Frightened Rabbit
Encyclopedia
Frightened Rabbit are a Scottish
indie rock
band from Selkirk
, formed in 2003. The lineup consists of lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist and lyricist Scott Hutchison, guitarist and bassist Billy Kennedy, guitarist Andy Monaghan, drummer Grant Hutchison and guitarist and keyboardist Gordon Skene. Since 2004 the band has been based in Glasgow
.
Concerning the band's lineup, Scott Hutchison notes that: "The initial lineup in Frightened Rabbit was just myself. I had really only been messing with my 4 track for about 6 months before I started playing some shows on my own. Some of the songs still didn't have words and I was mostly just mumbling nonsense half the time. Grant joined a year later, making the outfit much noisier. Billy came along about 6 months after this and actually made it a bit less noisy. He's very calming like that is Billy. Andy has been in the band since January, and adds all the extra details we were missing before. Still not sure if we're finished gathering members".
The band released their debut album Sing the Greys
in May 2006 on local label, Hits The Fan. The band were offered a deal from Fiction Records
but ultimately decided not to sign with the label. In January 2007, The Self-Starter Foundation
brought the band to the east coast of the United States
for a short tour. The band returned to the United States in March to play SXSW. Brighton
indie
label Fat Cat Records
released a remixed/remastered version of the album in the USA in October 2007, distributed by Caroline Distribution
. The band then embarked on a full American tour. The album was released in the UK in November 2007.
Earlier in 2007, the band had recorded a new album, The Midnight Organ Fight
at producer Peter Katis
's Tarquin Studios in Bridgeport
, Connecticut
. This album was released April 15, 2008.
After recording The Midnight Organ Fight, the current quartet line-up was completed with the addition of guitarist/keyboardist Andy Monaghan of Piano Bar Fight (who have previously played as support to Frightened Rabbit). In an interview, Scott mentions that he "met him on New Year’s Eve, in Glasgow
, in a bar. I was really hammered and I was like ‘why don’t you come and play some shows with us man?’ and he was like ‘Yeah!’. The next day, I got a text like ‘Do you remember… did you say something about this or is it my imagination?’".
The band supported Death Cab for Cutie
during their November 2008 UK & Irish tour, and released a live album, Quietly Now! in October.
, Scott Hutchison noted that he was "excited at the prospect of being in the studio again," and that stated that he "can't do another break-up album 'cause I haven't had one this year! Maybe it'll just be a little less focused on me".
Hutchison subsequently announced plans to head to Crail
, Fife
to write material for the band's third studio album:
In May 2009, a video appeared online of Hutchison performing a new track, entitled "Swim Until You Can't See Land". The song was later revealed as the first single from the forthcoming third album.
In October 2009, the band members unveiled the album's title, The Winter of Mixed Drinks
, and announced the arrival of a fifth band member, Gordon Skene (formerly of Make Model
). According to Scott Hutchison:
The Winter of Mixed Drinks was released in March 2010.
The band made their U.S. television debut on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
on May 25, 2010, performing "Nothing Like You". In June 2010, they appeared on The A.V. Club
covering The Lemonheads
. On October 12, 2010, the television crime drama Detroit 1-8-7
featured the song "Yes I Would." The first single from the album, "Swim Until You Can't See Land" was also used in the trailer for the 2010 movie, "The Beaver (film)
". They have also been chosen personally by Belle & Sebastian
to perform at their second Bowlie Weekender
festival, presented by All Tomorrow's Parties
in the UK in December 2010. Again, the band supported Death Cab for Cutie
during their 2011 North American tour.
Scottish people
The Scottish people , or Scots, are a nation and ethnic group native to Scotland. Historically they emerged from an amalgamation of the Picts and Gaels, incorporating neighbouring Britons to the south as well as invading Germanic peoples such as the Anglo-Saxons and the Norse.In modern use,...
indie rock
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
band from Selkirk
Selkirk
The Royal Burgh of Selkirk is a town in the Borders of Scotland. It lies on the Ettrick Water, a tributary of the River Tweed. At the time of the 2001 census, Selkirk's population was 5,839. The people of the town are known as Souters, meaning cobblers.Selkirk was formerly the county town of...
