Future of the Left

Last updated

Future of the Left
Future- of the Left.jpg
Future of the Left in 2007
Background information
Origin Cardiff, Wales, UK
Genres Alternative rock, noise rock, post-hardcore
Years active2005–present
Labels Too Pure, 4AD, Xtra Mile Recordings, Prescriptions
Members
Past members
  • Kelson Mathias
  • Hywel Evans
  • Jimmy Watkins
Website futureoftheleft.net

Future of the Left are a Welsh alternative rock band based in Cardiff. The group consists of former Mclusky members Andrew Falkous (vocals, guitar) and Jack Egglestone (drums) and former Million Dead bassist Julia Ruzicka.

Contents

History

Beginnings

Future of the Left formed in mid-2005 after the bands Mclusky and Jarcrew both split up within two months of each other at the beginning of the year. The new group was formed by singer/guitarist Andy "Falco" Falkous and drummer Jack Egglestone, both previously of Mclusky, alongside singer/bassist Kelson Mathias and bassist Hywel Evans, both formerly of Jarcrew. [1] Evans quickly moved on to start a math rock band, Truckers of Husk.

First performances

Future of the Left's first performances were secret gigs using aliases such as "Guerilla Press" and "Dead Redneck" to avoid the concert being attended by large numbers of expectant Mclusky and Jarcrew fans. Their very first show was at Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff on 2 July 2006, under the alias "the Mooks of Passim". The first official headline show (and the first show the band played under the name Future of the Left) was played in Camden Barfly to a capacity crowd on 1 September 2006.

In late 2006 the trio were signed to Too Pure, who had also signed Mclusky, [2] and when Too Pure disbanded the band transferred to 4AD.

Singles

The band released their debut single, the double A-side "Fingers Become Thumbs"/"The Lord Hates A Coward" (along with B-side "The Fibre Provider") on 7-inch vinyl on 29 January 2007 in extremely limited quantities. A Too Pure newsletter sent out in March announced that the Future of the Left live set-closer "adeadenemyalwayssmellsgood..." would feature on a split single alongside Fierce Panda Records' Winnebago Deal on 10 May. However, Falco stated that it would only happen "over [his] dead body". [3] The song was released as a 7-inch single on 4 June 2007, however it was not split with anyone; the B-side was a BBC Radio Wales session track entitled "March Of The Coupon Saints". On 10 September, the band released "Small Bones Small Bodies" as a single on 7" vinyl (with "The Big Wide O" and "I Need To Know How To Kill A Cat" as B-sides).

Debut album

Their debut album, Curses , was released on 24 September 2007 in the UK and 1 October in Japan. A surprise to some fans of Jarcrew and Mclusky was the band's occasional move towards songs with a synthesizer (a Roland Juno-60) in favour of Falco's guitar. On the whole, fans and critics responded to the change positively. [4]

Travels With Myself and Another

Falkous revealed in an early 2008 online blog entry that work had commenced on the second album - new material began to creep into the band's live performances, including a number of songs that feature distinctively more ambitious use of Falkous' synthesizer. The band drew the attention of NME and was invited to perform on the NME Awards tour, supporting Les Savy Fav at London Astoria.

On 8 April 2008, their fourth single "Manchasm" was released (with album track "Suddenly It's A Folk Song" and new recording "Sum Of All Parts" as B-sides), receiving a single of the week recommendation from the NME . The band toured extensively during 2008, with sets occasionally including covers of Mclusky tracks. They appeared at the Reading and Leeds Festivals on the NME /BBC Radio 1 stage on Friday 22nd and Saturday 23 August. The band then toured in the United States with Against Me! and Ted Leo and the Pharmacists till the end of October 2008.

On 21 November 2008, Future Of The Left cancelled the remainder of their tour of the UK, China and Australia to concentrate on recording the new album. In a statement the band said,

We have been unable to write the second record and we are increasingly aware of the need to do so. We want to get it out before summer so we can spend next year playing it to people. It is against everything the band stands for to pull shows, or anything that we have already committed to doing, and we apologise to everyone who had bought a ticket or was going to come along. We will be back as soon as we can next year and we promise to make it worth the wait. [5]

They released their second album Travels with Myself and Another on 22 June 2009. However, the album was leaked a month before onto the internet, singer Falkous mentioned his anger at this in a series of blogs. [6] Regardless, the album received critical acclaim from reviewers, gaining 9/10 from Drowned in Sound [7] and 8/10 from Pitchfork Media. [8]

Personnel changes

On 7 May 2010, Kelson Mathias announced his departure from the band via a blog on the band's MySpace profile. [9]

On the same day, in a separate blog, Andy Falkous announced that Steven Hodson (the bass player of Oceansize and Kong) would be filling in on bass for their upcoming shows, and also that the band had a "soon-to-revealed fourth member, whose main role(s) in the band are to play guitar and act like a fucking maniac". [10] The band played summer dates around the UK and were also working on new material for a third album, playing a few new tracks at these dates.

