Seafood (band)
Encyclopedia
Seafood were a UK band formed in London
around 1996.
The line-up included chief songwriter David Line (vocals, guitar
), Caroline Banks (drums
and backing vocals) and Kevin Penney (guitars) who joined the band following the departure of founder-member Charles MacLeod. Bassist
and founder member Kevin Hendrick left the group to join Pre
/Male Bonding
following the recording of their fourth album Paper Crown King
in 2006, and was not permanently replaced. Cahir O'Doherty
, from Fighting with Wire
and Jetplane Landing
played bass on numerous tours.
. The line-up turned out differently - a female drummer and male bassist - but, happily, this worked out and Seafood played their first gig at Camden’s Dublin Castle in March, 1997. Seafood were signed to Fierce Panda Records
after their fourth gig in London's Highbury Garage. The band claim that they could have been signed at their third gig, had the representative of Fierce Panda not been too drunk from a Kerrang magazine party to turn up in time to see their set.
Seafood came to the attention of the music press with the release of "Scorch Comfort" on Fierce Panda, a noisy but melodic track that was oddly compared to both Sonic Youth and Bis
. This was followed by the release of "Psychic Rainy Nights" on Kooky records, and "Porchlight" on Fierce Panda. All of these singles were eventually compiled with their b-sides on the Messenger in the Camp
mini-album.
At this time, Seafood embarked on two national tours, one supporting Kenickie
, and the other as part of the "Panda in a Vanda" record label tour with Billy Mahonie
and Tiny Too. They also played support slots for Laptop
, Grandaddy
and Dawn of the Replicants
, amongst others. Seafood played as a three-piece at the Reading festival after Charles lacerated his hands in an accident, ending with a 10 minute noise version of Walking in the Air
as made popular by choir-boy Aled Jones
. 1998 ended with the release of Messenger in the Camp, and a gig at London's LSE.
In 1999, Seafood headed off on tour again, with Idlewild
and The Llama Farmers, and returned to play a full set at the Reading festival. They also made their American debut at the CMJ band marathon.
. Produced by Ian McCutcheon
the album was released by Fierce Panda Records worldwide. The LP included flutes, cello, acoustic and electric guitar and a 10 minute noise breakdown on the last track. Four singles were released from Surviving the Quiet: "Easy Path" and "This Is Not An Exit" (both released before the album) and "Belt" and "Led by Bison" (both released after the album).
After the release of the LP, Seafood toured extensively during 2000, firstly with Wilt
and Turn
, then with Gerling
. They also did a short tour of the US, playing with Jimmy Eat World
and Hot Rod Circuit
.
In 2001, Seafood continued touring as well as beginning the recording of their follow-up to Surviving the Quiet. The second LP, When Do We Start Fighting...
was recorded and produced in New York by Girls Against Boys
member Eli Janney. It featured guest appearances by Mary Lorson
of Madder Rose
and Scott McCloud
of Girls Against Boys.
The album release in July 2001 (on Infectious Records
) was preceded by the release of Cloaking as a single. The release of further singles "Splinter" and "Western Battle" followed in December 2001 and March 2002. 2001 saw Seafood headline a tour with Easyworld
, support Sportfreunde Stiller
in Germany and My Vitriol
and Ash
on their UK tours.
In 2002 the band toured with Dashboard Confessional
in the US, played a long UK tour with Jetplane Landing, supported Jimmy Eat World on their UK tour and played their own headline UK tour with Crackout
as support.
After this tour, Seafood spent time working on building a studio, Neat Science Laboratories, in preparation for recording their next album, eventually released in the summer of 2004. During this time, Seafood played only a handful of gigs due to problems with singer David Line's health following the collapse of one of his lungs.
was recorded with Surviving The Quiet producer Ian McCutcheon
at the end of 2003 and released by Cooking Vinyl
records in May 2004. An attempt at touring the record around the time of its release was cut short when David Line's lung problem flared up again. However, they were able to finally tour the UK in late 2004, and Europe in early 2005. After the conclusion of their European tour, the band retreated to write songs for their next release.
On the 17th September 2005, the band played their first live show for almost six months, at the 2nd annual Smalltown America Records
Charity All-Dayer at London
's 93 Feet East
venue, where they played a set that consisted almost entirely of new material.
The band embarked on their first national tour of the UK
for several years in July 2006 and released the single "Signal Sparks" on the 31st of that month. The band's fourth album, Paper Crown King
, followed in September of the same year. In early May 2007 Seafood announced, via their website, that they would be releasing covers of The Cure's
"Lovesong" and Townes Van Zandt's
"I'll be Here in the Morning" as a double A-side download-only single on June 11 to accompany their May/June UK tour.
