Little Doses
Encyclopedia
Little Doses are an alternative rock
band from Scotland
, formed in Edinburgh
in 2006. The band comprises lead vocalist
Kirsten Ross, Mark McClelland
on bass guitar
and backing vocals and Michael Branagh on drums and backing vocals. They are based in Edinburgh and are currently unsigned.
, along with Gary Lightbody
, in 1994. They were brought together by Michael Morrison in 1994 at the University of Dundee
, where they were studying. The trio formed the band Shrug
, which would be the earliest incarnation of Snow Patrol. Morrison left Shrug in 1996. In 1997, the band changed their name to Polarbear. They band released their first EP under this name the same year under Electric Honey. However, they changed their name after discovering ex-Jane's Addiction
bassist Eric Avery
already had a side-project of the same name. The band then recruited drummer Jonny Quinn
and Snow Patrol was born.
Snow Patrol were signed to the then-fledgling Jeepster
label, home to Belle & Sebastian
. They became only the second act to be signed by Jeepster. The band recorded two studio albums under Jeepster - Songs for Polarbears
and When It's All Over We Still Have to Clear Up
. The albums failed commercially, and the label ultimately terminated their contract.
In 2003, the band signed to Fiction
/Interscope
, and released their third album Final Straw
. The album was a commercial success, boosted by the single Run
, which reached #5 on the UK Charts. The band toured heavily for Final Straw. As touring neared its end, McClelland left the band. An official statement concerning the leaving read:
Following the split, McClelland turned to writing music. McClelland had known drummer Michael Branagh for a few years. They had first met at the Colombia Hotel at a Degrassi gig. When Degrassi went on a hiatus, McClelland gave him a call. He set up an audition via the internet, and as a result, guitarist Paul Mellon, former F.O. Machete guitarist joined the duo. Along with McClelland's girlfriend Kirsten Ross on vocals, Little Doses was formed.
, Super Furry Animals
, Grant Lee Buffalo
, Red House Painters
, Pavement
, Blondie
, Pete Yorn
, Coldplay
, Harry and the Potters
, Stevie Wonder
, Dawn of the Replicants
, The Secret Machines
, Deus, Jeff Buckley
, Nick Drake
, Pixies, David Bowie
, The Afghan Whigs
and The Twilight Singers
.
To date, the band has seen three guitarists. The original guitarist Paul Mellon left the band to join Red Light Company
. The second guitarist, Laurence Lean returned to his original band Annie Christian. The third guitarist, Richard Beeby, who joined in March 2008 left in May 2009 to his former band. Currently, the band is in the studio recording songs for a possible album. The band's appearance at the Leith Festival saw the band playing as a quintet, as part of an experiment. The new members in the band have not been revealed.
, T on the Fringe and T break. They have also recorded two demos. The first demo, Chamber Studio Session, was recorded in 2007 at the Chamber Studios under Jamie Watson. The other demo The Chemical Session, was recorded in 2007 at Chem19 Studios
under producer Andy Miller
. The band made the demos available for free download. Kirsten Ross, along with her mother Julie Ross are currently raising money for cancer research as a part of Race for Life
, which will be held in Holyrood Park
, Edinburgh
on June 26, 2009.
called the "bass lines (are) fat and distorted, drums (are) hard and funky". Singer Kirsten Ross' vocal ability was praised, saying that she "can screech and croon with equally devastating effect." The Skinny praised the sound, calling it "a wall of no-frills rock n' roll that commands full attention immediately, with catchy seventies-styled guitar-licks". The List felt "the songs are decent, but personnel is their strong point. The drummer provides some refreshing on stage banter and front lady Kirsten Ross possesses enough charm to entrap the audience." In another review, the Daily Record wrote "(while) Little Doses don't take themselves too seriously, the Edinburgh-based quartet certainly know how to write a good tune and put on a good show."
Former members
Known songs
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
band from Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, formed in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
in 2006. The band comprises lead vocalist
Lead vocalist
The lead vocalist is the member of a band who sings the main vocal portions of a song. They may also play one or more instruments. Lead vocalists are sometimes referred to as the frontman or frontwoman, and as such, are usually considered to be the "leader" of the groups they perform in, often the...
Kirsten Ross, Mark McClelland
Mark McClelland
Mark Peter McClelland is a musician from Northern Ireland, known best as the former bass guitarist with the band Snow Patrol. McClelland is a recipient of the Ivor Novello Award for his work on the album, Final Straw...
on bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
and backing vocals and Michael Branagh on drums and backing vocals. They are based in Edinburgh and are currently unsigned.
