Liberty 37
Encyclopedia
Liberty 37 were a four piece band, hailing from Swansea, Wales.
The band started out with the name Travis, but were forced to change it when the other Travis
band took off. After changing names from Travis Inc. and Applecore (this came too close to the Beatles' Apple Corp organisation) the band settled on Liberty 37.
Travis Inc made enough of an impression during their brief incarnation to feature as "ones to watch" in Kerrang!
's Class Of 1998 feature, where they were described as "Soaring, uplifting, but still bruising - Radiohead
gone hardcore." That snap assessment was a neat encapsulation of Liberty 37's strength - an ability to pile up intense layers of guitars without sacrificing melody or obliterating delicate shades of feeling. The band first demonstrated the trick on vinyl for Org Records release on their debut single - "No Beauty", a record which won them more friends and clinched their deal with Beggars Banquet. Their debut record for Beggars was the Stuffed EP, released in May 1998, which saw them "sending waves of emotion crashing against solid, abrasive guitars" (Kerrang !). A UK tour with Bullyrag saw Liberty 37 spread the word around the country for the first time.
Liberty 37 were included in Rock Sound
's critic's poll of the top 50 albums of 1999 for The Greatest Gift and again in 2001 for God Machine.
on a 22 date festival of riffing and moshing which lurched its way around the UK in February. They finished recording their debut album. They lost one drummer, borrowed another, and finally found a third one to join them full-time. And in May of that year, they released "Oh River", which was playlisted by MTV
in the UK, following it up with another jaunt round the UK in the company of A (band)
on an 18 date UK tour. The band finished up playing at the Reading / Leeds festival in August.
In contrast to 1999, the year 2000 proved to be a most frustrating year. Following the release of the Revolution CD single in February and a mini tour of the UK in March and April the band started writing material for the follow-up album to The Greatest Gift during the summer of 2000. However, the band hit a number of setbacks during the remainder of the year. First drummer Cliff broke his arm playing 5-a-side football, only to be emulated by guitarist Tim also playing football. Finally, the band were set to go into the studio at the end of the year to record demos for the album.
The demos were completed in early February and mixed in March, and duly sent to Beggars Banquet. Due in part to the long lay-off since the last release, and a change in direction by Beggars, the label decided not to proceed with the album.
Many bands could have given up at this point, but not Liberty 37. With Beggars out of the picture Mighty Atom were quick to step in and offer the band a new deal kicking off with the new album, now with a working title God Machine. The band signed up and the album moved onto mixing. The label drafted in Joe Gibb (Funeral For A Friend
, Million Dead
) who took the demo mixes to a new level as well as recording two new tracks. When finally completed all were agreed that the album surpassed the impressive debut The Greatest Gift.
God Machine was released on 29 October 2001 to much critical acclaim including Album of the Month in Rocksound and 4K in Kerrang!
"enough power, passion and pride exhibited here to last Puddle Of Mudd their entire career" - Kerrang!
"Liberty 37 piss over so many mediocre acts of the same ilk currently selling millions of albums, and they're for real. Take your time to discover, and enjoy for years to come!" - Rocksound>
"It's a testament to the quality of the material that none of the songs stand out - all are worth hearing." - Metal Hammer
The band embarked on a heavy touring schedule to support the album including a headline tour with stable mates Goatboy. In the end the heavy touring schedule and differences in the band all took their toll and the band decided to call it a day as pre-production was starting their third album.
wherein at the start of the film, the protagonist passes a signpost with these directions on.
The band started out with the name Travis, but were forced to change it when the other Travis
Travis (band)
Travis are a post-Britpop band from Glasgow, Scotland, comprising Fran Healy , Dougie Payne , Andy Dunlop and Neil Primrose...
band took off. After changing names from Travis Inc. and Applecore (this came too close to the Beatles' Apple Corp organisation) the band settled on Liberty 37.
Travis Inc made enough of an impression during their brief incarnation to feature as "ones to watch" in Kerrang!
Kerrang!
Kerrang! is a UK-based magazine devoted to rock music published by Bauer Media Group. It was first published on June 6, 1981 as a one-off supplement in the Sounds newspaper...
's Class Of 1998 feature, where they were described as "Soaring, uplifting, but still bruising - Radiohead
Radiohead
Radiohead are an English rock band from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, formed in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke , Jonny Greenwood , Ed O'Brien , Colin Greenwood and Phil Selway .Radiohead released their debut single "Creep" in 1992...
gone hardcore." That snap assessment was a neat encapsulation of Liberty 37's strength - an ability to pile up intense layers of guitars without sacrificing melody or obliterating delicate shades of feeling. The band first demonstrated the trick on vinyl for Org Records release on their debut single - "No Beauty", a record which won them more friends and clinched their deal with Beggars Banquet. Their debut record for Beggars was the Stuffed EP, released in May 1998, which saw them "sending waves of emotion crashing against solid, abrasive guitars" (Kerrang !). A UK tour with Bullyrag saw Liberty 37 spread the word around the country for the first time.
