Fastlane (band)
Encyclopedia
Fastlane is a British
rock
band
, that emerged from the Surrey rock scene in 1997.
In 2002, the band reformed with a slightly different line up: Benji singing, Matty and Biffen playing Guitar, Tom Marsden playing Bass, and Dan Ranson playing drums. During the summer of 2002, Fastlane self-released their debut EP ‘She Loves the Rock’ and was picked up by 20 Deck Records, where they were soon on the road touring and playing to audiences across the country. Another line-up change and an original member return, Ian Maynard picked up the bass as Tom left the band. Fastlane grew as they gained over 20,000 downloads on the former website MP3.com
in under 12 months. 2003 found Fastlane making the final line-up change, when Gary Tough joined as the drummer. In reviews, Fastlane's genre has been listed as rock, pop punk, emo, screamo, pop, and metal.
In March 2004, Fastlane entered the studio to record their first full-length album titled ‘New Start’ with the producer Iain Wetherell (Vanilla Pod, Raging Speedhorn
, My Awesome Compilation) at Premier Studios in Corby. They played shows in multiple cities in England promoting their upcoming release, and in the latter part of 2004, the album was finished. ‘New Start’ included the songs, ‘Eyes Closed’, ‘Elevator’, ‘A New Start’, ‘Million Times’ and the single ‘Dreaming’. The album was released on Suckapunch Records
in the UK in 2005, and Pyropit Records in Japan later that year. It was distributed in HMV
, Tower Records
, Virgin Megastores, Tesco
, and Amazon
.
In 2005, Fastlane commenced their headline national tour even adding dates in Scotland and Wales. In addition to their headline tour, they supported other UK tours including New Found Glory
, Silverstein
, Gratitude
, Avenged Sevenfold
, Zebrahead
, The Academy Is, Aiden
, 4Ft Fingers, Spunge
, and My Awesome Compilation.
2006 began with another headline tour for Fastlane and in addition supporting tours of bands such as Aiden
, Hidden in Plain View
, Funeral for a Friend
, and Fightstar
. During the summer, Fastlane returned to the studio to record their second full-length album ‘Overdrive
’ with producer John Mitchell
(Funeral for a Friend
, Enter Shikari
) at Outhouse Studios in Reading. The album was released by Pyropit Records in Japan during October 2006, and was followed with an international tour when Fastlane flew to Tokyo
promoted it. Pyropit Records, an indie record company in Japan joined forces with Kick Rock Music to create a tour for Fastlane and three American bands; The Swellers
, The Space Pimps, and Better Luck Next Time
. They sold out venues such as The Club Quattro and ACB in Tokyo with a capacity of 500+ people, and conducted in-stores at Tower Records
in Shibuya
, Tokyo.
Since MP3.com closed, Fastlane have uploaded music on both Purevolume
, where they have over 26,000 plays, and Myspace.com where they have over 130,000 plays. ‘Overdrive
’ will be released on Punktastic Recordings in the UK on 7 May 2007, and is available for purchase on iTunes
.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band
Musical ensemble
A musical ensemble is a group of people who perform instrumental or vocal music. In classical music, trios or quartets either blend the sounds of musical instrument families or group together instruments from the same instrument family, such as string ensembles or wind ensembles...
, that emerged from the Surrey rock scene in 1997.
History
Formed in 1997, Fastlane was made of 4 school friends with common musical interests. With Benji Phillips, Ian Maynard, Matty O’Grady and Adam Biffen all playing a minimum of 3 instruments each, finding a line-up that worked proved a problem at first, but by 1998 the line-up consisted of both Ian and Ben singing and playing guitar, Biffen playing bass, and Matty on drums. Their first demo ‘Lets Get Amongst It’ was cut, and the band started playing local shows. The band was put on hiatus when three members started university from 1999 to 2002.In 2002, the band reformed with a slightly different line up: Benji singing, Matty and Biffen playing Guitar, Tom Marsden playing Bass, and Dan Ranson playing drums. During the summer of 2002, Fastlane self-released their debut EP ‘She Loves the Rock’ and was picked up by 20 Deck Records, where they were soon on the road touring and playing to audiences across the country. Another line-up change and an original member return, Ian Maynard picked up the bass as Tom left the band. Fastlane grew as they gained over 20,000 downloads on the former website MP3.com
MP3.com
MP3.com is a web site operated by CNET Networks providing information about digital music and artists, songs, services, community, and technologies. It is probably better known for its original incarnation, as a legal, free music-sharing service, popular with independent musicians for promoting...
in under 12 months. 2003 found Fastlane making the final line-up change, when Gary Tough joined as the drummer. In reviews, Fastlane's genre has been listed as rock, pop punk, emo, screamo, pop, and metal.
