Hadouken!
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| Hadouken! | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Leeds, England, UK |
| Genre(s) | Grime Grindie New Rave Dance-punk Electronica |
| Years active | 2006–present |
| Label(s) | Current Atlantic Records Kitsuné Music |
| Website | Official website |
| Members | |
| James Smith Alice Spooner Daniel "Pilau" Rice Chris Purcell Nick Rice |
|
Hadouken! are a band based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. The band formed after James Smith and Daniel "Pilau" Rice met at Leeds University, where they set up their own Label, Surface Noise Records [1] After forming the label, Smith began writing and demoing the first Hadouken! tracks. In February 2007 Hadouken! released a two song vinyl with the song "That Boy That Girl", which gained popularity after the video, directed by friend Bob Harlow, made it onto MTV2.[2]
After releasing their 12-track mixtape Not Here to Please You on November 12, 2007 featuring originals and remixes, the band returned to the studio to complete their debut album, Music for an Accelerated Culture, which is to feature nine new songs as well as the single "Liquid Lives".[3][4]
The band's name comes from a special move—a throwing fireball attack called "the Hadouken"—in the Street Fighter video game.
Contents |
[edit] History
[edit] Beginnings (2006)
Hadouken! were formed in Leeds in october, 2006 by vocalist, songwriter and producer James Smith. They played their first gig at the Dirty Hearts Club in Southend on September 16, and played their debut London gig the following week at the notorious Another Music Another Kitchen night at Proud Gallery in Camden. They recorded demos and spent their first six months playing gigs predominantly in Leeds and London with acts including Example, Prinzhorn Dance School and Cajun Dance Party. In December of 2006, Hadouken! recruited a fifth member, bassist Christopher Purcell.
[edit] Gaining popularity (2006-2008)
The band first began getting noticed more widely in 2006. It was 2007 though, when success properly came to the band. In January 2007 Mike Skinner of The Streets gave the band one of their first radio plays, he played future single 'That Boy That Girl' on BBC Radio 1 whilst guest presenting Zane Lowe's new music show, describing the band as 'a great new band.' In February 2007 the band released what is said to be an internet phenomenon[5], described as "a savage, snarling work of genius", by NME.[6] single double a-side "That Boy That Girl/Tuning In" through the band's own label, Surface Noise Records. A video was also made for the track by friend of the band Bobby Harlow, which charted successfully in the MTV Two/NME chart. The latter, "Tuning In" appeared as a remix on Kitsuné Music's compilation album, Kitsuné Maison Compilation 4, titled "Tuning In [H! Re-rub]". The remix also was used as a b-side on the 10-inch single from Kitsuné Music, released on 7 May 2007.
Hadouken! played as a support act alongside Example and Professor Green for Plan B throughout his February/March 2007 tour. Before the tour, Hadouken! produced a remix of Plan B's "No More Eatin'". The remix can be found on the band's secondary MySpace account, "Hadouken! Remixes".
Liquid Lives was released as the band's second single release on 25 June 2007. [7]The song received moderate airplay on MTV2, and charted successfully in the NME Chart Show. The band released a new video for the track, as well as an exclusive live video recorded as part of "MTV2 Live". "Liquid Lives" marked Hadouken!'s first move into the UK Singles Chart, reaching #36 on 1 July.[8] In June, 2007, the band completed a full UK tour supported by Electro/Punk band Does It Offend You, Yeah? and rapper Example.
The band played a number of festival slots over the summer period. They played at the Summer Sonic Festival in Osaka, Japan on 10 August, and the Reading and Leeds Festivals alongside fellow Nu Rave acts Klaxons and New Young Pony Club on the NME/Radio 1 Stage on 24-26 August.
Their third single, "Leap of Faith", was a digital only release on November 12th, 2007. The song was taken from their Not Here To Please You mixtape. The mixtape or EP includes the bands remixes of Bloc Party and Plan B and a new remix of a Bolt Action Five song, as well as some older songs that have been re-recorded, the mixtape was released on November 12, 2007 and was only available in the USB format.
Throughout September, October and November 2007 they played a UK tour with support from fellow Leeds band Shut Your Eyes and You'll Burst Into Flames as well as Manchester based The Whip, The Ghost Frequency and Late of the Pier. The tour coincided with the release of "Leap of Faith" and their new mixtape Not Here To Please You
On The 17th of November 2007 Hadouken! performed 'Leap of Faith' live on Sound, a BBC music Program For Annie Mac.
On the 31st December 2007 Hadouken! performed at the Amersham Arms in New Cross with special guests Does It Offend You, Yeah? and The Whip.
On the 8th January 2008, James and Dan DJed on Radio One, filling in for Zane Lowe.
In April 2008, Hadouken! played at the Red Bull Bedroom Jam Stage outdoors, gaining popularity from new and old fans who had come to enjoy the festival as well as being recorded for the BBC TV show Sound.
Despite the widespread belief that Not Here to Please You was the band's full debut album, it is not, it was purely a vehicle to showcase their early tracks and remixes. Their debut album, 'Music For An Accelerated Culture' was released on May 5th 2008.
