Martin Grech
Encyclopedia
Martin Grech is a Maltese
-English
singer
, songwriter
and musician
from Aylesbury
, Buckinghamshire
.
track, "Open Heart Zoo
" (written when he was 15 years old) was featured on a Lexus
advert
on British television
in 2002. A debut album
of the same name (produced
by Andy Ross) quickly achieved cult status, with the record being compared, in places, to the work of The Cure
, Radiohead
, Nine Inch Nails
and Jeff Buckley
. The accompanying UK
tour saw Grech gain a larger following and further critical support.
2005 saw the arrival of Grech's second album, Unholy. It dealt with much darker, and more disturbing themes than his debut record, including such lyrical topics as insanity
, heresy
and death
. As before, reviews were positive and his fan
base expanded. The Unholy art work created by Stephen Kasner
was hung as a backdrop to his concert
s.
Grech split with Island Records
shortly after the release of Unholy, but Grech's MySpace
page announced the arrival of the new album, March of the Lonely
. The first single from the album, "The Heritage", was released as a CD
single
on 30 March 2007 on Grech's own record label
, 'Martin Grech Songs' via the online label, Burning Shed
. March of the Lonely took a completely different approach from his previous CDs, and was much more acoustic, more guitar-based, with a thinner texture and softer atmosphere. March of the Lonely was released on 4 June 2007 in the UK via Genepool Records.
After moving to California
, Grech began working on new material under the name 'Meatsuit'. Demos on MySpace revealed a development of a heavier gothic sound, but in December 2008 Grech announced that his Meatsuit project had been terminated.
In April 2011, Grech released a collection of demos under the title 'Meta'. Also on his BandCamp page, Grech announced his fourth album would be titled "The Watcher".
tribute concert by Buckley's mother Mary Guibert, at the Garage, Highbury alongside Ed Harcourt
and Jamie Cullum
. In 2005, Adam White sampled "Open Heart Zoo" for his trance track "Ballerina". In 2008 Grech created the film score to the Adam Mason film
, Blood River.
As well as his solo releases, Grech has performed vocals on the album First Chance I Get I'm Out Of Here (2005) by fellow Aylesbury musician
, Zealey. He drummed for the four-piece rock band Ophelia Torah between early 2006 and April 2007.
Grech has also been involved in a collaboration project, organised by yourcodenameis:milo
, called 'Print is Dead'. Along with Bloc Party
, Graham Coxon
, Tom Vek
, Reuben
and Biffy Clyro
, he worked with yourcodenameis:milo, in their recording studio
, to write a song in one day. The track was called "We Hope You Are What You Think You Are".
1 - Dali (5:40)
2 - Catch Up (3:47)
1 - Open Heart Zoo (Circus) (Radio Edit) (4:41)
2 - Open Heart Zoo (Album Version) (5:23)
1 - Open Heart Zoo (Album Version) (5:21)
2 - Storm (5:09)
1 - Push (Radio Edit) (3:56)
1 - Push (5:01)
2 - Bliss (1:38)
3 - Head Sty (5:25)
1 - I Am Chromosome
1 - Mighty Hands (4:15)
2 - Gratefully Punished (4:26)
3 - Father And Mother Figure (2:48)
4 - Freedom, Warmth And Security (2:53)
1 - Guiltless (Album Version) (7:47)
2 - Guiltless (Radio Edit) (4:00)
1 - Guiltless (7:41)
2 - Seed Of A Seed (3:29)
3 - Worthy (2:59)
1 - The Heritage (3:32)
2 - Ashes Over Embers (5:39)
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
-English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
singer
Singing
Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
, songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
and musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
from Aylesbury
Aylesbury
Aylesbury is the county town of Buckinghamshire in South East England. However the town also falls into a geographical region known as the South Midlands an area that ecompasses the north of the South East, and the southern extremities of the East Midlands...
, Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan home county in South East England. The county town is Aylesbury, the largest town in the ceremonial county is Milton Keynes and largest town in the non-metropolitan county is High Wycombe....
.
Career
He first achieved critical acclaim after his falsettoFalsetto
Falsetto is the vocal register occupying the frequency range just above the modal voice register and overlapping with it by approximately one octave. It is produced by the vibration of the ligamentous edges of the vocal folds, in whole or in part...
track, "Open Heart Zoo
Open Heart Zoo
Open Heart Zoo is a 2002 album by British alternative rock musician Martin Grech. The title track became famous when it was used by Lexus in a commercial.-Track listing:#"Here It Comes" – 5:02#"Open Heart Zoo" – 5:20#"Dalí" – 5:38#"Tonight" – 5:07...
