Viva Brother

Last updated

Viva Brother
Origin Burnham, England
Genres Indie rock, [1] [2] Britpop revival [3]
Years active2010–2012, 2017–present
Labels Geffen
MembersLeonard Newell
Joshua Ward
Samuel Jackson
Franklin Colucci

Viva Brother are an English rock band from Slough, Berkshire. Previously known as Brother, they signed to Geffen Records in October and EMI Publishing in November 2010. Their debut album, Famous First Words , was released on 1 August 2011, and reached #34 on the UK Albums Chart. It was confirmed on 1 April 2012 that Viva Brother had split up. In June 2012, the band members launched a new band, the synthpop group Lovelife. Viva Brother uploaded a cryptic video to their social media platforms on 22 September 2017, hinting at an announcement on 3 October. The band confirmed they were reuniting on 3 October, with their first show to be played at The Garage in London on 30 November.

Contents

History

Formation and debut album (2010–2012)

Previously known as Kill the Arcade and Wolf Am I, the band was renamed Brother in 2010. [4] The previous incarnation of the group wrote, recorded and performed music primarily in the emo genre. [5] [6] Describing their latest sound as "gritpop", and citing bands such as Blur, the Smiths and Morrissey as influences, the band began playing shows around the local community centres. In an interview for Drowned in Sound , Leonard Newell stated that his musical interest began to change after he started going to a club night called We love the 90's. [7] A demo of the song "Darling Buds of May" was played by radio 1 DJ Zane Lowe on BBC Radio 1. Lowe also picked up on the band's blog. The site featured a video of the band setting up and playing an unannounced gig in front of Slough railway station, along with a promo video they had shot using money they had earned playing local gigs. [8] In October they signed a deal with Geffen Records and EMI Publishing the following November. [9]

In January 2011, Brother entered the studio with Stephen Street to record their debut album. [10] On 5 March, the band appeared on the early morning football show Soccer AM , and revealed the name for their album would be Famous First Words , after discussing it in the canteen just half an hour before the interview. They released their debut single, "Darling Buds of May", on 27 June 2011. This was followed by three more singles, "New Year's Day", released 8 May 2011, and "", released 27 June 2011. In June 2011, the band was forced to change their name from Brother to Viva Brother due to a lawsuit brought by another band, also called Brother. Leonard Newell admitted that his band went ahead with the previous name change from Wolf Am I to Brother despite being aware of the fact that other musicians were already using the name. [11]

Viva Brother released their debut album, Famous First Words, on 1 August 2011. The album, panned by critics for its lack of original content, peaked at #34 on the UK Albums Chart in its first week of release. On 3 October 2011, the band released their final single from Famous First Words, "Time Machine".

Second album and breakup (2012–2016)

The band released images of the recording their second album in the countryside on their official Twitter page, with hopes of the album being released that year. It was announced on 1 April 2012 that the band had split up, although this was initially thought to be an April fools joke - the disbanding of Viva Brother was confirmed later that day. Viva Brother reformed as pop group Lovelife consisting of Newell, Jackson, Colucci and Ally Young, formerly of band 'Mirrors'.

Reunion (2017–present)

Viva Brother uploaded a cryptic video to their social media platforms on 22 September 2017, hinting at an announcement on 3 October. [12] The band confirmed they were reuniting on 3 October, with their first show to be played at The Garage, in London, on 30 November. The band also released a brand new track, "Bastardo", via Spotify. [13]

Discography

Studio albums

TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positions
UK
[14] 		JPN
[15]
Famous First Words
  • Released: 1 August 2011
  • Label: Geffen
  • Formats: CD, DL, LP
3446
II
  • Released: 17 November 2017
  • Label: Pretty
  • Formats: DL
——

Singles

YearSinglePeak chart positionsAlbum
US Alt [16]
2011"Darling Buds of May"39 Famous First Words
"Still Here"—
"New Year's Day"—
"Time Machine"—
2017"Bastardo"—II
"Womankind"—
"I Don't Wanna Be Loved"—
"—" denotes that the single did not chart.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Chemical Brothers</span> British electronic music duo

The Chemical Brothers are an English electronic music duo formed by Ed Simons and Tom Rowlands in Manchester in 1992. They were pioneers in bringing the big beat genre to the forefront of pop culture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Stone Roses</span> English rock band

The Stone Roses were an English rock band formed in Manchester, England in 1983. They were one of the pioneering groups of the Madchester movement in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The band's classic and most prominent lineup consisted of vocalist Ian Brown, guitarist John Squire, bassist Mani, and drummer Reni.