, formed in 2003. The lineup consists of lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist and lyricist Scott Hutchison, guitarist and bassist Billy Kennedy, guitarist Andy Monaghan, drummer Grant Hutchison and guitarist and keyboardist Gordon Skene. Since 2004 the band has been based in Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
.
Concerning the band's lineup, Scott Hutchison notes that: "The initial lineup in Frightened Rabbit was just myself. I had really only been messing with my 4 track for about 6 months before I started playing some shows on my own. Some of the songs still didn't have words and I was mostly just mumbling nonsense half the time. Grant joined a year later, making the outfit much noisier. Billy came along about 6 months after this and actually made it a bit less noisy. He's very calming like that is Billy. Andy has been in the band since January, and adds all the extra details we were missing before. Still not sure if we're finished gathering members".
Beginnings, Sing the Greys and The Midnight Organ Fight
In 2003 singer/guitarist Scott Hutchison used the name Frightened Rabbit as a stage moniker for his solo shows. The project became a full-fledged band with the addition of his brother Grant Hutchison on drums in 2004, and guitarist Billy Kennedy in 2006.The band released their debut album Sing the Greys
Sing the Greys
Sing the Greys is the debut studio album by Scottish indie rock band Frightened Rabbit, originally released in May 2006 on Hits the Fan Records, with a limited run of 1000 copies....
in May 2006 on local label, Hits The Fan. The band were offered a deal from Fiction Records
Fiction Records
Fiction Records is a UK label founded by Chris Parry in 1978 that is best known for being the home of The Cure for over 20 years. Formerly independent, the label is now owned by Polydor, a subsidiary of Universal Music Group.-History:...
but ultimately decided not to sign with the label. In January 2007, The Self-Starter Foundation
The Self-Starter Foundation
The Self-Starter Foundation is a New York City-based independent record label founded in 1994. Artists who have released records on the label include Enon, Les Savy Fav, Lifter Puller, and Palomar.-External links:*...
brought the band to the east coast of the United States
East Coast of the United States
The East Coast of the United States, also known as the Eastern Seaboard, refers to the easternmost coastal states in the United States, which touch the Atlantic Ocean and stretch up to Canada. The term includes the U.S...
for a short tour. The band returned to the United States in March to play SXSW. Brighton
Brighton
Brighton is the major part of the city of Brighton and Hove in East Sussex, England on the south coast of Great Britain...
indie
Independent record label
An independent record label is a record label operating without the funding of or outside the organizations of the major record labels. A great number of bands and musical acts begin on independent labels.-Overview:...
label Fat Cat Records
Fat Cat Records
Fat Cat Records is an independent label based in Brighton on England’s South Coast. Their output includes electronica, post rock, indie, downtempo, minimal techno, noise and punk-pop...
released a remixed/remastered version of the album in the USA in October 2007, distributed by Caroline Distribution
Caroline Distribution
Caroline Distribution, founded in 1983 as a unit of Virgin Records, has become one of the U.S. music industry’s largest third party distribution companies for the independent music sector....
. The band then embarked on a full American tour. The album was released in the UK in November 2007.
Earlier in 2007, the band had recorded a new album, The Midnight Organ Fight
The Midnight Organ Fight
-Critical response:The Midnight Organ Fight was met with widespread critical acclaim upon its release. Sampling sixteen reviews, the review aggregator website Metacritic awarded the album a weighted average of 80%, as well as a 9.3/10 rating based on 38 user votes.Josh Model of The A.V Club awarded...
at producer Peter Katis
Peter Katis
Peter Katis is an American record producer, engineer, mixer and musician.Working primarily out of his own residential studio in Bridgeport, Connecticut, Katis is best known for producing alternative and indie rock bands, especially for Fat Cat Records.-Biography:Katis attended New Canaan Country...
