Letters and Colours

Last updated

Letters & Colours
Also known asL+C, Letters and Colours
Origin Sheffield, England
Genres Pop, rock, indie
InstrumentsGuitar, bass guitar, drums, synthesiser, vocals
Years active2003–2007
LabelsDead Product, Mother Tongue
Past membersGerry Poole (Vox/synthesiser/guitar),
David Jaques (guitar/programming),
Paul Roberts (drums),
Ian Baxter (bass guitar 2004-2006),
Ric Griffiths (bass guitar 2006-2007)
Website Letters and Colours on Myspace

Letters & Colours were an English band from Sheffield, England, who became known for their combination of early 1980s new wave and disco beats. They gained recognition along with the New Yorkshire and nu rave [1] scenes, and groups such as Bloc Party, [2] Interpol, Editors and The Departure. [3] They list The Cure, [4] Depeche Mode [5] and The Smiths as influences and were compared to such groups, as well as Joy Division, [6] Echo & the Bunnymen, [7] Bauhaus, [8] Artery [9] and Comsat Angels. Letters & Colours combined a heavy, repetitive rhythm section with lush, melodic guitar and haunting vocals. [10] This created a bleak sound [11] with a danceable quality, [12] often referred to as "noir pop". [13] The band was formed in 2003 as a two piece, before extending to four members; ultimately splitting in August 2007. [14]

Contents

Career

Letters & Colours were formed in late 2003 by Sheffield Hallam University students David Jaques (guitar, programming) and Gerry Poole (vocals, keyboards, guitar). [15] They played shows throughout the north of England including performances at The Leadmill in Sheffield and Barfly in Liverpool, building up a strong fan base. Combining live shows and the release of free recordings made available through Myspace, the band built a large following making them one of the first groups, along with Arctic Monkeys and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah to use the Internet to swell their fan base. [16] The first shows used the combination of guitars, programming and vocals to create tight, epic music but could lack direction because of the limitations of programmed drums in a live context. [17]

Over the next year, the line-up was extended to create more flexibility in live performances, initially drafting in Ian Baxter on bass guitar, shortly followed by Paul Roberts on drums. The band gelled quickly as a four piece inspiring a change in style. The new sound was accompanied by a faster tempo and more exciting live performances, adding a pop edge to the band's sound. [18] With new songs and a greater live presence, [19] Letters & Colours continued to build their fan base and played with groups such as Harrisons and Little Man Tate (band), and played at the In the City in Manchester in 2005.

At the beginning of 2006, Baxter left the band to concentrate on drumming in another Sheffield band, The Yell. The band had organised a national tour [20] and single to be released on their own label, Dead Product, in March 2006, but with the departure of Baxter the band's plans were put in jeopardy. The band recorded the single without him, and toured with Miller playing bass guitar for certain songs. The single and tour were a success,[ citation needed ] spurring the band to carry on and find a new bass guitarist, Ric Griffiths.

Within weeks of completing the new line-up, the group developed several new songs and played their first gig at The Plug, with New Young Pony Club. [21] During 2006 and 2007, Letters & Colours played headline shows all over the UK including The Fly in London, The Faversham in Leeds, The Barfly in Liverpool and Sheffield University's Fuzz Club, as well as Mean Fiddler's Carling Weekend. [22] Letters & Colours also appeared on BBC's Look North regional news programme, with The Pigeon Detectives, in the press coverage for the 2006 Carling Weekend. The band also received critical acclaim from DJs on Xfm, Radio 1, [23] 6Music, [24] BBC Raw Talent [25] and were one of Steve Lamacq's top tips for 2007.

The band's song "Alpha" was included in Alt Delete's era defining compilation Digital Penetration [26] in 2006. In April 2007, the band released "Gaunt/Plan A" on Mother Tongue. [27] The song was recorded by the Sheffield musician/producer Alan Smyth and was Steve Lamacq's single of the week on his Monday night Radio 1 new music show. [28]

Despite continuing to receive critical acclaim and an ever-increasing fan base, the band split up in summer 2007, believing they had achieved all they could in their current guise. [29]

Recordings

Singles
"Confrontation"
Released:18 March 2006 by Dead Product (Cat No: DP003). Track listing: A - "Confrontation"/AA- "Bigger Than Life"

"Gaunt"
Released:30 April 2007 by Mother Tongue (Cat No: MOTH18S). Track listing: A - "Gaunt"/AA- "Plan A" [30]

Other releases
"Chase The Bull"
Released: June 2006 from demo album

"Alpha"
Released: 7 October 2006 from the album Digital Penetration Vol 1, released by Alt Delete (Cat No: altdel004) [31]

"Celibate Man"
Released: 2007

"Syntax"
Released: 30 May 2007 from the album Across The Pennines II, released by Across The Pennines (Cat No: ATP002) [32]

"Where Cynics Prosper"
Released: March 2007 by Mother Tongue as a radio promo only

"Alpha" and "Syntax" were also released as a radio promotional singles by Dead Product (DP004)

Letters & Colours also gave away free mp3s of unreleased material through their Myspace and mailing lists. These songs can be found on the Internet. [33]

After the split

After the split, Gerry Poole produced material under the name of Horen and Paul Roberts played drums with Penny Broadhurst and the Maffickers until early 2010.

