The Blackout (band)
Encyclopedia
The Blackout is a post-hardcore
band from Merthyr Tydfil
, Wales, formed in 2003. After some time backing Lostprophets
on their Liberation Transmission Tour, along with Dopamine, Covergirl, Kids In Glass Houses
, The Guns
and Men, Women and Children, they released their first mini-album The Blackout! The Blackout! The Blackout!
. In October 2007 the band released their debut album, We Are the Dynamite!
. Their second record, The Best In Town
was released on 25 May 2009 in Europe and 23 June 2009 in the US, both via Epitaph Records
. The band recently finished recording their third album - titled "Hope
", which was released on 4 April 2011.
. Having performed with the likes of fellow Welsh bands, including Funeral For A Friend
, Kids in Glass Houses
, The Automatic
and Lostprophets
, as well as Reuben
, Fightstar
, amongst other big name bands the band released their debut mini-album The Blackout! The Blackout! The Blackout!
on 23 October 2006 through Fierce Panda Records
, this led to Kerrang!
nominating the band for Best Newcomers. Across late November and December 2006 The Blackout accompanied Lostprophets
on their UK headling tour alongside Bring Me the Horizon
. The Blackout were noted for there comical use of christmas attire.
, on 1 October 2007 through Fierce Panda records. The first single taken from it is entitled "The Beijing Cocktail" and was released on 24 September 2007. We Are the Dynamite!
is the fastest selling album ever released on Fierce Panda. To coincide with the band's debut album release they announced a 14-date headline UK tour with Flood of Red and Pierce the Veil
followed by joining the Taste of Chaos tour across Europe in November 2007, replacing Escape The Fate
and playing alongside The Used
, Rise Against
, Aiden
and Gallows
.
The second single released from the album We Are the Dynamite! was "It's High Tide Baby!" (which features Lostprophets
singer Ian Watkins) and was released via Fierce Panda on 11 February 2008. However, due to a pressing error, the A side of this single ended up being "The Beijing Cocktail" instead of "It's High Tide Baby!". After further touring across the United Kingdom and Europe, April 2008 saw The Blackouts first jaunt to USA with a short tour of the midwest supporting blessthefall
ending in Bamboozle Festival in New Jersey. In May, the band played at the Give It A Name
festival for the second time, this time playing on the main stage alongside acts such as Silverstein
, Billy Talent
and Glassjaw
. They also brought along entertainment team The Fuel Girls, to support their stage presence. The Blackout also supported Story of the Year
on their UK The Black Swan tour, both bands finished off the tour by playing Slam Dunk Festival in Leeds, UK. 8 September brought The Blackout's first visit to Japan playing a short 4 date stop with Alesana
. On returning from Japan, The Blackout got straight on a bus to mainland Europe to tour with fellow Welshmen Attack! Attack!
then returning to the UK where they were supported by The Medic Droid
, We Are the Ocean
and From First To Last
. This tour saw The Blackout became only the third unsigned band ever to sell out the London Astoria
. The previous bands being The Darkness and Enter Shikari
respectively .
and "I Love Myself and I Wanna Live", this ultimately led to the band being signed to Epitaph Records
in February 2009. After finishing up touring in 2008 the band began recording their second album, The Best in Town
with A
vocalist, Jason Perry
at Sonic Ranch, El Paso, Texas. The rest of the vocal tracking was completed in Southend on Sea in early January. In March 2009 the band set out to LA to film a music video for their first single from The Best in Town, "Children of the Night" and for their second single, "Saves Our Selves", as well as meeting with record Label Epitaph, who are based in the US. The first single from The Best in Town, "Children Of The Night", was released on the 18 May. To promote this album, the band toured with The Urgency, Hollywood Undead
and Silverstein
, before playing at the Download Festival
, where they ended up playing twice due to The Ghost Of A Thousand
pulling out at the last minute. They played at the Hevy Music Festival
on 1 August 2009 and headlined Butserfest
on 12 September playing alongside Go Audio, We Are The Ocean
and Attack! Attack!
.
They have also been confirmed to play the Kerrang! Relentless Energy Drink Tour 2010 alongside My Passion
, Young Guns
and All Time Low
. Through Monday 16 November to Saturday 21 November The Blackout were doing band signing in major cities and towns. Having performed backing vocals on You Me At Six
's 2010 album Hold Me Down
, Sean Smith appeared on stage with You Me At Six, at Newport Centre on 10 March 2010, and at Brixton Academy on 20 March 2010, with Gavin Butler, during the performance of "The Consequence", both times receiving an enthusiastic reception.
In June 2010, the band were confirmed to support Paramore
on their one off show in Belfast
in Northern Ireland. Front Woman of the band Hayley Williams
said that it was an honour to have the band that they supported in 2006 on the Give It A Name Festival supporting them on their headline show.
The band also toured Europe with Limp Bizkit
in August 2010
account, stating that the album is "all wrapped up & done recording" and that the record would be mixed next week. It has also been claimed that Smith, the band's co-vocalist, had stated that the upcoming record to be titled "Dog Porn", but later stressed out the fact that "it was all but a joke".
