Adequate Seven
Encyclopedia
Adequate Seven were a seven piece punk
band from the UK
who blended music styles such as hip hop
, hardcore
, punk
, and funk
who formed in 2000 and split in December 2006.
, a 5-track EP
on their own label Breaking World Records.
The band was brought to the attention of London-based label Household Name Records
who featured one of the band's tracks on their 2002 label sampler, following this with the release of Adequate Seven's début full-length Songs of Innocence and of Experience in March 2003 to critical acclaim.
Adequate Seven embarked on several tours, across the UK
as well as mainland Europe
, with bands such as Hundred Reasons
, Capdown
, The Suicide Machines
and Fishbone
as well as opening up for the likes of Cypress Hill
and The Slackers
. In the middle of 2004, Matt (Squeak) Price and Jonny Prosser left the band to pursue other musical directions. Gavin Fitzjohn
and WD Davies were recruited by the band as replacements. Adequate Seven also played Compass Point Festival
in Cardiff
and appeared on the BBC Radio 1
Lock Up stage at the 2006 Reading Festival (Carling Weekend).
early in 2005, instead choosing to release their debut single "Splitting Up" on Audio Rehab - a predominantly drum & bass label. According to vocalist Jamie Searle, the move was "totally friendly. We still get on with [Household Name], we're totally supportive of what they do, they still support our band and what we do."
Trombonist Tom Pinder added: "...we felt with this next album that it was time to take some big risks for the sake for the band's continuing progress, and perhaps even for its survival. We were recording an album in late last year that we had decided to release through Household Name, but we knew exactly what would happen if we released the record with them. We'd have sold a few thousand copies over the next couple of years and we'd be able to keep touring the same circuit and perhaps break into Europe a bit more but we'd still not really have an income from the band or any real prospect of one, and therefore because of various pressures on some of us individually we'd be struggling to continue to commit ourselves fully to the band. We decided that we needed a label that could get us out there and pay for us to spend the time and money necessary to make good records. Whilst Household Name is an excellent independent label, they don't work on a scale that could accommodate those extra things."
Searle was also sure to make the point that Adequate Seven would not suffer artistically from their move to the new label: "...we're not about to start working with machines any time soon. We're doing exactly what we did before, which was get into the practice room, write some tunes, have a bit of a dance."
The band released the "Splitting Up" single on 12 inch vinyl and CD in August 2005. The track caused interest on BBC Radio 1
's evening shows, including being crowned Zane Lowe
's "Hottest Record in the World".
release, Adequate Seven announced that a double A-side single - "Head Up High" / "Gotta Stay Focused" - would be released on 12 June 2006 via the band's own label, Breaking World Records.
Here On Earth
was released on 19 June 2006. The album garnered mostly positive reviews.
"After nearly six years, and nearly 600 gigs, we've come to the decision that its the right time to call it a day."
The band have plans to release a final single, a free download of Set Your Sights, as well as the already-planned DVD, and to go on one final tour. The band recorded their final London gig, at the Underworld venue, and released a live album on Gravity DIP Records
entitled "Last Night in London" in December 2006.
The band played their final farewell gig on 10 December 2006 at Cardiff Student's Union. Boom in the Diamond Industry, Captain Everything, Shootin' Goon
, Get Cape Wear Cape Fly and Capdown
all supported. Original members Jonny Prosser and Matt Price performed with the band during their set.
’s band, with whom he still plays. Tom Pinder has also played with Get Cape Wear Cape Fly since early 2008, and also plays alongside Fitzjohn with Paolo Nutini’s band, including an appearance on Later with Jools Holland
in May 2009.
Will Davies has had success with the Cardiff-based rock quartet Attack! Attack!
who are touring the UK and Europe extensively to support the release of their first album. The band are also featured on the latest addition of Activisions Guitar Hero 5 as well as having had their single "You and Me" included in an episode of Beverly Hills 90210.
Jamie Searle has a successful career in the music industry in London working for a major record label. He also sings with London based post-hardcore supergroup March of the Raptors.
Ben Reynolds plays with post-indie rockers Markers, which also features members of other Cardiff bands including The Take and Douglas.
