Zane Lowe. After the single's release Haunts toured extensively on the club NME circuit and with indie rock band Boy Kill Boy.
Haunts' second single, "Underground" was released in April 2008 through Black Records, again as a limited edition vinyl, this time a heavyweight blood-red disc with gatefold case, mirror-finish writing, and a glossy black outer sleeve. Again, Zane Lowe championed the single on his BBC Radio 1 show but this time the single was also picked up by XFM and other stations. The accompanying video clip also aired on MTV2. Appearances at London's Camden Crawl and Brighton's Great Escape festival also helped promote the single. On Friday the 13th of June, Haunts headlined Club NME at London's KOKO. Other festival appearances in 2008 included Donington's Download, Scotland's T In The Park, Newquay's Boardmasters, Reading Festival, the Animal Windfest and the FS04 Freeze Festival at Battersea Power Station.
In August, Haunts released their third independent single 'Live Fast Die Young' as a limited edition 2-part 7" vinyl set comprising a coloured vinyl with gatefold sleeve and a picture disc. The release was supported by support slots with Lostprophets and The Automatic. Anticipating the imminent release of their debut LP, October saw Haunts tour the UK as part of the 'No Half Measures Tour' which also featured The Holloways, Underground Heroes, Bear Hands and Regards. Near the end of the tour on October 31 (Halloween) Haunts released the 'London's Burning' E.P. single. Unlike previous singles which were released both on limited 7 inch vinyl and iTunes, this E.P. is available exclusively in digital form via the 7digital music downloading service. The E.P. includes a 'Halloween Remix' of 'London's Burning' and a cover of Billy Idol's 'White Wedding'.
Debut LP
Hot on the heels of the 'London's Burning' EP, Haunts released their eponymous debut LP on November 17 through the independent label Black Records. Entirely self-produced and recorded in the band's own studio, the LP reinforced the band's DIY work ethic. The LP was mixed by Dan Weller and Justin Hill of WellerHill productions at their private studio in Old Street, London.
Influences
Although the band are generally cagey about their personal influences, they have been known to perform cover versions of songs by artists linked to the new wave genre such as Elvis Costello, Depeche Mode, The Cure, Devo, The Police and Talking Heads. Comparisons to other artists have been erratic but have included a diverse range of bands such as Talking Heads, Bauhaus, Queens of the Stone Age, Refused, Interpol, Franz Ferdinand and The Futureheads. Banks' distinctive deep, dry voice has been likened to Nick Cave and David Bowie.
Discography
- Low Slung City Skyline/ Bag O' Bones – September 2007
- Underground/ Low Slung City Skyline (Haunts Remix) – April 2008
- Live Fast Die Young/ (I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea – August 2008
- Live Fast Die Young (Radio Edit)/ Bomz II Drop (Demo) – August 2008
- Haunts (Debut LP) – November 2008
Remixes
Banks and Woodcock also have a side-project remixing other artists' songs under the name 'Haunts'. This incarnation of Haunts is the polar opposite of the guitar-based version; songs are swamped in slap bass and synth solos. Comparisons have been made to Chromeo, Justice and Daft Punk.
So far Haunts have remixed:
- "Into Oblivion" – Funeral for a Friend [2]
- "You're not Alone" – The Enemy [3]
- "Low Slung City Skyline" – Haunts (B-side of 'Underground' single)[4]
- "The Bears are Coming" – Late of the Pier
- "The Outsiders" – Athlete
- "Drugs" – The Music
- "Into The Galaxy" – Midnight Juggernauts
- "Crank It Up" - Hadouken!
- "Death" – White Lies
- "Move" – CSS
- "Radio Booth" - The Chemists
- "Crack the Shutters" - Snow Patrol
- "Tin Man" - Animal Kingdom
- "No Time For Tears" - The Enemy
- "Mowgli's Road" - Marina and the Diamonds
- "Grounds For Divorce" - Elbow
References
- ^ Orchestra of Wolves liner notesEpitaph Records
- ^ FFAF Haunts Remix norman records
- ^ Haunts Remix the enemy Grand union artist management
- ^ Underground Tracklisting juno.co.uk