| The Chapman Family | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Stockton-on-Tees, England |
| Genres | Postpunk |
| Years active | 2006-present |
| Labels | PIAS Recordings |
| Website | [1] |
| Members | |
| Kingsley Chapman Pop Chapman Owen Chapman Kevin James Chapman Scott Chapman |
|
| Past members | |
| Lucy Chapman Paul Chapman Phil Chapman |
|
The Chapman Family are an English alternative rock band from Stockton-on-Tees, that formed in 2006. The band consists of Kingsley Chapman (Lead vocals, guitar), Pop Chapman (Lead Guitar), Owen Chapman (Rhythm Guitar), backing vocals), Kevin Chapman (Bass Guitar) and Scott Chapman (Drums). The band's debut album Burn Your Town was released on March 7, 2011. They were notably part of the "10 Tips for 2009" shortlist published by NME.[1]
Contents |
The band were formed in 2006[2] and played their first gig on May 5 of that year at KuBar in Stockton-on-Tees.[3] Singer and guitarist Kingsley Chapman claims that they formed because they were "bored of watching bands who sounded f-k all like anything".[4] The band originally consisted of Kingsley, Paul, Phil and Lucy, the latter was replaced by Pop in 2007.
The band released their first single, the double A-side "You Are Not Me" / "You Think You're Funny", on 8 October 2007 through local Stockton label Don't Tell Clare Records.[5]
In 2008, The Chapman Family performed at the Glastonbury Festival,[2] following a promotion on BBC Radio, 'In New Music We Trust'. They were chosen by a panel that included DJs Huw Stephens, Steve Lamacq, and Snow Patrol frontman Gary Lightbody.[6] In 2008, the band were chosen as one of the closing bands for the Manchester In The City music conference, along with The Fratellis.[7] They have played shows with the likes of We Are Scientists, 80s Matchbox B-Line Disaster and Future of the Left.[8] They recorded a session for BBC Radio 1 at Maida Vale studios in London which was aired in September 2008.[8]
In April–May 2009 The Chapman Family played alongside La Roux, Heartbreak and Magistrates on NME''s Samsung Radar tour, playing in Nottingham, Bristol, Wrexham, Oxford, Cardiff, Manchester, Leeds, Preston, Glasgow, Birmingham, Portsmouth, Stoke, Norwich and London.[9]
The Chapman Family's second single, "Kids", was released on 27 April 2009,[8] and accompanied by a promo video from director Blake Claridge.[10] In September 2009 they announced the release of "Virgins", and their first full headlining UK tour.[11]
In March 2010, The Chapman Family played alongside Everything Everything and The Drums as part of the NME Showcase at the annual South by Southwest in Austin, Texas.[12]
In October 2010, they released their fourth single, "All Fall". Following this they released their debut album "Burn Your Town" on March 7, 2011. Critics claimed this was a late release for the band, consequently due to the amount of hype they had created the years previously. Nevertheless, "Burn Your Town" was still sighted as a top album of 2011, with critical acclaim from the likes of NME, Artrocker and the BBC. The release of their fifth single "Anxiety" in January, 2011 saw the accompanying video (directed by Tim Mattia) gather a nomination for the Best Video of the Year at the Artrocker Awards 2011.
Following the departure of Phil (Drums) and Paul (Guitar) in the summer of 2011, new members were established. Pop (former bassist of the band) moved to play lead guitar, while newcomer Kevin stepped in to take up Pop's old role. Scott joined the group to take over from Phil on drums and percussion, while Owen (a long time friend and ex tour bus driver to the band) also joined to accompany Pop on guitar. Due to this dramatic change around, some have reported that the band's sound has changed slightly, from the old raucous cacophony of noice to a more Shoegazing style of playing, with even more effects pedals and a chromatic/ aleatoric sound. Bands they have recently been compared to are the likes of The Jesus and Mary Chain, The Cure, Interpol and Joy Division.
The new line-up have began working on their first collective record, set to be released early 2012.
They are currently signed to PIAS Recordings.
| Year | Song | Peak positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK | |||
| 2007 | "You Are Not Me / You Think You're Funny"[5] | – | |
| 2009 | "Kids"[13] | – | |
| "Virgins" | – | ||
| 2010 | "All Fall" | – | |
| 2011 | "Anxiety" | – |