Serafin
Encyclopedia
Serafin is the rock
band from London
who formed and began playing in September 2000.
Often compared to almost anything in the rock industry, Serafin's sound is sometimes compared to bands like Pixies, Nirvana
, The Smashing Pumpkins
, Placebo
, Radiohead
, Blur
and Jacob's Mouse
.
(who were awarded single of the week by Ozzy Osbourne
) when Ben met Darryn at a Eurovision Song Contest party in Highbury, London. Darryn played on some John Peel
Sessions before forming Serafin. They added Johnny Borrell
(bass) and then Stuart Quinnell with Richie Mills (drums) from Cable
. These line-ups were short lived (a few months) and their first gig had Ronny Growler on drums and Mike Clark on bass.
Stuart Quinnell appears to be the bass tech for Frankie Poullain
from The Darkness and plays in the road crew band Onion Trump.
Mike Clark left to go back to Canada in 2002 and is now working on Ben Smith's acoustic-electronic solo project Young Sawbones. He was replaced by Ben Ellis who had been playing for Catherine Wheel
who had decided to call it a day. It was this line-up on their debut album No Push Collide.
On the 26 August 2004 Serafin posted this note on their website: "We have replaced our drummer Ronny Growler with a guy called Lonely Blue boy. We love Ronny who is a fantastic drummer in his own right, but have had to realise our musical differences and preferences which, while considering the chemistry of the band and its future, became too great to continue with." Not too soon later did they announce that they had returned to the studio for their second album.
The new drummer was Ben's brother Christian Smith who had left Razorlight
in March 2004.
Famous fans include Simon Pegg
of Spaced
and Craig Nicholls
of The Vines
.
On 23 October 2007, Serafin announced their new bassist: Johanna Hoppe from the New Telepathics who replaces Ben Ellis.
, and To The Teeth 2008 on Our Rekords. They were produced by Dave Sardy
in Los Angeles
. and Ian Caple in London.
Two singles
were released before the album, Things Fall Apart and Day by Day.
Serafin have released two four track EP
s, also on Taste Media before No Push Collide. The first was in April, 2002, the second in August, 2002.
Taste Media was bought by Warner Music Group
in 2004 which forced the band into legal limbo with no way to get out of their contract and no funding to promote To The Teeth. The management was fired and all four members spent more time on side projects (New Telepathics, French Car And The Bulimic Wizards, Young Sawbones and Triggerbox).
At the start of May 2005, Ben began releasing acoustic MP3s on their site, culminating in 21 ideas for songs free for download. The recording quality varies due to the nature of four-track recordings. They now have rough mixes of non-acoustic tracks on their Myspace
page.
The Second album, 'To The Teeth', was released in December 2007, under their new record label 'Our Rekords'.
, 20,000 or so. They toured extensively playing the Reading and Leeds Festivals
twice, once on the Carling Stage (2002) and once on the Radio 1 stage (2003).
Played many festivals in other European countries and supported Frank Black
, Muse
and Feeder
. The Feeder support at the Brixton Academy in April 2003
was noted for ill treatment of Feeder and their fans, and were told the following night to play their support set and leave the venue. Earlier in the tour, one of Serafin's members threw a glass bottle intending to hurt the crowd, but instead it luckily smashed on the barrier.
Serafin's Day By Day appeared on the Madden NFL 2004
video game.
One of the most notable things about the band, which is evident in one song, is that the founding members Darryn and Ben Smith are vegan
.
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 from 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...
who formed and began playing in September 2000.
Often compared to almost anything in the rock industry, Serafin's sound is sometimes compared to bands like Pixies, Nirvana
Nirvana (band)
Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987...
, The Smashing Pumpkins
The Smashing Pumpkins
The Smashing Pumpkins are an American alternative rock band that formed in Chicago, Illinois in 1988. Formed by Billy Corgan frontman and James Iha , the band has included Jimmy Chamberlin , D'arcy Wretzky , and currently includes Jeff Schroeder Mike Byrne , and Nicole Fiorentino The Smashing...
, Placebo
Placebo (band)
Placebo are a British rock band from London, England, formed in 1994 by singer and guitarist Brian Molko and bass guitarist Stefan Olsdal. The band was joined by drummer Robert Schultzberg, who was later replaced by Steve Hewitt after conflicts with Molko. Hewitt left the band in October 2007 and...
, 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...
, Blur
Blur (band)
Blur is an English alternative rock band. Formed in London in 1989 as Seymour, the group consists of singer Damon Albarn, guitarist Graham Coxon, bassist Alex James and drummer Dave Rowntree. Blur's debut album Leisure incorporated the sounds of Madchester and shoegazing...
and Jacob's Mouse
Jacob's Mouse
Jacob's Mouse was a three-piece indie rock band from Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, England. They comprised identical twins Hugo and Jebb Boothby) on guitar and bass respectively, along with singing drummer Sam Marsh....
