ThisGIRL
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| thisGIRL | ||
|---|---|---|
| Background information | ||
| Origin |  Rotherham, England |
|
| Genre(s) | Punk Rock Indie |
|
| Years active | 1999 - 2006 | |
| Label(s) | Hot Trump Records, Drowned In Sound | |
| Associated acts |
Girl | |
| Website | thisGIRL.co.uk | |
| Members | ||
| Liam Creamer, Matt Westley, Chris Shepard, Ryan Jenkinson |
||
thisGIRL was a non genre specific band from Rotherham & Sheffield, England. The band was formed in 1999 and has released 7 albums/EP's with its record label Hot Trump Records and had a series of successful tours, most notably playing on the Barfly stage at Download 2004 . The band posted a message on its MySpace account on November 13, 2006 announcing its break up after seven years.[1]
Contents |
[edit] Formation & Tour
The band started out in Rotherham when the members of the band, then in school met at a Skunk Anansie gig in Sheffield. Each member of the band had been 'ploughing away with break-time bands' but due to the similarities between the four band members they decided to form a band.
Initially the band was called Girl but this had to be changed when Phil Collen of Def Leppard fame threatened to sue due to the fact his glam rock band was also called Girl (band) and was worried about the success Girl from Rotherham was gaining.
So the band then changed its name to thisGIRL and performed for the first time at the Wellington Boot public house in Rotherham. The band went into overdrive with its own marketing plan and made sure that their upcoming gigs and band logo was published in every area possible which had the desired affect. Even in the bands early performances fans noted their manic, unhinged live performances that became synomonous with the band in later years.
The band then endured tours with established acts like Biffy Clyro, Glassjaw, Pitchshafter, Hell is for Heroes and The Used before going into the studio to write their debut EP, Short Strut to the Brassy Front in 2002.
By this time thisGIRL had started to build up a following but decided to still play at any venue that would have them, no matter how much stark in contrast there was. This led to the band performing in very small venues and then performing in places like Brixton Academy with the Deftones and at Finsbury Park with Limp Bizkit in front of 40,000 fans. This event was made infamous after thisGIRL actively encouraged the nu metal fans in the crowd to pelt them with bottles, with which they obliged.
By this time however the music industry moguls where calling at the doorstep of this young band, but they decided to wait it out a little longer and continue to tour.[2]
| “ | "In the time you do that you can see all the hares," says Ryan. "We're the tortoise and there's all these hares that get massive and then they're gone. Were still doing it for the right reasons, toddling along, were happy, the people who come to our gigs are happy."
"Its like one of them elastic band balls that you used to make at school," adds Chris. "It takes five years to build up but when you've built it, the satisfactions so much better." |
” |
[edit] Record Deal & First Album
Eventually however thisGIRL signed a contract with Drowned in Sound who promised total autonomy for the band. Chris Tsangarides, producer for Black Sabbath & Judas Priest was drafted in to help with the bands new album, UNO. Tsangarides wanted to completely revolutionise the way the band worked and wanted to create something unique that none of the other succesful bands had dared try. The album was supposed to be raw and unearthed and to ultimately be a real piece of music that avoided any computer trickery or industry trends that Tsangarides seemed to deem as being 'fake'.[2]
| “ | "Its awkward music for awkward people," says Liam "Its colourful, its got loads of colours and loads of emotions. We can make you cry or we can make you smile!"
"Or we can vomit on your lap", grins Ryan. "We act on instinct, we do exactly what we want to do. There's something there to pick up on, but you've just got to be willing to look for it. We work on more than one level." |
” |
The band where soon craving for more gigs and played at Brixton Academy, Donnington Park, London Astoria & Finsbury Park whilst the single Master Blaster was released of their album.
For the remainder of their career the band played at various venues upto February 2006. It was announced on 13th November, 2006 that the band would split, after seven years of touring.
[edit] Discography
- ...short strut to the brassy front
- Hallelujah
- this girl...has fangs too
- UNO
