Mogwai (band)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Mogwai | |
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 Mogwai in concert
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Glasgow, Scotland |
| Genre(s) | Post-rock |
| Years active | 1995–present |
| Label(s) | Chemikal Underground Matador Records Play It Again Sam Rock Action Records |
| Website | www.mogwai.co.uk www.matadorrecords.com/mogwai |
| Members | |
| Stuart Braithwaite Dominic Aitchison Martin Bulloch John Cummings Barry Burns |
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| Former members | |
| Brendan O'Hare | |
Mogwai are a British rock group from Glasgow, Scotland. Formed by Stuart Braithwaite and Dominic Aitchison in 1995, Mogwai has since become one of the most influential and best known names in post-rock.[1]
They typically compose lengthy, instrumental guitar-based pieces in the post-rock tradition. They are usually focused around the elaboration of a single theme and are known for dynamic contrast, melodic bass guitar riffs, their use of guitar distortion and effects. Braithwaite has commented on the lack of lyrics within Mogwai's music, saying:
| “ | I think most people are not used to having no lyrics to focus on. Lyrics are a real comfort to some people. I guess they like to sing along and when they can't do that with us they can get a bit upset.[2] | ” |
The band was originally signed to renowned Glasgow indie label Chemikal Underground, but are now distributed by different labels, such as Matador in the US and Play It Again Sam Records in the UK. They have also developed their own label, Rock Action Records, named after Stooges drummer Scott Asheton, who had his name changed to Rock Action.[3]
Their style has been influenced by bands including The Dirty Three, Joy Division, Pink Floyd, The Jesus and Mary Chain, My Bloody Valentine and post-rock pioneers Slint. During 2004 the band supported tours by two major influences, Pixies and The Cure. Mogwai's style has easily identifiable connections to genres like shoegaze, math rock, art rock and occasionally instrumental metal. While their sound bears little resemblance to traditional punk rock, the band seems to identify closely with the punk ethic.
Mogwai is named after the creatures from the film Gremlins (also means "ghost" in Chinese), although guitarist Stuart Braithwaite comments that "it has no significant meaning and we always intended on getting a better one, but like a lot of other things we never got 'round to it."[3]
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[edit] History
Stuart Braithwaite and Dominic Aitchison originally met at a gig for Ned's Atomic Dustbin in April 1991, and four years later added old schoolfriend Martin Bulloch to their ranks, forming the band Mogwai in the process. Stuart had been playing lead guitar in a band called "Deadcat Motorbike" up until that point. After playing a few shows the band expanded with the introduction of John Cummings on guitar, and Teenage Fanclub drummer Brendan O'Hare joined whilst they recorded their debut album Mogwai Young Team.
O'Hare left after the release of the album, before Barry Burns was brought in prior to the recording of Come On Die Young, the band's second album. He had already played a few shows with the band, as a flautist and as an occasional pianist. According to Stuart, the reason Barry was invited into the band was because he was a good laugh.[3] Since 1998, and for the recording of every album since Mogwai Young Team, the band line up has remained unchanged. However, fellow Scot musician Luke Sutherland has contributed violin to Mogwai's records and live performances. In 2000 the band curated the first edition of the British All Tomorrow's Parties festival. In 2004 they returned to curate one day of the Director's Cut of ATP.
[edit] Controversy
The band has never been shy to state their opinions, especially with regards to other musicians and bands. In a recent example, Stuart sarcastically described Annie Lennox's album title Songs of Mass Destruction as "really topical," and a title that was "so half-arsed it makes 'Mr Beast' sound cerebral."[4] Braithwaite also had a dig at the group Test Icicles after their split, saying "they've only been going for about three bloody weeks!"[5]
Perhaps Mogwai's most infamous feud has been against the band Blur. With both bands headlining different stages at T in the Park in 1999, Mogwai began printing t-shirts emblazoned with the words "blur: are shite" across the front. The first run of shirts sold out in a single day and Stuart claimed the shirts showed a "dictionary definition" of Blur.[6] The Mogwai website has also carried tirades against Damon Albarn and Gorillaz from time to time.
James Blunt is another musician the band has created rifts with in the past, with Barry Burns claiming to have "spewed blood down dirty toilets with more talent than [him]," and that "his voice is annoying." Burns also took aim at the online music critic source Pitchfork Media, saying that Pitchfork’s staff were "not music fans" but rather a "bunch of website geeks."[7]
[edit] Discography
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- Mogwai's official website
- Mogwai's US record label
- Mogwai's UK record label
- Mogwai collection at the Internet Archive's live music archive
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