We're No Heroes
Encyclopedia
We're No Heroes are a three-piece indie band from Cardiff
, United Kingdom, composed of Tom Collins, Michael 'Dewey' Owen, and Luke Llewellyn. They first formed in the summer of 2009 in a downtown South Side recording studio in Chicago
, USA.
The band are currently signed to At Your Own Risk
in the UK.
Their debut EP 'Crossing Over
' was released for free on February 2010 in the UK and the US. The band's second EP, 'Quiet Colours', was recorded late February 2011, with attention from national media surrounding its anticipated release on June 15.
Their music influences are widely varied due to the different musical backgrounds of the members. However, they have been said to have a funky take on angular ’80s indie and zeitgeist-snaring math rock, playing spot on angular fast paced guitar tunes, which have been compared to other bands such as A Certain Ratio
, Spandau Ballet
, The Gang Of Four, and The Whitest Boy Alive
, to name a few.
We're No Heroes fall into the genre of indie but have reportedly been noted saying that they consider themselves to be 'math rock
pop
'.
It was not until Tom Collins, who previously had commitments with another group, joined the band in 2008 that they crafted their current sound.
Due to co-writer Luke Llewellyn residence in the USA the band officially came together for the first time at Paragon Recording Studios, in West Fulton Market, Chicago
, in the summer of 2008 where they decided to try and make a career out of what they loved to do.
In mid-2009, the band started writing and recording for a limited edition debut EP, originally writing 12 new songs, of which only 6 made the officially released version. The EP titled 'Crossing Over' (inspired by their journey across the US) was completely self-produced, recorded and released through their own studio called 'Quarter Studios' in Langland Bay
, Wales
.
The band released 'Crossing Over' as a free download along with the lead single 'Life Out Loud' which to this day remains one of their most notable tracks. Tom has stated multiple times during various interviews that although they were happy with their work, their identity and sound was not yet fully realized. The album was a commercial success in their local area of the United Kingdom, with large download numbers and highly praised reviews across the board.
On November 20, 2010, We're No Heroes signed to At Your Own Risk, a five year strong indie label established in Cardiff
The EP was released worldwide on June 15, 2011.
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
, United Kingdom, composed of Tom Collins, Michael 'Dewey' Owen, and Luke Llewellyn. They first formed in the summer of 2009 in a downtown South Side recording studio in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, USA.
The band are currently signed to At Your Own Risk
At Your Own Risk
At Your Own Risk is the second album by West Coast hip hop artist King Tee. It is mainly produced by King Tee himself and DJ Pooh as was his debut, but it also contains production from Bilal Bashir, E-Swift, DJ Aladdin, Bronick Wrobleski and J.R. Coes. Also like King Tee's debut album, there are...
in the UK.
Their debut EP 'Crossing Over
Crossing Over
Crossing Over may refer to:* Chromosomal crossover, a cellular process* Crossing Over , a 1998 album by Hesperus* Crossing Over, a book by John Edward* Crossing Over , a 2009 film...
' was released for free on February 2010 in the UK and the US. The band's second EP, 'Quiet Colours', was recorded late February 2011, with attention from national media surrounding its anticipated release on June 15.
Their music influences are widely varied due to the different musical backgrounds of the members. However, they have been said to have a funky take on angular ’80s indie and zeitgeist-snaring math rock, playing spot on angular fast paced guitar tunes, which have been compared to other bands such as A Certain Ratio
A Certain Ratio
A Certain Ratio are a Post-punk band formed in 1977 in Manchester, England. While originally part of the punk rock movement, they soon added funk and dance elements to their sound. They are sometimes referred to as "post punk funk"...
, Spandau Ballet
Spandau Ballet
Spandau Ballet are a British band formed in London in the late 1970s. Initially inspired by, and an integral part of, the New Romantic fashion, their music has featured a mixture of funk, jazz, soul and synthpop. They were one of the most successful bands of the 1980s, achieving ten Top Ten singles...
, The Gang Of Four, and The Whitest Boy Alive
The Whitest Boy Alive
The Whitest Boy Alive is a German-Norwegian musical group based in Berlin. The band comprises singer/guitarist Erlend Øye of Kings of Convenience, bassist Marcin Öz, drummer Sebastian Maschat, and Daniel Nentwig on Rhodes piano and Crumar.- History :...
, to name a few.
We're No Heroes fall into the genre of indie but have reportedly been noted saying that they consider themselves to be 'math rock
Math rock
Math rock is a rhythmically complex guitar-based style of experimental rock that emerged in the 1980s and that was very influenced by progressive rock like King Crimson, Frank Zappa, Henry Cow - and 20th century composers such as Steve Reich and John Cage...
pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
'.
Formation and Crossing Over EP (2009-2010)
Michael Owen (on bass) and Luke Llewellyn (on drums) were originally in and out of local punk rock and funk outfits together, which did not gain much media interest. They felt unsatisfied playing for other groups and decided to break off to find and construct their own sound. In order to find a lead guitarist they started regularly attending the local music scene to scout someone who would fit into the direction that they wanted to go.It was not until Tom Collins, who previously had commitments with another group, joined the band in 2008 that they crafted their current sound.
Due to co-writer Luke Llewellyn residence in the USA the band officially came together for the first time at Paragon Recording Studios, in West Fulton Market, Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, in the summer of 2008 where they decided to try and make a career out of what they loved to do.
In mid-2009, the band started writing and recording for a limited edition debut EP, originally writing 12 new songs, of which only 6 made the officially released version. The EP titled 'Crossing Over' (inspired by their journey across the US) was completely self-produced, recorded and released through their own studio called 'Quarter Studios' in Langland Bay
Langland Bay
Langland Bay is a popular coastal holiday resort in Gower, near Swansea in south Wales. In the right conditions, it is one of the best surf beaches in Britain...
, Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
.
The band released 'Crossing Over' as a free download along with the lead single 'Life Out Loud' which to this day remains one of their most notable tracks. Tom has stated multiple times during various interviews that although they were happy with their work, their identity and sound was not yet fully realized. The album was a commercial success in their local area of the United Kingdom, with large download numbers and highly praised reviews across the board.
On November 20, 2010, We're No Heroes signed to At Your Own Risk, a five year strong indie label established in Cardiff
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
Quiet Colours (2011 onwards)
In February 2011 the band entered Ripefruit Recording Studio to start work on their second EP, 'Quiet Colours'. The record was produced by Jordon Andrews who has contributed work to countless successful Cardiff acts, as well as international TV and film, and mastered at Hafod Mastering Studio.The EP was released worldwide on June 15, 2011.
Band members
- Tom Collins – vocals, guitar
- Michael 'Dewey' Owen – vocals, bass
- Luke Llewellyn – vocals, drums
EPs
- 2009 – Crossing OverCrossing OverCrossing Over may refer to:* Chromosomal crossover, a cellular process* Crossing Over , a 1998 album by Hesperus* Crossing Over, a book by John Edward* Crossing Over , a 2009 film...
– Self Release - 2011 – Quiet Colours – At Your Own RiskAt Your Own RiskAt Your Own Risk is the second album by West Coast hip hop artist King Tee. It is mainly produced by King Tee himself and DJ Pooh as was his debut, but it also contains production from Bilal Bashir, E-Swift, DJ Aladdin, Bronick Wrobleski and J.R. Coes. Also like King Tee's debut album, there are...
, RipeFruit Recordings