Luxembourg (band)
Encyclopedia
Luxembourg were a British
five-piece indie
band. For most of their life, the lineup consisted of David Shah (lead singer), Rob Britton (guitar), Alex Potterill (keyboards), Jon Bacon (bass) and Steve Brummell (drums). Bassist Jon left the band at the end of 2006 and was replaced by David Barnett. Luxembourg were most often compared to artists like Pulp
, The Smiths
and Roxy Music
and sometimes described as "pop noir".
They released most of their music through their own record label Dogbox Records
.
They were featured on the first two compilations put out by the Angular Recording Corporation
- The New Cross and Rip Off Your Labels - alongside artists such as Bloc Party
, Art Brut and The Long Blondes
. This provoked mentions in publications such as the NME
.
Their debut single proper, "What The Housewives Don't Tell You", was released in September 2004, featuring B-sides "Close-Cropped" and "Pin Me Down". The release failed to break through to the mainstream, although "Close-Cropped" did receive an airing from Radio One's Steve Lamacq
.
In December 2004, the band released Best Kept Secret, a 14-track compilation featuring tracks from the now deleted demo EPs alongside live recordings and electro reworkings. The album (described as "Not Our Debut Album" on the CD artwork) received 3.5 out of 5 from indie journalism legend Simon Price
in the Independent On Sunday.
"Luxembourg vs Great Britain" was the next single, released in November 2005, with B-sides "The Exhibitionist" and "About Time". All three songs were produced by Darren Allison
, previously involved with artists such as The Divine Comedy
.
Following the single release, the band went into the studio with producer Brian O'Shaughnessy, to record their debut album.
"We Only Stayed Together For The Kids" was released as a single in June 2006, with B-side "A Secret Public". It was the band's first vinyl release, and received exceptional reviews in some quarters, including publications that had previously spurned the band such as Artrocker
.
Luxembourg finally issued their debut album Front in late October 2006.
Bassist Jon Bacon left the band after their gig on 16 December 2006, for family reasons.
The band named Jon's replacement as David Barnett, previously of The Boyfriends
, on 12 March 2007.
The first gig with the new line-up occurred under the pseudonym The Exhibitionists on 29 March 2007, showcasing a large number of new songs.
As well as playing frequent London gigs throughout 2007, the band ran an online fan club called The Bourglar, giving fans access to unreleased recordings, photos, exclusive interviews and other features. Following the band's split, this content is currently unavailable.
Luxembourg split in early 2008, citing "musical differences". At the same time, they made available an uncompleted album, Last Holiday Before Divorce, free to download at Last.fm
, featuring demos of the songs which might have comprised the second studio album alongside an unreleased single, "Kick Me" / "Not Quite Right/Not Quite Not Right".
Alex Potterill now fronts glam/indie pop band Jonny Cola & The A-Grades.
Rob Britton released a solo album entitled 'Found Wanting' for free download on Last.fm in January 2009. He also played bass in David Barnett's now retired punk outfit The New Royal Family. In August 2009, Britton replaced Matthew Curtis as guitarist and male vocalist in now defunct London octet Brontosaurus Chorus
. He is currently mostly the bass player in David and the Barnettes.
Steve Brummell runs a website devoted to band photography called A Secret Picnic and has been coaxed out of retirement to drum for Piney Gir
, Rebecca Jade and the live Melting Ice Caps band.
David Barnett is the mastermind behind The New Royal Family, The Famous Cocks and David and the Barnettes. He is also a regular member of Keith Top of the Pops and His UK Minor Indie Celebrity All-Star Backing Band and plays bass for The Melting Ice Caps.
http://www.last.fm/music/Luxembourg/Last+Holiday+Before+Divorce%3A+Deleted+Scenes+From+An+Unfinished+Sequel
Brighton
(twice), Sheffield
(twice), Liverpool
(at the Liverpool Mathew Street Music Festival), Cardiff
, Oxford
, Reading
, Cambridge
(Downing College Ball), Norwich
, Newcastle-upon-Tyne (twice), Glasgow
(twice), Edinburgh
, Tunbridge Wells and Paris
.
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...
five-piece indie
Indie (music)
In music, independent music, often shortened to indie music or "indie" is a term used to describe independence from major commercial record labels or their subsidiaries, and an autonomous, Do-It-Yourself approach to recording and publishing....
band. For most of their life, the lineup consisted of David Shah (lead singer), Rob Britton (guitar), Alex Potterill (keyboards), Jon Bacon (bass) and Steve Brummell (drums). Bassist Jon left the band at the end of 2006 and was replaced by David Barnett. Luxembourg were most often compared to artists like Pulp
Pulp (band)
Pulp are an English alternative rock band formed in Sheffield in 1978. Their lineup consists of Jarvis Cocker , Russell Senior , Candida Doyle , Mark Webber , Steve Mackey and Nick Banks ....