.
History
The original band lineup didn't play live but the two members who have stayed throughout are Ben Fox Smith, and Darryn Harkness. The band itself was formed after the demise of Stony SleepStony Sleep
Stony Sleep was a teenage grunge rock band, formed in 1993 by Ben Fox Smith , Christian Smith-Pancorvo , and William Salmon . They were signed to Big Cat Records, in '95 and recorded Music For Chameleons which was originally released in '96.The band then replaced Will Salmon with Lee Citron and...
(who were awarded single of the week by Ozzy Osbourne
Ozzy Osbourne
John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne is an English vocalist, whose musical career has spanned over 40 years. Osbourne rose to prominence as lead singer of the pioneering English heavy metal band Black Sabbath, whose radically different, intentionally dark, harder sound helped spawn the heavy metal...
) when Ben met Darryn at a Eurovision Song Contest party in Highbury, London. Darryn played on some John Peel
John Peel
John Robert Parker Ravenscroft, OBE , known professionally as John Peel, was an English disc jockey, radio presenter, record producer and journalist. He was the longest-serving of the original BBC Radio 1 DJs, broadcasting regularly from 1967 until his death in 2004...
Sessions before forming Serafin. They added Johnny Borrell
Johnny Borrell
Johnny Borrell is an English guitarist and singer, currently the frontman of the band Razorlight.-Early life and career:...
(bass) and then Stuart Quinnell with Richie Mills (drums) from Cable
Cable (British band)
Cable were a British alternative rock band, formed in the early 1990s by Matt Bagguley , Darius Hinks , Suza Ward , Pete Darrington and Martin Syvret , followed by Neil Cooper, formerly of The Beyond . Cooper left in 1995 to form Gorilla with other ex-members of The Beyond, and was replaced by...
. These line-ups were short lived (a few months) and their first gig had Ronny Growler on drums and Mike Clark on bass.
Stuart Quinnell appears to be the bass tech for Frankie Poullain
Frankie Poullain
Francis Gilles Poullain-Patterson , better known as Frankie Poullain, is the bass player for rock band The Darkness. He was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. He attended The Royal High School from 1984 to 1987....
from The Darkness and plays in the road crew band Onion Trump.
Mike Clark left to go back to Canada in 2002 and is now working on Ben Smith's acoustic-electronic solo project Young Sawbones. He was replaced by Ben Ellis who had been playing for Catherine Wheel
Catherine Wheel
Catherine Wheel were a four-piece alternative rock band from Great Yarmouth, England. The band was active from 1990 to 2000, experiencing fluctuating levels of commercial success, and embarking on many lengthy tours.-Biography:...
who had decided to call it a day. It was this line-up on their debut album No Push Collide.
On the 26 August 2004 Serafin posted this note on their website: "We have replaced our drummer Ronny Growler with a guy called Lonely Blue boy. We love Ronny who is a fantastic drummer in his own right, but have had to realise our musical differences and preferences which, while considering the chemistry of the band and its future, became too great to continue with." Not too soon later did they announce that they had returned to the studio for their second album.
The new drummer was Ben's brother Christian Smith who had left Razorlight
Razorlight
Razorlight are a UK based indie rock band formed in 2002. They are primarily known in the UK, having topped the charts with the 2006 single "America" and its parent self-titled album, their second...
in March 2004.
Famous fans include Simon Pegg
Simon Pegg
Simon Pegg is an English actor, comedian, writer, film producer, and director. He is best known for having co-written and stared in various Edgar Wright features, mainly Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, and the comedy series Spaced.He also portrayed Montgomery "Scotty" Scott in the 2009 Star Trek film...
of Spaced
Spaced
Spaced is a British television sitcom written by and starring Simon Pegg and Jessica Stevenson, and directed by Edgar Wright. It is noted for its rapid-fire editing, frequent pop culture references and jokes, eclectic music, and occasional displays of surrealism and non-sequitur humour...
and Craig Nicholls
Craig Nicholls
Craig Robert Nicholls, is the lead singer, songwriter and guitarist of the Australian alternative rock group The Vines. He formed the band in 1994 in Sydney, New South Wales...
of The Vines
The Vines
https://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/Special:LandingCheck?landing_page=L11_1121_WMUK_Jimmy_DDOptimised&utm_medium=sitenotice&utm_campaign=C11_1121_WMUK_DDvOneOff&utm_source=B11_1121_WMUK_Jimmy&language=en&country=GB...
.
On 23 October 2007, Serafin announced their new bassist: Johanna Hoppe from the New Telepathics who replaces Ben Ellis.
Releases
Although the band has been around for a few years, only two full albums have been released, No Push Collide (2003) on Taste MediaTaste Media
Taste Media is a record label and production company that has released records for bands such as Muse and Shed Seven. The company was formed by Safta Jaffery and Dennis Smith, who owned the Sawmills recording studio in Cornwall.-History:Taste Media recorded three of Muse's albums, Showbiz, Origin...