Julia Ruzicka, ex-member and co-founder of Million Dead, made her live debut with the band on 17 September and confirmation of her permanent role was made via the band's Myspace blog on 21 October. [11]

On 6 November 2010 Falco announced, via the band's Twitter feed, that they were in the studio recording new songs. [12] In January 2011 in an interview with Undercover.fm he announced that the new album would be released in September. [13]

The Plot Against Common Sense

Future of the Left, 2012 Future of the Left - Fete de l'Humanite 2012 - 035.jpg
Future of the Left, 2012

In November 2011, the band released the six track EP Polymers Are Forever. Falco also announced via the band's blog that the new album had been completed, was entitled The Plot Against Common Sense and comprised fifteen tracks.

The album was released on 11 June 2012, [14] preceded by single "Sheena is a T-Shirt Salesman" on 12 March. [15] Videos were also released for the tracks "I Am The Least Of Your Problems" and "Failed Olympic Bid". The band released an EP of demos from the album sessions entitled Man vs. Melody in November 2012.

How To Stop Your Brain in an Accident

In May 2013 it was announced that Future of the Left would crowdfund their next album through the website Pledge. The funding goal for the album was reached in just five hours.

The band rewarded pledgers with a four track EP entitled Love Songs For Our Husbands released on 1 July, through their own new label, Prescriptions Music. The full-length new album entitled How to Stop Your Brain in an Accident was released for streaming on 21 October and was released in physical format on 28 October. In addition, a sessions EP for the album was also announced, entitled Human Death.

The Peace and Truce of Future of the Left

In December 2015 Future of the Left announced they would once again crowdfund for their fifth studio album entitled The Peace and Truce of Future of the Left. The funding goal was reached within three hours.

Set for a release date of 25 March 2016 the band announced they would again record another sessions EP in addition to the new album and pledgers could also buy a special Fuzz Pedal specially created for the band. The album was released on 8 April 2016.

Guitar player/vocalist Jimmy Watkins was absent from the recording of the album and is no longer a member of Future of the Left. [16]

Members

Discography

Studio albums

EPs

Live albums

Singles

Music videos

Compilation appearances

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Juliana Theory</span> American rock band

The Juliana Theory is an American rock duo from Greensburg and Latrobe, Pennsylvania, United States. They signed to Tooth & Nail Records, and later to Epic Records for the release of the album Love. They released four studio albums before disbanding in 2006. The band has since reunited three times; once in 2010 for eight shows, again in 2017 for a tour celebrating their 20th anniversary along with 2019, Brett Detar and Joshua Fiedler announced a tour, together with the Spill Canvas, performing Juliana Theory songs acoustically. In 2020 The Juliana Theory announced signing with Equal Vision Records and released their debut EVR single "Can't Go Home" on November 20, 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bloc Party</span> English indie rock band

Bloc Party are an English rock band that was formed in London in 1999 by co-founders Kele Okereke and Russell Lissack. They are joined in the band's current iteration by Louise Bartle and touring bassist Harry Deacon. Former members Matt Tong, Gordon Moakes and Justin Harris left the band in 2013, 2015 and 2023 respectively. Their brand of music, whilst rooted in rock, retains elements of other genres such as electronica and house music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mclusky</span> Welsh post-hardcore band

Mclusky, originally known as Best, are a Welsh three-piece post-hardcore group formed in Cardiff in 1996. The group originally consisted of Englishman Andrew Falkous from Newcastle upon Tyne, Geraint Bevan (bass) and Matthew Harding (drums); the latter two were replaced by Jonathan Chapple and Jack Egglestone in 1997 and late 2003 respectively. The band released three studio albums before splitting in 2004, reconvening in 2014 – without Chapple – under the monikers 'mclusky' and mclusky*, before ultimately dropping the asterisk.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Louis XIV (band)</span> American rock band

Louis XIV is an American rock band from San Diego, California. The band has released four EPs between 2003 and 2007, and three albums between 2003 and 2008, the latter two of which were distributed by Atlantic Records. The band broke up in 2009, but in 2013, in an interview with The Reno Dispatch, Jason Hill confirmed that the band had decided to reunite.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hawthorne Heights</span> American rock band

Hawthorne Heights is an American rock band from Dayton, Ohio, formed in 2001. Originally called A Day in the Life, their lineup currently consists of JT Woodruff, Matt Ridenour, Mark McMillon, and Chris Popadak.

