Caretaker (band)

Last updated

Caretaker
OriginHampshire, England
GenresHardcore, Post-Rock, Progressive, Math Rock
Years active1998 (1998) – Present
LabelsWe Be Records
MembersHarry Goodchild, Seb Carey, Sam Mitchell
Past membersChris Grigg (1998-2003), John Hibbird (1998-2007), Jamie Lenman (2004-2007)
Website www.caretakerband.com

Caretaker is an English three piece rock band based in Winchester, Hampshire, England. Their music combines elements from many different corners of rock music, including hardcore, post-rock, progressive and math rock and the band strongly aspire to the DIY ethic. Caretaker are well known for their influence [1] and longevity in the UK underground music scene, and their infrequent and informal approach towards releasing records and touring. The band have stuck to the DIY ethic despite airplay from BBC Radio 1 [2] and Xfm, and critical acclaim from NME, [3] Kerrang!, [4] Rock Sound [5] and Terroriser. [6] During their career, the band have played with well-known acts such as Biffy Clyro, Reuben, Death Cab for Cutie, Oceansize, Les Savy Fav and Hell is for Heroes, as well as having played a headlining show at the Camden Palace (now known as Koko).

Contents

History

Early years

Formed at Alton College in 1998, Caretaker quickly became a regular fixture in the Hampshire/Surrey music scene and by the end of 1999 had recording their first EP, (Pause), named after the stage direction so frequently found in the Harold Pinter play The Caretaker , from which the band had taken their name. The EP was released on Badmusic, a label that had been set up for this specific purpose by two friends of the band. Much to the band's surprise, tracks from (Pause) received several plays on BBC Radio 1 by Mary Anne Hobbs, Steve Lamacq and John Peel despite having been recorded in guitarist Harry Goodchild's living room on a budget of £80. In 2000, Caretaker recorded a follow up EP, Routine, which was also released by Badmusic.

Also in 2000, Caretaker were approached by well-known London independent record label, Fierce Panda to record a track for a compilation entitled Cutting Hedge. Despite being poorly received by NME , [7] Caretaker's contribution to the compilation was subject to a positive review in Kerrang! [4] which led to Fierce Panda asking the band to record a mini-album. The self-titled mini-album Caretaker was recorded in 2001 at Southern Studios and received positive reviews from NME, [3] Kerrang! [8] and Rock Sound , [9] and led to the band performing a live set on XFM's Xposure Live show with John Kennedy.

The Sign of Four and line-up changes

In 2003, Caretaker recorded an EP called The Sign of Four, which showed a more aggressive sound than on previous recordings. Shortly afterward, drummer Chris Grigg left the band to pursue further education, leaving Caretaker on hiatus and the EP unreleased. After several months of uncertainty, Reuben front-man Jamie Lenman volunteered to drum for the band and The Sign of Four finally saw release through Function Records in 2005. Also during this time, the band were featured on the soundtrack to the Xbox game Project Gotham Racing 2 . [10] Having toured the UK with Reuben, Caretaker began writing their first full-length album.

Due to Lenman's commitments to Reuben, and Caretaker's increasingly complicated song structures, song writing was a slow process for the band, who continued to gig sporadically throughout the UK. In 2008 Lenman announced that he would leave the band (which coincided with his decision to put Reuben on hiatus) [11] [12] and shortly after, John Hibbird also decided that he would leave the band to travel the world.

Three piece

After a six-month hiatus, remaining members of the band Harry Goodchild and Seb Carey started looking for a new drummer. They quickly settled on Sam Mitchell (Carey's cousin), and by September 2008 had started playing gigs again as a three piece.

