Bloc Party

Bloc Party are a British art rock/indie rock band. The band has been around in various guises since 2002, with names like The Angel Range, Diet and Union, before settling on Bloc Party in September 2003.

Related Topics:
British - Art rock - Indie rock

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Band members Kele Okereke and Russell Lissack, who both grew up in Essex, have formed the fulcrum of these various incarnations, and were subsequently joined by bassist Gordon Moakes, and most recently drummer Matt Tong.

Related Topics:
Kele Okereke - Russell Lissack - Essex - Gordon Moakes - Matt Tong

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The band got their break after singer Kele Okereke went to a Franz Ferdinand concert in 2003, and was able to thrust a demo CD containing the song “She’s Hearing Voices” into the hands of both Franz lead singer Alex Kapranos and Radio One DJ Steve Lamacq. Lamacq subsequently played the song on his radio show, labeling the track “genius”, and invited them to record a live session for the show.

Related Topics:
Franz Ferdinand - Alex Kapranos - Radio One - Steve Lamacq

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This sparked an A&R frenzy, leading to the eventual signing with indie label Wichita Records.

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Their spiky, intelligent and passionate guitar rock draws on influences such as Sonic Youth, Joy Division, Gang of Four and the Cure.

Related Topics:
Sonic Youth - Joy Division - Gang of Four - The Cure

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Their critically acclaimed debut album, Silent Alarm, released in February 2005, went to #3 on UK album charts, with the single "So Here We Are" making the top 5. Further singles "Banquet", "Helicopter" and "The Pioneers" (July 2005), whilst failing to repeat this success, both made dents in the UK top 20. The animated video for the single The Pioneers was number one in the NME video charts for 4 weeks and was made for a tiny budget in 4 weeks by the Shoreditch based Mini Vegas design agency.

Related Topics:
Silent Alarm - Shoreditch

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Bloc Party became one of the most popular new bands of 2005, and established electronic group The Chemicals Brothers soon collaborated with Okereke for a track on the Brothers' 'Push the Button' album.

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Following the release of "The Pioneers", which is to be the last single from Silent Alarm, several pieces of news about the band's future emerged.

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Firstly, after several months of rumours, in July 2005, it was announced that an album of remixes of tracks from Silent Alarm is to be released at the end of August in the UK. Whilst retaining the album's original tracklist, it is set to include remixes from the likes of Ladytron, M83, Four Tet and Mogwai. According to fansite BlocParty.net, the album will not be released until mid-September in the United States, but the first pressing will contain a disc of bonus tracks, "likely to contain b-sides which have so far not been properly released across the Atlantic".

Related Topics:
July - 2005 - Silent Alarm - Ladytron - M83 - Four Tet - Mogwai

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Secondly, the band revealed that they have around 25 songs already written for their second album, which they aim to release sometime in early 2006. During July, they recorded two new tracks with Silent Alarm-producer Paul Epworth; the former, "Two More Years" will be released to co-incide with their October 2005 UK tour. However it is not confirmed if the single will eventually end up on their second record. Several new tracks have also been debuted during their non-stop touring schedule.

Related Topics:
Silent Alarm - Paul Epworth - October - 2005

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Thirdly, in more humorous circles, British tabloid newspaper The Sun reported that the band would be teaming up with Kaiser Chiefs for a Christmas single. The article reported it would be a cover of "All I Want For Christmas Is You". There has been no official confirmation of this.

Related Topics:
The Sun - Kaiser Chiefs - All I Want For Christmas Is You

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The band also recently contributed the track "The Present" to the "Help: A Day In The Life" compilation, the profits of which benefits the War Child charity.

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On October 3rd, the band released it's first new single since Silent Alarm, titled, "Two More Years" which was released with The Streets, Mike Skinner remixing Bloc Party's Banquet, and a new song titled, "Hero".

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Often compared to contemporaries Franz Ferdinand.

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The name is a play on block party, a name for a quasi-informal neighborhood festival, which might hire a local band as entertainment.

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