<i>Mclusky Do Dallas</i> 2002 studio album by Mclusky

Mclusky Do Dallas is the second studio album by Welsh indie rock band Mclusky, released on 1 April 2002 by Too Pure.

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

Idlewild are a Scottish rock band formed in Edinburgh in 1995. The band's line-up consists of Roddy Woomble, Rod Jones, Colin Newton (drums), Andrew Mitchell (bass), and Luciano Rossi (keyboards). To date, Idlewild have released nine full-length studio albums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A Wilhelm Scream</span> American rock band

A Wilhelm Scream is a melodic hardcore band from New Bedford, Massachusetts, formed in 1999. Their music has been compared to Strung Out, Hot Water Music, Propagandhi, and Strike Anywhere as the band's similar artists. Their name is a reference to the Wilhelm scream, a famous stock sound effect mainly used in films. The band previously went by the names Koen, Adam's Crack, and Smackin' Isaiah, though the last was the only name to be used in any major releases. "The reason for the name changes from Koen to Smackin' Isaiah, then to A Wilhelm Scream was really a matter of them adding new members, and progressing/maturing as a band."

<i>The Difference Between Me and You Is That Im Not on Fire</i> 2004 studio album by Mclusky

The Difference Between Me and You Is that I'm Not on Fire is the third and final studio album from Welsh indie rock band Mclusky. It was released to positive reviews by Too Pure in 2004. The two singles to be released from this album were "That Man Will Not Hang" and "She Will Only Bring You Happiness", though it was later revealed in the liner notes of Mcluskyism that "Without MSG I Am Nothing" had been intended for single release, but the band's implosion prevented this from happening.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Automatic</span> Welsh rock band

The Automatic were a Welsh rock band. The band's last-known lineup was composed of Robin Hawkins on vocals, bass and synthesisers, James Frost on guitar, synthesisers, backing vocals and occasional bass, Iwan Griffiths on drums and Paul Mullen on vocals, guitar and synthesiser. Mullen joined after the departure of Alex Pennie, who provided synthesiser, percussion and vocals.

Jarcrew was a five-piece dance-punk band from Ammanford, Wales. They were a relatively well known underground band for approximately five years between 2000 and their early 2005 split. They played a bizarre mixture of electronica/house and prog-rock/punk/funk that baffled audiences up and down the UK. Since disbanding, several Jarcrew off-shoots have emerged, most notably Future of the Left, a band that contained Jarcrew frontman Kelson alongside ex-mclusky members Andrew Falkous and Jack Egglestone. In 2014, the band reformed for a charity fundraiser and have since made a number of other appearances.

The Getaway Plan are an Australian rock music band, which formed in 2004. Founding mainstays are Matthew Wright on lead vocals, piano and rhythm guitar and Clint Ellis on lead guitar. They were joined in 2014 by Dan Maio on drums, and his brother, Mike Maio on bass guitar. Former long-term members are Dave Anderson on bass guitar and Aaron Barnett on drums and percussion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Escape the Fate</span> American rock band

Escape the Fate is an American rock band from Las Vegas, Nevada, formed in 2004. Originally from Pahrump, Nevada, the group currently consists of lead vocalist Craig Mabbitt, guitarists Matti Hoffman and TJ Bell, bassist Erik Jensen and drummer Robert Ortiz. Ortiz is the only founding member remaining in the band.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Los Campesinos!</span> Welsh indie rock band

Los Campesinos! are a seven-piece indie pop band from Cardiff, Wales, formed in early 2006 at Cardiff University. The band has seen several lineup changes - Gareth Paisey, Neil Turner (guitar) and Tom Bromley (guitar) are the only remaining original members, now joined by Rob Taylor (guitar), Kim Paisey, Matt Fidler and Jason Adelinia (drums). All replace their surnames with "Campesinos!" as stage names.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Innerpartysystem</span> American electronic rock band

Innerpartysystem is an American electronic rock band. The group consists of Patrick Nissley, Jared Piccone and Kris Barman. The band is well known for their live performance lighting largely by Andrew Nissley and videos directed by Stephen Penta.

