The Rumble Strips
Encyclopedia
The Rumble Strips are an English
band from Tavistock, Devon
. The band take their name from Rumble Strips
, which are small, continuous lines of bumps along the edge of a road. Having known each other since childhood, a precise conception date for the band doesn't really exist. The current line-up has been together since 2004 and are now based in London. The band are currently signed to Fallout Records, a subsidiary of Universal Island Records
.
was involved in music from an early age, initial inspirations included Lou Reed
's Transformer
and bands such as Adam and the Ants
. He moved to London for art college and played with his band from Devon, the Action Heroes. After the Action Heroes realised they had been playing together for 9 years, they felt the need for change. With the former keyboardist - Harry Dwyer (who would later go on to direct most of the Rumble Strips' videos) spending too much time on his Morris Minor, Waller began writing and playing again with former Tavistock friend Tom Gorbutt, and also recruited Henry Clark, (coming as standard) the drummer from the Action Heroes Matthew Wheeler, The Rumble Strips were formed, the year was 2004. Also during this time, Charlie was one of two frontmen in Vincent Vincent and the Villains
with flatmate and fellow singer/songwriter Vincent Vincent. The strain of playing in two bands eventually led to Waller quitting both groups before being coaxed back to the Rumble Strips. Vincent Vincent wrote the song "Johnny Two Bands" about Waller's departure. Old schoolfriend and former bandmate of all the Rumbles (from the Mother Eating Blackberries and Action Heroes) Sam Mansbridge was brought in to the lineup at the end of 2006 to beef up the live sound, playing bass and the big Rumble Drum that is such a feature of the band's live act.
- who have produced singles for The Young Knives
and Regina Spektor
- would offer to produce the band's first single. This would reunite Waller with the band, and together they released "Motorcycle" on 12 December 2005. Waller said at this time "It was like, I have nothing to lose - I'm working for my uncle on a building site. What's to lose?". The band moved further into the public eye with a number of key support dates for Dirty Pretty Things
and fellow Transgressive artists The Young Knives in early 2006, and then the release of their second single, "Hate Me (You Do)" on 5 June. A further tour supporting The Zutons
, and the release of the band's first EP
, Cardboard Coloured Dreams, followed this in November 2006.
The new year brought the Rumble Strips their first move into the charts, with their release of "Alarm Clock" on 19 March 2007 reaching #41 in the UK Singles Chart
. The band were asked by NME
to play their biggest headline tour to date, as headliners of the 2007 Topman
NME New Music Tour
throughout May 2007. The tour saw them play a number of venues around the country with other new bands Pull Tiger Tail
, Blood Red Shoes
and The Little Ones
. The band released a live EP
recorded whilst on the tour containing the tracks "Oh Creole", "Alarm Clock", "My Oh My" and previously unreleased track, "London". The band re-released "Motorcycle" on 4 June 2007. The single failed to reach the previous heights of "Alarm Clock", charting slightly lower at #46. Two 7-inch
vinyls were also released of the track, containing b-side "My Oh My". A misprint was made on some of these vinyls where 1000 copies were distributed labelling the b-side on the opposite side to the one listed. These are already being considered collector's items, even by the band themselves.
Following the release of "Motorcycle", the band stated that they had already decided on their next single, "Girls and Boys in Love", which was released on the 3 September 2007 and was the official song of the film Run Fatboy Run
, starring Simon Pegg and directed by David Schwimmer, and itself released on 10 September 2007. Their debut album, Girls And Weather, was released on 17 September, peaking at #70 in the UK album charts, with "Girls and Boys in Love", reaching #64 in the UK Singles Chart
.
at The Electric Proms
in 2007, in late 2008 the band began working with him on their second record at London rehearsal space The Joint. Recorded off the back of their first US tour the band lay down the bulk of the tracks at Avatar Studios
, New York, leaving vocals to be completed in London, England whilst orchestration was composed and overseen by Owen Pallett
(Final Fantasy, Arcade Fire) and completed in Prague. The album was released in July 2009 under the name Welcome to the Walk Alone
.
As part of their First Listen series of features, The-Fly.co.uk
ran a track-by-track synopsis of Welcome To The Walk Alone on their site on 26 May. Whilst stating that "Ronson's kitchen sink production is evident after little more than a minute," they said that the sound of the record is "lush", highlighting "Dem Girls", "Sweet Heart Hooligan" and "Daniel" as the album's highlights.