Fitzjohn, Pinder and Davies also play in the ska band Capital City Ska alongside Adequate Seven's former manager Matt Redd, which has also occasionally featured Pete Barnes on guitar.
Jonny Prosser has played and recorded with London hip hop collective Ill Bidone and is now a session bassist and web/music producer.
He is currently recording and playing live with Australian hip hop artist (and former flatmate) Cozzabags.
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
band from the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
who blended music styles such as hip hop
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
, hardcore
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
, punk
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
, and funk
Funk
Funk is a music genre that originated in the mid-late 1960s when African American musicians blended soul music, jazz and R&B into a rhythmic, danceable new form of music. Funk de-emphasizes melody and harmony and brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground...
who formed in 2000 and split in December 2006.
History
Adequate Seven formed in November 2000 and played their first gig only four weeks later. The band drew upon a diverse selection of influences in creating their sound. In February 2001 the band released the Adequate Seven EPAdequate Seven EP
Adequate 7 EP is the debut release from the Welsh funk/punk/hardcore band Adequate Seven. It contains five tracks and is limited to 1500 copies.Two of the tracks were re-recorded for their debut full length album, Songs of Innocence and of Experience...
, a 5-track EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
on their own label Breaking World Records.
The band was brought to the attention of London-based label Household Name Records
Household Name Records
Household Name Records is a DIY punk rock record label, based in London, UK. It has been home to notable artists including Howards Alias, Lightyear, and Adequate Seven. It was started in 1996 by David "Lil" Giles and Katherine "Kafren" Vik to promote unknown UK bands...
who featured one of the band's tracks on their 2002 label sampler, following this with the release of Adequate Seven's début full-length Songs of Innocence and of Experience in March 2003 to critical acclaim.
Adequate Seven embarked on several tours, across the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
as well as mainland Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, with bands such as Hundred Reasons
Hundred Reasons
Hundred Reasons are an English rock band from Farnborough, Hampshire, composed of Colin Doran , Larry Hibbitt , Andy Gilmour , Andy Bews and Ben Doyle . Originally, the band was signed to Columbia Records in mid April 2001, after fourteen months of near-constant touring...
, Capdown
Capdown
Capdown are a band from Milton Keynes, England. Originally known as Soap, their songs have political themes as alluded to by their name, which is short for Capitalist Downfall...
, The Suicide Machines
The Suicide Machines
The Suicide Machines were an American punk rock band formed in March 1991 in Detroit, Michigan and disbanded in May 2006. During the course of their career the band released six full-length albums on the labels Hollywood Records and Side One Dummy Records...
and Fishbone
Fishbone
Fishbone is a U.S. alternative rock band formed in 1979 in Los Angeles, California, which plays a fusion of ska, punk rock, funk, hard rock and soul. Critics have noted of the band: "Fishbone was one of the most distinctive and eclectic alternative rock bands of the late '80s...
as well as opening up for the likes of Cypress Hill
Cypress Hill
Cypress Hill is an American hip hop group from South Gate, California. Cypress Hill was the first Latino hip-hop group to have platinum and multi-platinum albums, selling over 18 million albums worldwide...
and The Slackers
The Slackers
The Slackers are a New York City band, formed in Brooklyn in 1991. The band's sound is a mix of ska, rocksteady, reggae, dub, soul, garage rock, and jazz...
. In the middle of 2004, Matt (Squeak) Price and Jonny Prosser left the band to pursue other musical directions. Gavin Fitzjohn
Gavin Fitzjohn
Gavin Fitzjohn is a Welsh musician, known for playing the saxophone and trumpet. He was born on 2 April, 1985 and brought up in Cogan, Vale of Glamorgan. He currently plays in Paolo Nutini's band.-Musical Career:...
and WD Davies were recruited by the band as replacements. Adequate Seven also played Compass Point Festival
Compass Point Festival
Compass Point Festival is a yearly music festival founded in 2000 by Simon Dancey, former Director of Community Music Wales. It takes place in the grounds of Cardiff Castle in Cardiff, Wales...
in Cardiff
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
and appeared on the BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
Lock Up stage at the 2006 Reading Festival (Carling Weekend).