In mid 2009 it was announced via the band's website that the band no longer exists, but each member of the band continue to work in various side projects.
Singles
DVD
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
around 1996.
The line-up included chief songwriter David Line (vocals, guitar
Guitar
The 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...
), Caroline Banks (drums
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
and backing vocals) and Kevin Penney (guitars) who joined the band following the departure of founder-member Charles MacLeod. Bassist
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
and founder member Kevin Hendrick left the group to join Pre
Pre (band)
Pre, often written as PRE, is a British noise rock band on Skin Graft Records and Lovepump United. It is based in London and was formed around 2005 with singer Akiko Matsuura, known for taking the stage in only her underwear and extensive stage diving. Pre includes former members of Todd and Seafood...
/Male Bonding
Male Bonding (band)
Male Bonding is an English punk rock band. The group released their debut album, Nothing Hurts, on May 11, 2010.-History:Based in London, England Male Bonding is composed of John Arthur Webb , Kevin Hendrick and Robin Silas Christian...
following the recording of their fourth album Paper Crown King
Paper Crown King
Paper Crown King is the fourth album by British band Seafood, released on 4 September 2006 in the United Kingdom and 13 February 2007 in North America.-Track listing:All songs written by Seafood.#"I Will Talk" – 4:31#"Signal Sparks" – 4:52...
in 2006, and was not permanently replaced. Cahir O'Doherty
Cahir O'Doherty (musician)
Cahir O'Doherty is a musician and songwriter from Derry, Northern Ireland. He is the vocalist and guitarist in the alternative rock band Fighting with Wire. O'Doherty is also a member of the Derry/London band Jetplane Landing, in which he plays lead guitar...
, from Fighting with Wire
Fighting with Wire
Fighting with Wire are an alternative heavy rock and punk band hailing from Derry, Northern Ireland. They have toured with Biffy Clyro, Million Dead, Reuben, Twin Atlantic, yourcodenameis:milo, Kerbdog, Helmet, You Me At Six, Nomeansno, InMe, Brigade, Against Me! and Seafood...
and Jetplane Landing
Jetplane Landing
Jetplane Landing is a four piece band from Derry and London . They comprise Andrew Ferris , Jamie Burchell , Cahir O’Doherty and Raife Burchell . Jamie and Raife are brothers...
played bass on numerous tours.
Early Years
Seafood were formed on August 31, 1996 by David and Charles, who advertised for a female bassist and male drummer in classified magazine LootLoot (magazine)
Loot is one of the United Kingdom's leading free classified advertising publishers, distributing its products via print, internet, interactive television and Wireless Application Protocol...
. The line-up turned out differently - a female drummer and male bassist - but, happily, this worked out and Seafood played their first gig at Camden’s Dublin Castle in March, 1997. Seafood were signed to Fierce Panda Records
Fierce Panda Records
Fierce Panda Records is a London-based independent record label, with its first release in February 1994. It also produced a small number of releases that year by now famous artists such as Ash, The Bluetones, Baby Bird and Supergrass...
after their fourth gig in London's Highbury Garage. The band claim that they could have been signed at their third gig, had the representative of Fierce Panda not been too drunk from a Kerrang magazine party to turn up in time to see their set.
Seafood came to the attention of the music press with the release of "Scorch Comfort" on Fierce Panda, a noisy but melodic track that was oddly compared to both Sonic Youth and Bis
BIS
Bis is a prefix or suffix designating the second instance of a thing, thus preceding ter.Bis can also refer to:* Bis , a Scottish pop band* Bis , a high-teens' magazine published by Kobunsha of Japan...
. This was followed by the release of "Psychic Rainy Nights" on Kooky records, and "Porchlight" on Fierce Panda. All of these singles were eventually compiled with their b-sides on the Messenger in the Camp
Messenger in the Camp
Messenger in the Camp is a mini-album by British band Seafood. Released in 1998, the album collects together the bands first three singles, their accompanying b-sides and two radio session tracks recorded in the Xfm London station studios.-Track listing:...
mini-album.
At this time, Seafood embarked on two national tours, one supporting Kenickie
Kenickie
Kenickie were a four-piece rock band from Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, England. The band were formed in 1994 and consisted of lead vocalist, guitarist and lyricist Lauren Laverne , drummer Johnny X , lead guitarist and occasional vocalist Marie du Santiago and bass guitarist Emmy-Kate Montrose...