Audio
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...
band from Tavistock, Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
. The band take their name from Rumble Strips
Rumble strip
Rumble strips, also known as sleeper lines, are a road safety feature that alert inattentive drivers to potential danger by causing a tactile vibration and audible rumbling, transmitted through the wheels into the car body...
, which are small, continuous lines of bumps along the edge of a road. Having known each other since childhood, a precise conception date for the band doesn't really exist. The current line-up has been together since 2004 and are now based in London. The band are currently signed to Fallout Records, a subsidiary of Universal 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...
.
Formation
Lead singer Charlie WallerCharlie Waller (British musician)
Charlie Waller is a British musician and the lead singer of The Rumble Strips. He was formerly a member of the UK band Vincent Vincent and the Villains and the Action Heroes. The UK band The Rumble Strips was formed by Waller, who grew up in the small town of Tavistock, Devon and was inspired by...
was involved in music from an early age, initial inspirations included Lou Reed
Lou Reed
Lewis Allan "Lou" Reed is an American rock musician, songwriter, and photographer. He is best known as guitarist, vocalist, and principal songwriter of The Velvet Underground, and for his successful solo career, which has spanned several decades...
's Transformer
Transformer (album)
Transformer is the second studio album by American rock musician Lou Reed, released in November 1972.-Background:Unlike its predecessor, Lou Reed, eight songs of which were written during his Velvet Underground days, Transformer contains mainly new material...
and bands such as Adam and the Ants
Adam and the Ants
Adam and the Ants were a British rock band active during the late 1970s and early 1980s. The original group, which existed from 1977 to 1980, became notable as a cult band marking the transition from the late-1970s punk rock era to the post-punk and New Wave era...
. He moved to London for art college and played with his band from Devon, the Action Heroes. After the Action Heroes realised they had been playing together for 9 years, they felt the need for change. With the former keyboardist - Harry Dwyer (who would later go on to direct most of the Rumble Strips' videos) spending too much time on his Morris Minor, Waller began writing and playing again with former Tavistock friend Tom Gorbutt, and also recruited Henry Clark, (coming as standard) the drummer from the Action Heroes Matthew Wheeler, The Rumble Strips were formed, the year was 2004. Also during this time, Charlie was one of two frontmen in Vincent Vincent and the Villains
Vincent Vincent and the Villains
Vincent Vincent and the Villains were an English rock 'n' roll group. They were signed to EMI.-History:Vincent Vincent grew up in Hatch End, an area in the London Borough of Harrow. He later moved to East London's Bethnal Green and after leaving Art College decided to start a band...
with flatmate and fellow singer/songwriter Vincent Vincent. The strain of playing in two bands eventually led to Waller quitting both groups before being coaxed back to the Rumble Strips. Vincent Vincent wrote the song "Johnny Two Bands" about Waller's departure. Old schoolfriend and former bandmate of all the Rumbles (from the Mother Eating Blackberries and Action Heroes) Sam Mansbridge was brought in to the lineup at the end of 2006 to beef up the live sound, playing bass and the big Rumble Drum that is such a feature of the band's live act.
2005–2007
Fortunes for the band would take a turn for the better when out of the blue, independent record label Transgressive RecordsTransgressive Records
Transgressive Records is an independent record label based in London, England formed in 2004. Founders Tim Dellow, and Toby L first met at a Bloc Party gig organised by Toby's rockfeedback website. The first release on the label was 1am by The Subways, released in September 2004...
- who have produced singles for The Young Knives
The Young Knives
Young Knives are an English indie rock band from Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire. The name is based on a misunderstanding of "young knaves", which was found by the band when rummaging through a book....
and Regina Spektor
Regina Spektor
Regina Ilyinichna Spektor is a Russian American singer-songwriter and pianist. Her music is associated with the anti-folk scene centered in New York City's East Village.-Early life:...