Audio Rehab
Adequate Seven left Household Name RecordsHousehold Name Records
Household Name Records is a DIY punk rock record label, based in London, UK. It has been home to notable artists including Howards Alias, Lightyear, and Adequate Seven. It was started in 1996 by David "Lil" Giles and Katherine "Kafren" Vik to promote unknown UK bands...
early in 2005, instead choosing to release their debut single "Splitting Up" on Audio Rehab - a predominantly drum & bass label. According to vocalist Jamie Searle, the move was "totally friendly. We still get on with [Household Name], we're totally supportive of what they do, they still support our band and what we do."
Trombonist Tom Pinder added: "...we felt with this next album that it was time to take some big risks for the sake for the band's continuing progress, and perhaps even for its survival. We were recording an album in late last year that we had decided to release through Household Name, but we knew exactly what would happen if we released the record with them. We'd have sold a few thousand copies over the next couple of years and we'd be able to keep touring the same circuit and perhaps break into Europe a bit more but we'd still not really have an income from the band or any real prospect of one, and therefore because of various pressures on some of us individually we'd be struggling to continue to commit ourselves fully to the band. We decided that we needed a label that could get us out there and pay for us to spend the time and money necessary to make good records. Whilst Household Name is an excellent independent label, they don't work on a scale that could accommodate those extra things."
Searle was also sure to make the point that Adequate Seven would not suffer artistically from their move to the new label: "...we're not about to start working with machines any time soon. We're doing exactly what we did before, which was get into the practice room, write some tunes, have a bit of a dance."
The band released the "Splitting Up" single on 12 inch vinyl and CD in August 2005. The track caused interest on BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
's evening shows, including being crowned Zane Lowe
Zane Lowe
Zane Lowe also known as 'Zipper', is a radio DJ and television presenter. He was born in New Zealand and grew up in Auckland, where he was a presenter on the local music station Max TV, before moving to England...
's "Hottest Record in the World".
Here On Earth
Prior to the release of their second LPAlbum
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
release, Adequate Seven announced that a double A-side single - "Head Up High" / "Gotta Stay Focused" - would be released on 12 June 2006 via the band's own label, Breaking World Records.
Here On Earth
Here on Earth (album)
Here on Earth is the second and last full length album by Adequate Seven. It contains 13 tracks, including a re-recorded version of "Gotta Stay Focused"...
was released on 19 June 2006. The album garnered mostly positive reviews.
Split
After rumours began circulating on the Internet about the band splitting up, Adequate Seven posted a statement confirming the rumours:"After nearly six years, and nearly 600 gigs, we've come to the decision that its the right time to call it a day."
The band have plans to release a final single, a free download of Set Your Sights, as well as the already-planned DVD, and to go on one final tour. The band recorded their final London gig, at the Underworld venue, and released a live album on Gravity DIP Records
Gravity DIP Records
Gravity DIP is an independent record label and music management team based in Kingston upon Thames, England. It evolved from a music collective which has promoted live shows by bands and club nights in Kingston upon Thames since 1994...
entitled "Last Night in London" in December 2006.
The band played their final farewell gig on 10 December 2006 at Cardiff Student's Union. Boom in the Diamond Industry, Captain Everything, Shootin' Goon
Shootin' Goon
Shootin' Goon were a ska punk outfit of the late 1990s and early 2000s who were signed to the label Moon Ska Europe and later Good Clean Fun Records....
, Get Cape Wear Cape Fly and Capdown
Capdown
Capdown are a band from Milton Keynes, England. Originally known as Soap, their songs have political themes as alluded to by their name, which is short for Capitalist Downfall...
all supported. Original members Jonny Prosser and Matt Price performed with the band during their set.
After Adequate Seven
Many members of the band have gone on to have further success in the music industry after the demise of Adequate Seven. Gavin Fitzjohn joined Get Cape Wear Cape Fly in early 2007 and toured and recorded with the band for 18 months before leaving to join Paolo NutiniPaolo Nutini
Paolo Giovanni Nutini is a Scottish singer, songwriter and musician from Paisley. His father is of Italian descent, from Barga, Tuscany, although both his parents are Scottish, his family having been in Scotland for three generations....