On 12 January 2011, Kerrang!
announced the title of the upcoming third studio album was "Hope". Smith had also stated, "there's the wide-eyed hope and the negative, almost desperate meaning of the word (hope), too. The word has appeared a lot in the lyrics. The songs are also a little darker than the ones on our previous record, The Best In Town
." "Hope" was released on 1 April 2011. On 13 January 2011, the band announced on the their Twitter
account that they would be making an exclusive track called "Ambition is Critical" available for free download on the band's official site, on 24 January.
The Blackout supported My Chemical Romance
on their World Contamination Tour (along with LostAlone
), from 12 to 22 February. On 1 March 2011, The Blackout released the video for Higher and Higher. On 21 March 2011, it was announced that The Blackout would play the main stage at the 2011 Reading and Leeds Festivals. On 30 March 2011, The Blackout started touring the Hope album with support from Texan Rock Rapper Hyro Da Hero (who appears on their track "Higher and Higher") as well as Michigan Pop-Punk band The Swellers
. This was followed by a European tour supporting Funeral For A Friend
and a headline appearance at Liverpool's Hub Festival. The band are scheduled to close the Merthyr Rock festival on 4 September, before embarking on a UK and European headline tour throughout October and November, with support from We Are The Ocean
and Canterbury.
Post-hardcore
Post-hardcore is a genre of music that developed from hardcore punk, itself an offshoot of the broader punk rock movement. Like post-punk, post-hardcore is a term for a broad constellation of groups...
band from Merthyr Tydfil
Merthyr Tydfil
Merthyr Tydfil is a town in Wales, with a population of about 30,000. Although once the largest town in Wales, it is now ranked as the 15th largest urban area in Wales. It also gives its name to a county borough, which has a population of around 55,000. It is located in the historic county of...
, Wales, formed in 2003. After some time backing Lostprophets
Lostprophets
Lostprophets is a Welsh rock band from Pontypridd, formed in 1997. Founded by vocalist Ian Watkins, bassist Mike Lewis, drummer Mike Chiplin and guitarist Lee Gaze, they were originally a side-project to hardcore punk band Public Disturbance. To date, Lostprophets have released four studio...
on their Liberation Transmission Tour, along with Dopamine, Covergirl, Kids In Glass Houses
Kids in Glass Houses
Kids in Glass Houses are a Welsh rock band from Cardiff, and are considered a significant part of the Cardiff music scene. The band's name is inspired by the lyrics "not throwing stones at you anymore" from Glassjaw song "Tip Your Bartender". The band achieved success on the strength of the singles...
, The Guns
The Guns
The Guns are a four-piece rock band from South Wales. The current line-up consists of Alex Wiltshire , Adam Turner , Tom Coburn and Chris 'Stix' Davies . The band have stated that they would like to remain independent and have turned down numerous record deals as a result of that...
and Men, Women and Children, they released their first mini-album The Blackout! The Blackout! The Blackout!
The Blackout! The Blackout! The Blackout!
The Blackout! The Blackout! The Blackout! is the debut album by post-hardcore band The Blackout. The mini-album was recorded and produced at Long Wave Recording Studio by Romesh Dodangoda in 2006...
. In October 2007 the band released their debut album, We Are the Dynamite!
We Are the Dynamite!
We Are The Dynamite is the debut full-length studio album by Welsh post-hardcore band The Blackout. The singles released from the album were "The Beijing Cocktail" and "It's High Tide Baby!"...
. Their second record, The Best In Town
The Best in Town
The Best in Town is the second album to by Welsh post-hardcore band The Blackout. The album was released on 25 May 2009 in Europe, and 23 June 2009 in the USA...
was released on 25 May 2009 in Europe and 23 June 2009 in the US, both via Epitaph Records
Epitaph Records
Epitaph Records is a Hollywood, California based independent record label owned by Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz. The label was originally "just a logo and a P.O. box" created in the 1980s for the purpose of selling Bad Religion records, but has evolved into a large independent record...
. The band recently finished recording their third album - titled "Hope
Hope (The Blackout album)
- Personnel :* Sean Smith – vocals* Gavin Butler – vocals* James "Bob" Davies – guitar, backing vocals* Matthew Davies – guitar, backing vocals* Rhys Lewis – bass guitar* Gareth "Snoz" Lawrence – drums, backing vocals* Phillip Jenkins – drums...
", which was released on 4 April 2011.
Formation & early years (2003-2006)
The band formed in 2003 "out of boredom", originally called Ten Minute Preview, however after deciding to ditch their name at the time material they re-branded themselves The Blackout, the name was taken from a t-shirt saying "I survived the blackout" referring to the New York City blackout of 1977New York City blackout of 1977
The New York City blackout of 1977 was an electricity blackout affected most of New York City from July 13, 1977 to July 14, 1977. The only neighborhoods in New York City that were not affected were in southern Queens, and neighborhoods of the Rockaways, which are part of the Long Island Lighting...
. Having performed with the likes of fellow Welsh bands, including Funeral For A Friend
Funeral for a Friend
Funeral for a Friend are a Welsh post-hardcore band, from Bridgend. Formed 2001, they have released five studio albums, seven EPs, sixteen singles, one DVD, and one compilation album.-Formation and Early Years:...