In July 2009 the band recorded the single "Rook/Impasse" as a taster for the coming album. The songs were recorded by Wayne Pennell, who the band had worked with previously on Sign of Four and was released by the band with no record label involvement. The release was given single of the month in October's edition of Rock Sound magazine. [13]

Providence

In 2010 the band took to the studio again to record their second album, entitled Providence, but due to the band's desire to make the album to the high standard they wanted, and various personal commitments (including Goodchild's and Carey's respective weddings) production on the album was not finished until the latter months of 2011. In the meantime, the band recorded two tracks for a split EP with Oxford Sludgecore band Undersmile, which was released through Blindsight Records in September. Providence was made available to fans for a limited time through the band's website throughout December 2011, [14] and was released on 12 March 2012 through We Be Records. [15] The promotional track "Hellion" taken from the album was played by Daniel P. Carter on the BBC Radio 1 Rock Show on 16 January 2012. [16]

Discography

Extended plays

TitleEP details
Routine· Released: 2000

· Label: Badmusic

· Formats: CD

Track list

1. Routine

2. You'll Never Learn

3. Northfacing

(Pause)· Released: 2000

· Label: Badmusic

· Formats: CD

Track list

1. Rangefinding

2. We Watch & Wait

3. Safe as Houses

4. Liopleuradon

Sign of Four· Released: 2005

· Label: Function Records

· Formats: CD

Track list

1. Learning Curve

2. Vicious Circle

3. Ennui

4. Coda

Rook/Impasse· Released: 2009

· Self-release

· Formats: CD-R

Track list

1. Rook

2. Impasse

Undertaker· Released: 2011

· Label: Blindsight Records

· Formats: CD

Track list

1. Yeehah!

2. The Inexorable March

Albums

TitleAlbum details
Caretaker· Released: 2001

· Label: Fierce Panda

· Formats: CD

Track list

1. Entrance

2. Routine

3. Backs Against The Fall

4. Hidden Agenda

5. Red Mist

6. Safe As Houses

7. Raze

Providence· Released: 2012

· Label: We-Be Records

· Formats: CD

Track list

1. Thousand Yard Stare

2. Martinet

3. Hellion

4. Impasse

5. Providence

6. Rook

7. What We Have We Hold

8. The Outpost

9. Pariah

10. The Upper Air

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lostprophets</span> 1997–2013 Welsh rock band

Lostprophets were a Welsh rock band from Pontypridd, formed in 1997 by singer Ian Watkins and guitarist Lee Gaze. The group was founded after their former band Fleshbind broke up. They later recruited Mike Lewis on guitars, Stuart Richardson on bass and Mike Chiplin on drums.

<i>Start Something</i> 2004 studio album by Lostprophets

Start Something is the second studio album by the Welsh rock band Lostprophets, released on 2 February 2004 through Visible Noise in the United Kingdom and South Korea. The album was released internationally on 5 February 2004 through Columbia. The band began work on the album in 2003 after touring for support of their previous album, The Fake Sound of Progress. This is the second and last album featuring the original drummer Mike Chiplin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Biffy Clyro</span> Scottish rock band

Biffy Clyro are a Scottish rock band that formed in Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire, composed of Simon Neil and twin brothers James and Ben Johnston. Currently signed to 14th Floor Records, they have released nine studio albums, and following their first three albums, the band expanded their following significantly in 2007 with the release of their fourth album Puzzle, which peaked at No. 2 on the UK Albums Chart and was awarded a Platinum certification by the BPI.

<i>Comfort in Sound</i> 2002 studio album by Feeder

Comfort in Sound is the fourth studio album by Welsh rock band Feeder, released on 21 October 2002 and also the first to be released by the band after the suicide of drummer Jon Lee earlier in the year. The album was recorded at RAK Studios in London during most of 2002, and was produced by Gil Norton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reuben (band)</span> English band

Reuben were an English three-piece musical group from Camberley, Surrey. Their music is a fusion of alternative rock and heavy metal, as their songs cover a variety of styles, ranging from heavy and upbeat, such as their 2005 single "Blamethrower" to slower, more melodic songs such as their 2004 single "Moving to Blackwater". The former style of song often featured vocalist Jamie Lenman switching between shouting and whispering, a technique often used in heavy metal and post-hardcore music. The band performed in the UK underground music scene. Although they attracted a significant fanbase, Reuben never achieved mainstream success, but did chart four songs in the UK Singles Chart. Their highest charting single was 2004's "Freddy Kreuger", that reached UK No. 53.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Enter Shikari</span> British rock band

