Stapleton (band)
Encyclopedia
Stapleton is an independent rock band who come from Glasgow
. They formed in April 1997 and have released four albums and two EPs. They have to date played over 300 shows. They have released records on a number of independent record labels and are presently signed to Xtra Mile Recordings
in the UK and This Time Records in Japan. The band consist of Andrew Cook (Guitar & Vocals), Gordon Farquhar (Drums & Percussion), Alistair Paxton (Vocals & Guitar) and Nico Weststeijn (Bass).
Stapleton first came to prominence in the Glasgow DIY music scene of the late nineties, playing early shows alongside bands such as Karate
, Bluetip
, Dismemberment Plan and Les Savy Fav
. They were an integral and ubiquitous part of a supportive and diverse independent Scottish music scene that also included bands such as Laeto, Sawyer, Idlewild
, Aereogramme
and Biffy Clyro
. The turn of the millennium brought an increase in touring for Stapleton, as well as a first full release; 'Rebuild The Pier' on the English label Year 3 Thousand Records. Recorded at the Brill Building, Glasgow over two days by Richie Dempsey, Rebuild The Pier was critically acclaimed by national press and has retrospectively been regarded as a pioneering, landmark record by many bands and individuals. The 2001 follow up, 'On The Enjoyment of Unpleasant Places', achieved a similar status on its release through the legendary English label Subjugation Records. Initial pressings of the record sold very quickly and, indeed, it remained out of print until a repackaged version (including the Icy You EP) was released in 2004. 2002 saw the release of two EPs by Stapleton; firstly, the 'Icy You' EP, made up of songs from the 'On The Enjoyment' sessions, and secondly, the 'Chez Chef' EP, recorded in London by Pat Collier and Larry Hibbitt. Stapleton toured prolifically around this time, supporting high profile peers such as Idlewild
, Snow Patrol
and Hundred Reasons
, as well as highly regarded independent touring bands like Lungfish
, Weakerthans, Q and not U
, Pedro The Lion
, Tristeza
and Burning Airlines
. It was through a Glasgow show with Burning Airlines that Stapleton became involved with the esteemed musician and engineer J. Robbins
. May 2005 saw Stapleton record their third album, 'Hug The Coast', in Robbins' Baltimore studio, The Magpie Cage. Hug The Coast was released in late 2005 on Gravity Records and contained artwork by Grammy nominated artist Jesse LeDoux
. Following considerable touring, Stapleton chose to go on hiatus in Summer of 2006, though only after recording a fourth album 'Rest and be Thankful' with their friend and live engineer Robin Sutherland. Rest and be Thankful was released in May 2008 on Xtra Mile Recordings
, and was supported by a short UK tour.
Though they are presently on hiatus, members of Stapleton are active with other bands. These include Metronomes, Happy Particles, Avast! and Elements Of The Seventies.
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...
. They formed in April 1997 and have released four albums and two EPs. They have to date played over 300 shows. They have released records on a number of independent record labels and are presently signed to Xtra Mile Recordings
Xtra Mile Recordings
Xtra Mile Recordings are an independent record label based in London, United Kingdom. It was founded in 2003 by Charlie Caplowe and they release rock albums and singles...
in the UK and This Time Records in Japan. The band consist of Andrew Cook (Guitar & Vocals), Gordon Farquhar (Drums & Percussion), Alistair Paxton (Vocals & Guitar) and Nico Weststeijn (Bass).
Stapleton first came to prominence in the Glasgow DIY music scene of the late nineties, playing early shows alongside bands such as Karate
Karate
is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
, Bluetip
Bluetip
Bluetip was a rock band from Washington, D.C. It was formed in 1995 by ex-members of Swiz, and released four albums, an EP, and a number of singles before splitting up in January 2002....
, Dismemberment Plan and Les Savy Fav
Les Savy Fav
Les Savy Fav is a New York City indie rock band. Their style is influenced by art rock and post-hardcore. The group is known for the stage presence of lead singer Tim Harrington...
. They were an integral and ubiquitous part of a supportive and diverse independent Scottish music scene that also included bands such as Laeto, Sawyer, Idlewild
Idlewild (band)
Idlewild are a Scottish rock band, formed in Edinburgh, in 1995, comprising Roddy Woomble , Rod Jones , Colin Newton , Allan Stewart and Gareth Russell...
, Aereogramme
Aereogramme
Aereogramme were a Scottish alternative/post-rock rock band from Glasgow, consisting of Craig B. , Iain Cook , Campbell McNeil and Martin Scott...
and Biffy Clyro
Biffy Clyro
Biffy Clyro are a Scottish rock band from Kilmarnock, comprising Simon Neil , James Johnston and Ben Johnston...
. The turn of the millennium brought an increase in touring for Stapleton, as well as a first full release; 'Rebuild The Pier' on the English label Year 3 Thousand Records. Recorded at the Brill Building, Glasgow over two days by Richie Dempsey, Rebuild The Pier was critically acclaimed by national press and has retrospectively been regarded as a pioneering, landmark record by many bands and individuals. The 2001 follow up, 'On The Enjoyment of Unpleasant Places', achieved a similar status on its release through the legendary English label Subjugation Records. Initial pressings of the record sold very quickly and, indeed, it remained out of print until a repackaged version (including the Icy You EP) was released in 2004. 2002 saw the release of two EPs by Stapleton; firstly, the 'Icy You' EP, made up of songs from the 'On The Enjoyment' sessions, and secondly, the 'Chez Chef' EP, recorded in London by Pat Collier and Larry Hibbitt. Stapleton toured prolifically around this time, supporting high profile peers such as Idlewild
Idlewild (band)
Idlewild are a Scottish rock band, formed in Edinburgh, in 1995, comprising Roddy Woomble , Rod Jones , Colin Newton , Allan Stewart and Gareth Russell...