, Kids in Glass Houses
Kids in Glass Houses
Kids in Glass Houses are a Welsh rock band from Cardiff, and are considered a significant part of the Cardiff music scene. The band's name is inspired by the lyrics "not throwing stones at you anymore" from Glassjaw song "Tip Your Bartender". The band achieved success on the strength of the singles...
, The Automatic
The Automatic
The Automatic , are a Welsh rock band. The band is composed of Robin Hawkins on vocals, bass and synthesizers, James Frost on guitar, synthesizers, backing vocals and occasional bass, Iwan Griffiths on drums and Paul Mullen on vocals, guitar and synthesizer - since 2007...
and Lostprophets
Lostprophets
Lostprophets is a Welsh rock band from Pontypridd, formed in 1997. Founded by vocalist Ian Watkins, bassist Mike Lewis, drummer Mike Chiplin and guitarist Lee Gaze, they were originally a side-project to hardcore punk band Public Disturbance. To date, Lostprophets have released four studio...
, as well as 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...
, Fightstar
Fightstar
Fightstar are an English alternative rock band from London. They formed in 2003 and their lineup comprises lead vocalist, guitarist and keyboardist Charlie Simpson, guitarist and vocalist Alex Westaway, bass guitarist Dan Haigh and drummer Omar Abidi...
, amongst other big name bands the band released their debut mini-album The Blackout! The Blackout! The Blackout!
The Blackout! The Blackout! The Blackout!
The Blackout! The Blackout! The Blackout! is the debut album by post-hardcore band The Blackout. The mini-album was recorded and produced at Long Wave Recording Studio by Romesh Dodangoda in 2006...
on 23 October 2006 through Fierce Panda Records
Fierce Panda Records
Fierce 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...
, this led to Kerrang!
Kerrang!
Kerrang! is a UK-based magazine devoted to rock music published by Bauer Media Group. It was first published on June 6, 1981 as a one-off supplement in the Sounds newspaper...
nominating the band for Best Newcomers. Across late November and December 2006 The Blackout accompanied Lostprophets
Lostprophets
Lostprophets is a Welsh rock band from Pontypridd, formed in 1997. Founded by vocalist Ian Watkins, bassist Mike Lewis, drummer Mike Chiplin and guitarist Lee Gaze, they were originally a side-project to hardcore punk band Public Disturbance. To date, Lostprophets have released four studio...
on their UK headling tour alongside Bring Me the Horizon
Bring Me the Horizon
Bring Me the Horizon are a British metalcore band from Sheffield, Yorkshire, who formed in 2004. Bring Me the Horizon constits of Oliver Sykes as the lead vocalist, lead guitarist Lee Malia, rhythm guitarist Jona Weinhofen, bassist Matt Kean and drummer Matt Nicholls...
. The Blackout were noted for there comical use of christmas attire.
We Are the Dynamite! (2007-2008)
Under a year later The Blackout released their debut album, We Are the Dynamite!We Are the Dynamite!
We Are The Dynamite is the debut full-length studio album by Welsh post-hardcore band The Blackout. The singles released from the album were "The Beijing Cocktail" and "It's High Tide Baby!"...
, on 1 October 2007 through Fierce Panda records. The first single taken from it is entitled "The Beijing Cocktail" and was released on 24 September 2007. We Are the Dynamite!
We Are the Dynamite!
We Are The Dynamite is the debut full-length studio album by Welsh post-hardcore band The Blackout. The singles released from the album were "The Beijing Cocktail" and "It's High Tide Baby!"...
is the fastest selling album ever released on Fierce Panda. To coincide with the band's debut album release they announced a 14-date headline UK tour with Flood of Red and Pierce the Veil
Pierce the Veil
Pierce the Veil is an American post-hardcore band from San Diego, California. Formed in 2006, the group was founded by brothers Vic and Mike Fuentes after the disbandment of the group Early Times which was formed out of the San Diego punk rock scene...
followed by joining the Taste of Chaos tour across Europe in November 2007, replacing Escape The Fate
Escape The Fate
Escape the Fate is an American post-hardcore band from Las Vegas, Nevada formed in 2005 and originally from Pahrump, Nevada. They have released three EPs and three full-length studio albums. Dying Is Your Latest Fashion was the band's debut album and only album to feature vocalist Ronnie Radke...
and playing alongside The Used
The Used
The Used is an American rock band from Orem, Utah. The band was founded in 2001 and signed to Reprise Records the same year. They rose to fame in June 2002 after releasing their self-titled debut album. They followed up with their second album, In Love and Death, in September 2004 and their third...
, Rise Against
Rise Against
Rise Against is an American punk rock band from Chicago, Illinois, formed in 1999. The band currently consists of Tim McIlrath , Zach Blair , Joe Principe and Brandon Barnes .Rise Against spent its first five years signed to the independent record label Fat Wreck Chords, on which it...
, Aiden
Aiden
Aiden is an American rock band from Seattle, Washington that formed in the spring of 2003. The members are WiL Francis , Nick Wiggins , and Angel Ibarra . wiL originally played bass but took over lead vocals when the original singer left...
and Gallows
Gallows (band)
Gallows are a hardcore punk band from Watford, England. The band was formed in 2005 after the disbandment of founding member Laurent Barnard's previous band, My Dad Joe. Gallows' debut album, Orchestra of Wolves, was distributed in the United States by Epitaph Records, and they were subsequently...
.