, The Smiths
The Smiths
The Smiths were an English alternative rock band, formed in Manchester in 1982. Based on the song writing partnership of Morrissey and Johnny Marr , the band also included Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce...
and Roxy Music
Roxy Music
Roxy Music was a British art rock band formed in 1971 by Bryan Ferry, who became the group's lead vocalist and chief songwriter, and bassist Graham Simpson. The other members are Phil Manzanera , Andy Mackay and Paul Thompson . Former members include Brian Eno , and Eddie Jobson...
and sometimes described as "pop noir".
They released most of their music through their own record label Dogbox Records
Dogbox Records
Dogbox Records was a small London-based record label which existed between 2004 and 2007.The label's remit was "underground pop", and its releases were particularly popular with indie webzines...
.
2001 - 2008
Born from the band Grosvenor, Luxembourg formed in 2001 and began playing around London. During their early years they issued a number of demo EPs.They were featured on the first two compilations put out by the Angular Recording Corporation
Angular Recording Corporation
Angular Recording Corporation is an independent record label originally based in New Cross, South East London. Set up in June 2003 by two ex-Goldsmiths College students, Joe Daniel and Joe Margetts, who reclaimed a local Ordnance Survey Triangulation Station and made it their first artefact: ARC 001...
- The New Cross and Rip Off Your Labels - alongside artists such as Bloc Party
Bloc Party
Bloc Party are a British Indie rock band, composed of Kele Okereke , Russell Lissack , Gordon Moakes , and Matt Tong...
, Art Brut and The Long Blondes
The Long Blondes
The Long Blondes were a five-piece English indie rock band formed in Sheffield, United Kingdom in 2003 by Dorian Cox , Reenie Hollis , Emma Chaplin , Kate Jackson and Screech Louder .After several critically...
. This provoked mentions in publications such as the NME
NME
The New Musical Express is a popular music publication in the United Kingdom, published weekly since March 1952. It started as a music newspaper, and gradually moved toward a magazine format during the 1980s, changing from newsprint in 1998. It was the first British paper to include a singles...
.
Their debut single proper, "What The Housewives Don't Tell You", was released in September 2004, featuring B-sides "Close-Cropped" and "Pin Me Down". The release failed to break through to the mainstream, although "Close-Cropped" did receive an airing from Radio One's Steve Lamacq
Steve Lamacq
Steve Lamacq , sometimes known by his nicknames Lammo or "The Cat" is an English disc jockey, currently working with the BBC radio stations BBC 6 Music and BBC Radio 2.-Early career:He was born in Basingstoke, Hampshire...
.
In December 2004, the band released Best Kept Secret, a 14-track compilation featuring tracks from the now deleted demo EPs alongside live recordings and electro reworkings. The album (described as "Not Our Debut Album" on the CD artwork) received 3.5 out of 5 from indie journalism legend Simon Price
Simon Price
Simon Price is a British music journalist and club promoter, born on 25 September 1967 in the Welsh town of Barry. He is now best known for his weekly review section in The Independent on Sunday and his book on Manic Street Preachers.-Career:...
in the Independent On Sunday.
"Luxembourg vs Great Britain" was the next single, released in November 2005, with B-sides "The Exhibitionist" and "About Time". All three songs were produced by Darren Allison
Darren Allison
Darren Allison , is a British record producer, musician, and recording engineer, best known for his work on the epic soundscapes of such artists as The Divine Comedy, Spiritualized, and ,more recently, Efterklang.-Selected Discography:...
, previously involved with artists such as The Divine Comedy
The Divine Comedy
The Divine Comedy is an epic poem written by Dante Alighieri between 1308 and his death in 1321. It is widely considered the preeminent work of Italian literature, and is seen as one of the greatest works of world literature...
.
Following the single release, the band went into the studio with producer Brian O'Shaughnessy, to record their debut album.
"We Only Stayed Together For The Kids" was released as a single in June 2006, with B-side "A Secret Public". It was the band's first vinyl release, and received exceptional reviews in some quarters, including publications that had previously spurned the band such as Artrocker
ArtRocker
Artrocker is a UK-based collective involved in music promotion and publishing. It was started by Paul Cox and Tom Fawcett who had been co-promoters of a London night called The Sausage Factory...
.
Luxembourg finally issued their debut album Front in late October 2006.
Bassist Jon Bacon left the band after their gig on 16 December 2006, for family reasons.
The band named Jon's replacement as David Barnett, previously of The Boyfriends
The Boyfriends
The Boyfriends were an indie four-piece musical group from London, England, who consisted of Martin Wallace on vocals, Richard Adderley on guitar, David Barnett on bass and Paddy Pulzer on drums...
, on 12 March 2007.
The first gig with the new line-up occurred under the pseudonym The Exhibitionists on 29 March 2007, showcasing a large number of new songs.
As well as playing frequent London gigs throughout 2007, the band ran an online fan club called The Bourglar, giving fans access to unreleased recordings, photos, exclusive interviews and other features. Following the band's split, this content is currently unavailable.