" (written when he was 15 years old) was featured on a Lexus
Lexus
is the luxury vehicle division of Japanese automaker Toyota Motor Corporation. First introduced in 1989 in the United States, Lexus is now sold globally and has become Japan's largest-selling make of premium cars. The Lexus marque is marketed in over 70 countries and territories worldwide, and has...
advert
Television advertisement
A television advertisement or television commercial, often just commercial, advert, ad, or ad-film – is a span of television programming produced and paid for by an organization that conveys a message, typically one intended to market a product...
on British television
British television
Public television broadcasting started in the United Kingdom in 1936, and now has a collection of free and subscription services over a variety of distribution media, through which there are over 480 channelsTaking the base Sky EPG TV Channels. A breakdown is impossible due to a) the number of...
in 2002. A debut album
Album
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...
of the same name (produced
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
by Andy Ross) quickly achieved cult status, with the record being compared, in places, to the work of The Cure
The Cure
The Cure are an English rock band formed in Crawley, West Sussex in 1976. The band has experienced several line-up changes, with frontman, vocalist, guitarist and principal songwriter Robert Smith being the only constant member...
, Radiohead
Radiohead
Radiohead are an English rock band from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, formed in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke , Jonny Greenwood , Ed O'Brien , Colin Greenwood and Phil Selway .Radiohead released their debut single "Creep" in 1992...
, Nine Inch Nails
Nine Inch Nails
Nine Inch Nails is an American industrial rock project, founded in 1988 by Trent Reznor in Cleveland, Ohio. As its main producer, singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist, Reznor is the only official member of Nine Inch Nails and remains solely responsible for its direction...
and 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...
. The accompanying 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...
tour saw Grech gain a larger following and further critical support.
2005 saw the arrival of Grech's second album, Unholy. It dealt with much darker, and more disturbing themes than his debut record, including such lyrical topics as insanity
Insanity
Insanity, craziness or madness is a spectrum of behaviors characterized by certain abnormal mental or behavioral patterns. Insanity may manifest as violations of societal norms, including becoming a danger to themselves and others, though not all such acts are considered insanity...
, heresy
Heresy
Heresy is a controversial or novel change to a system of beliefs, especially a religion, that conflicts with established dogma. It is distinct from apostasy, which is the formal denunciation of one's religion, principles or cause, and blasphemy, which is irreverence toward religion...
and death
Death
Death is the permanent termination of the biological functions that sustain a living organism. Phenomena which commonly bring about death include old age, predation, malnutrition, disease, and accidents or trauma resulting in terminal injury....
. As before, reviews were positive and his fan
Fan (person)
A Fan, sometimes also called aficionado or supporter, is a person with a liking and enthusiasm for something, such as a band or a sports team. Fans of a particular thing or person constitute its fanbase or fandom...
base expanded. The Unholy art work created by Stephen Kasner
Stephen Kasner
Stephen Kasner is a painter, illustrator, musician, photographer, graphic artist, and magician.His paintings have been exhibited all over the world and have influenced a new wave of artists...
was hung as a backdrop to his concert
Concert
A concert is a live performance before an audience. The performance may be by a single musician, sometimes then called a recital, or by a musical ensemble, such as an orchestra, a choir, or a musical band...
s.
Grech split with Island Records
Island Records
Island Records is a record label that was founded by Chris Blackwell in Jamaica. It was based in the United Kingdom for many years and is now owned by Universal Music Group...
shortly after the release of Unholy, but Grech's MySpace
MySpace
Myspace 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....
page announced the arrival of the new album, March of the Lonely
March of the lonely
March Of The Lonely is the third studio album by British musician Martin Grech, released on June 4, 2007.-Track listing:#"Treasures" – 1:41#"Kingdom" – 3:39#"The Heritage" – 4:03#"Ashes Over Embers" – 5:41#"The Washing Hands" – 4:32...
. The first single from the album, "The Heritage", was released as a CD
Compact Disc
The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
on 30 March 2007 on Grech's own record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
, 'Martin Grech Songs' via the online label, Burning Shed
Burning Shed
Burning Shed is an independent record label established in April 2001 by musicians Tim Bowness and Peter Chilvers, in association with duplication company manager and former Noisebox Records boss, Pete Morgan....
. March of the Lonely took a completely different approach from his previous CDs, and was much more acoustic, more guitar-based, with a thinner texture and softer atmosphere. March of the Lonely was released on 4 June 2007 in the UK via Genepool Records.
After moving to 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...
, Grech began working on new material under the name 'Meatsuit'. Demos on MySpace revealed a development of a heavier gothic sound, but in December 2008 Grech announced that his Meatsuit project had been terminated.
