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Idlewild Information
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'Idlewild' are a Scottish rock band formed in December 1995, by Roddy Woomble (vocals), Rod Jones (guitar), Phil Scanlon (bass), and Colin Newton (drums).
Biography
Idlewild are named after the quiet meeting place in Roddy's favourite book at the time, Anne of Green Gables.
Their sound, although obeying the conventions of British guitar music in general, is unique in that, unlike many of their contempories, it has evolved over time, from the much edgier, more angular, occasionally almost post-hardcore sound displayed on their early material, once, infamously, described as "the sound of a flight of stairs falling down a flight of stairs", to the sweeping, melodic rock displayed on 'The Remote Part'. Idlewild can, therefore, be seen as a truly independent band, in that they do not fit into any specific scene, though their sound has clearly been influenced by bands like Fugazi, early Pixies and more recently R.E.M..
Part of Idlewild's success can be attributed to their singles gaining heavy rotation on Steve Lamacq's Evening Session on BBC Radio 1, as well as his all-round endorsement of them - the diminutive DJ often cites them as one of his favourite bands.
Scanlon was replaced by Bob Fairfoull before the recording of the band's second single, Chandelier, and now works in the Oil Industry. In 2002 Fairfoull left the band and was replaced by Gavin Fox, formerly of Irish group Turn; at the same time Allan Stewart (a session guitarist) joined the band as a regular member.
As of 21/11/05 Idlewild announced that after eight years and four albums they were to part ways from their record label Parlophone/EMI. Part of the band statement reads 'The band had fulfilled their record contract and it seemed like a good time to move on.'
Line-Up
Current
*Roddy Woomble - Vocals
*Rod Jones - Guitar
*Allan Stewart - Guitar
*Gavin Fox - Bass
*Colin Newton - Drums
Previous
*Bob Fairfoull - Bass
*Phil Scanlon - Bass
Discography
Studio Albums
*1998 - Captain (Deceptive) mini-album
*1998 - Hope is important (Food)
*2000 - 100 broken windows (Food) #15 UK
*2002 - The Remote Part (Parlophone) #3 UK
*2005 - Warnings/Promises (Parlophone) #9 UK
Singles/EPs
*March 1997 - Queen of the troubled teens (Human Condition)
*December 1997 - Chandelier (Fierce Panda)
*February 1998 - Satan polariod
*April 1998 - A film for the future
*July 1998 - Everyone says you're so fragile
*October 1998 - I'm a message
*February 1999 - When I argue I see shapes #19 UK
*September 1999 - Little discourage #24 UK
*March 2000 - Actually it's darkness #23 UK
*June 2000 - These wooden ideas #32 UK
*October 2000 - Roseability #38 UK
*April 2002 - You held the world in your arms #9 UK
*June 2002 - American English #15 UK
*October 2002 - Live in a hiding place #26 UK
*February 2003 - A modern way of letting go (EMI) #28 UK
*February 2005 - Love Steals Us From Loneliness (EMI) #16 UK
*May 2005 - I Understand It (EMI) #32 UK
*July 2005 - El Capitan (EMI) #39 UK
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