, and the other as part of the "Panda in a Vanda" record label tour with Billy Mahonie
Billy Mahonie
- History :Formed in 1997, the original line-up consisted of Gavin Baker , Howard Monk , Hywell Dinsdale and Kevin Penney . Their first release was on the Fierce Panda record label, a split-single with Rothko, followed by a release on the Fierce Panda offshoot Livid Meercat...
and Tiny Too. They also played support slots for Laptop
Laptop
A laptop, also called a notebook, is a personal computer for mobile use. A laptop integrates most of the typical components of a desktop computer, including a display, a keyboard, a pointing device and speakers into a single unit...
, Grandaddy
Grandaddy
Grandaddy was an American indie rock band, formed in 1992 in Modesto, California by singer, guitarist, and keyboardist Jason Lytle, bassist Kevin Garcia, and drummer Aaron Burtch. Guitarist Jim Fairchild and keyboardist Tim Dryden later joined the band in 1995...
and Dawn of the Replicants
Dawn of the Replicants
Dawn of the Replicants are a Scottish indie rock quintet from Galashiels, described by Allmusic as "one of the most inventive groups in the United Kingdom. Impossible to categorize"...
, amongst others. Seafood played as a three-piece at the Reading festival after Charles lacerated his hands in an accident, ending with a 10 minute noise version of Walking in the Air
Walking in the Air
"Walking in the Air" is a song written by Howard Blake for the 1982 animated film of Raymond Briggs' 1978 children's book The Snowman. In the film the song was performed by St Paul's Cathedral choirboy Peter Auty...
as made popular by choir-boy Aled Jones
Aled Jones
Aled Jones is a Welsh singer and television/radio personality, broadcaster and television presenter who first came to fame as a treble...
. 1998 ended with the release of Messenger in the Camp, and a gig at London's LSE.
In 1999, Seafood headed off on tour again, with Idlewild
Idlewild (band)
Idlewild are a Scottish rock band, formed in Edinburgh, in 1995, comprising Roddy Woomble , Rod Jones , Colin Newton , Allan Stewart and Gareth Russell...
and The Llama Farmers, and returned to play a full set at the Reading festival. They also made their American debut at the CMJ band marathon.
Surviving The Quiet and When Do We Start Fighting
This was also the year they recorded their debut album, Surviving the QuietSurviving the Quiet
Surviving the Quiet is the debut album proper by British band Seafood, following 1998s singles compilation Messenger in the Camp. The album was released in January 2000.-Track listing:All songs written by Seafood.#"Guntrip" – 2:35...
. Produced by Ian McCutcheon
Ian McCutcheon
Ian McCutcheon, M.D. , is an American neurosurgeon and author/editor of many papers covering many facets of neurosurgery.-References:...
the album was released by Fierce Panda Records worldwide. The LP included flutes, cello, acoustic and electric guitar and a 10 minute noise breakdown on the last track. Four singles were released from Surviving the Quiet: "Easy Path" and "This Is Not An Exit" (both released before the album) and "Belt" and "Led by Bison" (both released after the album).
After the release of the LP, Seafood toured extensively during 2000, firstly with Wilt
Wilt (band)
In 1998 Cormac Battle and Darragh Butler, after their previous band Kerbdog broke up, along with a new bassist Mick Murphy form another band, Wilt. They played their first gig at The Funnel in Dublin on 26 March 1998. Their music was even used as background on EastEnders on the BBC.However, after...
and Turn
Turn (band)
Turn were an Irish band. They formed in 1998 when lead singer/guitarist Ollie Cole and drummer Ian Melady joined forces with Dublin bass player Gavin Fox, who they met at a local recording studio...
, then with Gerling
Gerling
Gerling were an alternative guitar and electronic act from Australia. They formed in 1993, and are based in Sydney.-History:The band formed in 1993 with the line-up of Darren Cross , Presser and Brad Herdson...
. They also did a short tour of the US, playing with Jimmy Eat World
Jimmy Eat World
Jimmy Eat World is an American alternative rock band from Mesa, Arizona, that formed in 1993. The band is composed of lead vocalist and guitarist Jim Adkins, guitarist and backing vocalist Tom Linton, bassist Rick Burch and drummer Zach Lind....
and Hot Rod Circuit
Hot Rod Circuit
Hot Rod Circuit is an American emo band from New Haven, Connecticut established in 1997.-Early years:The band was originally known as Antidote under which they released the album Mr. Glenboski, which won the group the award of Best Unsigned Band of 1998 by Musician Magazine...
.
In 2001, Seafood continued touring as well as beginning the recording of their follow-up to Surviving the Quiet. The second LP, When Do We Start Fighting...
When Do We Start Fighting...
