charlie brown Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 I read something this evening, in the London Daily Mail Entertainment section (on line), about a "Folk Rock" band, from Seattle, that had just made #3 on the UK album charts! So, I Googled them, found some photos, and low and behold, one of the guitarist is using what looks like a vintage or maybe an "Elitist" Riviera (Sunburst). I must admit, I'd never heard of this group, but I guess they're really making some inroads, and doing it, by concentrating on Vocals, (ala Beach Boys, CSNY, Byrds, etc.) type harmonies. Are any of you familiar with them? Sounds like just a year ago, they were totally off the radar, and used one of their members credit card, to finish their CD, and put it out on an independent lable, and things are skyrocketing, apparently. Anyway, I thought it was an interesting story, and was cool that they used "Epiphone" too. CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midiman56 Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 Fleet Foxes has a MySpace site that also let's you hear some of their music" http://www.myspace.com/fleetfoxes The second song on the playlist. "White Winter Hymnal" is on heavy iPod rotation here at Casa MIDI. They have a very interesting sound ... sort of like a male dominated Enya. I believe it that they are making a splash in the Euro market. Its also cool that they are using Epi's in their work! MIDI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macquarrie Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 I live in Seattle but I haven't heard of them before. I did however catch a video of a group called Kings of Leon for a song called Sex on Fire. One of the guys, they are all brothers and a cousin I believe, is playing what looks to me to be a Sheraton VS. The song is pretty cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted February 23, 2009 Author Share Posted February 23, 2009 One photo of 2 of them with Epi's. Looks to be a Vintage Riviera, and Casino, too. There are quite a few videos on YouTube, as well. Won't appeal to the "hard rock" crowd here, but some that Like CSNY, etc...might enjoy 'em? Also, in a video from David Letterman, one is playing what appears to be a "Lennon" Revolution Casino. So, Epi's are all over this band! CooL! www.youtube.com/watch?v=dx7_Gmr4qMM&feature=related CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted February 24, 2009 Author Share Posted February 24, 2009 Just in case anyone but Me is interested: Fleet Foxes From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia This article is about the band. For the band's eponymous debut album, see Fleet Foxes (album). Fleet Foxes Fleet Foxes performing in Copenhagen, 2008. Background information Origin Seattle, Washington, U.S. Genre(s) Indie folk Baroque pop Label(s) Sub Pop (U.S.) Bella Union (UK) Associated acts Crystal Skulls Pedro the Lion Seldom White Antelope Website www.myspace.com/fleetfoxes Members Robin Pecknold Skyler Skjelset J. Tillman Casey Wescott Christian Wargo Former members Nick Peterson Craig Curran Trevor Alderfer Bryn Lumsden Fleet Foxes are a five-piece Seattle-based band signed to Sub Pop and Bella Union.[1] The band came to prominence in 2008 with the release of their second EP, Sun Giant, and their debut full length album Fleet Foxes. Both Sun Giant and their eponymous debut album received much critical praise and reviewers often noted their use of refined lyrics and vocal harmonies. The quintet describe their music as "baroque harmonic pop jams".[2] [edit] History [edit] Formation and early years Robin Pecknold and Skyler Skjelset both attended Lake Washington High School in Kirkland, a suburb of Seattle, and soon became close friends.[3][4] The confident character of Pecknold stood in contrast with Skjelset's shy demeanor but the two bonded over a mutual appreciation of Bob Dylan and Neil Young and began making music together.[5] Their parents influenced their musical tastes early on — Skjelset's mother was a keen listener of both Bob Dylan and Hank Williams while Pecknold's father was a member of The Fathoms, a local 1960s soul group.[3] The two young Seattleites were ambitious and Pecknold, reflecting on the achievements of Dylan and Brian Wilson, realized the importance of practicing music from a young age.[5] Originally going by the name "Pineapple", a name clash with another local band prompted a change and Pecknold decided upon "Fleet Foxes", suggesting that it was "evocative of some weird English activity like fox hunting".[3] Pecknold took up the role of principal songwriter, both singing and playing guitar, while Skjelset played lead guitar.[4] Pecknold's late-sixties pop style caught the attention of Seattle producer Phil Ek and he helped them record their first demo in 2006, the self-released Fleet Foxes EP.[6] Ek was impressed with the band's songwriting and, upon hearing Pecknold for the first time, was interested in his Zombies-esque music, noting that "it was obvious that he had talent coming out of his ***".[5] By late 2006 the Seattle press began to take notice of the band; Tom Scanlon of the Seattle Times stated that he was impressed with the band's lyrics and musical maturity.[6] With growing popularity on the local circuit and a wealth of song material, the band set about making their first album in early 2007, spending time in the studio with producer Ek in addition to recording material at home. However, funds for recording were tight, limiting the time they had in the studio, and the majority of the tracks were recorded in various band members' apartments or the basement of Pecknold's parents' house.[5] [edit] Rise to prominence Robin Pecknold playing live at SXSW on March 13, 2008Fleet Foxes were becoming increasingly popular and by late 2007 they had attracted over a quarter of a million song plays over two months on their Myspace site.