Crowns (band)

Last updated

Crowns
Crownsateden.jpg
Crowns performing at the Eden Project
Background information
Origin Launceston, Cornwall, England
Genres Folk punk
Years active2010–2014
LabelsShip Wreckords, PIAS
Past membersBill Jefferson
Jake Butler
Jack Speckleton
Rob Ramplin
Nathan Haynes
Website Official Website

Crowns are a Cornish folk punk band from Launceston, Cornwall, United Kingdom, formed in 2010. The band consisted of lead singer and guitarist Bill Jefferson, bass player Jake Butler, mandolinist Jack Speckleton and drummer Rob Ramplin (replaced Nathan Haynes in 2013).

Contents

History

Formation (2010)

Crowns formed in 2010 [1] after moving from Cornwall to London. [2] Their sound is partly inspired by traditional Cornish songs [3] with the band often closing their live shows with a version of Little Eyes.

In July 2010, the band were invited to play a festival at the now defunct North London venue The Flowerpot, curated by the Communion record label. [4] During their closing number the band were joined on stage by Ben Lovett of Mumford & Sons [5] who joined the band on accordion. The live recording of the track was included on the compilation album The Flowerpot Sessions, released by Communion/Island Records in June 2011. [6] At the end of 2010, Crowns were invited by Spider Stacy, tin whistle player in The Pogues to support the band at London's Brixton Academy during their annual Christmas tour. [7]

In July 2011, Crowns played the Eden Project as part of the Eden Sessions gig series, opening the main stage before Mystery Jets and Brandon Flowers. [8] Their version of Bodmin Town, a traditional Cornish song, was included on 'Eden Project - The Album' and released in September 2011. [9]

In March 2012, Crowns released their first EP, Full Swing, featuring 6 tracks.

In January 2013, Crowns opened for The Dropkick Murphys at the London shows on their European tour.

Kissing Gates (2011)

On 22 September, Crowns announced the release of their debut single 'Kissing Gates' on their own imprint 'Ship Wreckords' and distributed by PIAS. [10] Released on 14 November 2011, the single was made available on limited edition 7" vinyl record and digital download. Radio support for the single has been strong with XFM's John Kennedy making the track his 'X-Posure Hot One' [11] in addition to plays on Zane Lowe [12] and Mike Davies Punk Rock show on BBC Radio 1. [13]

In November 2011, Crowns were invited to support The King Blues on their UK tour alongside Cerebral Ballzy. [14]

Stitches in the Flag (2012)

On 29 October 2012, Crowns released the single "Parting in the Porch", which is a song from their upcoming album, Stitches in the Flag.

Stitches in the Flag was released on 5 November 2012 and was positively received.

Split (2014)

Crowns played their final show in September 2014. [15]

Discography

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cornwall</span> County of England

Cornwall is a ceremonial county in South West England. It is recognised by Cornish and Celtic political groups as one of the Celtic nations, and is the homeland of the Cornish people. The county is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, Devon to the east, and the English Channel to the south. The largest urban area in the county is a conurbation that includes the former mining towns of Redruth and Camborne, and the county town is the city of Truro.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eden Project</span> Visitor attraction in Cornwall, United Kingdom

The Eden Project is a visitor attraction in Cornwall, England. The project is located in a reclaimed china clay pit,.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Pogues</span> Celtic punk band founded in London in 1982

The Pogues were an English or Anglo-Irish Celtic punk band fronted by Shane MacGowan and others, founded in King's Cross, London, in 1982, as Pogue Mahone—an anglicisation of the Irish phrase póg mo thóin, meaning "kiss my arse". Fusing punk influences with instruments such as the tin whistle, banjo, Irish bouzouki, cittern, mandolin and accordion, the Pogues were initially poorly received in traditional Irish music circles—the noted musician Tommy Makem called them "the greatest disaster ever to hit Irish music"—but were subsequently credited with reinvigorating the genre. The band later incorporated influences from other musical traditions, including jazz, flamenco, and Middle Eastern music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brixton</span> District in the London Borough of Lambeth in south London

Brixton is an area of South London, part of the London Borough of Lambeth, England. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London. Brixton experienced a rapid rise in population during the 19th century as communications with central London improved.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shane MacGowan</span> Irish singer-songwriter (1957–2023)

Shane Patrick Lysaght MacGowan was a British-born Irish singer-songwriter, musician and poet best known as the lead vocalist and primary lyricist of Celtic punk band the Pogues. He also produced solo material and collaborated with artists including Joe Strummer, Nick Cave, Sinéad O'Connor, and Cruachan. Known for his exceptional songwriting ability and his heavy alcohol and drug use, MacGowan was described by The New York Times as "a titanically destructive personality and a master songsmith whose lyrics painted vivid portraits of the underbelly of Irish immigrant life".

Cornwall is a Celtic nation with a long musical history. Strengthened by a series of 20th century revivals, traditional folk music has a popular following. It is accompanied by traditions of pipers, brass and silver bands, male voice choirs, classical, electronic and popular music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brixton Academy</span> Music venue in London, a former cinema

Brixton Academy (originally known as the Astoria Variety Cinema, previously known as Carling Academy Brixton, currently named O2 Academy Brixton as part of a sponsorship deal with the O2 brand) is a mid-sized concert venue located in South West London, in the Lambeth district of Brixton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fairytale of New York</span> 1987 single by the Pogues featuring Kirsty MacColl

"Fairytale of New York" is a song written by Jem Finer and Shane MacGowan and recorded by their London-based band the Pogues, featuring English singer-songwriter Kirsty MacColl on vocals. The song is an Irish folk-style ballad and was written as a duet, with the Pogues' singer MacGowan taking the role of the male character and MacColl playing the female character. It was originally released as a single on 23 November 1987 and later featured on the Pogues' 1988 album If I Should Fall from Grace with God.