The second single released from the album We Are the Dynamite! was "It's High Tide Baby!" (which features Lostprophets
Lostprophets
Lostprophets is a Welsh rock band from Pontypridd, formed in 1997. Founded by vocalist Ian Watkins, bassist Mike Lewis, drummer Mike Chiplin and guitarist Lee Gaze, they were originally a side-project to hardcore punk band Public Disturbance. To date, Lostprophets have released four studio...
singer Ian Watkins) and was released via Fierce Panda on 11 February 2008. However, due to a pressing error, the A side of this single ended up being "The Beijing Cocktail" instead of "It's High Tide Baby!". After further touring across the United Kingdom and Europe, April 2008 saw The Blackouts first jaunt to USA with a short tour of the midwest supporting blessthefall
Blessthefall
Blessthefall is an American metalcore band from Phoenix, Arizona, currently signed to Fearless Records. The band was founded in 2003 by guitarist Mike Frisby, drummer Matt Traynor, and bassist Jared Warth. Their debut album, His Last Walk, with original vocalist Craig Mabbitt, was released April...
ending in Bamboozle Festival in New Jersey. In May, the band played at the Give It A Name
Give it a Name
Give it a Name, also known as GIAN, , named after an At the Drive-In song, was an annual British rock music festival, normally held on the weekend nearest to the end of April. The first festival took place on May 2, 2005 at Alexandra Palace, North London...
festival for the second time, this time playing on the main stage alongside acts such as Silverstein
Silverstein (band)
Silverstein is a Canadian post-hardcore band from Burlington, Ontario, formed in 2000. Their band name is a reference to the famous children's author Shel Silverstein, whom the band had admired and read the stories of as children. They have released a total of five studio albums, three EP's, a...
, Billy Talent
Billy Talent
Billy Talent is a Canadian post-hardcore band from Streetsville, Ontario. They formed in 1993 with Ben Kowalewicz as the lead vocalist, Ian D'Sa on lead guitar, bassist Jon Gallant and drummer Aaron Solowoniuk ....
and Glassjaw
Glassjaw
Glassjaw is a four-piece rock band from Long Island, New York. The band is fronted by vocalist Daryl Palumbo and guitarist Justin Beck, and have undergone numerous line-up changes since their inception...
. They also brought along entertainment team The Fuel Girls, to support their stage presence. The Blackout also supported Story of the Year
Story of the Year
Story of the Year is an American rock band formed in St. Louis, Missouri in 2000. The band was initially named 67 North but was then changed to Big Blue Monkey...
on their UK The Black Swan tour, both bands finished off the tour by playing Slam Dunk Festival in Leeds, UK. 8 September brought The Blackout's first visit to Japan playing a short 4 date stop with Alesana
Alesana
Alesana is an American rock band from Raleigh, North Carolina. Formed in 2004, the group is currently signed to Epitaph Records and have released one EP and four full-length studio albums...
. On returning from Japan, The Blackout got straight on a bus to mainland Europe to tour with fellow Welshmen Attack! Attack!
Attack! Attack!
Attack! Attack! are a Welsh rock band from Caerphilly and Aberdare, formed in 2006. They have toured across the UK with other Welsh bands such as The Blackout, Funeral for a Friend, Lostprophets, SaidMike, Kids in Glass Houses and also English bands You Me at Six and Go:Audio and have toured with...
then returning to the UK where they were supported by The Medic Droid
The Medic Droid
-History:The Medic Droid was started in 2005 with Chris Donathon, Hector Bagnod and Johnny Chavez . Bagnod and Donathon first met in 2003, but Donathon moved away from the city after they met, only to return a few years later...
, We Are the Ocean
We Are the Ocean
We Are the Ocean is a 5 piece post-hardcore band from Loughton, Essex, England.The band has played hundreds of shows since their formation, including several festivals during 2008 such as Slam Dunk, Offset Festival, Middlesbrough Music Live, and Taste of Chaos...
and From First To Last
From First to Last
From First to Last was an American rock band based out of Los Angeles, originally hailing from Valdosta, Georgia and Tampa, Florida. The band released their first EP titled Aesthetic in 2003 with vocalist Phillip Reardon, followed by Dear Diary, My Teen Angst Has a Body Count in 2004 and Heroine in...
. This tour saw The Blackout became only the third unsigned band ever to sell out the London Astoria
London Astoria
The London Astoria was a music venue, located at 157 Charing Cross Road, in London, England. It had been leased and run by Festival Republic since 2000. It was closed on 15 January 2009 and has since been demolished...
. The previous bands being The Darkness and Enter Shikari
Enter Shikari
Enter Shikari are a British band, that combine post-hardcore with elements of various electronic genres, formed in 2003 in St Albans, Hertfordshire. The band is named after a boat belonging to Roughton "Rou" Reynolds' uncle, and a character in a play which he wrote before forming the band, both of...
respectively .
The Best in Town (2009)
In 2008 the band split with record label Fierce Panda, scrapping plans to release another two singles from We Are the Dynamite!We Are the Dynamite!
