Embrace (English band)

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Embrace
Embrace-0904.jpg
Embrace playing live in Leeds in 2005
Background information
Origin Bailiff Bridge, West Yorkshire, England
Genres
Years active1990–2006, 2013–present
Labels Fierce Panda, Hut, Virgin, Mobetta, Independiente, Cooking Vinyl
MembersDanny McNamara
Richard McNamara
Steve Firth
Mike Heaton
Mickey Dale
Website embrace.co.uk

Embrace are an English rock band formed in Bailiff Bridge, West Yorkshire, in 1990. The band consists of brothers singer Danny McNamara and guitarist Richard McNamara, bassist Steve Firth, keyboardist Mickey Dale, and drummer Mike Heaton. The group have released eight studio albums: The Good Will Out (1998), Drawn from Memory (2000), If You've Never Been (2001), Out of Nothing (2004), This New Day (2006), Embrace (2014), Love Is a Basic Need (2018), and How to Be a Person Like Other People (2022). [2]

Contents

History

Origins and formation: 1990–1995

The small band began in a small outbuilding at the bottom of a garden in Bailiff Bridge in 1990. [3] The McNamara brothers, with Richard playing guitar and Danny, started creating songs with the aid of a cassette recorder and, soon, a drum machine was added. An initial set of songs was written and dropped, then a second set of songs written. Mickey Dale soon joined them on keyboards. [3]

After various auditions, drummer Mike Heaton joined the band. [3] A period of consolidation of existing songs and writing of new ones followed. It proved hard to settle on a name, so gigs were initially performed from 1992 onwards under one-off names; Curious Orange, Christianne F, Shimmer, Lady Bum, and Mesmerise. Eventually they settled on 'Embrace'. Richard was familiar with the American band Embrace, and thought it a good name, despite it having been used already. The band wrote a letter to seek approval from Ian Mackaye who replied that it was alright for the English band to use the same name, though he said that it could possibly cause some confusion. Steve Firth joined the quartet in 1996, forming their current and permanent line-up. [3]

The Good Will Out: 1996–1998

The band then recorded a three track demo in a recording studio in Huddersfield, the now closed Beaumont Street Studios, which was sold at concerts in cassette form. This now extremely rare demo consisted of the songs "Overflowing", "Say It With Bombs" and "Sooner Than You Think".

A video was recorded of a gig in Leeds, copies of which were offered for sale. A second spell in a Manchester recording studio yielded some rough mixes, one of which was seen as good enough to be released on a cassette attached to the Leeds fanzine The Expression She Pulled. [4] A single, "All You Good Good People", was released in February 1997 on Fierce Panda Records. [5] After building a following through two further singles (including "Fireworks" and "One Big Family"), their debut album The Good Will Out was released on 8 June 1998 and went to number 1 in the UK Albums Chart. [3] The album achieved critical acclaim as well as success in terms of sales, going gold on its first day of release, becoming one of the fastest-ever-selling debut albums by a British artist, and going on to sell over 500,000 copies domestically. [6]

Drawn from Memory and If You've Never Been: 1999–2002

On 27 March 2000, the band released Drawn from Memory , which reached number 8 in the UK Albums Chart. [7] Although the album was supported by a tour during which they were supported by then-fledgling Coldplay, its sales were relatively low, but critical reception was good, especially NME praising the album: "[The album] trawls emotional depths, plays to its strengths, comforts and encourages, strong in the knowledge that sometimes the good really will out.[...]Embrace have finally put their flag firmly at the summit. [8] Embrace covered Bob Dorough's "Three Is a Magic Number" on the B-side of "I Wouldn't Wanna Happen to You" and also released two other 'Christmas' cover versions of the traditional song "Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire" and "I Believe in Father Christmas".

Afterwards they quickly recorded their third studio album If You've Never Been , which was released on 3 September 2001. The album reached number 9 in the UK chart. Drowned in Sound claimed: "Embrace have returned with their most compelling piece of work to date. It doesn't base itself on the strength of a few uplifting anthems like their previous work has, instead going for the thoughtful, tender approach. And it's all the better for it." The album was once again supported by an international tour, covering Europe, the US and Australia until the end of 2002.