When Do We Start Fighting... is an album by British band Seafood, released in July 2001.The track "What May Be The Oldest" originally featured on the b-side of the "Led By Bison" single from Seafood's previous album Surviving the Quiet...
was recorded and produced in New York by Girls Against Boys
Girls Against Boys
Girls Against Boys are an indie rock/post-hardcore band, originally forming in Washington, D.C. in 1988 and currently based in New York City.-Career:...
member Eli Janney. It featured guest appearances by Mary Lorson
Mary Lorson
Mary Lorson is an American singer-songwriter and composer. Perhaps best known for her time as the lead singer of Alternative Pop group Madder Rose, Lorson founded the group Mary Lorson and Saint Low in 1999, and that group released three full-length discs. Lorson and Billy Coté created the...
of Madder Rose
Madder Rose
Madder Rose was a New York City-based alternative rock band who recorded in the 1990s. The band was fronted by Mary Lorson, who shared songwriting duties with guitarist Billy Coté. The two singer/songwriters continued their collaboration, Cote as guest producer on Lorson's three discs with Saint...
and Scott McCloud
Scott McCloud
Scott McCloud is an American cartoonist and theorist on comics as a distinct literary and artistic medium...
of Girls Against Boys.
The album release in July 2001 (on Infectious Records
Infectious Records
Infectious Records is a record label whose bands have included Ash, Local Natives, Symposium, My Vitriol, Seafood, The Paradise Motel, General Fiasco and The Subways. Infectious was established by Korda Marshall after leaving RCA, and became part of Marshall's Mushroom Records UK operation in the...
) was preceded by the release of Cloaking as a single. The release of further singles "Splinter" and "Western Battle" followed in December 2001 and March 2002. 2001 saw Seafood headline a tour with Easyworld
Easyworld
Easyworld were a British indie alternative rock/pop band hailing from Eastbourne, consisting of David Ford on vocals, Jo Taylor on bass and Glenn Hooper on drums, active between 2001 and 2004...
, support Sportfreunde Stiller
Sportfreunde Stiller
Sportfreunde Stiller is a German antifascist rock band from Germering, near Munich, in Bavaria.The band was founded in 1996 by Peter "Balboa" Brugger , Florian "Rakete" Weber , and Rüdiger "Rüde" Linhof . They took their original name, Stiller, from their former football manager, Hans Stiller, at...
in Germany and My Vitriol
My Vitriol
My Vitriol are an alternative rock band from London, England. The band name, which is often misinterpreted, is taken from the novel Brighton Rock by Graham Greene...
and Ash
Ash (band)
Ash are an alternative rock band that formed in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland in 1992. The band has sold 8 million albums worldwide.-Band beginning, Trailer and 1977 :...
on their UK tours.
In 2002 the band toured with Dashboard Confessional
Dashboard Confessional
Dashboard Confessional is an American rock band from Boca Raton, Florida, led by singer-songwriter Chris Carrabba. The name of the band is derived from the song "The Sharp Hint of New Tears" from the debut album The Swiss Army Romance....
in the US, played a long UK tour with Jetplane Landing, supported Jimmy Eat World on their UK tour and played their own headline UK tour with Crackout
Crackout
Crackout were a pop punk / rock / jazz influenced trio who formed in Oxford, England in 1997. As well as releasing two albums and a handful of singles, they toured with artists such as Sum 41, Seafood, Haven and Span before disbanding in late 2005. One notable aspect of the band's concerts was...
as support.
After this tour, Seafood spent time working on building a studio, Neat Science Laboratories, in preparation for recording their next album, eventually released in the summer of 2004. During this time, Seafood played only a handful of gigs due to problems with singer David Line's health following the collapse of one of his lungs.
As The Cry Flows, Paper Crown King and split
As the Cry FlowsAs the Cry Flows
As the Cry Flows is an album by British band Seafood, released on 3 May 2004.-Track listing:All songs written by Seafood unless otherwise stated.#"I Dreamt We Ruled The Sun" – 5:18#"Heat Walks Against Me" – 3:36#"No Sense Of Home" – 4:31...
was recorded with Surviving The Quiet producer Ian McCutcheon
Ian McCutcheon
Ian McCutcheon, M.D. , is an American neurosurgeon and author/editor of many papers covering many facets of neurosurgery.-References:...
at the end of 2003 and released by Cooking Vinyl
Cooking Vinyl
Cooking Vinyl is a UK-based independent record company, founded in 1986. Its original orientation was toward contemporary folk music—notably Billy Bragg, and Michelle Shocked's Texas Campfire Tapes, recorded on a Sony Walkman, one of its first releases...
records in May 2004. An attempt at touring the record around the time of its release was cut short when David Line's lung problem flared up again. However, they were able to finally tour the UK in late 2004, and Europe in early 2005. After the conclusion of their European tour, the band retreated to write songs for their next release.