's Tarquin Studios in Bridgeport
Bridgeport
Bridgeport is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Connecticut.Bridgeport may also refer to:-Places:In Canada:* Bridgeport, Nova ScotiaIn the United States:* Bridgeport, Alabama* Bridgeport, California, in Mono County...
, Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
. This album was released April 15, 2008.
After recording The Midnight Organ Fight, the current quartet line-up was completed with the addition of guitarist/keyboardist Andy Monaghan of Piano Bar Fight (who have previously played as support to Frightened Rabbit). In an interview, Scott mentions that he "met him on New Year’s Eve, in Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
, in a bar. I was really hammered and I was like ‘why don’t you come and play some shows with us man?’ and he was like ‘Yeah!’. The next day, I got a text like ‘Do you remember… did you say something about this or is it my imagination?’".
The band supported Death Cab for Cutie
Death Cab for Cutie
Death Cab for Cutie is an American alternative rock band formed in Bellingham, Washington in 1997. The band consists of Ben Gibbard , Chris Walla , Nick Harmer and Jason McGerr ....
during their November 2008 UK & Irish tour, and released a live album, Quietly Now! in October.
The Winter of Mixed Drinks
Whilst touring in support of The Midnight Organ FightThe Midnight Organ Fight
-Critical response:The Midnight Organ Fight was met with widespread critical acclaim upon its release. Sampling sixteen reviews, the review aggregator website Metacritic awarded the album a weighted average of 80%, as well as a 9.3/10 rating based on 38 user votes.Josh Model of The A.V Club awarded...
, Scott Hutchison noted that he was "excited at the prospect of being in the studio again," and that stated that he "can't do another break-up album 'cause I haven't had one this year! Maybe it'll just be a little less focused on me".
Hutchison subsequently announced plans to head to Crail
Crail
Crail ; ) is a former royal burgh in the East Neuk of Fife, Scotland.-History:Crail probably dates from at least as far back as the Pictish period, as the place-name includes the Pictish/Brythonic element caer, 'fort', and there is a Dark Age cross-slab preserved in the parish kirk, itself...
, Fife
Fife
Fife is a council area and former county of Scotland. It is situated between the Firth of Tay and the Firth of Forth, with inland boundaries to Perth and Kinross and Clackmannanshire...
to write material for the band's third studio album:
In May 2009, a video appeared online of Hutchison performing a new track, entitled "Swim Until You Can't See Land". The song was later revealed as the first single from the forthcoming third album.
In October 2009, the band members unveiled the album's title, The Winter of Mixed Drinks
The Winter of Mixed Drinks
The Winter of Mixed Drinks is the third studio album by Scottish indie rock band Frightened Rabbit, released on March 1, 2010 through independent label Fat Cat Records. As with its predecessor, the critically acclaimed The Midnight Organ Fight , the album was recorded and produced by Peter Katis...
, and announced the arrival of a fifth band member, Gordon Skene (formerly of Make Model
Make Model
Make Model were a Scottish 6 piece indie band formed in Glasgow and formerly signed to EMI.They have released three singles to date and their debut album was due for release in 2008 but there are currently no plans to release it.- History :...
). According to Scott Hutchison:
The Winter of Mixed Drinks was released in March 2010.
The band made their U.S. television debut on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon is an American late-night talk show hosted by Jimmy Fallon on NBC. The show premiered on March 2, 2009, as the third incarnation of the Late Night franchise originated by David Letterman....
on May 25, 2010, performing "Nothing Like You". In June 2010, they appeared on The A.V. Club
The A.V. Club
The A.V. Club is an entertainment newspaper and website published by The Onion. Its features include reviews of new films, music, television, books, games and DVDs, as well as interviews and other regular offerings examining both new and classic media and other elements of pop culture. Unlike its...
covering The Lemonheads
The Lemonheads
The Lemonheads are an American alternative rock band first formed in 1986 by Evan Dando, Ben Deily and Jesse Peretz. Dando has remained the band's only constant member....