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

Reef are an English rock band from Glastonbury whose members include Gary Stringer on vocals, Amy Newton on guitar, Jack Bessant on bass, and Luke Bullen on drums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pendulum (drum and bass band)</span> Australian drum & bass band

Pendulum is an Australian electronic rock band founded in 2002. Pendulum originally formed in the city of Perth, Western Australia, by Rob Swire, Gareth McGrillen and Paul "El Hornet" Harding. The band was later expanded to include members Ben Mount, Peredur ap Gwynedd and KJ Sawka. The group is notable for its distinctive sound, mixing electronic music with hard rock and covering a wide range of genres.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cornwall Council</span> Unitary authority for Cornwall, England

Cornwall Council, known between 1889 and 2009 as Cornwall County Council, is the local authority which governs the non-metropolitan county of Cornwall in South West England. Since 2009 it has been a unitary authority, having taken over district-level functions when the county's districts were abolished. The non-metropolitan county of Cornwall is slightly smaller than the ceremonial county, which additionally includes the Isles of Scilly. The council has had a Conservative Party majority since the 2021 local elections. Its headquarters is Lys Kernow in Truro.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The View (band)</span> Scottish indie rock band

The View are a Scottish indie rock band that formed in Dundee, Angus in 2005. They incorporate various styles such as punk, pop, alternative rock, and folk in their music. They are best known for their 2007 single "Same Jeans" which reached number 3 on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mumford & Sons</span> British folk rock band

Mumford & Sons are a British folk rock band formed in London in 2007. The band consists of Marcus Mumford, Ted Dwane, and Ben Lovett.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trash Talk (band)</span> American hardcore punk band

Trash Talk is an American hardcore punk band from Sacramento, California, formed in 2005. They have toured all around the world including Japan and Europe, as well as performed in many festivals in support of their releases which helped give the band recognition from publications including Rolling Stone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Young Guns (band)</span> English alternative rock band

Young Guns are an English alternative rock band from High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. The members, working with each other in various musical interests throughout the 2000s, formally formed the band in 2008, and rose to prominence after their debut EP, Mirrors, earned them spots opening live shows for Bon Jovi and Guns N' Roses. Their debut album, All Our Kings Are Dead, on 12 July 2010. Their second album, Bones, was released in February 2012. Their single "Bones" reached no. 1 on the Billboard Active Rock charts in the US in May 2013. Their third album, Ones and Zeros, was released on 9 June 2015. The band's fourth album, Echoes, was released on 16 September 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Vaccines</span> British indie rock band

The Vaccines are an English indie rock band, formed in West London in 2010 by Justin Hayward-Young and Freddie Cowan. The band currently consists of Young, Árni Árnason, Timothy Lanham and Yoann Intonti (drums).

Gyratory System is a three-piece music band based in London. It is fronted by producer/trumpet player Andrew Blick. Blick was a session musician in the 1990s and previously a member of One More Grain. His trumpet-playing style, which involves the heavy use of electronic treatments, has been likened to 'Miles Davis circa On The Corner, Andy Diagram or Jon Hassell'. Another journalist has written: 'A British experimental legend, producer Andrew Blick’s three piece must be the UK’s only acid-fried, horn-led electronic marching band'.

Communion Music is a British independent music company that includes a record label,, a publishing company and a concert promoter.

John Kennedy is a British DJ and radio presenter and podcast host, best known for his longstanding role as the host of the music show X-Posure on Radio X and for the music podcast Tape Notes.

References

  1. "Western Morning News, March 2011". Thisiscornwall.co.uk. Archived from the original on 18 September 2012. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  2. "BBC Introducing Cornwall". BBC. 21 March 2011. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  3. "Alt Sounds Interview, November 2011". Archived from the original on 8 November 2011. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
  4. "Communion announces Flowerpot line-up feat Mumford & Sons, Lissie, Angus & Julia Stone". Forfolkssake.com. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  5. "Camden Crawl Preview, May 2011". Archived from the original on 25 September 2011.
  6. "'The Flowerpot Sessions' Website". Archived from the original on 15 October 2011.
  7. "The Pogues at O2 Academy Brixton (22 Dec 2010)". Songkick.com. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  8. "Eden Sessions Website". Archived from the original on 20 November 2011.
  9. "Media relations". Edenproject.com. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  10. "Crowns Official Website". Archived from the original on 30 July 2012.
  11. "X-Posure Playlist Archive". X-posure.tumblr.com. Archived from the original on 1 June 2016. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  12. "BBC Radio 1 - Zane Lowe, Drake is our Hottest". BBC. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  13. "BBC Radio 1 - Punk Show with Mike Davies, Brian Fallon & Chuck Regan on the Revival Tour!". BBC. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  14. "The King Blues - Official Site". Archived from the original on 26 September 2011.
  15. [ dead link ]