The Maccabees
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| The Maccabees | |
|---|---|
| Origin |  Brighton, England |
| Genres | Indie |
| Labels | Fiction |
| Members | Orlando Weeks Hugo White Felix White Rupert Jarvis Robert Dylan Thomas |
The Maccabees are a Brighton-based British indie band.
The Maccabees began in Clapham, south-west London, in October 2003. Hugo White's older brother Felix put him in touch with Orlando, knowing he was interested in being in a band. Orlando already knew Robert Thomas and the three of them began rehearsing in Orlando's bedroom, much to his brother Matt's displeasure. Hugo introduced them to his good friend Rupert (Hugo's father was dating Rupert's mum), and at this point they began playing live gigs.
They played minor gigs in Bethnal Green and Clapham. Felix White was then part of other London band 'Jack's Basement', but the band was in the process of breaking up. Subsequently, Felix pleaded with Orlando, Rob and his brother Hugo to join The Maccabees. Hugo was allegedly wary to this idea as he was lead guitarist and unwilling to give up this position however, eventually Felix was given permission to join.
The band came up with the name 'The Maccabees" by leafing through the Bible. Rupert (Orlando's brother Matt's friend) flicked the holy book and opened it on the chapter of said name. Orlando however stated in an interview on the Steve Lamacq's Radio 1 show that none of the band are religious.
They went through many issues with Robert Dylan Thomas threatening to leave the band many times and having minor squabbles among themselves. Despite this they met John, the head of JPR management, which allowed them to play many prestigious gigs (supporting Ben Folds) and releasing singles independently.
Their début single, 'X-Ray', was released on Promise records on 28 November 2005, and received some evening play on London radio station Xfm London. They received little exposure until they released their second single, 'Latchmere', on Fierce Panda Records some 6 months later in April 2006. This was championed by Radio 1 DJ Steve Lamacq and received airtime on MTV2. The video, directed by Hugh Frost and Samuel Bebbington, also proved an internet hit after it was posted on YouTube.
In mid-2006, influential music magazine NME gave the band some extremely favourable press, including a review of their now infamous headline show at Cafe dé Paris in London, where the magazine called the band "The best new band in Britain".
In November 2006 the band toured with Fields, ¡Forward, Russia!, and Wolfmother as part of the MTV2 spanking new music promotion. Drummer Robert Dylan Thomas, having broken his arm just before the band were due to begin touring, was replaced by session drummer Elliott Andrews. Also in November 2006, the band released their third single 'First Love', which charted at #40.
The band are now signed to Fiction Records, and have completed work on their début album 'Colour It In', due May 2007. Recently the album leaked onto the internet. Recent single 'About Your Dress' charted in the UK at #33 and their next single is to be 'Precious Time'
Contents |
[edit] Band Members
- Orlando Weeks – vocals/guitar
- Hugo Harry William White – Guitar
- Felix White – Guitar and Vocals
- Rupert Jarvis – Bass
- Robert Dylan Thomas – Drums
[edit] Singles
- X-Ray - Promise Records - 28 November 2005
- Latchmere - Fierce Panda Records - 10 April 2006
- First Love - Fiction Records - 14 November 2006 (UK #40)
- About Your Dress - Fiction Records - 26 February 2007 (UK #33)
[edit] Trivia
- Guitarist Felix White attended Dulwich-based secondary school Alleyn's School and was in a band with close friend and current solo artist Jack Peñate. This band was called Jack's Basement.
- As the B-Side to 'First Love', The Maccabees covered the Richard Hawley song 'Just Like The Rain'. Hawley is apparently thrilled with this new version[citation needed].
- The subject of the single Latchmere is the local Latchmere Leisure Centre in Battersea, London, which has a Wave Machine.
- Orlando and the band made the video to About Your Dress themselves with a self-constructed miniature set and painted fingers adorned with tiny clothes that they had also made. The video was then edited by one of the band member's younger brother, all for very minimal cost, as shown in the MTV2 feature on the band.
