Six by Seven
Encyclopedia
- For a similarly named band, see The Six Parts SevenThe Six Parts SevenThe Six Parts Seven was an American post-rock band formerly based in Kent, Ohio. The band was founded in 1995 by brothers Allen and Jay Karpinski , who had earlier played with Old Hearts Club, a band of similar style...
.
Six By Seven (also written as SIX.BY SEVEN or six.by seven or six.byseven) were a Nottingham
Nottingham
Nottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group...
-based rock band
Rock Band
Rock Band is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems, published by MTV Games and Electronic Arts. It is the first title in the Rock Band series. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions were released in the United States on November 20, 2007, while the PlayStation 2 version was...
who consisted of Chris Olley
Chris Olley
Chris Olley is a Nottingham based musician and photographer. He was the lead singer and guitarist for Six By Seven and also the band's main creative influence. He studied art in Wakefield College and gained a BAin Photography at Nottingham Trent University...
on vocals and guitars, James Flower on keyboards, Sam Hempton on guitar and Christian Davis on drums. Exponents of building, atmospheric drone-rock, influenced heavily by bands such as My Bloody Valentine and Spacemen 3
Spacemen 3
Spacemen 3 were an English alternative rock band, formed in 1982 in Rugby, Warwickshire by Peter Kember and Jason Pierce. Their music was "colorfully mind-altering, but not in the sense of the acid rock of the '60s; instead, the band developed its own minimalistic psychedelia"...
they found a niche in the industry with a considerable underground following, but despite some attempts to commercialise their sound, this never crossed over into mainstream success.
Formation
The group formed in Nottingham in 1996 after having played initially under the name "Friends Of..." since their first gig at the Old Angel in Nottingham in late 1992. After recording several demos and playing gigs, the band attracted record company interest, and played to a room full of A&RA&R
Artists and repertoire is the division of a record label that is responsible for talent scouting and overseeing the artistic development of recording artists. It also acts as a liaison between artists and the record label.- Finding talent :...
men in Leicester's Charlotte. The room emptied before the first 15 minute song was complete. Undeterred, the band continued to write and record. Bass player Paul Douglas joined later that year.
The band got their break by playing support slots with Rocket From The Crypt
Rocket from the Crypt
Rocket from the Crypt was an American rock band led by John Reis, formed in 1989 in San Diego, California and disbanded in 2005.The band gained critical praise and the attention of major record labels after the release of their 1992 album Circa: Now!, leading to a recording contract with Interscope...
and Girls Against Boys
Girls Against Boys
Girls Against Boys are an indie rock/post-hardcore band, originally forming in Washington, D.C. in 1988 and currently based in New York City.-Career:...
, and later changed their name to Six By Seven. The name was taken from the research connected with the Hubble telescope. Sam Hempton came up with the name and described it as follows:
"There was a big debate as to whether the millions of other galaxies in the universe were accelerating away from each other or moving away at a constant rate, or whether they were actually coming back in on themselves. The scientists originally thought that everything would eventually come back in on itself and implode, but what's actually happening is that they are accelerating away at a rate of 6 x 7."
Early releases
In 1997 the band released its first 12" single 'European Me' to critical acclaim, with numerous publications citing them as one of the most exciting new names in UK guitar-based music, leading to a five album deal. Their first album, The Things We MakeThe Things We Make
The debut album by Six by Seven, The Things We Make included the single "European Me", described by the NME as "one of the greatest debut singles of all time". The album featured numerous 'epic' tracks with "Oh! Dear", "European Me" and "88-92-96" all clocking in at almost seven minutes or more and...
was released the following year, after which they began headlining their own shows, as well as touring with Ash
Ash (band)
Ash are an alternative rock band that formed in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland in 1992. The band has sold 8 million albums worldwide.-Band beginning, Trailer and 1977 :...
, Manic Street Preachers
Manic Street Preachers
Manic Street Preachers are a Welsh alternative rock band, formed in 1986. They are James Dean Bradfield, Nicky Wire, Richey Edwards and Sean Moore. The band are part of the Cardiff music scene, and were at their most prominent during the 1990s...