History and formation
Mark McClelland was one of the founding members of Snow PatrolSnow Patrol
Snow Patrol are an alternative rock band from Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland. Formed at the University of Dundee in 1994 as an indie rock band, the band is now based in Glasgow...
, along with Gary Lightbody
Gary Lightbody
Gary Lightbody is an Northern Irish musician and songwriter best known as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the alternative rock band Snow Patrol.- Early life :...
, in 1994. They were brought together by Michael Morrison in 1994 at the University of Dundee
University of Dundee
The University of Dundee is a university based in the city and Royal burgh of Dundee on eastern coast of the central Lowlands of Scotland and with a small number of institutions elsewhere....
, where they were studying. The trio formed the band Shrug
Shrug (band)
Untitled demo 1 Untitled demo 2 -Band members:* Gary Lightbody - lead vocals, guitar* Michael Morrison - drums* Mark McClelland - bass guitar...
, which would be the earliest incarnation of Snow Patrol. Morrison left Shrug in 1996. In 1997, the band changed their name to Polarbear. They band released their first EP under this name the same year under Electric Honey. However, they changed their name after discovering ex-Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction is an American alternative rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1985. The band's original line-up featured Perry Farrell , Dave Navarro , Eric Avery and Stephen Perkins . After breaking up in 1991, Jane's Addiction briefly reunited in 1997 and again in 2001, both times...
bassist Eric Avery
Eric Avery
Eric Adam Avery is an American musician and is the former bass player for the rock band Jane's Addiction. Avery played in Jane's Addiction initially from 1985 to 1991, and rejoined the band in 2008 before departing again in 2010....
already had a side-project of the same name. The band then recruited drummer Jonny Quinn
Jonny Quinn
Jonathan Graham "Jonny" Quinn is a Northern Irish drummer, born in Bangor. He is best known as the drummer for alternative rock band Snow Patrol, and was previously a member of bands like The Mighty Fall, The New Brontes and Disraeli Gears. As drummer for Snow Patrol, he has played on all releases...
and Snow Patrol was born.
Snow Patrol were signed to the then-fledgling Jeepster
Jeepster Records
Jeepster Records is a London, England-based independent record label which is currently the home of bands Parka and SixNationState. The label is noted for having been the home of critically acclaimed artists Belle and Sebastian and Snow Patrol....
label, home to Belle & Sebastian
Belle & Sebastian
Belle and Sebastian are an indie pop band formed in Glasgow in January 1996. Belle and Sebastian are often compared with influential indie bands such as The Smiths, as well as classic acts such as Love, Bob Dylan and Nick Drake. The name Belle & Sebastian comes from Belle et Sébastien, a 1965...
. They became only the second act to be signed by Jeepster. The band recorded two studio albums under Jeepster - Songs for Polarbears
Songs for Polarbears
*"Marketplace" is included as a hidden track after "One Hundred Things You Should Have Done in Bed" on both versions.*All bonus tracks originally appeared as B-sides to the singles released from "Songs for Polarbears".-Personnel:Snow Patrol...
and When It's All Over We Still Have to Clear Up
When It's All Over We Still Have to Clear Up
-Bonus tracks on 2006 re-release:*All bonus tracks originally appeared as B-sides to the singles released from "When It's All Over We Still Have to Clear Up".-Reception:...
. The albums failed commercially, and the label ultimately terminated their contract.
In 2003, the band signed to Fiction
Fiction Records
Fiction Records is a UK label founded by Chris Parry in 1978 that is best known for being the home of The Cure for over 20 years. Formerly independent, the label is now owned by Polydor, a subsidiary of Universal Music Group.-History:...
/Interscope
Interscope Records
Interscope Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that currently operates as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-History:...
, and released their third album Final Straw
Final Straw
UK re-release bonus tracks*The AOL sessions feature frontman Gary Lightbody & lead guitarist Nathan Connolly being interviewed, and performing an acoustic rendition of "Run".*The dualdisc version does not include the UK bonus tracks....
. The album was a commercial success, boosted by the single Run
Run (Snow Patrol song)
"Run" is a cover of the Snow Patrol song by Leona Lewis on BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge on 31 October 2007. She later released the song as a single from Spirit: The Deluxe Edition in November 2008. At the time, "Run" was the UK's fastest-selling digital only release ever, selling 69,244 copies in just...