. On October 12, 2010, the television crime drama Detroit 1-8-7
Detroit 1-8-7
Detroit 1-8-7 is an American crime drama series about Detroit's leading homicide unit, created by Jason Richman for ABC. It features an ensemble cast of actors including Michael Imperioli and James McDaniel...
featured the song "Yes I Would." The first single from the album, "Swim Until You Can't See Land" was also used in the trailer for the 2010 movie, "The Beaver (film)
The Beaver (film)
The Beaver is a 2011 drama film directed by Jodie Foster and starring Mel Gibson and Foster in their first film together since 1994's Maverick.-Plot:...
". They have also been chosen personally by Belle & Sebastian
Belle & Sebastian
Belle and Sebastian are an indie pop band formed in Glasgow in January 1996. Belle and Sebastian are often compared with influential indie bands such as The Smiths, as well as classic acts such as Love, Bob Dylan and Nick Drake. The name Belle & Sebastian comes from Belle et Sébastien, a 1965...
to perform at their second Bowlie Weekender
Bowlie Weekender
The Bowlie Weekender was a music festival curated by Belle & Sebastian at the Pontin's Holiday camp in Camber Sands, Sussex between Friday 23rd and Sunday 25 April 1999....
festival, presented by All Tomorrow's Parties
All Tomorrow's Parties (music festival)
All Tomorrow's Parties is a music festival which takes place at Camber Sands holiday camp in East Sussex and Butlin's holiday camp in Minehead, Somerset, England....
in the UK in December 2010. Again, the band supported Death Cab for Cutie
Death Cab for Cutie
Death Cab for Cutie is an American alternative rock band formed in Bellingham, Washington in 1997. The band consists of Ben Gibbard , Chris Walla , Nick Harmer and Jason McGerr ....
during their 2011 North American tour.
Members
- Scott Hutchison — lead vocals, rhythm guitarRhythm guitarRhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
(2003—present) - Grant Hutchison — drums, percussion, backing vocals (2004—present)
- Billy Kennedy — lead guitarLead guitarLead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
, bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
, backing vocals (2005—present) - Andy Monaghan — guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
, backing vocals (2008—present) - Gordon Skene — guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
, backing vocals (2009—present)
Studio albums
- Sing the GreysSing the GreysSing the Greys is the debut studio album by Scottish indie rock band Frightened Rabbit, originally released in May 2006 on Hits the Fan Records, with a limited run of 1000 copies....
(2006) - The Midnight Organ FightThe Midnight Organ Fight-Critical response:The Midnight Organ Fight was met with widespread critical acclaim upon its release. Sampling sixteen reviews, the review aggregator website Metacritic awarded the album a weighted average of 80%, as well as a 9.3/10 rating based on 38 user votes.Josh Model of The A.V Club awarded...
(2008) - The Winter of Mixed DrinksThe Winter of Mixed DrinksThe Winter of Mixed Drinks is the third studio album by Scottish indie rock band Frightened Rabbit, released on March 1, 2010 through independent label Fat Cat Records. As with its predecessor, the critically acclaimed The Midnight Organ Fight , the album was recorded and produced by Peter Katis...
(2010) #61 UK, #84 US
Singles
- "Be Less Rude"/"The Greys" (November 5, 2007)
- "It's Christmas So We'll Stop" (December 17, 2007)
- "Head Rolls Off" (March 3, 2008)
- "Fast Blood" (May 26, 2008)
- "I Feel Better"/"The Twist" (September 22, 2008)
- "It's Christmas So We'll Stop" (2008 Version) (December 15, 2008)
- "Swim Until You Can't See Land" (November 16, 2009)
- "Nothing Like You" (February 22, 2010)
- "Living in Colour" (June 14, 2010)
- "The Loneliness and the Scream" (November 22, 2010)
- "Don't go breaking my heart" featuring Craig Finn of The Hold SteadyThe Hold SteadyThe Hold Steady is an American indie rock band from Brooklyn, New York, formed in 2004. The band consists of Craig Finn , Tad Kubler , Galen Polivka , Bobby Drake , and Steve Selvidge...
(2010) B-side
External links
- Official Site
- Frightened Rabbit The Self-Starter Foundation profile