In April 2011, Grech released a collection of demos under the title 'Meta'. Also on his BandCamp page, Grech announced his fourth album would be titled "The Watcher".
Other work
In 2003 Grech was invited to play at the Jeff BuckleyJeff 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...
tribute concert by Buckley's mother Mary Guibert, at the Garage, Highbury alongside Ed Harcourt
Ed Harcourt
Ed Harcourt is an English singer-songwriter. To date, he has released five studio albums, two EPs, and thirteen singles. His debut album, Here Be Monsters, was nominated for the 2001 Mercury Prize...
and Jamie Cullum
Jamie Cullum
Jamie Cullum is an English pop and jazz-pop singer-songwriter. Though he is primarily a vocalist/pianist he also accompanies himself on other instruments including guitar and drums. Since April 2010, he has been presenting a weekly jazz show on BBC Radio 2, broadcast on Tuesdays from 19:00.- Early...
. In 2005, Adam White sampled "Open Heart Zoo" for his trance track "Ballerina". In 2008 Grech created the film score to the Adam Mason film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
, Blood River.
As well as his solo releases, Grech has performed vocals on the album First Chance I Get I'm Out Of Here (2005) by fellow Aylesbury musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
, Zealey. He drummed for the four-piece rock band Ophelia Torah between early 2006 and April 2007.
Grech has also been involved in a collaboration project, organised by yourcodenameis:milo
Yourcodenameis:milo
-External links:**...
, called 'Print is Dead'. Along with Bloc Party
Bloc Party
Bloc Party are a British Indie rock band, composed of Kele Okereke , Russell Lissack , Gordon Moakes , and Matt Tong...
, Graham Coxon
Graham Coxon
Graham Leslie Coxon is an English singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and painter. He came to prominence as the lead guitarist, backing vocalist and occasional lead vocalist of rock band Blur, and is also a critically acclaimed solo artist, having recorded seven solo albums...
, Tom Vek
Tom Vek
Thomas Timothy Vernon-Kell is a self-taught multi-instrumentalist musician who works under the name Tom Vek.-Career:...
, Reuben
Reuben (band)
Reuben were an English three-piece musical group from Camberley, Surrey. Their music was a fusion of alternative rock and heavy metal, as their songs cover a variety of styles, ranging from heavy and upbeat, such as their 2005 single "Blamethrower" to slower, more melodic songs such as their 2004...
and Biffy Clyro
Biffy Clyro
Biffy Clyro are a Scottish rock band from Kilmarnock, comprising Simon Neil , James Johnston and Ben Johnston...
, he worked with yourcodenameis:milo, in their recording studio
Recording studio
A recording studio is a facility for sound recording and mixing. Ideally both the recording and monitoring spaces are specially designed by an acoustician to achieve optimum acoustic properties...
, to write a song in one day. The track was called "We Hope You Are What You Think You Are".
Touring personnel
Musicians known to have toured with Martin include:- Alistair Hamer - Drums (Open Heart ZooOpen Heart ZooOpen Heart Zoo is a 2002 album by British alternative rock musician Martin Grech. The title track became famous when it was used by Lexus in a commercial.-Track listing:#"Here It Comes" – 5:02#"Open Heart Zoo" – 5:20#"Dalí" – 5:38#"Tonight" – 5:07...
era) (Sweet Billy PilgrimSweet Billy PilgrimSweet Billy Pilgrim are an English Experimental Rock/ Folk band, composed of bassist/banjo player Anthony Bishop, guitarist and singer Jana Carpenter, guitarist and songwriter Tim Elsenburg, and drummer/percussionist Alistair Hamer.-Biography:...
) - Anthony Bishop - Bass (Open Heart ZooOpen Heart ZooOpen Heart Zoo is a 2002 album by British alternative rock musician Martin Grech. The title track became famous when it was used by Lexus in a commercial.-Track listing:#"Here It Comes" – 5:02#"Open Heart Zoo" – 5:20#"Dalí" – 5:38#"Tonight" – 5:07...
era) (Sweet Billy PilgrimSweet Billy PilgrimSweet Billy Pilgrim are an English Experimental Rock/ Folk band, composed of bassist/banjo player Anthony Bishop, guitarist and singer Jana Carpenter, guitarist and songwriter Tim Elsenburg, and drummer/percussionist Alistair Hamer.-Biography:...
) - Pete MilesPeter Miles (record producer)Peter Miles is a British record producer, currently based in Devon, England.Although Peter Miles has worked in a variety of genres he is currently most recognised as a rock producer...
