Pure Reason Revolution
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| Pure Reason Revolution | |
|---|---|
| Origin | England, UK |
| Genre(s) | Progressive Rock Alternative Rock New Prog |
| Years active | 2003–present |
| Label(s) | Superball music, previously Poptones and Sony BMG |
| Members | |
| Chloë Alper Jon Courtney Jamie Willcox Paul Glover |
|
| Former members | |
| Jim Dobson Greg Jong Andrew Courtney |
|
Pure Reason Revolution is a British rock group formed at the University of Westminster in 2003. Their music incorporates elements of progressive rock (Rick Wakeman[1] has given the band a favorable review) and grunge rock. It has been variously described as 'Astral Folk' and 'New Prog'.[2][3] Members have a shared appreciation for the work of bands such as Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Porcupine Tree, Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins and the Super Furry Animals.[4]
Contents |
[edit] Lineup
Studio album personnel:
- Jon Courtney - vocals, guitars, keyboards
- Chloë Alper - vocals, bass guitars, keyboard
- Jamie Willcox - vocals, guitars - joined April 2005
- Paul Glover - drums - joined late 2006
- Greg Jong - vocals, guitars - left early 2005
- Jim Dobson - keyboards, bass guitar, violin, guitars, vocals - left November 2006
- Andrew Courtney - drums - left November 2006
[edit] History
[edit] The Sunset Sound
Pure Reason Revolution began life as a Reading outfit named The Sunset Sound, which featured the Courtney brothers, Chloë Alper and, for a short while, Jim Dobson.[5] Jon and Andrew Courtney had previously played with pop guitar band Gel, and, according to J. Courtney in an interview, were signed by Seymour Stein to his Sire record label[4] although Sire records dropped the band and never released any material. Alper used to front the Period Pains, who scored a minor hit with an anti-Spice Girls song in 1997.
The band was completed by Tom Leathes (vocals, guitar) and Bob Cooper (bass guitar). Debut single "Moving" picked up radio airplay on BBC Radio 1 (where the band was championed by alternative-music guru Steve Lamacq[6]), XFM and LA's KROQ.[7]
[edit] Pure Reason Revolution
Courtney J, Dobson and Jong met at Westminster University 2000-2003[8] and went through a number of name changes before settling on Pure Reason Revolution (PRR), including "The Wow"[9] and "Pendulum Dawn".
The band signed to Alan McGee's Poptones label for a one-off release of "Apprentice of the Universe"[10] (peaking at #74 in a national chart).[11]
Signing to SonyBMG in autumn 2004, the following year saw the band releasing two singles - the 12-minute long Bright Ambassadors of Morning (the title is from a line in Pink Floyd's Echoes on the Meddle album), and The Intention Craft - plus one mini-album, Cautionary Tales for the Brave. This was released to make up for delays in recording that meant the band would miss its original launch window. The use of so many of the proposed album tracks on a mini-album led the band to develop some new material for the album, including "The Twyncyn/Trembling Willows". Releases were on the band's own Holograph imprint, via SonyBMG.
In March 2005, the band played the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas, before playing several North American dates,[12] and they regularly played on the British club circuit. During this time, PRR supported Mew,[13] Hope of the States,[14] Secret Machines, and Oceansize,[15] as well as headlining their own gigs[16] and recorded sessions for Mark Radcliffe's Radio Two show and XFM. In spring 2005, Jong left the band, to be replaced by another Westminster pal Jamie Willcox, though it is Jong's work featured on recorded output up to, and including, The Dark Third. Both Jong and Willcox receive credits on the The Dark Third album.
The band sometimes allows fans to listen to streaming material via its MySpace website, including works in progress and exclusive Christmas tracks.
The first full-length album, The Dark Third was released in the UK on April 10th 2006, and was produced by Paul Northfield (Rush, Porcupine Tree, Gentle Giant, Hole).[17] A US version of the album containing the original, pre-Cautionary Tales mooted tracklisting and amended artwork was released in the USA on 25 July 2006.
In summer 2006, with his wife, Susanne Courtney, being pregnant with their first child, Andrew Courtney left the band. He was replaced by Paul Glover, formerly of the band Wire Jesus.
Jim Dobson then left the band in November 2006. Although there was no formal announcement regarding his departure, a notice on the band's forum explained that nothing more could be said, for "legal reasons."
In December 2006, the band parted company with Sony/BMG.
On 16 February 2007, the European version was released under licence to InsideOut Music.
Pure Reason Revolution supported Blackfield on their European tour in February 2007. This was their first support tour with new drummer Paul Glover. Their live set had few changes, one of which was a reworked reprise of "Golden Clothes", in which all band members (minus Glover, who is drumming) play synthesizers and end singing a cappella.
Following the tour, the band began recording the follow-up to The Dark Third. In June, the band journeyed to the US again to play at the 2007 edition of the renowned progressive/art rock festival NEARfest, as well as at three other clubs. These shows saw the debut of a new song called "Deus Ex Machina". Pure Reason Revolution also opened for Porcupine Tree on their 'Tour Of A Blank Planet' European tour in June/July 2007.
The band played just one more UK date in 2007, on the 15th October at Southampton University.
The band released a 4-track EP of "Victorious Cupid" on ORG Records on 14 April 2008, accompanied by a one-off London show on 12 April 2008.[18][19] . A live album entitled "Live at NEARfest 2007" is due June 20th followed by a new studio album in September of 2008.[20]
The band have recently signed to German label Superball Music for the release of their next album, about which manager Jonathan Cooke made the following statment: "It was refreshing to find a situation that combines the artist commitment and enthusiasm of an indie with the ambition of a major. Signing a longer-term deal with Superball Music for album 2 onwards was an easy decision to make!"[21]
[edit] Discography
[edit] Singles
- Apprentice of the Universe (2004) (Via Poptones)
- The Bright Ambassadors of Morning (2005) (Via Holograph)
- The Intention Craft (2005) (Via Holograph)
- Victorious Cupid (2007) (Download via MySpace, limited 1000-copy release via Org Records)
[edit] EPs
- Cautionary Tales for the Brave (2005) (Via Holograph)
[edit] Albums
- The Dark Third (2006) (Via Holograph)
[edit] Live Albums
- Live at NEARfest 2007 (2008) (Via NEARfest Records)
[edit] Samples
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Nimos & Tambos "Nimos & Tambos", from The Dark Third Victorious Cupid "Victorious Cupid" (single) - Problems playing the files? See media help.
[edit] References
- ^ "Prog's progeny" by Matt Allen, August 11, 2006, The Guardian
- ^ Prog rock? Just say yes. Times Online (January 28, 2006). Retrieved on 2007-08-11.
- ^ Pure Reason Revolution - The Intention Craft. Music OMH. Retrieved on 2007-08-11.
- ^ a b Roll on the revolution. The Independent (London) (January 6, 2006). Retrieved on 2008-02-15.
- ^ The Sunset Sound fan discography
- ^ Steve Lamacq show listing
- ^ Velocity Recordings entry
- ^ Drowned in Sound listing
- ^ Smalltown America review
- ^ Album review by Dave Simpson, 7 April 2006, The Guardian
- ^ Chart Stats - Pure Reason Revolution - Apprentice Of The Universe
- ^ By Tom Semioli, Amplifier Magazine 2006
- ^ Wessex Scene Online interview
- ^ Citation details need recovering from an earlier version of the article]
- ^ Gigwise review
- ^ ICA.
- ^ Stylus review by Iain Forrester
- ^ DPRP news page
- ^ ORG Records official page
- ^ NEARfest records
- ^ Superball Music myspace site
[edit] External links
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