- would offer to produce the band's first single. This would reunite Waller with the band, and together they released "Motorcycle" on 12 December 2005. Waller said at this time "It was like, I have nothing to lose - I'm working for my uncle on a building site. What's to lose?". The band moved further into the public eye with a number of key support dates for Dirty Pretty Things
Dirty Pretty Things (band)
Dirty Pretty Things were an English band fronted by Carl Barât, a member of The Libertines. The formation of the band was announced in September 2005, after a dispute between Barât and Pete Doherty led to the breakup of The Libertines in 2004. Barât had worked with Vertigo Records and had...
and fellow Transgressive artists The Young Knives in early 2006, and then the release of their second single, "Hate Me (You Do)" on 5 June. A further tour supporting The Zutons
The Zutons
The Zutons are an English indie rock band from Liverpool. They were formed in 2001 but did not release their first album, Who Killed...... The Zutons?, until May 2004. They achieved their biggest hits with "Why Won't You Give Me Your Love?" and "Valerie", both taken from their second studio album...
, and the release of the band's first EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
, Cardboard Coloured Dreams, followed this in November 2006.
The new year brought the Rumble Strips their first move into the charts, with their release of "Alarm Clock" on 19 March 2007 reaching #41 in 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 ...
. The band were asked by 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...
to play their biggest headline tour to date, as headliners of the 2007 Topman
Topman
TOPMAN is the stand-alone fashion business counterpart of Topshop that caters exclusively to men’s clothing. A part of the Arcadia Group, which also owns Burton, Miss Selfridge, Wallis, Evans, British Home Stores and Dorothy Perkins, Topman has a chain of high-street men's clothing stores located...
NME New Music Tour
NME Tours
The NME Tours consist of a variety of tours organised by British music industry publication NME. Throughout the year, NME sponsors numerous tours of the United Kingdom by various up-and-coming and established bands in a variety of formats...
throughout May 2007. The tour saw them play a number of venues around the country with other new bands Pull Tiger Tail
Pull Tiger Tail
Pull Tiger Tail were an indie rock band based in London and originating from Stratford-upon-Avon and Edinburgh; they formed in 2006 while attending Goldsmiths College....
, Blood Red Shoes
Blood Red Shoes
Blood Red Shoes are an indie rock duo from Brighton, England. They have released two full-length albums, Box of Secrets and Fire Like This, plus a slew of early singles on limited 7" vinyl pressings.-Formation:...
and The Little Ones
The Little Ones
The Little Ones was a 1965 British family comedy film directed by British director Jim O'Connolly starring Carl Gonzales and Kim Smith. Dudley Foster stars asSuperintendent Carter and Derek Newark plays the strict Detective Sgt. Wilson....
. The band released a live EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
recorded whilst on the tour containing the tracks "Oh Creole", "Alarm Clock", "My Oh My" and previously unreleased track, "London". The band re-released "Motorcycle" on 4 June 2007. The single failed to reach the previous heights of "Alarm Clock", charting slightly lower at #46. Two 7-inch
Gramophone record
A 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...
vinyls were also released of the track, containing b-side "My Oh My". A misprint was made on some of these vinyls where 1000 copies were distributed labelling the b-side on the opposite side to the one listed. These are already being considered collector's items, even by the band themselves.
Following the release of "Motorcycle", the band stated that they had already decided on their next single, "Girls and Boys in Love", which was released on the 3 September 2007 and was the official song of the film Run Fatboy Run
Run Fatboy Run
Run Fatboy Run is a 2007 British comedy film directed by David Schwimmer, written by Michael Ian Black and Simon Pegg, and starring Pegg, Dylan Moran, Thandie Newton, Harish Patel, India de Beaufort, and Hank Azaria...
, starring Simon Pegg and directed by David Schwimmer, and itself released on 10 September 2007. Their debut album, Girls And Weather, was released on 17 September, peaking at #70 in the UK album charts, with "Girls and Boys in Love", reaching #64 in 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 ...
.
2008–present
After Charlie sang lead vocals on "Back to Black" for producer Mark RonsonMark Ronson
Mark Daniel Ronson is an English DJ, guitarist, music producer, artist and co-founder of Allido Records. He currently works with his band under the music alias of Mark Ronson & The Business Intl....
at The Electric Proms
BBC Electric Proms
The BBC Radio 2 Electric Proms was an October music festival in London run by the BBC for five years, 2006-2010...
in 2007, in late 2008 the band began working with him on their second record at London rehearsal space The Joint. Recorded off the back of their first US tour the band lay down the bulk of the tracks at Avatar Studios
Avatar Studios
Avatar Studios, formerly known as The Power Station, is a recording studio at 441 West 53rd Street in Manhattan, New York City.The building was originally a Consolidated Edison power plant; but after a period of vacancy, it was used as a sound stage for the television game show Let's Make a Deal...