- Guitars & Keys (Open Heart ZooOpen Heart ZooOpen Heart Zoo is a 2002 album by British alternative rock musician Martin Grech. The title track became famous when it was used by Lexus in a commercial.-Track listing:#"Here It Comes" – 5:02#"Open Heart Zoo" – 5:20#"Dalí" – 5:38#"Tonight" – 5:07...
& Unholy era) - Keith Lambert - Bass Guitar (Unholy era) (Vex RedVex RedVex Red were a band from Aldershot, England who merged hard rock with electronica. They were signed to US Producer Ross Robinson's Virgin Records Imprint record label, I Am, after sending a demo EP to Robinson. They litigated their way off the label in late 2002, and singer Terry Abbott formed a...
) - Robin Guy - Drums (Unholy era) (Rachel StampRachel StampRachel Stamp is a British rock band formed in London, England in 1994. Their debut album, Hymns For Strange Children was released in 2000, followed by Oceans of Venus two years later.-Biography:...
, Bruce DickinsonBruce DickinsonPaul Bruce Dickinson is an English singer, songwriter, airline pilot, fencer, broadcaster, author, screenwriter, actor and marketing director, best known as the lead vocalist of the heavy metal band Iron Maiden....
, Sack TrickSack TrickSack Trick are an eccentric British music collective who have been compared to the humour of Monty Python and musical madness of Frank Zappa. The bassist Chris Paulo Dale is the center of the group, guiding the audience through a universe that is more rock circus than rock opera, with a partiality...
, Faith No MoreFaith No MoreFaith No More is an American rock band from San Francisco, California, formed originally as Faith No Man in 1981 by bassist Billy Gould, keyboardist Wade Worthington, vocalist Michael Morris and drummer Mike Bordin. A year later when Worthington was replaced by keyboardist Roddy Bottum, and Mike...
) - Tim Elsenburg - Guitars (Open Heart ZooOpen Heart ZooOpen Heart Zoo is a 2002 album by British alternative rock musician Martin Grech. The title track became famous when it was used by Lexus in a commercial.-Track listing:#"Here It Comes" – 5:02#"Open Heart Zoo" – 5:20#"Dalí" – 5:38#"Tonight" – 5:07...
& Unholy era) (Sweet Billy PilgrimSweet Billy PilgrimSweet Billy Pilgrim are an English Experimental Rock/ Folk band, composed of bassist/banjo player Anthony Bishop, guitarist and singer Jana Carpenter, guitarist and songwriter Tim Elsenburg, and drummer/percussionist Alistair Hamer.-Biography:...
)
Albums
- Open Heart ZooOpen Heart ZooOpen Heart Zoo is a 2002 album by British alternative rock musician Martin Grech. The title track became famous when it was used by Lexus in a commercial.-Track listing:#"Here It Comes" – 5:02#"Open Heart Zoo" – 5:20#"Dalí" – 5:38#"Tonight" – 5:07...
(2002) - UKUK Albums ChartThe UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
#54 - Unholy (2005)
- March of the LonelyMarch of the lonelyMarch Of The Lonely is the third studio album by British musician Martin Grech, released on June 4, 2007.-Track listing:#"Treasures" – 1:41#"Kingdom" – 3:39#"The Heritage" – 4:03#"Ashes Over Embers" – 5:41#"The Washing Hands" – 4:32...
(2007) - Meta (2010)
- Meta: Volume 2 (2011)
EPs and Singles
- Dali (2002)
1 - Dali (5:40)
2 - Catch Up (3:47)
- Open Heart Zoo (Promo) (2002)
1 - Open Heart Zoo (Circus) (Radio Edit) (4:41)
2 - Open Heart Zoo (Album Version) (5:23)
- Open Heart Zoo (2002)
1 - Open Heart Zoo (Album Version) (5:21)
2 - Storm (5:09)
- Push (Promo) (2002)
1 - Push (Radio Edit) (3:56)
- Push (2003)
1 - Push (5:01)
2 - Bliss (1:38)
3 - Head Sty (5:25)
- I am Chromosome (Promo) (2004)
1 - I Am Chromosome
- Rest In Peace EP (2004)
1 - Mighty Hands (4:15)
2 - Gratefully Punished (4:26)
3 - Father And Mother Figure (2:48)
4 - Freedom, Warmth And Security (2:53)
- Guiltless (Promo) (2005)
1 - Guiltless (Album Version) (7:47)
2 - Guiltless (Radio Edit) (4:00)
- Guiltless (2005)
1 - Guiltless (7:41)
2 - Seed Of A Seed (3:29)
3 - Worthy (2:59)
- The Heritage (2007)
1 - The Heritage (3:32)
2 - Ashes Over Embers (5:39)