| Absent Kid | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Colchester, Essex, UK[1] |
| Genres | Alternative rock Indie rock |
| Years active | 2002–present |
| Labels | Fierce Panda Records[1] |
| Website | www.absentkid.co.uk |
| Members | |
| Martin Williams (vocals) Richard Williams (guitar) Mark Butters (bass guitar) Kerri-Ann Butcher (guitar) Craig Jeal (drums) |
|
| Past members | |
| Dominic Harrison (guitar) Chris McKeown (keyboard) |
|
Absent Kid are a British indie rock band.
Contents |
Brothers Martin and Richard Williams and bassist Mark Butters grew up in the small coastal town of West Mersea. The name Absent Kid was inspired by a character in the cartoon South Park.[2]
They debuted in front of a paying audience, performing at a Colchester venue, "Twist". The band developed as performers during a series of live performances, and gained a degree of prominence after opening for now the disbanded group Ikara Colt.[2] This led to the band's first significant radio play, on XFM London.[1]
In 2004, Absent Kid won the Diesel-U-Music award for Best Rock.[1] An awards ceremony, held at nightclub Fabric was broadcast on Channel 4. Absent Kid were awarded their trophy by BBC Radio 1 DJ Edith Bowman. This brought some attention from the national press, including the influential New Musical Express.[3]
Absent Kid were afterwards signed by Fierce Panda Records, who had previously released records by, amongst others, Coldplay, Idlewild and Keane. The band's debut mini-album, I Burnt Down the Family Business, was released with Fierce Panda on 25 April 2005 to critical acclaim.[1] Their double A-side debut single, Shame On Us All/Quiet Playground, was released on 6 February 2006.
The band gained less notoriety in the following year. They released their first full-length album in July 2007. While their previous works drew comparisons to Radiohead, the new album was hailed as more upbeat and made for the dancefloor.[4]
In December 2009 the band announced a return after a year long hiatus with a new line up with guitarist Kerri-Ann Butcher (formerly from Stand Still Kid) replacing Dominic Harrison.[1]
April 2010 saw Absent Kid record a version of Up the U's for local football club Colchester United which is now played at home games at the club's Weston Homes Community Stadium.