Out of Nothing and This New Day: 2003–2006

They were signed by Andy McDonald to his Independiente Records label and released the album Out of Nothing , which reached number one in the UK in 2004. The 'comeback' single that preceded this album was "Gravity", which had been written by Coldplay's Chris Martin. Danny McNamara and Martin had become friends after Coldplay had supported Embrace in 2000 in Blackpool. The single was a hit, charting at number seven in the UK Singles Chart. [7] Coldplay have since recorded "Gravity" as a B-side for their single "Talk". In 2004, Radio 1's Live Lounge, Embrace recorded a version of the D12 rap song "How Come". In October 2005, the band released their first compilation, called Dry Kids: B-Sides 1997–2005 . It features 18 tracks from singles and EPs across their entire career, including a version of "Blind", an early live favourite which was omitted from their debut album The Good Will Out , as was their Otis Redding-influenced "The Way I Do".

The band's fifth studio album, This New Day was released on 27 March 2006, with the single "Nature's Law" being released the week before. The album saw the whole band contributing to the songs. Before this, the McNamara brothers had written virtually all of the band's songs themselves. The band recording twenty four songs in nine days. [9] In March 2006, Embrace were chosen to record England's official football World Cup 2006 song, "World at Your Feet," which received its first radio airplay on 21 April 2006 on BBC Radio 1. It was released on 5 June 2006, and entered the UK Singles Chart at number 3. [10] The first single entered the charts at number two, providing them with their biggest hit. This New Day went straight into the charts at number one and became their third chart topping album in the UK. The band played a new song "Heart and Soul" live, which was expected to appear on their sixth album. A live version of "Heart and Soul" is a B-side to "I Can't Come Down". However they entered extended hiatus afterwards lasting several years.

Embrace and Love Is a Basic Need: 2013–present

After three years of writing new material for their sixth studio album, the band began production on the album in August 2013. Richard McNamara wrote on the band's Facebook page on 12 August 2013 announcing their return to the studio, seven years after the release of This New Day . They signed with the Cooking Vinyl label in 2013, and showcased some of their new tracks at two gigs in November and December. [11] [12] "Refugees" was released in January 2014 as the lead single to their self-titled album, which appeared in April. [13]

Embrace's seventh album, Love Is a Basic Need , was released on 2 March 2018. [14] Love Is a Basic Need was recorded in the first half of 2017 at the band's own Magnetic North Studio, produced by Richard McNamara. The album's overriding theme is one surrounding love: "Most people remember to eat, breathe and drink, but too many of us forget about love until it's too late. The album is about the realisation that without food or water or shelter you die, but the same is also true of love. We set out to make an album where every song on it would stand up against the best songs we’ve ever written, and I'm pretty confident we’ve done just that," said Danny McNamara. [15]

In 2018, Firth and Heaton co-formed the punk rock band Land Sharks. [16]

The band's eighth album, How to Be a Person Like Other People , was released on 26 August 2022 and became their eighth consecutive studio album to chart within the UK Albums Chart Top 10. [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] The album, which reached number 9 on a sales total of 4,423 copies, was supported by a 10-date UK tour.

Band members

Discography

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<i>The Good Will Out</i> 1998 studio album by Embrace

The Good Will Out is the debut studio album by British rock band Embrace, released on 8 June 1998, by Hut, Mobetta and Virgin Records. The band formed in 1993; by 1996, they consisted of vocalist Danny McNamara, his brother, guitarist Richard McNamara, drummer Mike Heaton and bassist Steve Firth, and Tony Perrin had become their manager. A single, "All You Good Good People", was released through Fierce Panda in February 1997, attracting music media and record label interest, resulting in the band signing to Hut. Produced by the band, Dave Creffield and Martin "Youth" Glover, sessions for their debut were held at the Hook End, Whitfield Street and Metropolis studios. Other production staff included Jonny Dollar, who almost produced the album, Steve Osborne, who did additional production on one song, and Hugo Nicolson, who handled recording on another.