, The Dandy Warhols
The Dandy Warhols
The Dandy Warhols are an American alternative rock band formed in Portland, Oregon in 1994. The band was founded by singer-guitarist Courtney Taylor-Taylor and guitarist Peter Holmström, with keyboardist Zia McCabe and drummer Eric Hedford later joining. Hedford left in 1998 and was replaced by...
, and Placebo
Placebo (band)
Placebo are a British rock band from London, England, formed in 1994 by singer and guitarist Brian Molko and bass guitarist Stefan Olsdal. The band was joined by drummer Robert Schultzberg, who was later replaced by Steve Hewitt after conflicts with Molko. Hewitt left the band in October 2007 and...
. As a sign that Six By Seven had achieved true success, they were asked to play a live session on the John Peel
John Peel
John Robert Parker Ravenscroft, OBE , known professionally as John Peel, was an English disc jockey, radio presenter, record producer and journalist. He was the longest-serving of the original BBC Radio 1 DJs, broadcasting regularly from 1967 until his death in 2004...
Show, broadcast in May 1998. They recorded four more over the next four years.
Their second album, The Closer You Get
The Closer You Get
The Closer You Get was Six by Seven's second album. Recorded at The Square Centre in Nottingham with Ric Peet - who'd produced one track on their first album - and John Leckie - who'd worked with many British bands including Radiohead and Simple Minds...
was released in 2000. Sam Hempton left the band shortly thereafter. Douglas followed in 2002, after the release of their third album The Way I Feel Today
The Way I Feel Today
The Way I Feel Today, released in 2002 on Beggars Banquet in the UK and Mantra Records in the US, was the third studio album by Nottingham-based indie rock band Six By Seven...
. In September 2004 the fourth album called 04
04 (album)
-Track listing:All tracks by Six By Seven# "Untitled" – 4:48# "Sometimes I Feel Like..." – 4:56# "Ready For You Now" – 5:14# "Ocean" – 5:02# "Say That You Want Me" – 4:29# "Lude I" – 1:32# "There's A Ghost" – 4:32...
was released, along with a collection of outtakes from the recording sessions called Left Luggage At The Peveril Hotel which was initially available through the band's website. In April 2005 a new album was announced for release entitled Artists Cannibals Poets Thieves
Artists Cannibals Poets Thieves
Artists Cannibals Poets Thieves was Six By Seven's final studio album before they disbanded and the third on their own Saturday Night Sunday Morning Records label, however, one more "unofficial album" had a limited release in January 2006: Club Sandwich at the Peveril Hotel.-Track listing:# "All I...
- it was described as Six by Seven's "first album as a three piece".
Disbanding
Shortly before the album's release in June the band announced they were to "stop touring and effectively end the group for the foreseeable future", with a live album and a b-sides and rarities collection to follow.In December 2005 a new "unofficial" studio album - Club Sandwich at the Peveril Hotel
Club Sandwich at the Peveril Hotel
Club Sandwich at the Peveril Hotel was the final release by Six By Seven, made after the group disbanded. Following the split in late 2005, 3 original members of the band formed a new band with two additional members , with the hope of developing a new sound...
- was released on the band's web site on January 16, 2006, with a limited number of copies making their way into stores in March. Although there was mention (and even scheduling) of a series of live gigs for early 2006, these shows were eventually cancelled.
In August 2006 the band made a surprise appearance playing at the Social in Nottingham with a new line up featuring past collaborators Tony Doggen Foster and Ady Fletcher with Ian Bissett newly recruited on the drums.
In September 2006 a collection of rarities, live tracks and demo recordings was made available via the bands' website.
On 12 December 2006 the band played another gig at the Social in Nottingham. Once again this featured the lineup of Chris Olley, James Flower, Doggen, Ady Fletcher and Ian Bissett.
Side projects
Chris Olley has finished working on solo projects Twelve and electro clash outfit fuck me USA and is releasing his first solo album in November 2009 www.chrisolley.co.ukReformation
In February 2007 it was officially announced via the band website that Six By Seven had reformed with their original lineup of Chris Olley, Sam Hempton, James Flower and Christian Davis. Pete Stevenson takes over Paul Douglas' role on bass.July 2007 saw the internet release of a new album recorded solely by Olley and Flower. It was entitled 'If Symptoms Persist, Kill Your Doctor' and was limited to 1000 copies only. Its lyrics are inspired by an episode of a BBC TV programme called The Trap. Gigs were scheduled to coincide with the release.