On the 17th September 2005, the band played their first live show for almost six months, at the 2nd annual Smalltown America Records
Smalltown America
Smalltown America is a UK-based independent record label formed in 2001. Staff are currently based in London and Derry, and the label has a stated aim of "cultivating a productive staff of music lovers and a self-sustainable business model, through which artists can release the best records they...
Charity All-Dayer at London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
's 93 Feet East
93 Feet East
93 Feet East is a live music venue on Brick Lane in East London. It is a conversion of part of the Old Truman Brewery, and plays host to new and established acts. It has a courtyard with a BBQ.-External links:**...
venue, where they played a set that consisted almost entirely of new material.
The band embarked on their first national tour of the UK
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...
for several years in July 2006 and released the single "Signal Sparks" on the 31st of that month. The band's fourth album, Paper Crown King
Paper Crown King
Paper Crown King is the fourth album by British band Seafood, released on 4 September 2006 in the United Kingdom and 13 February 2007 in North America.-Track listing:All songs written by Seafood.#"I Will Talk" – 4:31#"Signal Sparks" – 4:52...
, followed in September of the same year. In early May 2007 Seafood announced, via their website, that they would be releasing covers of The Cure's
The Cure
The Cure are an English rock band formed in Crawley, West Sussex in 1976. The band has experienced several line-up changes, with frontman, vocalist, guitarist and principal songwriter Robert Smith being the only constant member...
"Lovesong" and Townes Van Zandt's
Townes Van Zandt
John Townes Van Zandt , best known as Townes Van Zandt, was an American Texas Country-folk music singer-songwriter, performer, and poet...
"I'll be Here in the Morning" as a double A-side download-only single on June 11 to accompany their May/June UK tour.
In mid 2009 it was announced via the band's website that the band no longer exists, but each member of the band continue to work in various side projects.
Discography
Albums- Messenger in the CampMessenger in the CampMessenger in the Camp is a mini-album by British band Seafood. Released in 1998, the album collects together the bands first three singles, their accompanying b-sides and two radio session tracks recorded in the Xfm London station studios.-Track listing:...
(1998) - Surviving the QuietSurviving the QuietSurviving the Quiet is the debut album proper by British band Seafood, following 1998s singles compilation Messenger in the Camp. The album was released in January 2000.-Track listing:All songs written by Seafood.#"Guntrip" – 2:35...
(2000) - When Do We Start Fighting...When Do We Start Fighting...When Do We Start Fighting... is an album by British band Seafood, released in July 2001.The track "What May Be The Oldest" originally featured on the b-side of the "Led By Bison" single from Seafood's previous album Surviving the Quiet...
(2001) - As the Cry FlowsAs the Cry FlowsAs the Cry Flows is an album by British band Seafood, released on 3 May 2004.-Track listing:All songs written by Seafood unless otherwise stated.#"I Dreamt We Ruled The Sun" – 5:18#"Heat Walks Against Me" – 3:36#"No Sense Of Home" – 4:31...
(2004) - Paper Crown KingPaper Crown KingPaper Crown King is the fourth album by British band Seafood, released on 4 September 2006 in the United Kingdom and 13 February 2007 in North America.-Track listing:All songs written by Seafood.#"I Will Talk" – 4:31#"Signal Sparks" – 4:52...
(2006)
Singles
- "Scorch Comfort"
- "Psychic Rainy Nights"
- "Porchlight"
- "Easy Path"
- "This Is Not An Exit"
- "Belt"
- "Led By Bison"
- "Cloaking"
- "Splinter" (December 2001)
- "Coursework EP (2001)
- "Western Battle" (March 2002)
- "Pleasurehead" (June 2002, split singleSplit singleSplit single may refer to:*Split album, a split album is a music album which includes tracks by two or more separate artists.*split-single, a variant on the two-stroke engine with two cylinders sharing a single combustion chamber....
with Jetplane LandingJetplane LandingJetplane Landing is a four piece band from Derry and London . They comprise Andrew Ferris , Jamie Burchell , Cahir O’Doherty and Raife Burchell . Jamie and Raife are brothers...
) - "Summer Falls" (March 2004)
- "Good Reason" (April 2004)
- "Sleepover" (October 2004)
- "Signal Sparks" (July 2006)
- "I Will Talk" (October 2006)
- "Lovesong" / "I'll be Here in the Morning" (June 2007)
DVD
- "Seafood: Where have you been?" (October 2009)