Radiohead are an English rock band formed in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, in 1985. They comprise Thom Yorke ; brothers Jonny Greenwood and Colin Greenwood (bass); Ed O'Brien ; and Philip Selway. They have worked with the producer Nigel Godrich and the cover artist Stanley Donwood since 1994. Radiohead's experimental approach is credited with advancing the sound of alternative rock.

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

Coldplay are a British rock band formed in London in 1997. They consist of vocalist and pianist Chris Martin, guitarist Jonny Buckland, bassist Guy Berryman, drummer and percussionist Will Champion, and manager Phil Harvey. They are best known for their live performances, and for impacting popular culture through their artistry, advocacy and achievements.

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

The Vines are an Australian rock band formed in Sydney in 1994. Their sound has been described as a musical hybrid of 1960s garage rock and 1990s alternative rock. The band has been through several line-up changes, with vocalist/guitarist Craig Nicholls serving as the sole constant throughout the band's history.

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

Lush were an English rock band formed in London in 1987. The original line-up consisted of Miki Berenyi, Emma Anderson, Steve Rippon and Chris Acland (drums). Phil King replaced Rippon in 1991. They were one of the first bands to have been described with the "shoegazing" label. Following the death of Acland, the group disbanded in 1996.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Liam Gallagher</span> English singer and songwriter (born 1972)

William John Paul Gallagher is an English singer and songwriter. He is the lead singer of the rock band Oasis, which he co-founded in 1991. He fronted the rock band Beady Eye from 2009 to 2014, before starting a successful solo career in 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Franz Ferdinand (band)</span> Scottish rock band from Glasgow

Franz Ferdinand are a Scottish rock band formed in Glasgow in 2002. Their original line-up was composed of Alex Kapranos, Nick McCarthy, Bob Hardy and Paul Thomson. Julian Corrie and Dino Bardot joined the band in 2017 after McCarthy left during the previous year, and Audrey Tait joined the band after Thomson left in 2021. The band are one of the more popular post-punk revival bands, garnering multiple UK top 20 hits. They have been nominated for several Grammy Awards and have received two Brit Awards—winning one for Best British Group—as well as one NME Award.

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

The Killers are an American rock band formed in Las Vegas in 2001 by Brandon Flowers and Dave Keuning. After going through a number of short-term bassists and drummers in their early days, both Mark Stoermer and Ronnie Vannucci Jr. joined the band in 2002. The band's name is derived from a logo on the bass drum of a fictitious band portrayed in the music video for the New Order song "Crystal".

<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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kasabian</span> English rock band

Kasabian are an English rock band formed in Leicester in 1997 by lead vocalist Tom Meighan, guitarist and second vocalist Sergio Pizzorno, guitarist Chris Karloff and bassist Chris Edwards. Drummer Ian Matthews joined in 2004. Karloff left the band in 2006 and founded a new band called Black Onassis. Jay Mehler joined as touring lead guitarist in 2006, leaving for Liam Gallagher's Beady Eye in 2013, to be replaced by Tim Carter, who later became a full-time band member in 2021. Meighan left the band in July 2020, with Pizzorno stepping up as full-time lead vocalist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Death from Above 1979</span> Canadian rock duo

Death from Above 1979 is a Canadian rock duo consisting of bassist Jesse F. Keeler and drummer and vocalist Sebastien Grainger from Toronto, Ontario, formed in 2001. The band released their debut album, You're a Woman, I'm a Machine, in 2004 and broke up in 2006. They reformed in 2011 and released their second album, The Physical World, in 2014. Since then the band has released 2 more albums, Outrage! Is Now in 2017 and Is 4 Lovers in 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arctic Monkeys</span> English rock band

Arctic Monkeys are an English rock band formed in Sheffield in 2002. The group consists of lead singer Alex Turner, drummer Matt Helders, guitarist Jamie Cook and bassist Nick O'Malley. Former bassist Andy Nicholson left the band in 2006 shortly after their debut album, Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not, was released.

