Scars on 45
Encyclopedia
Scars on 45 is a five member indie rock
band from Bradford, Yorkshire, United Kingdom.
label, which has been successful in getting previously unsigned bands heard through song placements in popular TV programs. Most recently, the band’s single, “Heart on Fire” was selected as the lead song on the current season soundtrack for ABC’s top rated hospital drama, Grey’s Anatomy.
Scars on 45’s first EP, "Give Me Something," was released in January, 2011 and yielded a hit single of the same name that rose to the top 5 of the Adult Alternative Charts and was recognized as one of the “Top 3 Singles of the Year” by Amazon.com. The quintette was also named to Entertainment Weekly
's "Must List." Their second EP, which also features “Heart on Fire”, was released October 24, 2011. The band is preparing to release their first full length studio album in the first quarter of 2012.
Stuart Nichols recruited drummer Chris Durling after meeting him in a pub and giving him a CD of the band’s music. After a late night out, Durling returned to his flat and gave it a listen. He liked what he heard and agreed to work with them on some recordings. He ended up becoming the final member of the band a short time later.
The band had difficulties deciding on a name. They realized a name was critical after a chance meeting with one of their musical influences, Noel Gallagher
of Oasis
. A friend introduced Nichols and Bemrose to Gallagher who asked the band’s name, but they didn’t have one. “A band with no name?” Gallagher reportedly asked, “What kind of fucking band is that?” and walked off on them.
The name Scars on 45 comes from an Emmy Lou Harris interview Bemrose heard in which she talks about scratching up her dad’s records and being scolded by him for getting “Scars on his 45’s.” It was one of the few names considered that band members did not dismiss out of hand.
to acquire her Chop Shop label under which the band is now signed.
Their EP “Give Me Something” was released digitally by Chop Shop Records in January 2011, and the physical EP came out in June. A video for the single "Give Me Something," produced by DJ Brauner, turned out a bit darker and sadder than originally scripted. “The video was weird,” explains Bemrose. “It tells the tale of young kids that fall in love, going through the years, and at the very end, the old fella walks back to the tree where they’d carved their names, and she’s passed away. That’s not how it was supposed to be. There was an old woman cast to play the part, so at the end, both were going to be there and fall in love again, but [the actor] couldn’t be bothered to turn up, so we just killed her off.”
On September 13, 2011 the Grey’s Anatomy Vol. 4 soundtrack was released featuring “Heart on Fire” as the lead track. The song was also used heavily in ABC's TV promotion of the new season, and a music video directed by Jordan Bahat was produced with the band for the ABC Music Lounge. In addition to CSI: New York and Grey’s Anatomy, they have also had their music featured on TV’s One Tree Hill
, The Cleaner
, Pretty Little Liars
, Warehouse 13
, and Supernatural
. Their second EP with Chop Shop Records, “Heart on Fire,” debuts on October 24, 2011, and the band's cut of the music video, also directed by Bahat, will also be available. A full length album is anticipated in early 2012.
Aimee Driver –vocals
Stuart Nichols –bass guitar
David “Nova” Nowakowski –keyboard, piano, backing vocals
Chris Durling –drums, percussion
and leverages the internet to keep fans up to date. They actively use Facebook and Twitter to share new tour dates, candid photos, and other announcements. They regularly post live performances and amusing tour diaries on YouTube that provide up close vignettes of their life on the road.
The band has spent the majority of 2011 crossing the United States on tour to promote their records. They began touring with artists Marc Broussard
, Jack's Mannequin
, and Matt Nathanson
. In 2010, they spent four weeks touring the states with London's One Eskimo
. They are hoping that their newly found success in the states will soon translate to more recognition back home in England.
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 Bradford, Yorkshire, United Kingdom.
Hit Songs
After years struggling to make a name in England, the band rose from obscurity when their song “Beauty’s Running Wild” was featured in an episode of CSI: New York. The band was signed to Atlantic’s Chop Shop RecordsChop Shop Records
Chop Shop Records is a record label with a partnership under the Atlantic Records group in South Pasadena, California. The label was started by Alexandra Patsavas, who also started Chop Shop Music Supervision, which works with TV soundtracks on shows including Roswell, Boston Public, Grey's...
label, which has been successful in getting previously unsigned bands heard through song placements in popular TV programs. Most recently, the band’s single, “Heart on Fire” was selected as the lead song on the current season soundtrack for ABC’s top rated hospital drama, Grey’s Anatomy.