In March 2004, Fastlane entered the studio to record their first full-length album titled ‘New Start’ with the producer Iain Wetherell (Vanilla Pod, Raging Speedhorn
Raging Speedhorn
Raging Speedhorn were a British metal band, founded in Corby, Northamptonshire.-Career:Raging Speedhorn were formed in 1998 from the merging of the bands Soulcellar and Box...
, My Awesome Compilation) at Premier Studios in Corby. They played shows in multiple cities in England promoting their upcoming release, and in the latter part of 2004, the album was finished. ‘New Start’ included the songs, ‘Eyes Closed’, ‘Elevator’, ‘A New Start’, ‘Million Times’ and the single ‘Dreaming’. The album was released on Suckapunch Records
Suckapunch Records
Suckapunch Records is an independent record label based in Lincoln, Nebraska, USA. The label was operated from around 2002 to 2004 by a group of friends from Lincoln, Omaha, and Grand Island, Nebraska....
in the UK in 2005, and Pyropit Records in Japan later that year. It was distributed in HMV
HMV
His Master's Voice is a trademark in the music business, and for many years was the name of a large record label. The name was coined in 1899 as the title of a painting of the dog Nipper listening to a wind-up gramophone...
, Tower Records
Tower Records
Tower Records was a retail music chain that was based in Sacramento, California. It currently exists as an international franchise and an online music store....
, Virgin Megastores, Tesco
Tesco
Tesco plc is a global grocery and general merchandise retailer headquartered in Cheshunt, United Kingdom. It is the third-largest retailer in the world measured by revenues and the second-largest measured by profits...
, and Amazon
Amazon.com
Amazon.com, Inc. is a multinational electronic commerce company headquartered in Seattle, Washington, United States. It is the world's largest online retailer. Amazon has separate websites for the following countries: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan, and...
.
In 2005, Fastlane commenced their headline national tour even adding dates in Scotland and Wales. In addition to their headline tour, they supported other UK tours including New Found Glory
New Found Glory
New Found Glory is an American rock band from Coral Springs, Florida. Formed in the summer of 1997, founding members were lead vocalist Jordan Pundik, guitarists Chad Gilbert and Steve Klein, bassist Ian Grushka and drummer Joe Marino...
, Silverstein
Silverstein (band)
Silverstein is a Canadian post-hardcore band from Burlington, Ontario, formed in 2000. Their band name is a reference to the famous children's author Shel Silverstein, whom the band had admired and read the stories of as children. They have released a total of five studio albums, three EP's, a...
, Gratitude
Gratitude
Gratitude, thankfulness, gratefulness, or appreciation is a feeling, emotion or attitude in acknowledgment of a benefit that one has received or will receive. The experience of gratitude has historically been a focus of several world religions, and has been considered extensively by moral...
, Avenged Sevenfold
Avenged Sevenfold
Avenged Sevenfold is an American heavy metal band from Huntington Beach, California. Formed in 1999, the group consists of vocalist M. Shadows, lead guitarist Synyster Gates, rhythm guitarist Zacky Vengeance, bassist Johnny Christ....
, Zebrahead
Zebrahead
Zebrahead is an American punk rock band from Orange County, California, which fuses elements of Rapcore, Pop Punk, Alternative Rock, Alternative Metal, and Funk Metal.-1996–98: Formation:...
, The Academy Is, Aiden
Aiden
Aiden is an American rock band from Seattle, Washington that formed in the spring of 2003. The members are WiL Francis , Nick Wiggins , and Angel Ibarra . wiL originally played bass but took over lead vocals when the original singer left...
, 4Ft Fingers, Spunge
Spunge
Spunge are a ska punk band from Tewkesbury, England...
, and My Awesome Compilation.