We Are The Dynamite is the debut full-length studio album by Welsh post-hardcore band The Blackout. The singles released from the album were "The Beijing Cocktail" and "It's High Tide Baby!"...
and "I Love Myself and I Wanna Live", this ultimately led to the band being signed to Epitaph Records
Epitaph Records
Epitaph Records is a Hollywood, California based independent record label owned by Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz. The label was originally "just a logo and a P.O. box" created in the 1980s for the purpose of selling Bad Religion records, but has evolved into a large independent record...
in February 2009. After finishing up touring in 2008 the band began recording their second album, The Best in Town
The Best in Town
The Best in Town is the second album to by Welsh post-hardcore band The Blackout. The album was released on 25 May 2009 in Europe, and 23 June 2009 in the USA...
with A
A (band)
A are a British alternative rock band from Suffolk, England, that formed in 1993. They have released four albums, and two live mini-albums.In 2002, the band enjoyed a brief period of commercial success, in which "Nothing", the first single from Hi-Fi Serious , charted at #9 on the UK singles chart...
vocalist, Jason Perry
Jason Perry
Jason Perry is a record producer, song writer, and lead vocalist of the Suffolk based band ’A’. He has an identical twin brother, Adam, and a younger brother, Giles, both of whom are also members of the band...
at Sonic Ranch, El Paso, Texas. The rest of the vocal tracking was completed in Southend on Sea in early January. In March 2009 the band set out to LA to film a music video for their first single from The Best in Town, "Children of the Night" and for their second single, "Saves Our Selves", as well as meeting with record Label Epitaph, who are based in the US. The first single from The Best in Town, "Children Of The Night", was released on the 18 May. To promote this album, the band toured with The Urgency, Hollywood Undead
Hollywood Undead
Hollywood Undead is an American rap rock band from Los Angeles, California. They released their debut album, Swan Songs, on September 2, 2008, and their live CD/DVD Desperate Measures, on November 10, 2009. Their second studio album, American Tragedy, was released April 5, 2011...
and Silverstein
Silverstein (band)
Silverstein is a Canadian post-hardcore band from Burlington, Ontario, formed in 2000. Their band name is a reference to the famous children's author Shel Silverstein, whom the band had admired and read the stories of as children. They have released a total of five studio albums, three EP's, a...
, before playing at the Download Festival
Download Festival
The Download Festival is a three day rock music festival held annually at Donington Park, England . It usually takes place in June...
, where they ended up playing twice due to The Ghost Of A Thousand
The Ghost of a Thousand
The Ghost Of A Thousand was an English five-piece punk rock band from Brighton, UK.-Career:The Ghost Of A Thousand confirmed on 31 March 2011 that they were as a band after 7 years together. After signing with Undergroove Records in 2007 the band toured extensively, playing alongside Gallows,...
pulling out at the last minute. They played at the Hevy Music Festival
Hevy Music Festival
Hevy Music Festival is a rock festival that takes place annually near Folkestone in the UK. It was originally held on 1 August 2009 on Folkestone seafront as a one-day festival with Feeder, Gary Numan and Ash as headliners. In 2010 it moved to Port Lympne Wild Animal Park and grew to a weekend...
on 1 August 2009 and headlined Butserfest
Butserfest
Butserfest is a festival created by East Hampshire District Council. This music festival is targeted at young people aged 14-20 and is an alcohol/drug free event. It has become an annual event due to its success in 2007. It is held on Butser Hill opposite Queen Elizabeth's Country Park near...
on 12 September playing alongside Go Audio, We Are The Ocean
We Are the Ocean
We Are the Ocean is a 5 piece post-hardcore band from Loughton, Essex, England.The band has played hundreds of shows since their formation, including several festivals during 2008 such as Slam Dunk, Offset Festival, Middlesbrough Music Live, and Taste of Chaos...
and Attack! Attack!
Attack! Attack!
Attack! Attack! are a Welsh rock band from Caerphilly and Aberdare, formed in 2006. They have toured across the UK with other Welsh bands such as The Blackout, Funeral for a Friend, Lostprophets, SaidMike, Kids in Glass Houses and also English bands You Me at Six and Go:Audio and have toured with...
.
They have also been confirmed to play the Kerrang! Relentless Energy Drink Tour 2010 alongside My Passion
My Passion
My Passion is an English band formed in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England in 2005. They released their debut album, Corporate Flesh Party, in May 2009 on Cool Green Recordings...
, Young Guns
Young Guns (band)
Young Guns are an English alternative rock band from High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. On 22 June 2009 they released their debut EP Mirrors, and their debut album All Our Kings Are Dead was released a year later on 12 July 2010, peaking at #43 in the UK Albums Chart, and #3 in both the UK Rock and...
and All Time Low
All Time Low
All Time Low is an American pop punk band from Baltimore, Maryland, formed in 2003.The band consists of vocalist and rhythm guitarist Alexander Gaskarth, lead guitarist and backing vocalist Jack Barakat, bassist and backing vocalist Zachary Merrick, and drummer Rian Dawson...
. Through Monday 16 November to Saturday 21 November The Blackout were doing band signing in major cities and towns. Having performed backing vocals on You Me At Six
You Me At Six
You Me at Six is a British rock band from Weybridge, Surrey. Formed in 2004, the group rose to fame in 2008 with the success of their debut album, Take Off Your Colours, which included the singles "Save It for the Bedroom", "Finders Keepers" and "Kiss and Tell", with the latter two peaking at #33...
