We're No Heroes

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We're No Heroes
WNHsuddensummer.jpg
We're No Heroes during Quiet Colours promotion.
Background information
Origin Cardiff, Wales
Genres Experimental, New wave, Indie rock, Techno, Pop, Funk, Post-punk
Years active2009–present
LabelsRipefruit Recordings, Spiral Icon
MembersTom Collins
Michael Owen
Luke Llewellyn
Website www.werenoheroes.com

We're No Heroes (often abbreviated WNH) are a three-piece band from Cardiff, Wales, composed of Tom Collins, Michael Owen, and Luke Llewellyn. They first formed in the summer of 2009 at a downtown South Side recording studio in Chicago, US. [1]

Contents

Their debut record Crossing Over was a demo released for free in February 2010 in the UK and the US. The band's debut EP, Quiet Colours, was recorded late February 2011 and released on 15 June. [2] [3]

Their music influences are widely varied due to the different musical backgrounds of the members. However, they have been said to have a funky take on angular ’80s indie and zeitgeist-snaring math rock, [4] playing spot on angular fast paced guitar tunes, [5] which have been compared to other bands such as A Certain Ratio, Spandau Ballet, Gang Of Four, and The Whitest Boy Alive, to name a few.

History

Formation (2009 - 2013)

In mid 2009, the band started writing and recording for a limited edition demo EP, originally writing 12 new songs, of which only six made the officially released version. The Demo EP titled Crossing Over (inspired by their journey across the US) was completely self-produced, recorded and released through their own studio called Quarter Studios in Langland Bay, Wales.

The band released Crossing Over as a free download along with the lead single "Life Out Loud". Tom has stated multiple times during various interviews that although they were happy with their work, their identity and sound was not yet fully realized. [6] [ failed verification ] The album was a commercial success in their local area of the United Kingdom, with large download numbers and highly praised reviews across the board.[ citation needed ]

On 20 November 2010, We're No Heroes signed to At Your Own Risk, a five-year strong indie label established in Cardiff. [7]

On 6 January 2012, the band was named as one of the top Welsh bands predicted to make a stir in 2012 by Wales Online & The Echo News paper. [8]

In February 2011, the band entered Ripefruit Recording Studio to start work on their second EP, Quiet Colours.[ citation needed ] The record was produced by Jordan Andrews [ citation needed ] and mastered at Hafod Mastering Studio. [9] The EP was released worldwide on 15 June 2011. [10]

In June 2012, the three piece released a single titled "Ghost Coast" accompanied by the b side "Aerials". It was a slight departure from their indie techno infusion and leaned towards sounds grounded in funk and 1980s new wave music. [11]

In October 2012, We're No Heroes played Swn Festival alongside acts such as Egyptian Hip Hop, Pulled Apart By Horses, Django Django and many more. [12]

In January 2013, the band released a single titled "Distort The Air", that lead to worldwide support and national attention of their music from the likes of BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 6 Music, BBC Radio Wales, Topshop playlists and since have appeared on bills alongside bands such as Catfish and the Bottlemen, Peace, Tall Ships, Dutch Uncles, Public Service Broadcasting, Tribes, Chlöe Howl, Tom Odell, The Amazons and many more.

SHIVER and Spiral Icon (2014 - present)

In 2014, WNH signed to Spiral Icon and released the EP, SHIVER, followed by a full national tour, support slots on Peace's UK tour and multiple national and international airplay including that of BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 6 Music again. [13]

In July 2015, We're No Heroes had been selected as BBC Artist Of The Week in Wales and released a new single and music video titled "Voodoo" on 31 July, followed by a national tour. [14]

As of February 2016, We're No Heroes were signed as one of BBC Horizons project Artists leading to a national tour of major festival slots. [15]

In January 2017, the band entered Maida Vale Studios to record live sessions for BBC Radio 1. [16] On 1 September 2017, "Youth" was released as a new single.

Band members

Discography

EPs

TitleRecord labelRelease date
Crossing Over (Demo EP)Self Release2010
Quiet Colours Ripefruit Recordings 2011
SHIVERRipefruit Recordings2014

Singles

TitleRecord labelRelease date
"Life Out Loud"Self Release2010
"Empty Beat (Topshop Radio Edit)"Ripefruit Recordings2011
"Atlantic Hearts"Ripefruit Recordings2011
"Ghost Coast"Ripefruit Recordings2012
"Distort The Air"Ripefruit Recordings2013
"Wild Life"Spiral Icon2014
"Voodoo"Spiral Icon2015
"Stay Weird"Spiral Icon2016
"Youth"Spiral Icon2017

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References

  1. ↑ "We're No Heroes". themmp.tv. Archived from the original on 24 July 2012. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
  2. ↑ "Math-Pop Were No Heroes Release Trailer For Forthcoming EP - Glasswerk Magazine". glasswerk.co.uk.
  3. ↑ "The Beat Club presents the Kabeedies | Cardiff Arts Institute". cardiffartsinstitute.org. Archived from the original on 25 July 2011. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  4. ↑ Owens, David (21 January 2011). "Music Review: The New Objects, Vanity Fair, We're No Heroes – Undertone, Cardiff - Showbiz - Lifestyle". WalesOnline. Retrieved 1 February 2011.
  5. ↑ "Cardiff - Live Music - We're No Heroes/Vanity Fair/New Objects". BeatReview.com. 23 January 2011. Retrieved 1 February 2011.
  6. ↑ "BeatReview.com | Your Lifestyle guide to Wales and the South West". www.beatreview.com. Archived from the original on 4 October 2010. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  7. ↑ "We're No Heroes". Atyourownrisk.co.uk. Retrieved 1 February 2011.
  8. ↑ David Owens (6 January 2012). "We pick the Welsh bands set to cause a stir in 2012". walesonline.
  9. ↑ "Hafod Mastering". Hafodmastering.co.uk.
  10. ↑ "Archived copy". www.werenoheroes.com. Archived from the original on 17 May 2009. Retrieved 17 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  11. ↑ "We're No Heroes – Ghost Coast". Aaamusic.co.uk. 16 July 2012.
  12. ↑ "Thursday Interview: Ghostpoet". Swn 2015 April Edition / Dim Swn 2015.
  13. ↑ "We're No Heroes - Shiver EP Special + Interview - Circuit SweetCircuit Sweet". Circuitsweet.co.uk. 3 June 2014. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
  14. ↑ "We're No Heroes Q&A: 'Voodoo' is Not as Dark as It Sounds, its Very Upbeat Really…". www.famemagazine.co.uk. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  15. ↑ "BBC Radio - Horizons - We're No Heroes". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
  16. ↑ "BBC Radio - Horizons, We're No Heroes - 'Youth' (BBC Maida Vale 2016)". Bbc.co.uk. 12 January 2017. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
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