A best of (with songs chosen by fans on the official forum) was released later including remixes and a DVD containing the band's promo videos.
The band finally imploded after Chris Olley left in November 2008.
Studio Albums
- The Things We MakeThe Things We MakeThe debut album by Six by Seven, The Things We Make included the single "European Me", described by the NME as "one of the greatest debut singles of all time". The album featured numerous 'epic' tracks with "Oh! Dear", "European Me" and "88-92-96" all clocking in at almost seven minutes or more and...
(1998) - The Closer You GetThe Closer You GetThe Closer You Get was Six by Seven's second album. Recorded at The Square Centre in Nottingham with Ric Peet - who'd produced one track on their first album - and John Leckie - who'd worked with many British bands including Radiohead and Simple Minds...
(2000) - The Way I Feel TodayThe Way I Feel TodayThe Way I Feel Today, released in 2002 on Beggars Banquet in the UK and Mantra Records in the US, was the third studio album by Nottingham-based indie rock band Six By Seven...
(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...
#69 - 0404 (album)-Track listing:All tracks by Six By Seven# "Untitled" – 4:48# "Sometimes I Feel Like..." – 4:56# "Ready For You Now" – 5:14# "Ocean" – 5:02# "Say That You Want Me" – 4:29# "Lude I" – 1:32# "There's A Ghost" – 4:32...
(2004) - Left Luggage At The Peveril Hotel (2004)
- Artists Cannibals Poets ThievesArtists Cannibals Poets ThievesArtists Cannibals Poets Thieves was Six By Seven's final studio album before they disbanded and the third on their own Saturday Night Sunday Morning Records label, however, one more "unofficial album" had a limited release in January 2006: Club Sandwich at the Peveril Hotel.-Track listing:# "All I...
(2005) - Club Sandwich at the Peveril HotelClub Sandwich at the Peveril HotelClub Sandwich at the Peveril Hotel was the final release by Six By Seven, made after the group disbanded. Following the split in late 2005, 3 original members of the band formed a new band with two additional members , with the hope of developing a new sound...
(2006) - If Symptoms Persist, Kill Your DoctorIf Symptoms Persist, Kill Your DoctorIf Symptoms Persist, Kill Your Doctor is the official 6th studio album by the newly reformed Six by Seven. Its lyrics are inspired by an episode of a BBC TV programme called The Trap.The album is limited to 1000 copies.-Track listing:...
(2007)
Compilations
- Any Colour So Long As It's Black (All the Way From Forest Fields And Back...) (2008)
Singles
- "European Me" (1997)
- "88-92-96" (1997)
- "Candlelight" (1998) UKUK Singles ChartThe 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 ...
#70 - "For You" (1998)
- "European Me ep" (1998)
- "Two And A Half Days In Love With You EP" (1999)
- "Ten Places To Die" (1999)
- "New Year" (2000)
- "Eat Junk Become Junk" (2000)
- "So Close" (2002)
- "I O U Love" (2002) UK #48 - a cover of "Under the Milky WayUnder the Milky Way"Under the Milky Way" is a single by Australian alternative rock band The Church released in February 1988 with their album, Starfish. The song was written by bass guitarist and vocalist Steve Kilbey and his then-girlfriend, Karin Jansson...
" by The Church - "All My New Best Friends" (2002)
- "Bochum (Light Up My Life)" (2003)
- "Bring Down the Government" (2003)
- "Ready For You Now" (2004)
- "Catch The Rain" (2004)
- "Ocean/Clouds" (2004)
Live, demo, or unofficial albums
- B-Sides & Rarities 1
- B-Sides & Rarities 2
- Live in Ashton-Under-Lyne 08/09/99
- Live in Usa, Oslo, Newcastle
- Live in Amsterdam/Paris
- Live at La Route Du Rock 1998
- Live at Eden project 11 August 2001
- Live at Manchester Hop and Grape 15-04-02
- Live at Nottingham Boatclub 31/10/02
- Live Sessions 1999-2001
- Alternative Versions, Remixes And Cover Versions
- Demo's 1997-99
- Live At The Peveril Hotel
- Demos Volume II
- Live at Glastonbury 2008