Fono (band)

Fono
Also known as Seven
Origin United Kingdom
Genres Alternative rock
Christian rock
Years active 1996–?
Website fono.net

Fono is a rock band, originally from the United Kingdom but later based out of San Diego, California.

Contents

History

Fono formed under the name Seven (and originally from Milton Keynes), and released one album and one EP under this name; they also opened for a UK concert by Bon Jovi before changing their name to Fono in 1998.[1] Lead singer Del Currie had previously played with Split Level and Tribe of Dan,[1] and went on a year-long hiatus from songwriting and performing before putting the group together.[2] The band has stated that the name "Fono" has no significance; in an interview, Currie said "It means absolutely nothing".[3] Following the name change, the group was featured in Kerrang! magazine as one of their Best Unsigned Bands. Not long after, they did sign with a label, and the group released their debut full-length, Goesaroundcomesaround, in 1999.[4] Album reviewers noted the album's American, as opposed to British, rock sound[5][6] and the group's general appeal to audiences outside the world of Christian rock.[7] In America, the group scored two Christian radio hits with the singles "Now She's 24" (#7, 1999) and "Drift Away" (#16, 2000).[1] They also toured with Robert Plant, The Goo Goo Dolls,[1] Third Eye Blind,[8] and Audio Adrenaline.[7]

After the release of the album, the band relocated permanently to the United States, settling in San Diego, California in 2000.[8] That year, a restructuring at their record label resulted in their becoming embroiled in a lawsuit which took over two years to resolve; during this time the band was prevented from recording any music.[9] They then began recording a new album, but the studio where they were recording and all of their equipment and masters were destroyed in the Cedar Fire of 2003.[9] The group re-recorded the material and independently released 2004's It's the Way That You Use It. Too Broken To Break followed in 2007.

In 2010, vocalist Del Currie released a solo album under the name Zoo Seven.

Members

Current
Former

Discography

As Seven
As Fono

References

  1. ^ a b c d Mark Allan Powell, The Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music. Hendrickson Publishers, 2002, pp. 335-336.
  2. ^ Fono. Christianity Today.
  3. ^ Interview with Fono. Jesus Freak Hideout, May 18, 2000.
  4. ^ Jason Ankeny, Fono at Allmusic
  5. ^ Review of Goesaroundcomesaround, Allmusic
  6. ^ Privett, Andrew (December 1998). "Review of Goesaroundcomesaround". Cross Rhythms (48). http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/products/Fono/Goes_Around_Comes_Around/1439/. 
  7. ^ a b Pick of the Month. The Phantom Tollbooth, February 1999.
  8. ^ a b Rimmer, Mike (October 2003). "Come in Number 6... Your Time is Up!". Cross Rhythms (77). http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/articles/music/Come_in_Number_6_Your_Time_is_Up/8265/p1/. 
  9. ^ a b Review of Too Broken To Break. Jesus Freak Hideout, October 21, 2007.

External links