, and To The Teeth 2008 on Our Rekords. They were produced by Dave Sardy
Dave Sardy
David Sardy is a Brooklyn born-and-raised composer, musician, songwriter, and record producer- Biography :...
in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
. and Ian Caple in London.
Two singles
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
were released before the album, Things Fall Apart and Day by Day.
Serafin have released two four track EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
s, also on Taste Media before No Push Collide. The first was in April, 2002, the second in August, 2002.
Taste Media was bought by Warner Music Group
Warner Music Group
Warner Music Group is the third largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry, making it one of the big four record companies...
in 2004 which forced the band into legal limbo with no way to get out of their contract and no funding to promote To The Teeth. The management was fired and all four members spent more time on side projects (New Telepathics, French Car And The Bulimic Wizards, Young Sawbones and Triggerbox).
At the start of May 2005, Ben began releasing acoustic MP3s on their site, culminating in 21 ideas for songs free for download. The recording quality varies due to the nature of four-track recordings. They now have rough mixes of non-acoustic tracks on their Myspace
Myspace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
page.
The Second album, 'To The Teeth', was released in December 2007, under their new record label 'Our Rekords'.
Albums
| CD Taste Media (18 August 2003) |
|
| CD Our Rekords (24 December 2007) |
|
Singles
| 2CD + 7" Taste Media (5 May 2003) #49 UK |
CD1
CD2
7"
|
| 2CD + 7" Taste Media (4 August 2003)' #49 UK |
CD1
CD2
7"
|
EPs
| CD Taste Media (8 April 2002) |
|
| CD Taste Media (19 August 2002) |
|
Compilations
- X-Ray CD 05 - Build High, Tear Low (Track 8) X-Ray, June 2003
- All Areas Volume 41 - No Happy (Track 2) Visions Magazine, July 2003
- X-Rock #01 - Thing Fall Apart (Track 4) X-Rock, 2003
- Peoplesound: Special Edition 4 - Day By Day (Track 1) Peoplesound, 2003
Appearances
They sold the most records in France on Naive RecordsNaïve Records
Naïve Records is a French independent record label based in Paris, specializing in electronic music, pop music, jazz and classical music. It was founded in 1997 by Patrick Zelnik, Gilles Paires and Eric Tong Cuong.-Artists:* Aṣa* Asian Dub Foundation...
, 20,000 or so. They toured extensively playing the Reading and Leeds Festivals
Reading and Leeds Festivals
The Reading and Leeds Festivals are a pair of annual music festivals that take place in Reading and Leeds in England. The events take place simultaneously on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the August bank holiday weekend, sharing the same bill. The Reading Festival is held at Little John's Farm...
twice, once on the Carling Stage (2002) and once on the Radio 1 stage (2003).
Played many festivals in other European countries and supported Frank Black
Frank Black
Black Francis is an American singer, songwriter and guitarist. He is best known as the frontman of the influential alternative rock band Pixies, with whom he performs under the stage name Black Francis. Following the band's breakup in 1993, he embarked on a solo career under the name Frank Black...
, Muse
Muse (band)
Muse are an English alternative rock band from Teignmouth, Devon, formed in 1994. The band consists of school friends Matthew Bellamy , Christopher Wolstenholme and Dominic Howard...
and Feeder
Feeder
-Technology:* Feeder , any of several devices used in apiculture to supplement or replace natural food sources* Feeder , another name for a riser, a reservoir built into a metal casting mold to prevent cavities due to shrinkage...
. The Feeder support at the Brixton Academy in April 2003
2003 in British music
This is a summary of 2003 in music in the United Kingdom, including the official charts from that year. Whilst weeks at number one began to increase with significant numbers achieving 4 week runs, and The Black Eyed Peas breaking a chart record in the 21st century, single sales rapidly plummeted,...
was noted for ill treatment of Feeder and their fans, and were told the following night to play their support set and leave the venue. Earlier in the tour, one of Serafin's members threw a glass bottle intending to hurt the crowd, but instead it luckily smashed on the barrier.
Serafin's Day By Day appeared on the Madden NFL 2004
Madden NFL 2004
Madden NFL 2004 is the 14th installment of the Madden NFL series of American football video games. Michael Vick, the former Atlanta Falcons quarterback, is on the cover. New features in Madden 2004 include a new owner mode option that allows the player to control a franchise...
video game.
One of the most notable things about the band, which is evident in one song, is that the founding members Darryn and Ben Smith are vegan
Veganism
Veganism is the practice of eliminating the use of animal products. Ethical vegans reject the commodity status of animals and the use of animal products for any purpose, while dietary vegans or strict vegetarians eliminate them from their diet only...
.