Enter Shikari are a British rock band formed in St Albans in 1999 by bassist Chris Batten, lead vocalist and keyboardist Rou Reynolds, and drummer Rob Rolfe. In 2003, guitarist Rory Clewlow joined the band to complete its current line-up, and it adopted its current name. In 2006, they performed to a growing fanbase at Download Festival as well as a sold-out concert at the London Astoria. Their debut studio album, Take to the Skies, was released in 2007 and reached number 4 in the Official UK Album Chart, and has since been certified gold in the UK. Their second, Common Dreads, was released in 2009 and debuted on the UK Albums Chart at number 16; while their third, A Flash Flood of Colour, was released in 2012 and debuted on the chart at number 4. Both have since been certified silver in the UK. The band spent a considerable amount of time supporting the latter release through the A Flash Flood of Colour World Tour, before beginning work on a fourth studio album, The Mindsweep, which was released in 2015. Their fifth studio album The Spark was released in 2017. Their sixth album Nothing Is True & Everything Is Possible was released in April 2020. Their seventh and latest album, A Kiss for the Whole World, was released on 21 April 2023 which gave them their first-ever No. 1 album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crash (Feeder song)</span> 1997 single by Feeder

"Crash" was the third single from Feeder's critically acclaimed 1997 album Polythene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cancer Bats</span> Canadian hardcore punk band

Cancer Bats are a Canadian hardcore punk band from Toronto, Ontario. To date, they have released seven studio albums and six extended plays; with their most recent LP, Psychic Jailbreak, having been released on 15 April 2022. The band is currently composed of lead vocalist Liam Cormier, drummer Mike Peters and bassist/guitarist Jaye R. Schwarzer. The band are also currently joined by touring guitarist Jackson Landry, following the departure of founding guitarist Scott Middleton in 2021. The members of Cancer Bats have also toured and recorded as a Black Sabbath tribute band under the name Bat Sabbath.

<i>Pilot</i> (Reuben EP) 2001 EP by Reuben

The Pilot EP was the first official release by British rock band Reuben. This recording was with the original Reuben line up, including Mark Lawton on drums. It was recorded in the summer of 2000 at Backline studios in Guildford with ex Redwood guitarist Rob Blackham. The band had met Rob at Guildford festival, where he urged them to record a demo of some sort, so they set about recording five songs in four days. The EP was released on the Badmusic label in January 2001. The initial run was of 500 copies, which sold out fairly fast, but it is regularly repressed and is available at shows and by mail order. It was reviewed in Kerrang! by members of Taproot, and received a KKKK rating, despite being described as 'cheesey' by the singer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jamie Lenman</span> English musician

Jamie Edward Lenman is an English musician and illustrator. He was the lead singer, guitarist and main songwriter for British alternative rock trio Reuben from 2001 to 2008. He also works as an illustrator, which he made his primary focus upon Reuben disbanding. In 2008, Lenman began releasing and performing as a solo artist and has gone on to release five studio albums.

<i>Take to the Skies</i> 2007 studio album by Enter Shikari

Take to the Skies is the debut studio album by British rock band Enter Shikari.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Middle Class Rut</span> American band

Middle Class Rut, also known as MC Rut, is an American alternative rock band duo consisting of vocalist/guitarist Zack Lopez and vocalist/drummer Sean Stockham. They were formed in Sacramento, California in December 2006. After several EP's, in 2010 they released their first full-length LP, No Name No Color. Their second album Pick Up Your Head was released June 25, 2013. After a brief hiatus, the band returned in 2018 with their third album Gutters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nostradamus World Tour</span> 2008–09 concert tour by Judas Priest

The Nostradamus World Tour was a concert tour by English heavy metal band, Judas Priest, in support of the group's 16th studio album, Nostradamus, which was released in June 2008.