's 2010 album Hold Me Down
Hold Me Down
Hold Me Down is the second studio album by English pop punk band You Me at Six, released 11 January 2010 on Virgin Records.The album follows predecessor, Take Off Your Colours and is their first release on the major label Virgin Records. Like their debut, the album was once again produced and...
, Sean Smith appeared on stage with You Me At Six, at Newport Centre on 10 March 2010, and at Brixton Academy on 20 March 2010, with Gavin Butler, during the performance of "The Consequence", both times receiving an enthusiastic reception.
In June 2010, the band were confirmed to support Paramore
Paramore
Paramore is an American rock band from Franklin, Tennessee, formed in 2004. The band consists of lead vocalist Hayley Williams, bassist Jeremy Davis, and guitarist Taylor York...
on their one off show in Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
in Northern Ireland. Front Woman of the band Hayley Williams
Hayley Williams
Hayley Nichole Williams is an American singer, songwriter, and the lead vocalist of the band Paramore.- Life and career :...
said that it was an honour to have the band that they supported in 2006 on the Give It A Name Festival supporting them on their headline show.
The band also toured Europe with Limp Bizkit
Limp Bizkit
Limp Bizkit is an American rock band from Jacksonville, Florida. Formed in 1995, the group's lineup consists of Fred Durst , Wes Borland , Sam Rivers , John Otto and DJ Lethal . The band achieved mainstream success with their second studio album Significant Other, released in 1999...
in August 2010
Hope (2011–present)
On 28 September 2010, frontman Sean Smith announced that the band is was heading to the studio in preparation to record their third upcoming studio album. They finished writing the songs on 11 November 2010. On 26 November 2010, the band posted a tweet on their TwitterTwitter
Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
account, stating that the album is "all wrapped up & done recording" and that the record would be mixed next week. It has also been claimed that Smith, the band's co-vocalist, had stated that the upcoming record to be titled "Dog Porn", but later stressed out the fact that "it was all but a joke".
On 12 January 2011, Kerrang!
Kerrang!
Kerrang! is a UK-based magazine devoted to rock music published by Bauer Media Group. It was first published on June 6, 1981 as a one-off supplement in the Sounds newspaper...
announced the title of the upcoming third studio album was "Hope". Smith had also stated, "there's the wide-eyed hope and the negative, almost desperate meaning of the word (hope), too. The word has appeared a lot in the lyrics. The songs are also a little darker than the ones on our previous record, The Best In Town
The Best in Town
The Best in Town is the second album to by Welsh post-hardcore band The Blackout. The album was released on 25 May 2009 in Europe, and 23 June 2009 in the USA...
." "Hope" was released on 1 April 2011. On 13 January 2011, the band announced on the their Twitter
Twitter
Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
account that they would be making an exclusive track called "Ambition is Critical" available for free download on the band's official site, on 24 January.
The Blackout supported My Chemical Romance
My Chemical Romance
My Chemical Romance is an American alternative rock band from New Jersey, formed in 2001. The band consists of lead vocalist Gerard Way, guitarists Ray Toro and Frank Iero, and bassist Mikey Way and have a diverse sound incorporating elements of punk, emo, glam metal, and progressive rock...
on their World Contamination Tour (along with LostAlone
LostAlone
LostAlone are a British rock band from Derby, Derbyshire and have been active since 2005. The band currently consists of Steven Battelle , Alan Williamson , and Mark Gibson ....
), from 12 to 22 February. On 1 March 2011, The Blackout released the video for Higher and Higher. On 21 March 2011, it was announced that The Blackout would play the main stage at the 2011 Reading and Leeds Festivals. On 30 March 2011, The Blackout started touring the Hope album with support from Texan Rock Rapper Hyro Da Hero (who appears on their track "Higher and Higher") as well as Michigan Pop-Punk band The Swellers
The Swellers
The Swellers are an American punk rock band from Flint, Michigan. Their music draws influence from melodic punk rock bands as well as alternative and indie rock from the 90s.-Band history:...
. This was followed by a European tour supporting Funeral For A Friend
Funeral for a Friend
Funeral for a Friend are a Welsh post-hardcore band, from Bridgend. Formed 2001, they have released five studio albums, seven EPs, sixteen singles, one DVD, and one compilation album.-Formation and Early Years:...
and a headline appearance at Liverpool's Hub Festival. The band are scheduled to close the Merthyr Rock festival on 4 September, before embarking on a UK and European headline tour throughout October and November, with support from We Are The Ocean
We Are the Ocean
We Are the Ocean is a 5 piece post-hardcore band from Loughton, Essex, England.The band has played hundreds of shows since their formation, including several festivals during 2008 such as Slam Dunk, Offset Festival, Middlesbrough Music Live, and Taste of Chaos...
and Canterbury.