In early 2011, Poole was diagnosed with stomach cancer. An article where he talks about his experience of claiming Disability Living Allowance appeared in the Guardian. [34] He died on 23 May 2012.

Related Research Articles

<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 bassist Harry Deacon. 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">Graham Fellows</span> English comedy actor and musician (born 1959)

Graham David Fellows is an English actor and musician. He first came to public attention when he released the 1978 single "Jilted John" - a track which mocked the punk-rock vocal stylings of the time. The single reached #4 in the UK Singles Chart. Fellows subsequently created the comedic character John Shuttleworth in 1986 and enjoyed success again with his BBC Radio Four radio series, "The Shuttleworths".

Hiem are an electronic dance duo from Sheffield, England, consisting of Nick "Nico" Eastwood and David "Bozz" Boswell.

Little Man Tate are a British four-piece indie rock band from Sheffield, England who formed in 2005. The band quickly began attracting interest from several record labels and in March 2006 signed to V2 Records. Their fifth single, "Sexy in Latin" was released on 22 January 2007 and became their highest-charting single to date. The band parted ways with their label in November 2007 following the acquisition of V2 by Universal Music Group and subsequently signed with Skint Records.

The KBC are an indie band from Preston, Lancashire, England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Maccabees (band)</span> Indie rock band

The Maccabees were an English indie rock band, formed in 2004 in London. They released four albums: Colour It In in 2007, followed by Wall of Arms in 2009, Given to the Wild which was released on 9 January 2012 and their last album Marks to Prove It released on 31 July 2015. The band announced that they decided to disband in August 2016, with farewell gigs in 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Air Traffic</span> English alternative rock band

Air Traffic are an English alternative rock band from Bournemouth signed to EMI Records. Formed in 2003, the band consists of Chris Wall, David Ryan Jordan (Drums), Tom Pritchard (guitar) and Jim Maddock.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rose Elinor Dougall</span> British singer

Rose Elinor Dougall is an English singer, songwriter and instrumentalist. She was a member of the Pipettes and has performed with Mark Ronson. She also performs and records as a solo artist.

Polytechnic were an English indie-rock band active in 2005–2008, based in Chorlton-cum-Hardy in Manchester.

Look See Proof were a five-piece indie pop-rock band from Hertfordshire.

Maths Class were a British band from that formed in 2006 in Brighton, England, and achieved publicity through their Myspace. They have a wide range of influences and have played extensively around the UK and in Europe. They have also toured Japan in September 2008.

The Novellos are an English, four-piece indie rock group formed in Stoke on Trent taking large influences from 1960s music, soul and post punk. The group has earned a reputation for their frantic live performances and their sporadic single releases.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Skint & Demoralised</span> British alternative indie/pop act

Skint & Demoralised are a British alternative indie/pop act, fronted by lyricist Matt Abbott from Wakefield, West Yorkshire and produced by David Gledhill from Sheffield, South Yorkshire. Formed in 2007, the band released several records and toured the UK between 2007 and 2013. After spending six years pursuing individual projects, Skint & Demoralised announced a new single, which was released on Fierce Panda in spring 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Chapman Family</span> English indie rock band

The Chapman Family were an English indie rock band from Stockton-on-Tees, that formed in 2006. The band's final lineup consisted of Kingsley Chapman, Pop Chapman, Owen Chapman, Kevin James Chapman and Scott Chapman. The band's debut album Burn Your Town was released on 7 March 2011. They were notably part of the "10 Tips for 2009" shortlist published by NME.

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

The Crookes were a British indie rock band who formed in Sheffield in 2007. They released their first single "A Collier's Wife" in 2009 as part of the Too Pure singles club, followed by single "Bloodshot Days" that was released on Heist or Hit Records in 2010. Signed to London independent record label Fierce Panda Records, they have subsequently released four albums, Chasing After Ghosts (2011), Hold Fast (2012), Soapbox (2014), and Lucky Ones (2016) along with an extended EP Dreams Of Another Day (2010).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Interstate (song)</span> 2009 single by The Automatic

Interstate is the first single from Tear the Signs Down, the third studio album by Welsh alternative rock band The Automatic. The single was released on 6 December, and marks the first release through the band's own record label, Armored Records.