’s band, with whom he still plays. Tom Pinder has also played with Get Cape Wear Cape Fly since early 2008, and also plays alongside Fitzjohn with Paolo Nutini’s band, including an appearance on Later with Jools Holland
Later with Jools Holland
Later... with Jools Holland is a contemporary British music television show hosted by Jools Holland. A spin-off of The Late Show, it has been running in short series since 1992 and is a part of BBC Two's late-night line-up, usually at around 11pm to 12 midnight...
in May 2009.
Will Davies has had success with the Cardiff-based rock quartet Attack! Attack!
Attack! Attack!
Attack! Attack! are a Welsh rock band from Caerphilly and Aberdare, formed in 2006. They have toured across the UK with other Welsh bands such as The Blackout, Funeral for a Friend, Lostprophets, SaidMike, Kids in Glass Houses and also English bands You Me at Six and Go:Audio and have toured with...
who are touring the UK and Europe extensively to support the release of their first album. The band are also featured on the latest addition of Activisions Guitar Hero 5 as well as having had their single "You and Me" included in an episode of Beverly Hills 90210.
Jamie Searle has a successful career in the music industry in London working for a major record label. He also sings with London based post-hardcore supergroup March of the Raptors.
Ben Reynolds plays with post-indie rockers Markers, which also features members of other Cardiff bands including The Take and Douglas.
Fitzjohn, Pinder and Davies also play in the ska band Capital City Ska alongside Adequate Seven's former manager Matt Redd, which has also occasionally featured Pete Barnes on guitar.
Jonny Prosser has played and recorded with London hip hop collective Ill Bidone and is now a session bassist and web/music producer.
He is currently recording and playing live with Australian hip hop artist (and former flatmate) Cozzabags.
Albums/EPs/DVDs
| Year | Album | Label | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Adequate 7 EP | Breaking World Records | Recorded with original bassist Jonny Prosser and original trumpet player Matt Price (the artist formerly known as Squeak) |
| 2003 | Songs of Innocence and of Experience | Household Name Records | Recorded with original bassist Jonny Prosser and original trumpet player Matt Price. Price also played keyboards on the album. |
| 2006 | Here on Earth Here on Earth (album) Here on Earth is the second and last full length album by Adequate Seven. It contains 13 tracks, including a re-recorded version of "Gotta Stay Focused"... |
Breaking World Records | |
| 2006 | Last Night in London Last Night in London Last Night In London the final release by Adequate Seven, and is a live album recorded at the London Underworld in Camden in September 2006. It contains the previously unreleased track "Imbalance".-Track listing:#Intro#Human Condition#Head Up High... (live album Live album A live album is a recording consisting of material recorded during stage performances using remote recording techniques, commonly contrasted with a studio album... ) |
Gravity DIP Records | |
| Cancelled | split DVD with Sonic Boom Six Sonic Boom Six Sonic Boom Six are a five-piece rock band from Manchester, United Kingdom. Their eclectic sound combines different elements of several genres and has been described by Kerrang! as "taking ska, pop, grime, dubstep, punk and metal apart, then rebuilding them as a hyperactive hybrid"... |
Punkervision | Planned but cancelled when the band split. |
Singles
| Year | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | "Splitting Up Splitting Up (song) "Splitting Up" is the first single from Adequate Seven's final record, Here on Earth.-Track listing:#Splitting Up#Forward Motion#Splitting Up #Splitting Up... " |
Audio Rehab Records |
| 2006 | "Gotta Stay Focused/Head Up High Gotta Stay Focused/Head Up High "Gotta Stay Focused/Head Up High" is the last single from Adequate Seven that was able to be bought . It was a double A-side single, and contained 3 tracks, Don't Look Back being unreleased until this single.... " |
Breaking World Records |
| 2006 | "Set Your Sights Set Your Sights "Set Your Sights" was the last single to be released by Adequate Seven from Here on Earth. It was download only.... " |
download only |
External links
- Official site
- MySpace
- Adequate Seven Band Profile at RockLouder