Band members
- Sean Smith - vocals
- Gavin Butler - vocals
- James "Bob" Davies - guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, backing vocals - Matthew Davies - guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, backing vocals - Rhys Lewis - bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- Gareth "Snoz" Lawrence - drums, backing vocals
Albums
| Year | Title | Chart Positions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK Album Chart | ||||
| 2006 | "The Blackout! The Blackout! The Blackout! The Blackout! The Blackout! The Blackout! The Blackout! The Blackout! The Blackout! is the debut album by post-hardcore band The Blackout. The mini-album was recorded and produced at Long Wave Recording Studio by Romesh Dodangoda in 2006... " |
- | ||
| 2007 | "We Are the Dynamite! We Are the Dynamite! We Are The Dynamite is the debut full-length studio album by Welsh post-hardcore band The Blackout. The singles released from the album were "The Beijing Cocktail" and "It's High Tide Baby!"... " |
- | ||
| 2009 | "The Best in Town The Best in Town The Best in Town is the second album to by Welsh post-hardcore band The Blackout. The album was released on 25 May 2009 in Europe, and 23 June 2009 in the USA... " |
38 | ||
| 2011 | "Hope Hope (The Blackout album) - Personnel :* Sean Smith – vocals* Gavin Butler – vocals* James "Bob" Davies – guitar, backing vocals* Matthew Davies – guitar, backing vocals* Rhys Lewis – bass guitar* Gareth "Snoz" Lawrence – drums, backing vocals* Phillip Jenkins – drums... " |
27 | ||
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart Positions | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart The Official UK Charts Company The Official Charts Company , previously called the Chart Information Network and then The Official UK Charts Company, compiles various "official" UK record charts, including the UK Singles Chart, the UK Albums Chart, and the UK Official Download Chart, as well as genre-specific and music video... |
UK Rock Chart The Official UK Charts Company The Official Charts Company , previously called the Chart Information Network and then The Official UK Charts Company, compiles various "official" UK record charts, including the UK Singles Chart, the UK Albums Chart, and the UK Official Download Chart, as well as genre-specific and music video... |
UK Indie Chart The Official UK Charts Company The Official Charts Company , previously called the Chart Information Network and then The Official UK Charts Company, compiles various "official" UK record charts, including the UK Singles Chart, the UK Albums Chart, and the UK Official Download Chart, as well as genre-specific and music video... |
|||
| 2007 | "Hard Slammin'" | - | 8 | - | The Blackout! The Blackout! The Blackout! The Blackout! The Blackout! The Blackout! The Blackout! The Blackout! The Blackout! is the debut album by post-hardcore band The Blackout. The mini-album was recorded and produced at Long Wave Recording Studio by Romesh Dodangoda in 2006... |
| "The Beijing Cocktail" | 90 | - | 4 | We Are the Dynamite! We Are the Dynamite! We Are The Dynamite is the debut full-length studio album by Welsh post-hardcore band The Blackout. The singles released from the album were "The Beijing Cocktail" and "It's High Tide Baby!"... |
|
| 2008 | "It's High Tide Baby!" | - | - | - | |
| 2009 | "Children of the Night" | 128 | 1 | 1 | The Best in Town The Best in Town The Best in Town is the second album to by Welsh post-hardcore band The Blackout. The album was released on 25 May 2009 in Europe, and 23 June 2009 in the USA... |
| "Save Our Selves (The Warning)" | - | 1 | 1 | ||
| "I Don't Care (This Is Why We Can't Have Nice Things)" | 107 | 7 | - | ||
| 2011 | "Higher & Higher Higher & Higher "Higher & Higher" is a song by The Blackout, featuring Hyro Da Hero. It is the first single to be released from the band's third studio album Hope, on 4 February 2011. BBC Radio 1's Zane Lowe chose the single as his "Hottest record in the world" on 2 February and gave the song its first radio play... " |
171 | 2 | - | Hope Hope (The Blackout album) - Personnel :* Sean Smith – vocals* Gavin Butler – vocals* James "Bob" Davies – guitar, backing vocals* Matthew Davies – guitar, backing vocals* Rhys Lewis – bass guitar* Gareth "Snoz" Lawrence – drums, backing vocals* Phillip Jenkins – drums... |
| 2011 | "Never By Your Side" | - | - | - | |
| 2011 | "The Storm" | - | - | - | |
Other songs
- "My GenerationMy Generation (Limp Bizkit song)"My Generation" is a song by Limp Bizkit from the album Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water. The song was released as the first single simultaneously with "Rollin' ". My Generation's video clip featured a raucous attitude that is displayed at concerts...
" (Limp BizkitLimp BizkitLimp Bizkit is an American rock band from Jacksonville, Florida. Formed in 1995, the group's lineup consists of Fred Durst , Wes Borland , Sam Rivers , John Otto and DJ Lethal . The band achieved mainstream success with their second studio album Significant Other, released in 1999...
Cover) on KerrangsKerrang!Kerrang! is a UK-based magazine devoted to rock music published by Bauer Media Group. It was first published on June 6, 1981 as a one-off supplement in the Sounds newspaper...
compilation Higher VoltageHigher Voltage!: Another Brief History of RockHigher Voltage!: Another Brief History of Rock is a Kerrang! covermount CD released on June 20, 2007, featuring many older rock songs, covered by newer rock artists.-Track listing:#"Davidian" - Lostprophets...
. - "The Gentle Art Of Making EnemiesKing for a Day... Fool for a LifetimeKing for a Day... Fool for a Lifetime is the fifth studio album by Faith No More, released in 1995. It was their first album recorded without longtime guitarist Jim Martin. The album showcased a greater variety than the band's usual heavy metal leanings, with Rolling Stone calling the end result a...
" (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...
