Fono (band)
Encyclopedia
Fono is a rock band, originally from the United Kingdom
but later based out of San Diego, California
.
before changing their name to Fono in 1998. Lead singer Del Currie had previously played with Split Level
and Tribe of Dan, and went on a year-long hiatus from songwriting and performing before putting the group together. The band has stated that the name "Fono" has no significance; in an interview, Currie said "It means absolutely nothing". Following the name change, the group was featured in Kerrang!
magazine as one of their Best Unsigned Bands. Not long after, they did sign with a label, and the group released their debut full-length, Goesaroundcomesaround, in 1999. Album reviewers noted the album's American, as opposed to British, rock sound and the group's general appeal to audiences outside the world of Christian rock
. In America, the group scored two Christian radio
hits with the singles "Now She's 24" (#7, 1999) and "Drift Away" (#16, 2000). They also toured with Robert Plant
, The Goo Goo Dolls, Third Eye Blind
, and Audio Adrenaline
.
After the release of the album, the band relocated permanently to the United States
, settling in San Diego, California
in 2000. That year, a restructuring at their record label resulted in their becoming embroiled in a lawsuit
which took over two years to resolve; during this time the band was prevented from recording any music. They then began recording a new album, but the studio where they were recording and all of their equipment and masters were destroyed in the Cedar Fire
of 2003. The group re-recorded the material and independently released 2004's It's the Way That You Use It. Too Broken To Break followed in 2007.
In 2010, vocalist Del Currie released a solo album under the name Zoo Seven.
Former
As Fono
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...
but later based out of San Diego, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
History
Fono formed under the name Seven (and originally from Milton Keynes), and released one album and one EP under this name; they also opened for a UK concert by Bon JoviBon Jovi
Bon Jovi is an American rock band from Sayreville, New Jersey. Formed in 1983, Bon Jovi consists of lead singer and namesake Jon Bon Jovi , guitarist Richie Sambora, keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, as well as current bassist Hugh McDonald...
before changing their name to Fono in 1998. Lead singer Del Currie had previously played with Split Level
Split Level
Split Level were a Christian rock band from Ireland, whose career began in the mid-1980s and stretched into the 2000s.-History:Split Level first began their career in the mid-1980s, playing local Christian gatherings and festivals in Ireland. A song of theirs appeared on a 1985 Word Records...
and Tribe of Dan, and went on a year-long hiatus from songwriting and performing before putting the group together. The band has stated that the name "Fono" has no significance; in an interview, Currie said "It means absolutely nothing". Following the name change, the group was featured in Kerrang!
Kerrang!
Kerrang! is a UK-based magazine devoted to rock music published by Bauer Media Group. It was first published on June 6, 1981 as a one-off supplement in the Sounds newspaper...
magazine as one of their Best Unsigned Bands. Not long after, they did sign with a label, and the group released their debut full-length, Goesaroundcomesaround, in 1999. Album reviewers noted the album's American, as opposed to British, rock sound and the group's general appeal to audiences outside the world of Christian rock
Christian rock
Christian rock is a form of rock music played by individuals and bands whose members are Christians and who often focus the lyrics on matters concerned with the Christian faith. The extent to which their lyrics are explicitly Christian varies between bands...
. In America, the group scored two Christian radio
Christian radio
Christian radio is a category of radio formats that focus on transmitting programming with a Christian message. In the United States, where it is more established, many such broadcasters play popular music of Christian influence, though many programs have talk or news programming covering...
hits with the singles "Now She's 24" (#7, 1999) and "Drift Away" (#16, 2000). They also toured with Robert Plant
Robert Plant
Robert Anthony Plant, CBE is an English singer and songwriter best known as the vocalist and lyricist of the iconic rock band Led Zeppelin. He has also had a successful solo career...
, The Goo Goo Dolls, Third Eye Blind
Third Eye Blind
Third Eye Blind is an American alternative rock band formed in the early 1990s in San Francisco. The songwriting duo of Kevin Cadogan and Stephan Jenkins signed the band's first major label recording contract with Elektra records in 1996 resulting in two multi platinum albums. The band's lineup...
, and Audio Adrenaline
Audio Adrenaline
Audio Adrenaline was a Christian rock band that formed in the late 1980s at Kentucky Christian University in Grayson, Kentucky. During the band's 17-year existence, they were awarded two Grammy awards, multiple Dove Awards and they released 17 number one singles. They were regular performers at the...
.
After the release of the album, the band relocated permanently to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, settling in San Diego, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
in 2000. That year, a restructuring at their record label resulted in their becoming embroiled in a lawsuit
Lawsuit
A lawsuit or "suit in law" is a civil action brought in a court of law in which a plaintiff, a party who claims to have incurred loss as a result of a defendant's actions, demands a legal or equitable remedy. The defendant is required to respond to the plaintiff's complaint...
which took over two years to resolve; during this time the band was prevented from recording any music. They then began recording a new album, but the studio where they were recording and all of their equipment and masters were destroyed in the Cedar Fire
Cedar Fire
The Cedar Fire was a human-caused wildfire that burned out of control through a large area of San Diego County, in Southern California, in October 2003...
of 2003. The group re-recorded the material and independently released 2004's It's the Way That You Use It. Too Broken To Break followed in 2007.
In 2010, vocalist Del Currie released a solo album under the name Zoo Seven.
Members
Current- Del Currie - vocals, guitar (1996–present)
- Andy Ridley - drums (1996–present)
- Cindy Cate - bass
- Soren Engen - guitar
Former
- Ian Crawford - bass (1996-)
Discography
As Seven- High And Wired (Blinding Music, 1996)
- Burn EP (1997)
As Fono
- Goesaroundcomesaround (KMGKMG RecordsKMG Records was a Christian record label. The label was established in 1997 by Buddy Killen as a subunit of the Killen Music Group / Buddy Killen Enterprises and sold in late 1998 to Cal Turner III, who is related to the Cal Turner of Dollar General stores...
/Big Deal, 1999) - It's The Way That You Use It EP (2004)
- Too Broken To Break (2007)
External links
- Official website
- Fono at MySpaceMySpaceMyspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....