, 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...
and Hundred Reasons
Hundred Reasons
Hundred Reasons are an English rock band from Farnborough, Hampshire, composed of Colin Doran , Larry Hibbitt , Andy Gilmour , Andy Bews and Ben Doyle . Originally, the band was signed to Columbia Records in mid April 2001, after fourteen months of near-constant touring...
, as well as highly regarded independent touring bands like Lungfish
Lungfish
Lungfish are freshwater fish belonging to the Subclass Dipnoi. Lungfish are best known for retaining characteristics primitive within the Osteichthyes, including the ability to breathe air, and structures primitive within Sarcopterygii, including the presence of lobed fins with a well-developed...
, Weakerthans, Q and not U
Q and Not U
Q and Not U was a post-hardcore band from Washington, D.C., signed to Dischord Records. Members John Davis, Harris Klahr, Christopher Richards, and Matt Borlik formed the band in 1998...
, Pedro The Lion
Pedro the Lion
Pedro the Lion was an indie rock band from Seattle, Washington. Singer-songwriter David Bazan formed the band in 1995 and represented its main creative force, backed by a varying rotation of collaborating musicians. T. W. Walsh is considered to be the sole official band member besides Bazan. In...
, Tristeza
Tristeza
Tristeza is a post-rock band from San Diego, California. The band has performed in 19 countries.Tristeza is a California-based band, with most members currently living in Oakland, CA....
and Burning Airlines
Burning Airlines
Burning Airlines were an American rock band from Washington, D.C.. J. Robbins and Bill Barbot of Jawbox formed the band with Peter Moffett, formerly of Government Issue...
. It was through a Glasgow show with Burning Airlines that Stapleton became involved with the esteemed musician and engineer J. Robbins
J. Robbins
James Robbins is an American rock music artist. He began his career as a bassist for Government Issue, and has also led four of his own bands: Jawbox, Rollkicker Laydown, Burning Airlines, and Channels. He was a touring bassist for Scream and played bass on the debut 7" from Jack Potential, which...
. May 2005 saw Stapleton record their third album, 'Hug The Coast', in Robbins' Baltimore studio, The Magpie Cage. Hug The Coast was released in late 2005 on Gravity Records and contained artwork by Grammy nominated artist Jesse LeDoux
Jesse LeDoux
Jesse LeDoux is a notable artist who has created album covers for many bands. LeDoux currently works out of his studio in Tokyo, Japan.-Some of Jesse LeDoux's album covers:*Dolour Waiting for a World War LP...
. Following considerable touring, Stapleton chose to go on hiatus in Summer of 2006, though only after recording a fourth album 'Rest and be Thankful' with their friend and live engineer Robin Sutherland. Rest and be Thankful was released in May 2008 on Xtra Mile Recordings
Xtra Mile Recordings
Xtra Mile Recordings are an independent record label based in London, United Kingdom. It was founded in 2003 by Charlie Caplowe and they release rock albums and singles...
, and was supported by a short UK tour.
Though they are presently on hiatus, members of Stapleton are active with other bands. These include Metronomes, Happy Particles, Avast! and Elements Of The Seventies.
Studio albums
- Rebuild the Pier (2000) Year 3 Thousand
- On The Enjoyment Of Unpleasant Places (2001) Subjugation Records
- On The Enjoyment Of Unpleasant Places + Icy You (2004) Gravity DIP Records
- Hug The Coast (2005) Gravity DIP Records
- Rest and be Thankful (2008) Xtra Mile RecordingsXtra Mile RecordingsXtra Mile Recordings are an independent record label based in London, United Kingdom. It was founded in 2003 by Charlie Caplowe and they release rock albums and singles...
EPs and split singles
- Acres & Yards ('Mosh & Go' 7") released in October 2001 on Fierce Panda RecordsFierce Panda RecordsFierce Panda Records is a London-based independent record label, with its first release in February 1994. It also produced a small number of releases that year by now famous artists such as Ash, The Bluetones, Baby Bird and Supergrass...
. - The Boredom Of Bread, The Fun Of Cake (split CD with Beezewax) released in October 2001 on Biscay Records
- Icy You (EP) released in April 2002 on Gravity DIP RecordsGravity DIP RecordsGravity DIP is an independent record label and music management team based in Kingston upon Thames, England. It evolved from a music collective which has promoted live shows by bands and club nights in Kingston upon Thames since 1994...
- Chez Chef (EP) released in December 2002 on Gravity DIP Records
- Happy Homes And The Hearts That Make Them / Northwest Corners (split 10" with Dartz!DartzDARTZ is a Latvian manufacturer of armored vehicles. Based in the old Russo-Balt factory in Riga, Latvia, DARTZ has recently achieved notoriety for their line of luxury armored SUVs, the T-98 Kombat and the Prombron , the latter of which was originally available upholstered in leather made from...
) released in April 2006 on Gravity DIP Records - Sports Cars And Devil Worship on 'Souvenir', Cable tribute album released October 2006 on Signature Tune Records.