| King Adora | |
|---|---|
| Background information | |
| Origin | Birmingham, United Kingdom |
| Genres | Glam rock, pop rock, indie rock |
| Years active | 1998–2005, 2010–present |
| Labels | Caroline Records, Superior Quality Recordings, Discovery Recording Company Ltd |
| Associated acts | The High Society |
| Website | Official website |
| Members | |
| Matt "Maxi" Browne Martyn "The Nelsta" Nelson Robert Andrew "Robbie G" Grimmit Dan "The Brows" Dabrowski |
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King Adora are a glam rock influenced rock group formed in Birmingham, United Kingdom in 1998. They released debut album Vibrate You in 2001, charting at #30 on the UK Albums Chart, and the follow-up Who Do You Love? in 2004. They also released the EP Friday Night Explodes in 2004. In 2005 the group split up with two members going on to form the glam rock group The High Society. In 2010 the group announced they were to reform, performing two shows, one in London and one in Birmingham.
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In 1998, Matt Browne and Martyn Nelson formed the group in Birmingham, adding bassist Robert Grimmit and drummer Dan Dabrowski. The group's name was reputedly taken from an oversized adult toy they had seen in a sex shop.[1] Drawing strong glam influences from the likes of Guns N' Roses, Mötley Crüe, Alice Cooper, T-Rex, David Bowie and Blondie[2] they often drew comparisons to Suede, Pixies, and the early Manic Street Preachers. After signing a deal with Superior Quality Recordings, they released the singles "Bionic" / "The Law", "Big Isn't Beautiful" and "Smoulder" in 2000, and toured with Mansun as well as appearing at various festivals including T in the Park[3] and the Reading and Leeds festival. They finished the recording of their debut album in December.[4] They were heavily publicised by Melody Maker magazine, before the publishers decided to end the publication, and "merge" it with NME, and initially got some exposure in UK Kerrang!, leading to modest success.
They released their fourth single "Suffocate", along with a music video, on 19 February 2001 where it reached number 39, on the UK Singles Chart. They then re-released "Bionic" on 14 May which peaked at number 30. Their debut album Vibrate You was released on 21 May[5][6] charting at number 30 on the UK Albums Chart.[7] A tour with Mansun soon followed along with some festival appearances including the Reading and Leeds festival.[8] On 31 May, they were confirmed as support for Queens of the Stone Age during their tour of the UK in June.[9] In July, the band announced they were to give their next single, "Friday Night Explodes", as well as a number of B-sides away for free via the bands official website on 3 August.[10] The Friday Night Explodes EP was released on August 20. Sometime in 2002, the group were dropped from their record label, despite this the group announced, in September, a tour of the UK with one date in October and a string of dates in November.[11] By November the tour had sold out while the band posted demos of new songs on their official website.[12]
In March 2003, King Adora returned releasing new material for the first time in nearly two years with the limited edition double A-side single "Born to Lose" / "Kamikaze". They also announced a string of UK shows to take place in May.[13] "Born to Lose" was included on the Love Music, Hate Racism compilation album titled Fear of a Black Kennet released on 8 December through R*E*P*E*A*T Records.[14] They released the single "Drag" on 24 November and Who Do You Love? on 24 March 2004[15] through Discovery, however the album failed to chart.
In September 2005, the group announced their breakup. Dabrowski went on to become the technical manager at the Carling Birmingham Academy. Both Browne and Nelson went on to form a new group initially known as The Bombshell AC's in early 2006, eventually changing their name to The High Society, and playing their first live show soon after. Rounding up the band's line-up was Beat Union and Farse bassist Ade Preston on guitar, bassist Glen Jones and drummer Ash Sheehan.[16] Jones, Nelson andPreston later left the group to be replaced by Rex Roulette, Topper and Danny Boy. The group's only release was the self-titled EP The High Society, which included a recorded version of "Can't Stay Away" performed at the last King Adora show, released in 2009 on iTunes with a limited pressing of 100 copies sold during live shows.
In January 2010, King Adora announced that they were to return scheduling two gigs in April, a show in their home town of Birmingham, as well as a show in London.[17][18] Despite all members returning, it is unknown whether or not they plan to record new material or tour the UK as well as the future of The High Society. In the same month, filmmaker Ben Lewis began production of an official King Adora documentary. The film is due for release in early 2012 and will feature interviews with the band, previously unseen footage from international tours, and clips from their sell out London gig at the Relentless Garage in London. The film also features exclusive interviews with Steve Lamacq and John Cornfield.
| Year | Title | Track listing |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Friday Night Explodes
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| Year | Title | Chart Positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart[19] | |||
| 2000 | "Bionic" / "The Law" | - | Vibrate You |
| "Big Isn't Beautiful" | - | ||
| "Smoulder" | #62 | ||
| 2001 | "Suffocate" | #39 | |
| "Bionic" | #30 | ||
| 2003 | "Born To Lose" / "Kamikaze" | #68 | Who Do You Love? |
| "Drag" | - |
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