Selfish Cunt
Encyclopedia
Selfish Cunt is a rock
band
based in London
, England
. The band was formed in early 2003 by Martin Tomlinson and Patrick Constable, and is noted for provocative lyrics, aggressive stage shows, and electronic
-influenced rock
. Their mix of electric guitar
and electronic drum machine
s is accompanied by politically-charged and often sexually-graphic lyrics. Eventually becoming a four-piece band through the addition of drums, bass guitar and ceasing to use a drum machine. Developing a sound which has elements of punk and post hardcore.
Because of their provocative image and name, reaction from critics has been mixed. The band was reviewed in The Guardian
, which named it as number 40 of its top 40 bands in Britain today, and Time Out magazine described Selfish Cunt as "one of London's most exciting live acts", and Tomlinson as "the closest thing to Iggy Pop
this generation will produce".
Selfish Cunt released the album
English Chamber Music in September 2008. It received rave reviews, some describing the band as the saviours of modern English independent bands.
. Blackburn-born frontman
Tomlinson was working in theatre, while guitarist Patrick Constable was playing in the art-rock band Dirty Snow. Tomlinson stated: "We decided to do Selfish Cunt because although we're from really different practices, the connection is music."
After touring small clubs, mainly in London, the duo released the single
"Britain Is Shit" / "Fuck The Poor"; a second single, "Authority Confrontation", briefly entered the UK Singles Chart
at #66.
, The Rocks, and The Egg after a series of destructive acts, including the sabotage of the band Snow Patrol
's equipment.
A brawl between Tomlinson, Babyshambles
frontman Pete Doherty
, and photographer
Andrew Kendall outside Buckingham Palace
during an NME
photoshoot was reported in the press. Adie Nunn in Drowned in Sound wrote: "...poo was then kicked around by Attention-Seeking Bloke from disco punks Selfish Cunt, before he picked it up with his bare hands and started hurling the poo at Babyshambles' Pete Doherty... The Others'
singer Dominic Masters then tipped a pint of beer over Selfish thingy's head." The brawl was broken-up by police.
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band
Musical ensemble
A musical ensemble is a group of people who perform instrumental or vocal music. In classical music, trios or quartets either blend the sounds of musical instrument families or group together instruments from the same instrument family, such as string ensembles or wind ensembles...
based in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. The band was formed in early 2003 by Martin Tomlinson and Patrick Constable, and is noted for provocative lyrics, aggressive stage shows, and electronic
Electronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
-influenced rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
. Their mix of electric guitar
Electric guitar
An electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
and electronic drum machine
Drum machine
A drum machine is an electronic musical instrument designed to imitate the sound of drums or other percussion instruments. They are used in a variety of musical genres, not just purely electronic music...
s is accompanied by politically-charged and often sexually-graphic lyrics. Eventually becoming a four-piece band through the addition of drums, bass guitar and ceasing to use a drum machine. Developing a sound which has elements of punk and post hardcore.
Because of their provocative image and name, reaction from critics has been mixed. The band was reviewed in The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
, which named it as number 40 of its top 40 bands in Britain today, and Time Out magazine described Selfish Cunt as "one of London's most exciting live acts", and Tomlinson as "the closest thing to Iggy Pop
Iggy Pop
Iggy Pop is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Though considered an innovator of punk rock, Pop's music has encompassed a number of styles over the years, including pop, metal, jazz and blues...
this generation will produce".
Selfish Cunt released the 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...
English Chamber Music in September 2008. It received rave reviews, some describing the band as the saviours of modern English independent bands.
Foundation
Selfish Cunt was formed in 2003 at the start of a post-punk revivalPost-punk revival
The post-punk revival was a development in alternative rock of the late 20th and early 21st centuries in which bands took inspiration from the original sounds and aesthetics of garage rock of the 1960s and post-punk and New Wave of the late 1970s...
. Blackburn-born frontman
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...
Tomlinson was working in theatre, while guitarist Patrick Constable was playing in the art-rock band Dirty Snow. Tomlinson stated: "We decided to do Selfish Cunt because although we're from really different practices, the connection is music."
After touring small clubs, mainly in London, the duo released the 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...
"Britain Is Shit" / "Fuck The Poor"; a second single, "Authority Confrontation", briefly entered the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
at #66.
Controversy
Selfish Cunt is currently banned from the Institute of Contemporary ArtsInstitute of Contemporary Arts
The Institute of Contemporary Arts is an artistic and cultural centre on The Mall in London, just off Trafalgar Square. It is located within Nash House, part of Carlton House Terrace, near the Duke of York Steps and Admiralty Arch...
, The Rocks, and The Egg after a series of destructive acts, including the sabotage of the band Snow Patrol
Snow 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...
's equipment.
A brawl between Tomlinson, Babyshambles
Babyshambles
Babyshambles are an English indie rock band established in London. The band was formed by Pete Doherty during a hiatus from his former band The Libertines, but Babyshambles has since become his main project . Babyshambles has released two albums, three EPs and a number of singles...
frontman Pete Doherty
Pete Doherty
Peter Doherty is an English musician, writer, actor, poet and artist. He is best known musically for being co-frontman of The Libertines, which he reformed with Carl Barât in 2010. His other musical project is indie band Babyshambles...
, and photographer
Photography
Photography is the art, science and practice of creating durable images by recording light or other electromagnetic radiation, either electronically by means of an image sensor or chemically by means of a light-sensitive material such as photographic film...
Andrew Kendall outside Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace, in London, is the principal residence and office of the British monarch. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality...
during an 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...
photoshoot was reported in the press. Adie Nunn in Drowned in Sound wrote: "...poo was then kicked around by Attention-Seeking Bloke from disco punks Selfish Cunt, before he picked it up with his bare hands and started hurling the poo at Babyshambles' Pete Doherty... The Others'
The Others (band)
The Others are an English rock band, signed to Poptones in July 2004 and their eponymous debut album was released on 31 January 2005.-Career:...
singer Dominic Masters then tipped a pint of beer over Selfish thingy's head." The brawl was broken-up by police.
Singles
- "Britain Is Shit" / "Fuck the Poor" (2003, Horseglue Records)
- "Authority Confrontation" / "Full Swing" (2004, Horseglue Records)
- "My Prerogative" (2004, Horseglue Records)
- "The Mechanic" (2007, LoveHowlMuse)
- "Avocado" (2007, LoveHowlMuse)
- "England Made Me II" (2008, Sparrow's Tear)
Albums
- No Wicked Heart Shall Prosper (2004, Horseglue Records)
- "Corporate Slut"
- "Fuck the Poor"
- "Pro Patriotic"
- "Coming of the White Man"
- "Full Swing"
- "Crackney Browns"
- "I Love New York"
- "My Prerogative"
- "Authority Confrontation"
- "Yes"
- "Britain is Shit"
- English Chamber Music (2008, Sparrow's Tear Records)
- "Intro"
- "Whip Goes the Crack"
- "Feel Like a Woman"
- "Bullet To The Brain"
- "Avocado"
- "Born in a Mess"
- "The Mechanic"
- "England Made Me II"
- "I Got It On Slow"
- "Born from a Mother"
- "Outro"
External links
- http://selfishcunt.bandcamp.com/ Bandcamp site
- Official band videos and photographs from 241-24-7. Retrieved 17 March 2011.
- Video and photographs from band record label LoveHowlMuse. Retrieved 17 March 2011.
- Live photos Proud Galleries 2006 Retrieved 18 March 2011.