The Wombats
The Wombats |
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The Wombats are a three-piece Anglo-Norwegian band from Liverpool, England. They comprise two native Liverpudlians; front man Matthew Murphy, provider of vocals, guitar and keyboards, drummer and b-vocalist Dan Haggis and bass and additional vocalist Tord Øverland Knudsen, a Norwegian who has made his home in the city. The three met at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts. The school gave them the chance to play gigs to over 20,000 people in China. This was one of the band's first trips to play outside the UK.
History
Early years (2003–2006)
The three met at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts and wanted to raise money to buy a painting they liked of Prince Charles as a goat, one of their early songs was based on this, 'an ode to Charles the goat'. The school then gave the chance to play gigs to over 20,000 people in China. This was one of the band's first trips to play outside the UK. They spent their time travelling around the country in a Vauxhall Agila. And spent most of their time drunk as quoted by the band while on the Colin Murray show in 2007. The band used to contain 4 members - tambourine player and vocalist Nadir El-khatib left after the band discovered his drug abuse. The remaining 3 members released their debut single "Lost in the Post"/"Party in a Forest (Where's Laura)" at the end of 2006. They also released an album in Japan called Girls, Boys and Marsupials.
A Guide to Love, Loss & Desperation (2007–present)
The band then released a second limited edition vinyl called "Moving to New York" in January, 2007. This single got critical acclaim from Radio DJs such as Colin Murray and Zane Lowe. In May, the band released their third single called "Backfire at the Disco" leading the band to released their first full single "Kill the Director" in late July. The single managed to reach #35 in the UK Singles Chart. Their last single "Let's Dance to Joy Division" was released in October 2007, to coincide with the release of their debut album, entitled The Wombats Proudly Present: A Guide to Love, Loss & Desperation which managed to get to #11 in the UK album charts. The release was being followed by a European tour ending with a Christmas party at Liverpool Academy. The band have also disclosed that the single to follow "Backfire at the Disco" will be a re-release of debut single "Kill the Director".
The band started 2008 by being the opening act at the opening ceremony of Liverpool, European Capital of Culture 2008 at Liverpool Arena."Moving to New York" was re-released on 14 January 2008 and reached #13 UK singles chart becoming their highest charting release to date. The band are set to go on a full UK tour over late April and May 2008, as well as playing dates in Australia, the United States and Europe in March and early April. The band also played for Jo Wiley on BBC Radio 1 where they covered the Take That song "Patience", as well as Tord singing the Postman Pat theme tune in his native language, Norwegian. Tord made a further Norwegian rendition of the Postman Pat theme on the Australian TV program Spicks & Specks in March 2008. Matt Murphy appeared as a contestant in the same episode.
On 28 February 2008, the band won 'Best Dancefloor Filler' for their song "Let's Dance to Joy Division" by the NME.[1]. The band during May and June 2008 will embark on a sell out tour of the UK before finishing the year off with there first ever arena date at Liverpool Echo Arena[2]
Discography
Albums
- 2006: Girls, Boys and Marsupials (Japan only)
- 2007: The Wombats Proudly Present: A Guide to Love, Loss & Desperation #11 UK, #35 Australia
Singles
- 2007: "Kill the Director" #35 UK
- 2007: "Let's Dance to Joy Division" #15 UK
- 2008: "Moving to New York" #13 UK
- 2008: "Backfire at the Disco" #40 UK
- 2008: "Kill the Director"
Limited release singles
- 2007: "Lost in the Post"
- 2007: "Moving to New York (Original release)"
- 2007: "Backfire at the Disco (Original release)" #67 UK
Others
- 2008: Bleeding Love (Leona Lewis Cover) (NME Magazine only)
Festival appearances
- Midi Modern Music Festival (The Guardian Review)
- Lake of Stars Festival, Malawi
- Matthew Street Festival, Liverpool
- Glastonbury Festival (2007)
- Knowsley Hall Music Festival, Liverpool
- Oxegen Festival, Ireland
- V Festival (2007)
- Rock Ness Festival (2007)
- Bestival (2007)
- Fuji Rock Festival (2007)
- Metro Get Loaded in the Park (2007)
- Peace & Love (2008)
- Reading & Leeds (2008)
- Musilac (2008)
- Isle Of Wight Festival (2008)
- South by Southwest (sxsw) (2008)
- Openair St.Gallen (2008)
- Virgin Festival, Toronto (2008)