, New York, leaving vocals to be completed in London, England whilst orchestration was composed and overseen by Owen Pallett
Owen Pallett
Michael James Owen Pallett is a Canadian composer, violinist, keyboardist, and vocalist from Toronto, Ontario. He won the 2006 Polaris Music Prize for the album He Poos Clouds....
(Final Fantasy, Arcade Fire) and completed in Prague. The album was released in July 2009 under the name Welcome to the Walk Alone
Welcome to the Walk Alone
-Personnel:The Rumble Strips*Charles Waller – guitar, vocals*Henry Clark – trumpet, vocals, piano*Tom Gorbutt – saxophone, vocals, guitar*Matthew Wheeler – drums*Sam Mansbridge – bass guitarTechnical personnel*Mark Ronson – producer...
.
As part of their First Listen series of features, The-Fly.co.uk
The Fly (magazine)
The Fly is a free music magazine published monthly in the United Kingdom. The magazine is published by the HMV owned MAMA Group.The magazine started as a listings leaflet in Camden, north London, for the Barfly music venue on Chalk Farm Road...
ran a track-by-track synopsis of Welcome To The Walk Alone on their site on 26 May. Whilst stating that "Ronson's kitchen sink production is evident after little more than a minute," they said that the sound of the record is "lush", highlighting "Dem Girls", "Sweet Heart Hooligan" and "Daniel" as the album's highlights.
Albums
- Girls and WeatherGirls and WeatherGirls and Weather is the debut album from the Devon-based band The Rumble Strips. It was released on September 10, 2007 by the Universal Music Group sub-label Island Records....
(2007) 70# UK - Welcome to the Walk AloneWelcome to the Walk Alone-Personnel:The Rumble Strips*Charles Waller – guitar, vocals*Henry Clark – trumpet, vocals, piano*Tom Gorbutt – saxophone, vocals, guitar*Matthew Wheeler – drums*Sam Mansbridge – bass guitarTechnical personnel*Mark Ronson – producer...
(2009) 76# UK
Singles
| Date of Release | Title | B-side(s) | Label | UK Chart Peak | Album |
| 12 December 2005 | "Motorcycle/No Soul" | N/A | Transgressive Records Transgressive Records Transgressive Records is an independent record label based in London, England formed in 2004. Founders Tim Dellow, and Toby L first met at a Bloc Party gig organised by Toby's rockfeedback website. The first release on the label was 1am by The Subways, released in September 2004... |
N/A | Girls And Weather |
| 5 June 2006 | "Hate Me (You Do)" | "Girls & Weather" | Transgressive Records | N/A | Girls And Weather |
| 19 March 2007 | "Alarm Clock" | "Sad City" (All formats except 8-inch) 4 Walls (Limited Edition CD only) Feeling B (8-inch) |
Fallout/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... |
#41 (UK) | Girls And Weather |
| 11 June 2007 | "Motorcycle" | "Back To Black Back to Black (song) "Back to Black" is a song by English recording artist Amy Winehouse. It was released on April 30, 2007 as the third single from her second studio album, Back to Black. It was written by Winehouse and Mark Ronson... " (Amy Winehouse Amy Winehouse Amy Jade Winehouse was an English singer-songwriter known for her powerful deep contralto vocals and her eclectic mix of musical genres including R&B, soul and jazz. Winehouse's 2003 debut album, Frank, was critically successful in the UK and was nominated for the Mercury Prize... cover) (CD) "My Oh My" (Ltd CD, 7") "Pennies" (Ltd CD) |
Fallout/Island Records | #46 (UK) | Girls And Weather |
| 3 September 2007 | "Girls and Boys in Love" | "The Boys Are Back in Town The Boys Are Back in Town "The Boys Are Back in Town" is a single from Irish hard rock band Thin Lizzy. The song came out in 1976 on their album Jailbreak. It was honoured with the 499th position among the 2004 Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, though it was not included in the 2010 update... " (Thin Lizzy Thin Lizzy Thin Lizzy are an Irish hard rock band formed in Dublin in 1969. Two of the founding members, drummer Brian Downey and bass guitarist/vocalist Phil Lynott met while still in school. Lynott assumed the role of frontman and led them throughout their recording career of thirteen studio albums... cover) (7-inch / CD) "Girls and Boys in Love - Hot Chip remix" (CD / 12-inch) "Girls and Boys in Love - Devil's Gun remix" (12-inch) "Girls and Boys in Love - David E. Sugar 'Shameless mix'" (12-inch) "Girls and Boys in Love - MarC Leaf remix" (12-inch) |
Fallout/Island Records | #64 (UK) | Girls And Weather |
| 19 November 2007 | "Time" | "No Soul" (live) (CD) "Hands" (live) (7-inch) |
Fallout/Island Records | Girls And Weather |
EPs
| Date of Release | Title | Tracks | Label |
| 20 November 2006 | Cardboard Coloured Dreams (CD/Poster 12-inch/8-inch ) | 1. "Oh Creole" 2. "Born Bored" 3. "High Street Heaven" 4. "Running Away" |
Fallout/Island Records |
Contributions
- NME Presents The Best New Bands – contains "Motorcycle" (Issued with NMENMEThe 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...