Liberty 37 were included in Rock Sound
Rock Sound
Rock Sound is a British magazine which champions rock music. The magazine aims at being more "underground" and less commercial, whilst also giving coverage to more well known acts.-History:...
's critic's poll of the top 50 albums of 1999 for The Greatest Gift and again in 2001 for God Machine.
History
1999 proved to be most eventful for the band. They released "Revolution" in January and then the action came thick and fast. Liberty 37 joined Pulkas and One Minute SilenceOne Minute Silence
One Minute Silence is a four-piece band based in London that combined influences from metal, hardcore punk and rap and as of 2010 they have sold over 500,000 albums. The band consisted of vocalist Brian 'Yap' Barry from Templemore, Co. Tipperary, guitarist Massimo Fiocco from Limerick City, drummer...
on a 22 date festival of riffing and moshing which lurched its way around the UK in February. They finished recording their debut album. They lost one drummer, borrowed another, and finally found a third one to join them full-time. And in May of that year, they released "Oh River", which was playlisted by MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
in the UK, following it up with another jaunt round the UK in the company of A (band)
A (band)
A are a British alternative rock band from Suffolk, England, that formed in 1993. They have released four albums, and two live mini-albums.In 2002, the band enjoyed a brief period of commercial success, in which "Nothing", the first single from Hi-Fi Serious , charted at #9 on the UK singles chart...
on an 18 date UK tour. The band finished up playing at the Reading / Leeds festival in August.
In contrast to 1999, the year 2000 proved to be a most frustrating year. Following the release of the Revolution CD single in February and a mini tour of the UK in March and April the band started writing material for the follow-up album to The Greatest Gift during the summer of 2000. However, the band hit a number of setbacks during the remainder of the year. First drummer Cliff broke his arm playing 5-a-side football, only to be emulated by guitarist Tim also playing football. Finally, the band were set to go into the studio at the end of the year to record demos for the album.
The demos were completed in early February and mixed in March, and duly sent to Beggars Banquet. Due in part to the long lay-off since the last release, and a change in direction by Beggars, the label decided not to proceed with the album.
Many bands could have given up at this point, but not Liberty 37. With Beggars out of the picture Mighty Atom were quick to step in and offer the band a new deal kicking off with the new album, now with a working title God Machine. The band signed up and the album moved onto mixing. The label drafted in Joe Gibb (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:...
, Million Dead
Million Dead
Million Dead were a hardcore punk band from London, UK, active between 2001 and 2005.-History:The band was founded in 2000 by Cameron Dean and Julia Ruzicka, after both came to London from Australia. They were joined by Ben Dawson, who had worked with Dean in a record shop in the city...
) who took the demo mixes to a new level as well as recording two new tracks. When finally completed all were agreed that the album surpassed the impressive debut The Greatest Gift.
God Machine was released on 29 October 2001 to much critical acclaim including Album of the Month in Rocksound and 4K in Kerrang!
"enough power, passion and pride exhibited here to last Puddle Of Mudd their entire career" - Kerrang!
"Liberty 37 piss over so many mediocre acts of the same ilk currently selling millions of albums, and they're for real. Take your time to discover, and enjoy for years to come!" - Rocksound>
"It's a testament to the quality of the material that none of the songs stand out - all are worth hearing." - Metal Hammer
The band embarked on a heavy touring schedule to support the album including a headline tour with stable mates Goatboy. In the end the heavy touring schedule and differences in the band all took their toll and the band decided to call it a day as pre-production was starting their third album.
Future
Ish and Twink are still writing and threatening to get their new band on the road. As of May 2010, there has been no announcement of a band name or material.Other projects
Ishmael has contributed vocals to the Standing Dead Centre side project, with Owen Packward, Richie Mills and Dave Anderson of earthtone9Earthtone9
earthtone9 is an alternative metal band hailing from Nottingham, UK. Their line-up on most of their major releases was Karl Middleton on vocals, Owen "Oz" Packard, Joe Roberts on guitar, Graeme Watts on bass and Simon Hutchby on drums .-History:Signing to Copro Records in 1998, the band's first...
Albums
- The Greatest Gift - 1999 - Beggars Banquet RecordsBeggars Banquet RecordsBeggars Banquet is an English independent record label that began as a chain of record shops owned by Martin Mills and Nick Austin, and is part of the Beggars Group of labels...