E for Explosion are an American alternative rock/shoegazing band formed by former JamisonParker singer Jamison Covington after the group's breakup in 2005. The only two constant members of the band were Covington and his wife, Dai Britain Covington (keyboards). After undergoing a hiatus in 2013, the band self-released two EPs in 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ben Marwood</span> Musical artist

Ben Marwood is an English singer-songwriter from Reading, Berkshire, England. As part of the contemporary London folk scene, Marwood has performed alongside Frank Turner, Chris T-T and Emily Barker amongst others.

<i>Travels with Myself and Another</i> 2009 studio album by Future of the Left

Travels with Myself and Another is the second studio album by Future of the Left.

Parabelle is a Canadian rock band that initially formed in 2007 as a side project by Kevin Matisyn, the former lead singer of Evans Blue, and Kenneth Nixon of Framing Hanley. Following Kevin Matisyn's departure from Evans Blue in 2008, Parabelle was formed into a full band and has undergone numerous line-up changes since then. The band's first release was a double album entitled A Summit Borderline/A Drop Oceanic on July 6, 2009. With the subsequent addition of Kyle Mathis and Aaron Burton, they released their second album Reassembling the Icons on November 15, 2010. An acoustic album, These Electric Pages Have Been Unplugged, featuring studio acoustic tracks, was released on May 24, 2011. The band released a third studio album,Your Starry Eyes Will Never Make Us Even, on August 21, 2012. The band released a fourth and fifth studio album, The Kill Plan in 2016 and The Rose Avail" in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andrew Falkous</span> Welsh musician

Andrew "Falco" Falkous is a Welsh musician best known for being the founding member/frontman for the Cardiff-based punk rock outfit Mclusky, current lead singer/guitarist of the band Future of the Left and the sole member of Christian Fitness.

References

  1. "Future of the Left Biography - ARTISTdirect Music".
  2. "Rock Me, Amadeus! Falco's Future of the Left get busy in January". Archived from the original on 13 December 2013. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
  3. Future Of The Left / Adeadenemyalwayssmellsgood
  4. "BBC Wales - Music - Future Of The Left - Curses". www.bbc.co.uk.
  5. "Future Of The Left scrap live dates | News". NME. 21 November 2008. Retrieved 7 August 2011.
  6. martin atkins Says (28 April 2009). "jim fork van future of the left op Myspace". Blogs.myspace.com. Archived from the original on 4 October 2009. Retrieved 7 August 2011.
  7. Gibbs, Thom (20 June 2009). "Future Of The Left - Travels With Myself and Another / Releases / Releases // Drowned In Sound". Drownedinsound.com. Archived from the original on 3 October 2012. Retrieved 7 August 2011.
  8. "Album Reviews: Future of the Left: Travels With Myself and Another". Pitchfork. 24 June 2009. Retrieved 7 August 2011.
  9. "Announcement van future of the left op Myspace". Blogs.myspace.com. 8 January 2011. Archived from the original on 7 February 2009. Retrieved 7 August 2011.
  10. "another announcement! van future of the left op Myspace". Blogs.myspace.com. 8 January 2011. Archived from the original on 7 February 2009. Retrieved 7 August 2011.
  11. "post-cuts paste n'pop van future of the left op Myspace". Blogs.myspace.com. 8 January 2011. Archived from the original on 7 February 2009. Retrieved 7 August 2011.
  12. "Twitter / future of the left: 'Polymers are forever' - a". Twitter.com. 6 November 2010. Retrieved 7 August 2011.
  13. "Future Of The Left - Undercover Interviews - Undercover.fm Videos". Undercover.fm. Retrieved 7 August 2011.
  14. "Xtra Mile Recordings". Xtra Mile Recordings. Archived from the original on 15 October 2012. Retrieved 16 September 2012.
  15. "Future Of The Left - 'Sheena Is A T-shirt Salesman' - NMETV Latest Music Videos and Clips". NME. 16 October 2008. Retrieved 3 April 2012.
  16. "Ep089: Andrew "Falco" Falkous (Future of the Left, mclusky, christian fitness) – Conan Neutron's Protonic Reversal". www.radioneutron.com.