<i>Drawn from Memory</i> 2000 studio album by Embrace

Drawn from Memory is the second album by English rock band Embrace, released on 27 March 2000 by Mobetta, Hut, and Virgin Records. Following the release of their debut studio album The Good Will Out (1998), touring keyboardist Mickey Dale became an official member. Frontman Danny McNamara began suffering from writer's block, leaving guitarist Richard McNamara to handle the writing. Sessions were done at Batsford Park Manor in Gloucestershire, Olympic Studios in London, and Soundworks Studios in Leeds. Tristin Norwell and the band producer the entire album, bar "You're Not Alone", which was produced by Hugo Nicolson. Songs on the album centred around the arrangements and the interplay between instruments, instead of being melody-driven.

<i>If Youve Never Been</i> 2001 studio album by Embrace

If You've Never Been is the third studio album by English rock band Embrace. It was released on 3 September 2001 through Hut, Mobetta, and Virgin Records. Within a month of releasing their second studio album Drawn from Memory (2000), the band had started writing its follow-up. Recording took place at Soundworks in Leeds, with Ken Nelson and the band co-producing the sessions, which lasted from February to May 2001. If You've Never Been is a soft rock album that uses more strings and horns compared to its predecessor.

<i>Out of Nothing</i> 2004 studio album by Embrace

Out of Nothing is the fourth studio album by English rock band Embrace. It was released on 13 September 2004 through the label Independiente. Following the release of their third studio album If You've Never Been (2001), the band were dropped by Hut Records; around this time, the general public had lost interest in them. After signing to Independiente, they took time working on new material, until early 2004, when they recorded their next album at Olympic Studios in London with producer Martin "Youth" Glover. Out of Nothing is an indie rock album that drew comparison to the works of Coldplay and Keane.

<i>All You Good Good People</i> 1997 single by Embrace

"All You Good Good People" is the debut single of English rock band Embrace, on the Fierce Panda label. Only 1,300 copies were made in 1997, but the airplay received by key radio shows was enough to gain significant recognition. An extended play containing the song was released on 27 October 1997, peaking at number eight on the UK Singles Chart that November. The 1,300 originals, mixed by dub and electronica artist Ott, are now collectors' items.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Come Back to What You Know</span> 1998 single by Embrace

"Come Back to What You Know" is a song by English rock band Embrace, released as the fourth single from their debut album, The Good Will Out (1998), on 25 May 1998. It remained the band's highest-charting single, reaching number six on the UK Singles Chart, until the release of "Nature's Law" in 2006. B-side "Love Is Back" was later included on Embrace's compilation album Dry Kids: B-Sides 1997-2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">My Weakness Is None of Your Business</span> 1998 single by Embrace

"My Weakness Is None of Your Business" is a song by English rock band Embrace, the band's fifth single release. It was released on 17 August 1998 and became the third top-ten single from their debut album, The Good Will Out (1998), peaking at number nine on the UK Singles Chart, but it dropped out of the top 40 the next week.

<i>One Big Family EP</i> 1997 single by Embrace

One Big Family EP is a four-track extended play (EP) by English band Embrace from their debut album, The Good Will Out (1998). Released on 7 July 1997, and with the song "One Big Family" as the lead track, the EP narrowly missed the top 20 in the United Kingdom, peaking at number 21. "One Big Family" is sung by guitarist Richard McNamara rather than Embrace's usual singer, his brother Danny. In 2011, English artist Templecloud released a cover of the song that reached number 24 on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richard McNamara</span> British guitarist

Richard McNamara is a British musician and record producer, best known as the guitarist and co-lead vocalist for Embrace. He and his older brother, Danny, grew up in the village of Bailiff Bridge, Brighouse near Halifax. Danny is the band's lead singer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Firth</span> Musical artist

Steven Mark Firth is the bass guitarist for the English band Embrace.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">World at Your Feet</span> 2006 song by English rock band Embrace

"World at Your Feet" is a song by English rock band Embrace from the re-released version of their fifth studio album, This New Day (2006). It was the official song of the England World Cup squad in the 2006 FIFA World Cup campaign, and was released on 5 June 2006. Singer Danny McNamara told the NME: "We didn't apply to do this. They just asked us. Our manager said, 'Do you want to do the World Cup song? The FA want to know.' I asked my dad and he said, 'if you think you're up to it-do it!' I was just trying to cover all the bases."