, which reached #5 on the UK Charts. The band toured heavily for Final Straw. As touring neared its end, McClelland left the band. An official statement concerning the leaving read:
Following the split, McClelland turned to writing music. McClelland had known drummer Michael Branagh for a few years. They had first met at the Colombia Hotel at a Degrassi gig. When Degrassi went on a hiatus, McClelland gave him a call. He set up an audition via the internet, and as a result, guitarist Paul Mellon, former F.O. Machete guitarist joined the duo. Along with McClelland's girlfriend Kirsten Ross on vocals, Little Doses was formed.
The band
The acts Little Doses have cited as influences are - SparklehorseSparklehorse
Sparklehorse was an American indie rock band led by the singer and multi-instrumentalist Mark Linkous.-History:Sparklehorse's first album, Vivadixiesubmarinetransmissionplot featuring Bob Rupe of the Silos and Cracker, was a modest college radio success...
, Super Furry Animals
Super Furry Animals
Super Furry Animals are a Welsh rock band that lean towards psychedelic rock and electronic experimentation. Since their formation in Cardiff, Wales in 1993, the band has consisted of Gruff Rhys , Huw Bunford , Guto Pryce , Cian Ciaran and Dafydd Ieuan Super Furry Animals are a Welsh rock band...
, Grant Lee Buffalo
Grant Lee Buffalo
Grant Lee Buffalo is a rock band based in Los Angeles, California, consisting of Grant-Lee Phillips , Paul Kimble and Joey Peters . All three were previously members of another Los Angeles band, Shiva Burlesque.-Career:...
, Red House Painters
Red House Painters
Red House Painters were an alternative rock group formed in 1989 in San Francisco, California by singer-songwriter Mark Kozelek.-History:While in Atlanta, Georgia, Ohio-born Kozelek became friends with Anthony Koutsos, a drummer. He then moved to San Francisco, California, adding guitarist Gorden...
, Pavement
Pavement (band)
Pavement is an American alternative rock band that formed in Stockton, California in 1989. In their career, they achieved a significant cult following, and they were called the best band of the 1990s by prominent music critics Robert Christgau and Stephen Thomas Erlewine...
, Blondie
Blondie (band)
Blondie is an American rock band, founded by singer Deborah Harry and guitarist Chris Stein. The band was a pioneer in the early American New Wave and punk scenes of the mid-1970s...
, Pete Yorn
Pete Yorn
Peter Joseph Yorn is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist who first gained international recognition after his debut record, Musicforthemorningafter, was released to critical acclaim in 2001.-Early history:Yorn's father is a dentist and his mother is a former concert pianist who worked as a...
, Coldplay
Coldplay
Coldplay are a British alternative rock band formed in 1996 by lead vocalist Chris Martin and lead guitarist Jonny Buckland at University College London. After they formed Pectoralz, Guy Berryman joined the group as a bassist and they changed their name to Starfish. Will Champion joined as a...
, Harry and the Potters
Harry and the Potters
Harry and the Potters are an American alternative rock band known for spawning the genre of wizard rock. Founded in Norwood, Massachusetts, the group is primarily composed of Joe and Paul DeGeorge, who both perform under the persona of the title character from the Harry Potter book series...
, Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder
Stevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
, Dawn of the Replicants
Dawn of the Replicants
Dawn of the Replicants are a Scottish indie rock quintet from Galashiels, described by Allmusic as "one of the most inventive groups in the United Kingdom. Impossible to categorize"...
, The Secret Machines
The Secret Machines
The Secret Machines are a three-piece American alternative rock band. Originally from Dallas, Texas before moving to New York City, they describe their band as space rock. The original lineup consisted of two brothers, Brandon and Benjamin Curtis, and Josh Garza...
, Deus, Jeff Buckley
Jeff Buckley
Jeffrey Scott "Jeff" Buckley , raised as Scotty Moorhead, was an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. He was the son of Tim Buckley, also a musician...
, Nick Drake
Nick Drake
Nicholas Rodney "Nick" Drake was an English singer-songwriter and musician. Though he is best known for his sombre guitar based songs, Drake was also proficient at piano, clarinet and saxophone...
, Pixies, David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
, The Afghan Whigs
The Afghan Whigs
The Afghan Whigs were a soul-influenced American rock band from Cincinnati, Ohio. PopMatters described the band as "beyond simple genre categorization, and though lauded by the music press, never got their just due."-Band history:...
and The Twilight Singers
The Twilight Singers
The Twilight Singers is an American indie rock band. The group was initially formed as a side project of The Afghan Whigs leader Greg Dulli in 1997...
.
To date, the band has seen three guitarists. The original guitarist Paul Mellon left the band to join Red Light Company
Red Light Company
Red Light Company are a five-piece alternative rock band based in London, England. The band was formed in 2007 by members Richard Frenneaux , Shawn Day , James Griffiths , Paul Mellon and Chris Edmonds...