<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.

<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">Miles Kane</span> English musician

Miles Peter Kane is an English singer and musician, best known as a solo artist and the co-frontman of the Last Shadow Puppets. He was also the former frontman of the Rascals, before the band announced their break-up in August 2009.

<i>Prospekts March</i> 2008 extended play by Coldplay

Prospekt's March is the seventh extended play by British rock band Coldplay and their first since Remixes (2003). It was released on 21 November 2008 in Europe and Japan, later released globally the following week. The EP features several left-over tracks from the Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends studio sessions and was also made available in the album's deluxe edition.

Mini Viva were an English pop duo formed in 2008 by British songwriting and production team Xenomania. They were managed by 19 Entertainment and signed to Geffen and Polydor Records. Consisting of Frankee Connolly and Britt Love, the duo were due to release their debut album in 2010. Despite a successful first single and positive reviews, the group failed to gain further traction and confirmed their split in late 2010. They released three singles and toured in support of acts including the Saturdays and Diversity.

<i>Famous First Words</i> (Viva Brother album) 2011 studio album by Viva Brother

Famous First Words is the debut studio album by English rock band Viva Brother, released on 1 August 2011 on Geffen Records in the United Kingdom. Preceded by the singles "Darling Buds of May", "Still Here" and "New Year's Day", the album was produced and mixed by Stephen Street, who had previously worked with acts such as Blur and The Smiths.

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

Bastille are an English indie pop band formed in 2010. The group began as a solo project by lead vocalist Dan Smith, but later expanded to include keyboardist Kyle Simmons, bassist and guitarist Will Farquarson and drummer Chris "Woody" Wood.

References

  1. ↑ "Alt-J Live: Letting the Music Speak for Itself". 4 November 2014.
  2. ↑ "We talk to Lovelife's Lee Newell before the UK/NYC band plays Toronto". 10 May 2013.
  3. ↑ "Rhythm Hot Band: The Kayas". 28 July 2011.
  4. ↑ "Radar Band Of The Week". Nme.Com. Retrieved 21 October 2011.
  5. ↑ "Oh Brother! New band Brother are dividing opinion – what do you think?". Louder than War. 12 January 2011.
  6. ↑ "Viva Brother: Famous First Words - review". The Guardian. 28 July 2011.
  7. ↑ "Drowned in Sound interview". drownedinsound.com. 29 July 2011. Archived from the original on 8 March 2012. Retrieved 1 February 2012.
  8. ↑ "Brother: Video". acidlove.net. 1 September 2010.
  9. ↑ "Signings signal EMI's return to rock". musicweek.com. 22 November 2010.
  10. ↑ "Stephen Street". Metro.Co.uk. 29 July 2011. Retrieved 1 February 2012.
  11. ↑ "Name change". Nme.Com. 28 June 2011. Retrieved 1 February 2012.
  12. ↑ "Viva Brother return". www.facebook.com/VivaBrother. 23 September 2017. Retrieved 23 September 2017.
  13. ↑ "Viva Brother return". www.twitter.com/VivaBrother. 3 October 2017. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
  14. ↑ "Cher Lloyd's 'Swagger Jagger' goes straight to Number One | News". Nme.Com. 7 August 2011. Retrieved 21 October 2011.
  15. ↑ "ビバ・ブラザー-リリース-ORICON STYLE ミュージック". Oricon.co.jp. 22 February 1999. Retrieved 21 October 2011.
  16. ↑ "Viva Brother Chart History: Alternative Songs". Billboard . Retrieved 18 January 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.