on 9 September 2006) - NME Presents The Essential Bands - Festival Edition – contains "Alarm Clock" (Released 11 June 2007)
- Run Fatboy RunRun Fatboy RunRun Fatboy Run is a 2007 British comedy film directed by David Schwimmer, written by Michael Ian Black and Simon Pegg, and starring Pegg, Dylan Moran, Thandie Newton, Harish Patel, India de Beaufort, and Hank Azaria...
: Original Soundtrack – contains "Girls and Boys in Love" (Released 10 September 2007) - Amy WinehouseAmy WinehouseAmy Jade Winehouse was an English singer-songwriter known for her powerful deep contralto vocals and her eclectic mix of musical genres including R&B, soul and jazz. Winehouse's 2003 debut album, Frank, was critically successful in the UK and was nominated for the Mercury Prize...
"Back to BlackBack to Black (song)"Back to Black" is a song by English recording artist Amy Winehouse. It was released on April 30, 2007 as the third single from her second studio album, Back to Black. It was written by Winehouse and Mark Ronson...
" remix - Angus, Thongs And Perfect Snogging: Music From The Motion Picture - Contains "Girls and Boys in Love"
- 2010 Macy'sMacy'sMacy's is a U.S. chain of mid-to-high range department stores. In addition to its flagship Herald Square location in New York City, the company operates over 800 stores in the United States...
denim jeansJeansJeans are trousers made from denim. Some of the earliest American blue jeans were made by Jacob Davis, Calvin Rogers, and Levi Strauss in 1873. Starting in the 1950s, jeans, originally designed for cowboys, became popular among teenagers. Historic brands include Levi's, Lee, and Wrangler...
sale commercial uses the "Girls and Boys in Love" tune. - In October 2010, BaileysBaileys Irish CreamBaileys Irish Cream is an Irish whiskey and cream based liqueur, made by Gilbeys of Ireland. The trademark is currently owned by Diageo. It has a declared alcohol content of 17% alcohol by volume...
used the song "Girls and Boys in Love" for their commercial.
Media quotes
- "Trumpet, sax and a whole lot of weirdness" - NMENMEThe 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...
http://www.nme.com/reviews/rumble-strips/7851 - "Off-kilter yet no less sublime, life-affirming music" - XfmXfm LondonXfm London is a commercial radio station in the United Kingdom owned by Global Radio and broadcasts on 104.9 FM in London, on digital radio via 30 DAB multiplexes across the country, Sky, TalkTalk TV and Virgin Media....
http://www.xfm.co.uk/Article.asp?id=163575 - "Single of the week!" - PlayLouder.com http://www.playlouder.com/feature/+bunch-of-45s-27/
- "If you see The Rumblestrips [sic] live, I defy you not to have a good time" - Drowned In SoundDrowned in SoundDrownedinSound.com or DiS is a UK based music webzine financed by artist management company Silentway . The site is an editorially independent music website.-History:...
http://www.drownedinsound.com/event/view/14768 - "Single of the month" - Wide Open Road http://www.angelfire.com/indie/wideopenroad/pages/pg_2006003.htm
- "Undoubtedly perfect summer festival music" - DailyMusicGuide.com http://www.dailymusicguide.com/Reviews/the-rumble-strips-leeds-cockpit-review-09042009-0453.aspx
External links
- Official Website
- Daily Music Guide review of performance at Island Records' 50th Birthday Party, Camden Crawl 25/04/09
Audio