<i>The Betrayed</i> (Lostprophets album) 2010 studio album by Lostprophets

The Betrayed is the fourth studio album by Welsh rock band Lostprophets, released through Visible Noise and Sony Music on 13 January 2010. Although the band initially wished to record a quick follow-up to 2006's Liberation Transmission, problems with labels and producers led to numerous delays. Consequently, tracks from the album were performed live as early as 2007, but recording was not completed until July 2009, following an entire album's worth of material being scrapped by the band.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Max Raptor</span>

Max Raptor are an English four-piece punk rock band from Burton upon Trent in the Midlands, England, formed in 2006. They have toured the UK and played two dates in 2009 with Canadian punk band Billy Talent and then toured 16 dates in 2010 with British punk band The Stranglers.

<i>Weapons</i> (album) 2012 studio album by Lostprophets

Weapons is the fifth and final studio album by the Welsh rock band Lostprophets. It was released through Epic Records on 2 April 2012. It was the first and only record featuring Luke Johnson on drums, after being with two other drummers previously, Mike Chiplin and Ilan Rubin. This was the last album to ever be released by the band before lead vocalist Ian Watkins was convicted of numerous sex offences, which led to their disbandment.

<i>Opposites</i> (album) 2013 studio album by Biffy Clyro

Opposites is the sixth studio album by Scottish alternative rock band Biffy Clyro, which was released on 28 January 2013. A double album, Opposites was originally announced as a pair of albums, The Land at the End of Our Toes and The Sand at the Core of Our Bones, which later became the names of the individual discs of the album. The album features 20 songs across two discs. There is also a single disc version with 14 selected tracks. As of July 2016, the album has sold 260,720 copies in the UK.

<i>A Light Shines</i> 2012 EP by Sacred Mother Tongue

A Light Shines is the first collection of recordings from Sacred Mother Tongue released in association with EMI Label Services and their first release since Ruin of Man in 2009. The EP was the precursor to their Out of the Darkness album, released in 2013, and contains the single "Evolve/Become".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pvris</span> American pop rock act

Pvris is an American pop rock act formed in Lowell, Massachusetts in 2012. Following several lineup changes, the band is now composed of frontwoman Lynn Gunn.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">TRC (band)</span> London hardcore punk and rap band

TRC is a Metalcore and rap infused band from London, UK. In total, they have released three albums and five EPs.

References

  1. ↑ "Rock Sound Classic Features: Reuben - Features". Rock Sound Magazine.
  2. ↑ "BBC Radio 1 - Radio 1's Rock Show with Daniel P Carter, Download line-up announced". Bbc.co.uk. 17 January 2012. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
  3. 1 2 Jim Alexander, NME, 18 August 2001 "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 27 January 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. 1 2 Ben Myers, Kerrang!, 20 May 2000 "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 27 January 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. ↑ Victoria Durham, feature "Music with Attitude" from Rock Sound, January 2001 "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 27 January 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. ↑ AP, Terroriser, September 2005 "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 27 January 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  7. ↑ Stevie Chick, NME, 22 April 2000 "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 12 March 2014. Retrieved 27 January 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  8. ↑ James Sherry, Kerrang!, 28 July 2001 "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 12 March 2014. Retrieved 27 January 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  9. ↑ Iain Moffat, Rock Sound No.28, September 2001 "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 12 March 2014. Retrieved 27 January 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  10. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 22 January 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  11. ↑ "REUBEN | Official Site". Wordsfromreuben.com. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
  12. ↑ "Caretaker". Archived from the original on 11 July 2012. Retrieved 3 February 2012.
  13. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 19 February 2014. Retrieved 27 January 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  14. ↑ "Caretaker". Archived from the original on 1 March 2012. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
  15. ↑ "Caretaker - Providence / We Be Records from Piccadilly Records". Piccadillyrecords.com. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  16. ↑ "BBC Radio 1 - Radio 1's Rock Show with Daniel P Carter, Download line-up announced". Bbc.co.uk. 17 January 2012. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.