[7] Although the band had not released any of their recordings, they benefited from word of mouth exposure and their success soon translated into a record deal, signing with Warner Music subsidiary record label Sub Pop on January 18, 2008.[7] The band completed the recording of their second EP, Sun Giant, around the same time in preparation for upcoming tours.[8] Fleet Foxes began their spring tour with fellow Northwest band Blitzen Trapper on February 28, 2008.[9] The band's performance at the SXSW festival in March 2008 moved the band into the public consciousness, notably attracting attention from the European press for the first time.[3] Sun Giant was released internationally on April 8, 2008 and the group's brand of folk, rock and pop, marked by their use of vocal harmonies, was well received by the press.[10] Despite the warm critical reception, the group stated that the EP did not represent their full ambitions, serving merely as a CD to sell while on tour.[11] In May 2008 the band chose to extend their North American and European tour until September in support of their forthcoming album. Additionally, the band grew in number as songwriter J. Tillman joined Fleet Foxes on drums and back-up vocals.[12] Their debut full length album Fleet Foxes was released shortly afterwards on June 3, 2008.[13] The album achieved similar critical success as the previous EP had. Fleet Foxes received four stars from Rolling Stone, who compared it to the likes of the Beach Boys, Animal Collective, and Crosby, Stills & Nash,[14] and a 9.0 out of 10 in a review by Pitchfork.[15] The Guardian was particularly complimentary, awarding the album five stars and declaring it "a landmark in American music, an instant classic." [16] On June 24, 2008, Fleet Foxes went to #1 on the CMJ Radio 200 Chart.[17] The album achieved an average rating of 87% from 30 reviews on aggregator website Metacritic, placing it in the category of "universal acclaim".[18] While the group enjoyed moderate success in the United States, Fleet Foxes was better received in Europe, selling over 200,000 copies in the first five months following its release.[19] The sales were matched with critical plaudits and their debut album won Uncut's first ever Music Award 2008 prize.[20] Uncut editor Allan Jones said that the album "showed impeccable musicianship, and though you could trace its antecedents, it sounded totally unique. Fleet Foxes was just a glorious debut." The band sold out music venues for their tours of Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, reaffirming their growing popularity.[19][21] At the end of 2008, Fleet Foxes was rated album of the year by Billboard's Critic's Choice and in Metacritic's end of year best album round-up it appeared in 17 lists, topping six of them.[22][23] Furthermore, it had sold around 141,000 copies in North America and over 100,000 copies in the United Kingdom, making it the first gold certificate record for UK label Bella Union.[24] Their growing profile enabled the band to make televised appearances, playing on Vincent Moon's "La Blogotheque" in December 2008 and on Saturday Night Live the following January.[25] In February 2009, the band were reported to have turned down a contract offer from Virgin Records, claming that major record labels were "anti-music".[26] The band plan to release their second studio album in late 2009. [edit] Members Robin Pecknold - lead vocals, guitar Skyler Skjelset - lead guitar Christian Wargo - bass, guitar, vocals Casey Wescott - keyboards, vocals Josh Tillman - drums, vocals [edit] Discography [edit] Albums Year Album Peak Chart Positions UK US GER ITA NOR 2008 Fleet Foxes Released: 3 June 2008 in the US Released: 9 June 2008 in the UK Labels: Bella Union, Sub Pop Format: CD, Vinyl 3 36 51 51 14 [edit] Extended Plays Year EP details[27] Peak chart positions US FIN GER JPN NLD SWE UK [28] 2006 Fleet Foxes Released 2006 (US) Labels Bella Union, Sub Pop Format: CD — — — — — — — 2008 Sun Giant Released April 8 2008 Labels Bella Union, Sub Pop Format: CD 176 — — — — — — "—" denotes releases that did not chart. [edit] Singles Year Single Chart positions Album UK 2008 "White Winter Hymnal" 134 Fleet Foxes 2008 "He Doesn't Know Why" - 2009 "Mykonos" 53 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saul Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 I live in Seattle but I haven't heard of them before. I did however catch a video of a group called Kings of Leon for a song called Sex on Fire. One of the guys' date=' they are all brothers and a cousin I believe, is playing what looks to me to be a Sheraton VS. The song is pretty cool.[/quote'] Strange how Fleet Foxes and Kings of Leon are so big here in the UK but seemingly unheard of in the States where they come from. KOL are a Festival Headlining and Arena Band here...absolutely massive! Fleet Foxes was album of the year in the UK in 2008...it's just such a shame their silky studio Beach Boys harmonies are nowhere near replicated live: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6HvhZ6hHNs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted February 24, 2009 Author Share Posted February 24, 2009 Well, they sounded pretty good "live" on Letterman! As to not being well known here..."Hendix" wasn't known at all save in a few clubs in NYC, before he Chas Chandler found him, and took him back to England. I guess more than a few of OUR artists, have to make it big in England or Europe, before anyone takes them seriously, here! Now That's sad! Good for you guys, and US, eventually....but, it's kind of strange. "Kings of Leon" I'm more familiar with, but I had honestly never heard of "Fleet Foxes" until yesterday's report in the Daily Mail, which I have "on line!" You can tell their influences, but it's their own sound, as well! Kind of a nice "change of pace," from a lot of what seems to be the more standard fare, here. So..good for you guys, glad you've helped them along! CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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