- God Machine - 2001 - Mighty Atom RecordsMighty Atom RecordsMighty Atom Records is a Welsh based record label. The company was formed in early 2000 by Dave Simpson and Roger Hopkins. It is known for having been one of a few independent record labels at the forefront of the UK emo scene in the early 2000s, due to its early involvement with Funeral for a...
EPs
- Stuffed EP - 1998 - Beggars Banquet RecordsBeggars Banquet RecordsBeggars Banquet is an English independent record label that began as a chain of record shops owned by Martin Mills and Nick Austin, and is part of the Beggars Group of labels...
- Oh River EP - 1999 - Beggars Banquet RecordsBeggars Banquet RecordsBeggars Banquet is an English independent record label that began as a chain of record shops owned by Martin Mills and Nick Austin, and is part of the Beggars Group of labels...
Singles
- No Beauty - 1998 - Organ (magazine)Organ (magazine)Organ is an independent music magazine based in London, covering a variety of rock, alternative, punk, progressive, metal and experimental music. The magazine was founded in 1986 as a handmade fanzine and has evolved many times over the last 20 years...
Records - Oh River - 1999 - Beggars Banquet RecordsBeggars Banquet RecordsBeggars Banquet is an English independent record label that began as a chain of record shops owned by Martin Mills and Nick Austin, and is part of the Beggars Group of labels...
- Revolution - 1999 - Beggars Banquet RecordsBeggars Banquet RecordsBeggars Banquet is an English independent record label that began as a chain of record shops owned by Martin Mills and Nick Austin, and is part of the Beggars Group of labels...
- When We Say - 1999 - Beggars Banquet RecordsBeggars Banquet RecordsBeggars Banquet is an English independent record label that began as a chain of record shops owned by Martin Mills and Nick Austin, and is part of the Beggars Group of labels...
Appearances on compilations
| Information |
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Abuse Fanzine - Abuse Your Friends vol. 1
Abuse Fanzine |
Organ Radio 1 - organ025
Organ Organ (music) The organ , is a keyboard instrument of one or more divisions, each played with its own keyboard operated either with the hands or with the feet. The organ is a relatively old musical instrument in the Western musical tradition, dating from the time of Ctesibius of Alexandria who is credited with... Records |
Organ Radio 2 - organ031
Organ Organ (music) The organ , is a keyboard instrument of one or more divisions, each played with its own keyboard operated either with the hands or with the feet. The organ is a relatively old musical instrument in the Western musical tradition, dating from the time of Ctesibius of Alexandria who is credited with... Records |
The Circle EP / Organ Radio 3 - Sharks In The Ugly Pool Suzie Get Out
Organ Organ (music) The organ , is a keyboard instrument of one or more divisions, each played with its own keyboard operated either with the hands or with the feet. The organ is a relatively old musical instrument in the Western musical tradition, dating from the time of Ctesibius of Alexandria who is credited with... Records |
Hammered Vol 6
Free with Metal Hammer Metal Hammer Metal Hammer is a monthly heavy metal music magazine published in the United Kingdom by Future Publishing, and in several other countries by different publishers. Metal Hammer articles feature both mainstream bands and more unusual acts from the whole spectrum of heavy metal music... magazine |
Music With Attitude Volume 6
Free with Metal Hammer Metal Hammer Metal Hammer is a monthly heavy metal music magazine published in the United Kingdom by Future Publishing, and in several other countries by different publishers. Metal Hammer articles feature both mainstream bands and more unusual acts from the whole spectrum of heavy metal music... magazine |
New Voices Vol. 31
Rolling Stone (Germany) |
Rock Sound vol.35
Free with Rock Sound Rock Sound Rock Sound is a British magazine which champions rock music. The magazine aims at being more "underground" and less commercial, whilst also giving coverage to more well known acts.-History:... magazine |
Spirit Of Independence
Free with Kerrang magazine |
Metal Hammer - Noise Inc. Volume 3
Free with Metal Hammer Metal Hammer Metal Hammer is a monthly heavy metal music magazine published in the United Kingdom by Future Publishing, and in several other countries by different publishers. Metal Hammer articles feature both mainstream bands and more unusual acts from the whole spectrum of heavy metal music... magazine |
Music With Attitude - Volume 31
Free with Rock Sound Rock Sound Rock Sound is a British magazine which champions rock music. The magazine aims at being more "underground" and less commercial, whilst also giving coverage to more well known acts.-History:... magazine |
Trivia
The band took their name from the film China 9, Liberty 37China 9, Liberty 37
China 9, Liberty 37 is an Italian-Spanish 1978 western film directed by Monte Hellman, starring Warren Oates, Jenny Agutter, and Fabio Testi. The film was shot in locations in Spain and Italy by cinematographer Giuseppe Rotunno. Pino Donaggio composed the musical score...
wherein at the start of the film, the protagonist passes a signpost with these directions on.