Luxembourg split in early 2008, citing "musical differences". At the same time, they made available an uncompleted album, Last Holiday Before Divorce, free to download at Last.fm
Last.fm
Last.fm is a music website, founded in the United Kingdom in 2002. It has claimed 30 million active users in March 2009. On 30 May 2007, CBS Interactive acquired Last.fm for UK£140m ....
, featuring demos of the songs which might have comprised the second studio album alongside an unreleased single, "Kick Me" / "Not Quite Right/Not Quite Not Right".
Post-split activity
David Shah continues to pursue his solo project The Melting Ice Caps, sometimes collaborating with Alex Potterill and Aug Stone. Meanwhile, David and Aug co-write and record as The Soft Close-Ups.Alex Potterill now fronts glam/indie pop band Jonny Cola & The A-Grades.
Rob Britton released a solo album entitled 'Found Wanting' for free download on Last.fm in January 2009. He also played bass in David Barnett's now retired punk outfit The New Royal Family. In August 2009, Britton replaced Matthew Curtis as guitarist and male vocalist in now defunct London octet Brontosaurus Chorus
Brontosaurus Chorus
Brontosaurus Chorus is a London based indie pop band. The group was formed by vocalist Jodie Lowther and bassist Dominic Green in 2006.-History:...
. He is currently mostly the bass player in David and the Barnettes.
Steve Brummell runs a website devoted to band photography called A Secret Picnic and has been coaxed out of retirement to drum for Piney Gir
Piney Gir
Piney Gir is a female American musician and singer, born in Kansas and now based in London, England.-Musical career:Encouraged by her parents to learn the piano from the age of four, she wrote her first song at the age of nine...
, Rebecca Jade and the live Melting Ice Caps band.
David Barnett is the mastermind behind The New Royal Family, The Famous Cocks and David and the Barnettes. He is also a regular member of Keith Top of the Pops and His UK Minor Indie Celebrity All-Star Backing Band and plays bass for The Melting Ice Caps.
Singles
- What The Housewives Don't Tell You, September 2004, Dogbox Records (BOX1)
- Luxembourg vs Great Britain, November 2005, Dogbox Records (BOX5)
- We Only Stayed Together For The Kids, June 2006, Dogbox Records (BOX11)
- Sick of DIY, October 2006, Dogbox Records (BOX15)
Albums
- Front, October 2006, Dogbox Records (BOX16)
- Last Holiday Before Divorce, May 2008/
http://www.last.fm/music/Luxembourg/Last+Holiday+Before+Divorce%3A+Deleted+Scenes+From+An+Unfinished+Sequel
Compilations
- Best Kept Secret - Demos & Rarities 2001-2004, December 2004, Dogbox Records (BOX2)
Appearances on Compilations
- "Making Progress" on The New Cross: An Angular Sampler, November 2003, Angular Recording CorporationAngular Recording CorporationAngular Recording Corporation is an independent record label originally based in New Cross, South East London. Set up in June 2003 by two ex-Goldsmiths College students, Joe Daniel and Joe Margetts, who reclaimed a local Ordnance Survey Triangulation Station and made it their first artefact: ARC 001...
(ARC002) - "Let Us Have It" on Rip Off Your Labels: More Angular Product, June 2004, Angular Recording CorporationAngular Recording CorporationAngular Recording Corporation is an independent record label originally based in New Cross, South East London. Set up in June 2003 by two ex-Goldsmiths College students, Joe Daniel and Joe Margetts, who reclaimed a local Ordnance Survey Triangulation Station and made it their first artefact: ARC 001...
(ARC004) - "Not My Number" on Blue Skies Up: Welcome To The New Pop Revolution, May 2006, Dogbox Records (BOX8)
- "Kick Me" on Doing It For The Kids 08, May 2008.
Live appearances outside London
Despite being best known in London, where they played most of their gigs, Luxembourg also performed in:Brighton
Brighton
Brighton is the major part of the city of Brighton and Hove in East Sussex, England on the south coast of Great Britain...
(twice), Sheffield
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
(twice), Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
(at the Liverpool Mathew Street Music Festival), 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...
, Oxford
Oxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
, Reading
Reading, Berkshire
Reading is a large town and unitary authority area in England. It is located in the Thames Valley at the confluence of the River Thames and River Kennet, and on both the Great Western Main Line railway and the M4 motorway, some west of London....
, Cambridge
Cambridge
The city of Cambridge is a university town and the administrative centre of the county of Cambridgeshire, England. It lies in East Anglia about north of London. Cambridge is at the heart of the high-technology centre known as Silicon Fen – a play on Silicon Valley and the fens surrounding the...
(Downing College Ball), Norwich
Norwich
Norwich is a city in England. It is the regional administrative centre and county town of Norfolk. During the 11th century, Norwich was the largest city in England after London, and one of the most important places in the kingdom...
, Newcastle-upon-Tyne (twice), Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
(twice), 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...
, Tunbridge Wells and Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
.