Scars on 45’s first EP, "Give Me Something," was released in January, 2011 and yielded a hit single of the same name that rose to the top 5 of the Adult Alternative Charts and was recognized as one of the “Top 3 Singles of the Year” by Amazon.com. The quintette was also named to Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly is an American magazine, published by the Time division of Time Warner, that covers film, television, music, broadway theatre, books and popular culture...
's "Must List." Their second EP, which also features “Heart on Fire”, was released October 24, 2011. The band is preparing to release their first full length studio album in the first quarter of 2012.
Early Years (2007-2010)
When a broken foot ended lead singer Danny Bemrose’s professional football (soccer) career as a striker for the Huddersfield Town, he picked up his dad’s guitar and learned to play it in earnest. After his injury, Bemrose struck up a close friendship with another former footballer, Stuart Nichols, who had played for rival Bradford City. Bemrose taught Nichols to play bass and they spent the next few years improving their skill and making computer recordings to develop their sound. After adding pianist/keyboard player David “Nova” Nowakowski, the band began playing the local music scene, rounding out their performances with a variety of other guitarists and drummers that came and went over time. When Bemrose wrote "Insecurity," which is featured on the "Heart on Fire" EP, the band began looking for a female singer that could compliment his vocals. Soon there after, Nova was at home playing the Cure's "Friday I'm in Love" while his visiting schoolmate, Aimee Driver, was making a cup of tea and chimed in with the lyrics. “I just started singing along when Nova rushed in seeming really shocked,” Driver recalls. “I thought his dad had a heart attack or something! He made me stand there in his living room and sing to him - which was the scariest thing ever at the time. At first I wouldn’t do it, but he wouldn't shut up so I just put my tea down, shut my eyes and sang...just to stop him pestering me. Danny recorded me on 'Insecurity.' The next thing I knew I was in the band. When I told my family and friends they were saying, ‘but you can't sing, can you?’” Before joining the band, Driver had never performed in public.Stuart Nichols recruited drummer Chris Durling after meeting him in a pub and giving him a CD of the band’s music. After a late night out, Durling returned to his flat and gave it a listen. He liked what he heard and agreed to work with them on some recordings. He ended up becoming the final member of the band a short time later.
The band had difficulties deciding on a name. They realized a name was critical after a chance meeting with one of their musical influences, Noel Gallagher
Noel Gallagher
Noel Thomas David Gallagher is an English musician and singer-songwriter, formerly the lead guitarist, backing vocalist and principal songwriter of the English rock band Oasis. He is currently fronting his solo project, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds.Raised in Burnage, Manchester with his...
of Oasis
Oasis
In geography, an oasis or cienega is an isolated area of vegetation in a desert, typically surrounding a spring or similar water source...
. A friend introduced Nichols and Bemrose to Gallagher who asked the band’s name, but they didn’t have one. “A band with no name?” Gallagher reportedly asked, “What kind of fucking band is that?” and walked off on them.
The name Scars on 45 comes from an Emmy Lou Harris interview Bemrose heard in which she talks about scratching up her dad’s records and being scolded by him for getting “Scars on his 45’s.” It was one of the few names considered that band members did not dismiss out of hand.
2010 – Present
On several occasions, the band was poised on the brink of success only to have their hopes for a record deal dashed at the last moment. When their song “Beauty’s Running Wild” was selected for an extended closing scene of an episode of CSI: New York, they finally had a bit of money in hand to purchase equipment for recording. They also caught the ear of TV music supervisor Alex Patsavas. At the time, Patsavas had just entered an agreement with Atlantic RecordsAtlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
to acquire her Chop Shop label under which the band is now signed.
Their EP “Give Me Something” was released digitally by Chop Shop Records in January 2011, and the physical EP came out in June. A video for the single "Give Me Something," produced by DJ Brauner, turned out a bit darker and sadder than originally scripted. “The video was weird,” explains Bemrose. “It tells the tale of young kids that fall in love, going through the years, and at the very end, the old fella walks back to the tree where they’d carved their names, and she’s passed away. That’s not how it was supposed to be. There was an old woman cast to play the part, so at the end, both were going to be there and fall in love again, but [the actor] couldn’t be bothered to turn up, so we just killed her off.”