. The second guitarist, Laurence Lean returned to his original band Annie Christian. The third guitarist, Richard Beeby, who joined in March 2008 left in May 2009 to his former band. Currently, the band is in the studio recording songs for a possible album. The band's appearance at the Leith Festival saw the band playing as a quintet, as part of an experiment. The new members in the band have not been revealed.
Activity
Little Doses have been playing small gigs and have made appearances to a number of music festivals, such as the Wickerman FestivalWickerman Festival
The Wickerman Festival is an annual music festival held near to Dundrennan in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. Dubbed 'Scotland's Alternative Music festival', the festival will celebrate its 10th Birthday in 2011 on Friday 22nd & Saturday 23rd July....
, T on the Fringe and T break. They have also recorded two demos. The first demo, Chamber Studio Session, was recorded in 2007 at the Chamber Studios under Jamie Watson. The other demo The Chemical Session, was recorded in 2007 at Chem19 Studios
Chemikal Underground
Chemikal Underground is an independent record label set up in 1994 by Glasgow, Scotland rock band The Delgados. It was set up to release their first single, "Monica Webster" / "Brand New Car" and went on to break many new Scottish bands in the nineties....
under producer Andy Miller
Andy Miller (record producer)
Andy Miller is a record producer based in Hamilton, Lanarkshire, Scotland. Miller is noted for his production on influential albums by Mogwai, Life Without Buildings, Arab Strap, The Delgados, Scout Niblett, Songs: Ohia, Sons And Daughters, De Rosa and Desert Hearts.He is freelance, but has mainly...
. The band made the demos available for free download. Kirsten Ross, along with her mother Julie Ross are currently raising money for cancer research as a part of Race for Life
Race for Life
Race for Life is a series of fundraising events organised by the British charity, Cancer Research UK. They involve running, jogging or walking a 5-kilometre course and raising sponsorship for doing so. The money raised is donated to the charity to fund cancer research and campaigns...
, which will be held in Holyrood Park
Holyrood Park
Holyrood Park is a royal park in central Edinburgh, Scotland about a mile to the east of Edinburgh Castle. It has an array of hills, lochs, glens, ridges, basalt cliffs, and patches of whin providing a remarkably wild piece of highland landscape within its area...
, Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
on June 26, 2009.
Reviews
Initial response to Little Doses has been positive. They have been well received and have received positive reviews for their shows and sound. The Daily RecordDaily Record (Scotland)
The Daily Record is a Scottish tabloid newspaper based in Glasgow. It had been the best-selling daily paper in Scotland for many years with a paid circulation in August 2011 of 307,794 . It is now outsold by its arch-rival the Scottish Sun which in September 2010 had a circulation of 339,586 in...
called the "bass lines (are) fat and distorted, drums (are) hard and funky". Singer Kirsten Ross' vocal ability was praised, saying that she "can screech and croon with equally devastating effect." The Skinny praised the sound, calling it "a wall of no-frills rock n' roll that commands full attention immediately, with catchy seventies-styled guitar-licks". The List felt "the songs are decent, but personnel is their strong point. The drummer provides some refreshing on stage banter and front lady Kirsten Ross possesses enough charm to entrap the audience." In another review, the Daily Record wrote "(while) Little Doses don't take themselves too seriously, the Edinburgh-based quartet certainly know how to write a good tune and put on a good show."
Band members
Current members- Kirsten Ross - lead vocals (2006–present)
- Mark McClellandMark McClellandMark Peter McClelland is a musician from Northern Ireland, known best as the former bass guitarist with the band Snow Patrol. McClelland is a recipient of the Ivor Novello Award for his work on the album, Final Straw...
- bass guitar, backing vocals (2006–present) - Michael Branagh - drums, backing vocals (2006–present)
Former members
- Paul Mellon - lead guitar (2006–2007)
- Laurence Lean - lead guitar (2007–2008)
- Richard Beeby - lead guitar (March 2008-May 2009)
Discography
Demos- Chamber Studio Session (2007)
- The Chemical Session (2007)
Known songs
| Song | Demo/Show |
|---|---|
| "Stolen Cars (Demo)" | Chamber Studio Session |
| "Monster in Me (Demo)" | |
| "Slow Burn" | The Chemical Session |
| "The Fall and Angel" | |
| "Every Hit You've Ever Heard" | Live @ The Mill 04.12.08 |
| "Mile High" | |
| "Peace into War" | |
| "Juniper Hill" |
- A further eight half-finished tracks.