2006 began with another headline tour for Fastlane and in addition supporting tours of bands such as Aiden
Aiden
Aiden is an American rock band from Seattle, Washington that formed in the spring of 2003. The members are WiL Francis , Nick Wiggins , and Angel Ibarra . wiL originally played bass but took over lead vocals when the original singer left...
, Hidden in Plain View
Hidden in Plain View
Hidden in Plain View was a five-piece Pop Punk band from northern New Jersey. They formed in 2000 and disbanded in 2007. During their six and a half year run, the group released records with four different record labels , including two full-length albums and three EPs...
, Funeral for a Friend
Funeral for a Friend
Funeral for a Friend are a Welsh post-hardcore band, from Bridgend. Formed 2001, they have released five studio albums, seven EPs, sixteen singles, one DVD, and one compilation album.-Formation and Early Years:...
, and Fightstar
Fightstar
Fightstar are an English alternative rock band from London. They formed in 2003 and their lineup comprises lead vocalist, guitarist and keyboardist Charlie Simpson, guitarist and vocalist Alex Westaway, bass guitarist Dan Haigh and drummer Omar Abidi...
. During the summer, Fastlane returned to the studio to record their second full-length album ‘Overdrive
Overdrive (album)
Overdrive is the second full-length album from Fastlane, which was released in Japan in October 2006 on Pyropit Records, and will be released in May 2007 by Punktastic Recordings in the UK.-Track listing:# "Motion"# "Let This Go"...
’ with producer John Mitchell
John Mitchell (musician)
John Mitchell is guitarist, vocalist and songwriter for the UK band It Bites. He also plays guitar for a number of other progressive rock bands including Arena, The Urbane, Kino, Frost*, and John Wetton.In 2008, Mitchell joined A, playing bass in place of original bass player Daniel P...
(Funeral for a Friend
Funeral for a Friend
Funeral for a Friend are a Welsh post-hardcore band, from Bridgend. Formed 2001, they have released five studio albums, seven EPs, sixteen singles, one DVD, and one compilation album.-Formation and Early Years:...
, Enter Shikari
Enter Shikari
Enter Shikari are a British band, that combine post-hardcore with elements of various electronic genres, formed in 2003 in St Albans, Hertfordshire. The band is named after a boat belonging to Roughton "Rou" Reynolds' uncle, and a character in a play which he wrote before forming the band, both of...
) at Outhouse Studios in Reading. The album was released by Pyropit Records in Japan during October 2006, and was followed with an international tour when Fastlane flew to Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
promoted it. Pyropit Records, an indie record company in Japan joined forces with Kick Rock Music to create a tour for Fastlane and three American bands; The Swellers
The Swellers
The Swellers are an American punk rock band from Flint, Michigan. Their music draws influence from melodic punk rock bands as well as alternative and indie rock from the 90s.-Band history:...
, The Space Pimps, and Better Luck Next Time
Better Luck Next Time (band)
Better Luck Next Time is a 4 piece American pop punk band from Los Angeles, California. They have released 3 full-length albums and 1 split EP since forming in 2004.-Formation :...
. They sold out venues such as The Club Quattro and ACB in Tokyo with a capacity of 500+ people, and conducted in-stores at Tower Records
Tower Records
Tower Records was a retail music chain that was based in Sacramento, California. It currently exists as an international franchise and an online music store....
in Shibuya
Shibuya, Tokyo
is one of the 23 special wards of Tokyo, Japan. As of 2008, it has an estimated population of 208,371 and a population density of 13,540 persons per km². The total area is 15.11 km²....
, Tokyo.
Since MP3.com closed, Fastlane have uploaded music on both Purevolume
PureVolume
PureVolume was the first independently run website of its type, allowing for the upload and stream of music files. It was created in 2003 by Jennifer Welch , in conjunction with the Unborn Media team; Brett Woitunski, Nate Hudson, and Mitchell Pavao; all from the University of...
, where they have over 26,000 plays, and Myspace.com where they have over 130,000 plays. ‘Overdrive
Overdrive (album)
Overdrive is the second full-length album from Fastlane, which was released in Japan in October 2006 on Pyropit Records, and will be released in May 2007 by Punktastic Recordings in the UK.-Track listing:# "Motion"# "Let This Go"...
’ will be released on Punktastic Recordings in the UK on 7 May 2007, and is available for purchase on iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
.