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<i>Embrace</i> (English band Embrace album) 2014 album by Embrace

Embrace is the eponymously titled sixth studio album by English alternative rock band Embrace. The album, produced by vocalist Richard McNamara, was released on 25 April 2014 in Friday-release countries and on 28 April 2014 in the United Kingdom by independent record label Cooking Vinyl. The album was the band's first in eight years, after the release of their fifth studio album This New Day in 2006.

<i>Refugees</i> (EP) 2014 EP by Embrace

Refugees is the seventh extended play by English band Embrace. Released on 14 February 2014 by independent record label Cooking Vinyl, the EP was the first commercial release by the band in over seven years, the last being the "I Can't Come Down", released in December 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Follow You Home</span> 2014 single by Embrace

"Follow You Home" is a song written by Danny McNamara and Richard McNamara of the English alternative rock band Embrace. The song was originally recorded by the band for their eponymous sixth studio album, Embrace, where it appears as the fifth track on the album. A "Follow You Home" promotional single, featuring the Embrace track of the same name, was released to UK radio on 10 March 2014 by Cooking Vinyl. The single serves as the third overall release in promotion of Embrace, after promotional single "Refugees" and the extended play Refugees.

<i>Love Is a Basic Need</i> 2018 studio album by Embrace

Love Is a Basic Need is the seventh studio album by English rock band Embrace. It was released on 2 March 2018 through Cooking Vinyl.

References

  1. ↑ "Caught By The Buzz: A Look Back At Britpop's B-List". Stereogum.com. 23 April 2014.
  2. 1 2 Moore, Sam (19 April 2022). "Embrace announce new album How to Be a Person Like Other People and UK tour". NME. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Colin Larkin, ed. (2000). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Nineties Music (First ed.). Virgin Books. pp. 142/3. ISBN   0-7535-0427-8.
  4. ↑ "Expression She Pulled ESP Fanzine". www.facebook.com.
  5. ↑ Strong, Martin C. (2000). The Great Rock Discography (5th ed.). Edinburgh: Mojo Books. p. 316. ISBN   1-84195-017-3.
  6. ↑ "Award". BPI. Archived from the original on 7 May 2021. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  7. 1 2 Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. pp. 182–183. ISBN   1-904994-10-5.
  8. ↑ "International Velvet". Nme.com. 12 September 2005. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
  9. ↑ "New Single, Album & Tour Dates". 25 January 2006. Archived from the original on 19 February 2006. Retrieved 15 February 2006.
  10. ↑ "Entertainment | Embrace unveil World Cup anthem". BBC News. 21 April 2006. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
  11. ↑ "Embrace". SecretGig.com. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
  12. ↑ "√ Cooking Vinyl clasps indie rockers Embrace in new artist-services deal on". Rockol.com. 16 December 2013. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
  13. ↑ "Embrace announce comeback with first new album in 7 years – Music News". Digital Spy. 13 January 2014. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
  14. ↑ "'Embrace - Love Is A Basic Need' Out March 2018". Cooking Vinyl. 25 September 2017. Retrieved 24 February 2018.
  15. ↑ Millar, Mark (25 September 2017). "EMBRACE – Announce their brand new album LOVE IS A BASIC NEED –..." Xsnoize.com. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
  16. ↑ "Land Sharks official website". Land Sharks. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  17. ↑ "Charts analysis: Muse become the first band to debut at No.1 with seven consecutive albums | Analysis | Music Week". www.musicweek.com. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
  18. ↑ "EMBRACE | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
  19. ↑ "'Embrace - How To Be A Person Like Other People' Out August 2022". Townsend Stores. 18 April 2022. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
  20. ↑ "'Embrace - How To Be A Person Like Other People' Out August 2022". Embrace. 18 April 2022. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
  21. ↑ "'Embrace - 2022 Tour'". Gigs And Tours. 18 April 2022. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
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