On the 7th January 2008 Hadouken! were guest presenters on Zane Lowe's BBC Radio1 show. On the show Hadouken! referred to previous single 'Leap of Faith' as an experiment and suggested the album would draw more on their dance music influences, comparing it to The Prodigy and The Chemical Brothers.[9]
In a recent interview with NME, Smith stated that the album, titled Music for an Accelerated Culture was finished, and the band are currently rehearsing it. He also said that he has the second album in mind.[9]
On January 22, 2008 it was posted that "Game Over" will hopefully be the first single, it has also been stated that only one track from the album will have live drums.[10] On February 17, 2008 the band released the first studio recording from there upcoming untitled album, the track titled "Get Smashed Gate Crash" was released on the bands myspace.[11]
On March 3rd, 2008, the band announced the albums title (Music for an Accelerated Culture), as well as details on the promo track for the album "Get Smashed Gate Crash", as well as NME publishing the music video, and announcing their new fan-club Aerials which allows fans to get hold of the album before it is goes on general release, obtain exclusive material, attend exclusive gigs and as long as you ordered the album before April 30th, and much more.
[edit] Future plans and debut album (2008-Present)
It has been said in NME, under the facts section, for the review of Music for an Accelerated Culture, that Hadouken! are already eight songs into their next album.
[edit] Criticisms
The band have suffered some criticism from journalists about their grime influences who suggested the band display their grime influences in an ironic manner, therefore allegedly making somewhat of a mockery of the genre. However, James Smith, the band's singer, was once a producer for grime label True Tiger Recordings known as 'Venom' or 'Dr Venom' and has regularly stated his genuine passion for the scene[9]. Dr. Venom's most successful release was 'Not Wise' feat. Carly Bond & Faction G which spent two weeks at the top of the official UK Garage charts in 2004. When they were guest presenters on BBC Radio1 on the 7th January 2008 the band played a number of grime and dubstep tracks that rarely receive airplay at such times.
When asked his thoughts on Hadouken!'s use of grime influences by RWD magazine [2], rising grime star Ghetto defended the band, stating ...My mum told me as a kid,‘Imitation is the best form of flattery.’ So it feels like we’re getting somewhere now. People are hearing the music. Get involved. If you’ve got something creative to add to the scene who am I to tell you ‘No.’
[edit] Lyrical themes and style
They incorporate techno into their sound and samples from Nintendo Game Boy sounds.[10]
Hadouken!'s songs deal with subjects such as binge drinking, youth culture, the commercial appropriation of underground music, relationships and debt. [11]
[edit] Current members
- James Smith - Vocals & Production,
- Alice Spooner - Synths
- Daniel "Pilau" Rice - Guitar & Vocals
- Christopher Purcell - Bass
- Nick Rice - Drums & Samples
[edit] Discography
See Also Hadouken! song list/remixes
[edit] Albums
[edit] EPs
- Mixtape (2007)
- Not Here to Please You (2007) Atlantic Records
[edit] Singles
| Date of Release | Title | UK Singles Chart Position | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 28, 2007 | "That Boy That Girl" | 188 | Music for an Accelerated Culture |
| June 25, 2007 | "Liquid Lives" | 36 | Music for an Accelerated Culture |
| November 12, 2007 | "Leap of Faith" (Digital Only) | 131 | Not Here to Please You |
| 17 March 2008 | "Get Smashed Gate Crash" | - | Music for an Accelerated Culture |
| April 2008 | "Declaration of War" | 66 | Music for an Accelerated Culture |
| 30 June 2008 | "Crank It Up" | Music for an Accelerated Culture |
[edit] Awards & Nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | BT Digital Music Awards | Best Electronic Artist/DJ | Nominated |
[edit] Trivia
- Hadoukens James Smith and Alice Spooner are no longer dating.
[edit] References
- ^ Surface Noise RecordsHadouken! Not Here To Please You - Bonus content - Short Introduction to Hadouken!
- ^ upmagazineBobby Harlow director of That Boy That Girl - retrieved February 14, 2008
- ^ Hadouken! Not Here To Please You - Bonus content - Short Introduction to Hadouken!
- ^ Tuesday, January 22, 2008, ITS A RIOT IN AN ARCADE. myspace Hadouken! blog
- ^ Hadouken! Thank The 'Internet Phenomenon'. Gigwise.com. Retrieved on 2007-06-30.
- ^ Band Page. UkUndercurrent.com. Retrieved on 2007-07-19.
- ^ "Hadouken! to release a limited edition 7" single". leedsmusicscene.net. Retrieved on 2007-06-27.
- ^ Hadouken Chart Positions. Chartstats.com. Retrieved on 2007-07-03.
- ^ Hadouken Blog Post: Hot Topic[1]
- ^ Sonic boom!. Tim Jonze, The Guardian, 9 December 2006. Retrieved on 2007-05-14.
- ^ NME Albums of 2008 Feature
[edit] External links
- Hadouken! Official Website
- Hadouken! Official MySpace
- Hadouken! Official Blog
- Hadouken! Remixes MySpace
- Hadouken! Official YouTube Channel
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