Cover) released as a B-sideA-side and B-sideA-side and B-side originally referred to the two sides of gramophone records on which singles were released beginning in the 1950s. The terms have come to refer to the types of song conventionally placed on each side of the record, with the A-side being the featured song , while the B-side, or...
to "The Beijing Cocktail". - "I Kissed A Girl" (Katy PerryKaty PerryKaty Perry is an American singer, songwriter and actress. Born in Santa Barbara, California, and raised by Christian pastor parents, Perry grew up listening to only gospel music and sang in her local church as a child. After earning a GED during her first year of high school, she began to pursue a...
Cover) released as a B-side on the "Children of the Night" CD - "Pastor of Muppets" released as a B-side on the "Children of the Night" vinylGramophone recordA gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
- "LapdanceLapdance (song)"Lapdance" is a song by the American band N*E*R*D from their 2001 album In Search Of.... The song features Vita and rapper Lee Harvey, and was produced by The Neptunes....
" (N*E*R*D cover) - "Wanted Dead or AliveWanted Dead or Alive (Bon Jovi song)-Music Video:The video for the song is black and white and features footage from the band's massive 1986-1987 world tour, including shots from Chicago's UIC Pavilion, Rochester, Minnesota's Mayo Civic Center, Denver, Colorado's McNichols Arena, Pittsburgh, PA F. Pitt Tunnel and Pittsburgh Skyline...
" (Bon JoviBon JoviBon Jovi is an American rock band from Sayreville, New Jersey. Formed in 1983, Bon Jovi consists of lead singer and namesake Jon Bon Jovi , guitarist Richie Sambora, keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, as well as current bassist Hugh McDonald...
cover) - "(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party!)" (Beastie BoysBeastie BoysBeastie Boys are an American hip hop trio from New York City. The group consists of Mike D who plays the drums, MCA who plays the bass, and Ad-Rock who plays the guitar....
cover) released on the 2-disc special edition of Hope - "Party HardParty Hard"Party Hard" is a song by Andrew W.K., first released as a single in 2001 and included on his first album I Get Wet. The song provided Andrew W.K. with his first mainstream hit, reaching number 14 of the UK Singles Charts upon release....
" (Andrew WK cover) released on the 2-disc special edition of Hope - "LumpLump (song)"Lump" is a song by alternative rock band The Presidents of the United States of America. It was released in 1995 and featured on their self-titled debut album. The song reached #1 on Billboards Modern Rock Tracks chart in 1995. Later in the same year, it debuted on the Album Rock Tracks chart, and...
" (The Presidents of the United States of AmericaThe Presidents of the United States of America (band)The Presidents of the United States of America, commonly referred to as Pot USA or "PUSA" or The Presidents, are a twice Grammy-nominated American alternative rock band. The band formed in Seattle, USA, in 1993. The three-piece group currently comprises vocalist and "basitarist" Chris Ballew,...
cover) released on the 2-disc special edition of Hope - "Save TonightSave Tonight"Save Tonight" is a song by Swedish rock musician Eagle-Eye Cherry and the lead single from his 1997 debut album, Desireless. It is the album's opening track and gained substantial radio success, reaching #3 in Ireland, #5 in the US, #6 in the UK, and #2 in Cherry's native Sweden...
" (Eagle Eye Cherry cover) released on the 2-disc special edition of Hope
Videography
- The Beijing Cocktail
- It's High Tide Baby!
- Children of the Night
- Save Our Selves (The Warning)
- I Don't Care (This is Why We Can't Have Nice Things)
- Ambition is Critical
- Higher and Higher
- Never By Your Side
- The Storm
- You're Not Alone
Honours
- The Blackout were nominated for the Kerrang!Kerrang!Kerrang! is a UK-based magazine devoted to rock music published by Bauer Media Group. It was first published on June 6, 1981 as a one-off supplement in the Sounds newspaper...
British Newcomer award, and will also be playing on the Kerrang! New Breed launch show. - In December 2006, The Blackout won best new Welsh act at the Pop Factory awards held in the Coal Exchange in Cardiff bay. The awards ceremony was televised on ITV1 Wales.
- The Blackout won Best Unsigned Band in Kerrang!Kerrang!Kerrang! is a UK-based magazine devoted to rock music published by Bauer Media Group. It was first published on June 6, 1981 as a one-off supplement in the Sounds newspaper...
magazine's Readers Poll 2008. - Sean Smith came third in "Sexiest Male" category in the 2008 Reader's Poll for Kerrang! Magazine.
- They were nominated for three Kerrang! Awards in 2011; Best Video for Higher & HigherHigher & Higher"Higher & Higher" is a song by The Blackout, featuring Hyro Da Hero. It is the first single to be released from the band's third studio album Hope, on 4 February 2011. BBC Radio 1's Zane Lowe chose the single as his "Hottest record in the world" on 2 February and gave the song its first radio play...
, Best Album for HopeHope (The Blackout album)- Personnel :* Sean Smith – vocals* Gavin Butler – vocals* James "Bob" Davies – guitar, backing vocals* Matthew Davies – guitar, backing vocals* Rhys Lewis – bass guitar* Gareth "Snoz" Lawrence – drums, backing vocals* Phillip Jenkins – drums...
, and Best British Band.