On September 13, 2011 the Grey’s Anatomy Vol. 4 soundtrack was released featuring “Heart on Fire” as the lead track. The song was also used heavily in ABC's TV promotion of the new season, and a music video directed by Jordan Bahat was produced with the band for the ABC Music Lounge. In addition to CSI: New York and Grey’s Anatomy, they have also had their music featured on TV’s One Tree Hill
One Tree Hill (TV series)
One Tree Hill is an American television drama created by Mark Schwahn, which premiered on September 23, 2003, on The WB Television Network. After its third season, The WB merged with UPN to form The CW Television Network, and, since September 27, 2006, the network has been the official broadcaster...
, The Cleaner
The Cleaner (TV series)
The Cleaner was an A&E television series starring Benjamin Bratt. It debuted on Tuesday, July 15, 2008 at 10:00 pm EST and the last episode aired on September 15, 2009, when the show was officially cancelled....
, Pretty Little Liars
Pretty Little Liars (TV series)
Pretty Little Liars is an American mystery-thriller teen drama television series created by Marlene King. Based on the popular series of novels written by Sara Shepard, the show premiered on June 8, 2010 on ABC Family...
, Warehouse 13
Warehouse 13
Warehouse 13 is an American fantasy television series that premiered on July 7, 2009 on the Syfy network.Executive-produced by Jack Kenny and David Simkins, the dramatic comedy from Universal Media Studios has been described as borrowing much from 1980s television series Friday the 13th: The...
, and Supernatural
Supernatural (TV series)
Supernatural is an American supernatural and horror television series created by Eric Kripke, which debuted on September 13, 2005 on The WB, and is now part of The CW's lineup. Starring Jared Padalecki as Sam Winchester and Jensen Ackles as Dean Winchester, the series follows the brothers as they...
. Their second EP with Chop Shop Records, “Heart on Fire,” debuts on October 24, 2011, and the band's cut of the music video, also directed by Bahat, will also be available. A full length album is anticipated in early 2012.
Current Band Members
Danny Bemrose –lead vocals, acoustic guitarAimee Driver –vocals
Stuart Nichols –bass guitar
David “Nova” Nowakowski –keyboard, piano, backing vocals
Chris Durling –drums, percussion
Additional Support
Although not a member of the band, Scars on 45 fills out their sound with the support of live session guitarist Matthew Baxter, an accomplished musician who also hails from Leeds, UK.Social Media
The band is very plugged in to social mediaSocial media
The term Social Media refers to the use of web-based and mobile technologies to turn communication into an interactive dialogue. Andreas Kaplan and Michael Haenlein define social media as "a group of Internet-based applications that build on the ideological and technological foundations of Web 2.0,...
and leverages the internet to keep fans up to date. They actively use Facebook and Twitter to share new tour dates, candid photos, and other announcements. They regularly post live performances and amusing tour diaries on YouTube that provide up close vignettes of their life on the road.
The band has spent the majority of 2011 crossing the United States on tour to promote their records. They began touring with artists Marc Broussard
Marc Broussard
Marc Broussard is an American singer/songwriter. His style is best described as "Bayou Soul," a mix of funk, blues, R&B, rock, and pop, matched with distinct Southern roots...
, Jack's Mannequin
Jack's Mannequin
Jack's Mannequin is an American rock band formed in 2004, originally hailing from Orange County, California. The band began as a side project of Andrew McMahon, the frontman for Something Corporate, and is composed of guitarist Bobby Anderson, bassist Mikey "The Kid" Wagner, and drummer Jay...
, and Matt Nathanson
Matt Nathanson
Matt Nathanson is an American singer-songwriter whose work is a blend of folk and rock music. In addition to singing, he plays acoustic and electric guitar, and has played both solo and with a full band. His work includes the platinum-selling song "Come On Get Higher".-Early life and college...
. In 2010, they spent four weeks touring the states with London's One Eskimo
One eskimO
One Eskimo is the first full-length studio album by the indie rock group One Eskimo. It peaked at #196 on the US Billboard charts.-Trivia:...
. They are hoping that their newly found success in the states will soon translate to more recognition back home in England.