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Razorlight

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Razorlight

Razorlight are an Anglo-Swedish pop band formed during the summer of 2002 around singer-songwriter Johnny Borrell.

History

2004

Razorlight's debut album, Up All Night, was released on June 28 2004, reaching number 3 in the UK album charts on 4 July.[1] The critical reception was generally good, receiving good reviews from NME, Q magazine and Billboard, although they were also accused of lack of imagination and unoriginality for allegedly borrowing ideas from other influential bands, notably The Strokes.

They appear to polarize opinion. NME wrote that the album: "bristles with passion, energy and, most importantly, amazing songs", while they were described elsewhere as "nearly everything wrong with rock and roll today". Their fans, though, embrace the music for its simple melodies and multi-layered, easy-going compositions.

Frontman Johnny Borrell caused some controversy and surprise when he likened himself to musical legend Bob Dylan, quipping "If Dylan's making the chips then I'm drinking the champagne". This led to suggestions of self-promotion. This statement was taken out of context however as Borrell was comparing his and Dylan's first albums, not their overall career. The band became very popular on the London music scene when they arrived earlier in the year. Large demand caused the band to play extra shows, including a 7,000+ capacity gig at Alexandra Palace. The album was heavily marketed in the UK. Up All Night is now recognized as one of the pre-eminent albums of 2004.

On Up All Night, Johnny Borrell recorded a phone number into the track "Vice". This number was widely rumoured to be his own phone number, however, it is the number of a London based samaritan type company called "Vice" who people can ring for advice. The number is 07761010233.

2005

Up All Night was re-issued in April 2005, including previously unreleased single "Somewhere Else", which peaked at Number 2.

In July 2005, the band performed at Hyde Park, London, as part of the Live 8 series of concerts. However, the band came under fire for not donating their extra revenue to charity. Razorlight claim that due to their "fledgling status", they're unable to make such a commitment. [2]

Razorlight supported Queen + Paul Rodgers on Friday 15th July 2005, in front of 60,000 people. This gig had been rescheduled following the July 2005 London bombings.

They also appear as themselves in series 2 of The Mighty Boosh, in the episode 'The Priest and The Beast'.

Razorlight supported Oasis in December 2005, at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

During the Christmas season the band played an intimate show at the Railway Inn in Winchester (Andy's home town). They were supported by up and coming London band Captain Phoenix, who are fronted by Andy's younger brother Ben.

2006

On 3 April the band streamed a track from their new album on their website, from around 1800 BST to 1900 BST. According to NME.COM, it was called "Pop Song 2006". According to an interview with Planet Sound, this was only a working title and was a tribute to R.E.M.'s Pop Song '89. The band planned on calling it "Small Town Heroes", but never told the production people.

Razorlight released their self-titled second album on 17 July 2006 in the United Kingdom and debuted at #1 in the UK Albums Chart a week later. It received mainly positive reviews, Q magazine giving it a rare 5/5 rating. The leading single from the album, "In the Morning" was released 3 July 2006, peaking at #3 in the UK Singles Chart. To date, it is their third biggest single after Somewhere Else, which peaked a position higher at #2, and America, which peaked at #1. It also peaked at #2 on iTunes top songs.

Continuing their association with The Who which started at the Live 8 gig, Razorlight debuted some of their second album songs on the 30 March 2006 in one of a chain of Teenage Cancer Trust concerts, organised by Roger Daltrey. Later that year, on the 2 July, they played to a sellout Hyde Park Calling gig, where they were preceded by The Zutons, and opened for The Who. Again they played half a set from the new album, the first single from which "In the Morning" was released at midnight that evening at HMV on Oxford Street. The band went on to play on Brighton's West Pier on the 12 July 2006 in a free concert as part of a Vodafone TBA event to be broadcast on Channel 4. Razorlight released their eponymous second album on 17 July 2006. This Album debuted at no.1 in the U.K.

The band played their biggest tour to date in October/November 2006 and also supported Richard Ashcroft in his homecoming gig at the Lancashire County Cricket Club on 2006-06-17. They have also been confirmed as one of the headliners of Reading Festival 2007.

2007

Razorlight were nominated for two Brit awards one for best British band and the other for their song America which was nominated for Best Song.



Controversy

Borrell has also had arguments with other bands most notably new indie favourites The Kooks branding their music 'shit' and the lead singer 'boring'. In an interview with the popular music magazine NME Borrell is quoted as saying "He models his style on me. And that record is the most horrible thing I've ever heard. It sounds like the band are literally rolling over, sticking their arse in the air and begging Radio 1 to fuck them. I heard their single on the radio the other day and it sounds like fucking Avril Lavigne! If he can live with himself after that production, and if he feels like he has to slag people off to keep up, then I'm sure his nights are long and those moments of doubt are really painful. So fuck The Kooks. Fuck 'em!" [3]

Discography

Albums

Singles

Year Title Chart Positions Album
UK Singles Chart UK Download Chart US Modern Rock.
2003 Rock ‘N’ Roll Lies 56 - - Up All Night
2003 Rip It Up 42 - - Up All Night
2004 Stumble and Fall 27 - - Up All Night
2004 Golden Touch 9 3 32 Up All Night
2004 Vice 18 - - Up All Night
2004 Rip It Up (re-release) 20 - - Up All Night
2005 Somewhere Else 2 2 36 Up All Night (re-issue)
2006 In The Morning 3 5 - Razorlight
2006 America 1 1 - Razorlight
2006 Before I Fall to Pieces 17 17 - Razorlight
2007 I Can't Stop This Feeling I've Got - Razorlight

Trivia

  • Although the band is predominantly associated with its lead singer Johnny Borrell, it's most succesful release so far has been the single 'America' which was written by the drummer Andy Burrows. Borrell reportedly refused to lay down vocals for the song until he was given a songwriting credit.[citation needed]
  • On both of their albums, they have paid tribute to R.E.M with song titles. The tracks "(Don't Go Back To) Dalston" and "Pop Song 2006" take their names from the songs "(Don't Go Back To) Rockville" and "Pop Song '89" respectively.
  • Andy Burrows drummed on the single "Be Gentle With Me" by The Boy Least Likely To, who will support Razorlight on their 2006 UK arena tour.
  • In December 2005 Johnny admitted that he thinks Ricky Wilson (Kaiser Chiefs front man) is the best lead singer a band could have and that he hopes to work with them in the future.
  • Razorlight are gay friends with Julian Barratt and Noel Fielding from The Mighty Boosh. Razorlight appeared on the program in the episode "The Priest and the Beast", and Noel Fielding appeared in costume as The Hitcher before a Razorlight gig - the frontman also played the part of the rabbit in the stage version of the mighty boosh tour in brixton where the DVD was recorded (he may not have played the rabbit in other legs of the tour though).
  • Bassist for Disco Pigs (band) guested on "America".
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