Current line-up
- Ben Phillips – vocals (1997–present)
- Matt O'Grady – lead guitar (1997–present)
- Adam Biffen – rhythm guitar (1997–present)
- Ian Maynard – bass, piano (1997–1999, 2002–present)
- Gary Tough – drums (2003–Present)
Discography
- New Start (2005) - Suckapunch RecordsSuckapunch RecordsSuckapunch Records is an independent record label based in Lincoln, Nebraska, USA. The label was operated from around 2002 to 2004 by a group of friends from Lincoln, Omaha, and Grand Island, Nebraska....
- New Start (2005) - Pyropit Records
- OverdriveOverdrive (album)Overdrive is the second full-length album from Fastlane, which was released in Japan in October 2006 on Pyropit Records, and will be released in May 2007 by Punktastic Recordings in the UK.-Track listing:# "Motion"# "Let This Go"...
(2006) - Pyropit Records - OverdriveOverdrive (album)Overdrive is the second full-length album from Fastlane, which was released in Japan in October 2006 on Pyropit Records, and will be released in May 2007 by Punktastic Recordings in the UK.-Track listing:# "Motion"# "Let This Go"...
(2007) - Punktastic Recordings
In media
- Fastlane have been featured in Kerrang magazine.
- Featured in Rockin'On Magazine, GrindHouse Magazine, and Crossbeat in Japan.
- Charted #4 Japan’s HMV Pop Punk Music Chart, #16 Japan’s HMV Alternative Chart, #283 Japan’s HMV Music Chart.
- Sold 14,000 copies of ‘New Start.’
- 6,500 pre-sales of ‘Overdrive.’
- Headlined a tour through England, Scotland, and Wales.
- Toured Japan in October 2006.
- Released two albums on notable indie label Pyropit Records in Japan.
- Won the Taste of Chaos Tour Music Competition.
National venues played
- London AstoriaLondon AstoriaThe London Astoria was a music venue, located at 157 Charing Cross Road, in London, England. It had been leased and run by Festival Republic since 2000. It was closed on 15 January 2009 and has since been demolished...
- Camden Barfly
- Camden UnderworldCamden UnderworldThe Camden Underworld is a music venue in Camden Town, London, England. The venue itself is a part of the World's End pub, being situated in the basement of the building.- History :...
- Mean FiddlerMean FiddlerThe Astoria 2, subsequently known as the LA2 then the Mean Fiddler, was a nightclub at 165 Charing Cross Road in London, England.The venue was connected to the London Astoria such that the two venues could function as a single venue where needed...
- The GarageThe GarageThe Garage may refer to:Places*The Garage , a small shopping center located in Harvard Square, Cambridge, Massachusetts*The Garage , a large night club located in Glasgow, Scotland...
- Islington Academy
- The Sound Leicester Square
- The Verge
- Birmingham NIA
- Birmingham Academy, Academy 2, Bar Academy
- Nottingham Rock City
- Manchester Road House
- Liverpool AcademyLiverpool AcademyLiverpool Academy may refer to:* Liverpool Academy of Arts* North Liverpool Academy* The past name of Guild Live, the University of Liverpool entertainment venue* Liverpool F.C. Reserves and Academy* Carling Academy Liverpool...
- Leeds Cockpit
- Newcastle University
- York Fibbers
- Southampton Guildhall
- Wolverhampton Wulfrun
- Wolverhampton Little Civic
- Oxford Zodiac
- Cambridge Junction
- Norwich Waterfront
- The Leicester Charlotte
- Bournemouth Firestation
- Tunbridge Wells Forum
- Plymouth University
- Exeter Cavern
- Middlesbrough Town Hall Crypt
International venues
- Wales:
- Cardiff Barfly
- Clwb Ifor BachClwb Ifor BachClwb Ifor Bach is a Cardiff nightclub, music venue, Welsh-language club and community centre. It is known to the Cardiff Welsh-speaking community as Clwb and is often known by others on the Cardiff music scene as The Welsh Club....
- Wrexham Central Station
- Scotland:
- Glasgow Arches
- Glasgow Barfly
- Glasgow King Tuts
- Arbroath Viewfield Hotel
- Aberdeen Tunnels
- Japan:
- The Club Quattro
- ACB
- Club Milk
- Kumagaya’s Heavens Rock