The Violet May are an English 6-piece rock act from Sheffield, England. Formed in early 2009, The Violet May quickly earned a reputation for their wild live shows and were named by Alan McGee in The Guardian as one of his "Top 15 Tips for 2010".

Zulu Winter were a five piece indie rock band formed in London in 2011. The band consisted of Will Daunt, Iain Lock, Dom Millard (keyboards), Henry Walton (guitar) and Guy Henderson (drums).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">High Hazels</span>

High Hazels are an English band made up of singer and guitarist James Leesley, lead guitarist Scott Howes, Anthony Barlow (drums) and Paul Musgrave. The band hail from Handsworth, a suburb of Sheffield where three of the members became friends in primary school and then later bonded over their shared passion for music.

RedFaces were a British indie pop band from Sheffield, South Yorkshire. The band has three members: Harry Lyon, Isaac White and Charlie Yapp. The band signed to Sony Music UK's RCA Records in 2015.

References

  1. ↑ "Dead Disco / Letters & Colours - Club NME - Forums". Archived from the original on 30 May 2011.
  2. ↑ ManchesterMusic.co.uk - Single Review
  3. ↑ Letters & Colours Demo Archived 16 February 2007 at the Wayback Machine , High Voltage, 2008 >
  4. ↑ "Music of the Moment: Mixed Bag of Music Goodies". res1999.blogspot.com. Archived from the original on 30 April 2007. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  5. ↑ Letters and Colours Gaunt, Roughtrade
  6. ↑ "Mp3hugger: Letters & Colours - Chase the Bull ~ indie mp3s you can hug ~". mp3hugger.com. Archived from the original on 25 December 2008. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  7. ↑ "Single Reviews 2006". www.tastyfanzine.org.uk. Archived from the original on 21 February 2006. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  8. ↑ Artist List Archived 5 September 2012 at archive.today , MVine
  9. ↑ Letters and Colours Archived 17 November 2006 at the Wayback Machine , MVine
  10. ↑ Letters & Colours, exitfare
  11. ↑ "Single Reviews 2006". www.tastyfanzine.org.uk. Archived from the original on 28 September 2006. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  12. ↑ "Review - Mean Fiddler Carling Weekend Leeds 2006, Friday - Topman / Raw Talent Stage - - -". Whisperinandhollerin.com.
  13. ↑ Singles Review, Vanity Project issue 18
  14. ↑ "Paranoid Ramblings and Crazed Links" Archived 2 January 2011 at the Wayback Machine , Parallax View
  15. ↑ [ permanent dead link ]
  16. ↑ Band Profile, Club Fandango
  17. ↑ Pink Grease / Kik / The Dodgems / Letters And Colours Archived 29 September 2006 at the Wayback Machine , Sandmanmagazine.co.uk
  18. ↑ Letters and Colours - Gaunt/Plan A, the mag
  19. ↑ Gaunt/ Plan A, by Letters & Colours, Normanrecords.com
  20. ↑ Babble and Beat music magazine, September 2006
  21. ↑ Fever @ The Plug, Dontstayin.com
  22. ↑ Carling Weekend 2006 Archived 24 January 2009 at the Wayback Machine
    - "Festival Season's Here And We Can't Wait", BBC Humber, 4 September 2007
  23. ↑ "BBC - Radio 1 - Huw Stephens - Tracklisting". Bbc.co.uk.
  24. ↑ [ dead link ]
  25. ↑ "About Raw Talent", BBC
    - RAW TALENT SESSIONS, BBC Radio Leeds
  26. ↑ Digital Penetration, Alt-delete.co.uk
  27. ↑ Mother Tongue Archived 20 October 2007 at archive.today , Indiestore.7digital.com
  28. ↑ "BBC - Radio 1 - Steve Lamacq's In New Music We Trust- Tracklisting". Bbc.co.uk.
  29. ↑ "Letters and Colours Disband - One of England's best Indie Rock Collectives Shuts it Down", Ryanssmashinglife.blogspot.com, 2 August 2007
  30. ↑ "Gaunt/Plan A by Letters and Colours" Archived 23 July 2012 at archive.today , cargo Records
  31. ↑ "NME review of Digital Penetration". Alt-delete.co.uk.
  32. ↑ Across The Pennines II Archived 26 July 2012 at archive.today , Myspace
  33. ↑ "Letters & Colours | Listen and Stream Free Music, Albums, New Releases, Photos, Videos". Myspace.com.
  34. ↑ Gerry Poole, "Cancer has shown me the injustice of disability cuts", The Guardian , 9 March 2011
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.