Kubb (band)

Kubb were a British indie rock band from London, who had two UK top 40 hits in 2005/6 and a top 30 album. Original member Ben Langmaid went on to become half of the duo La Roux.

Kubb
Kubb performing live in Leeds, 2006
Background information
OriginUnited Kingdom
GenresIndie rock, alternative rock, post-Britpop
Years active2005-2006
LabelsMercury
Associated actsReef, The Daddy, La Roux, Raygun
Past membersAlex Evans
Adj Buffone
Dominic Greensmith
Ben Langmaid
Harry Collier
Jeff Patterson
John Hogg
John Tilley
Martin Wright

Biography

The band started to form when singer Harry Collier was invited by Rollo Armstrong (of Faithless fame) to record in the latter's studio after Armstrong heard him sing "Happy Birthday" in the organic café where he was working as a waiter in 2001. At the studio he met Armstrong's old schoolfriend Ben Langmaid, who had a studio in the same complex, and Jeff Patterson.[1] Collier grew up in Tobago, returning to England aged 17.[2] The trio began writing songs together that would become Kubb's debut album, Mother. Langmaid and Patterson were only interested in studio and songwriting work, so Collier recruited former Reef member Dom Greensmith (drums), John Tilley (keyboards), and Adj Buffone (guitar).[1]

The band were signed by Mercury Records, and narrowly missed out on a top 40 hit with the second single "Remain" although it was named "Single of the Week" by The Sun,[3] The follow-up "Wicked Soul" gave them a top 30 hit and was used in a Rimmel cosmetics advert on television,[4] and Youth-produced debut album Mother also reached the top 30 of the UK Albums Chart, going on to be certified gold.[5][6] Collier explained the album's title: "The earth is our mother; we're all made of dirt. It's given birth to us. Most people's emotional make-up stems from their relationship with their mother. So it's a very pertinent word and a very beautiful word."[5] The band had their biggest hit with "Grow", which reached No. 18 in the UK Singles Chart. The band headlined several tours in the UK. They also played two gigs at the Shepherd's Bush Empire, and made guest appearances on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross (on 16 December 2005, and on the Jonathan Ross Radio Show on 4 February 2006). They also appeared on Jools Holland's show Later...,[7] Popworld, CDUK, the Des and Mel Show, The Friday Night Project, and appeared three times on Top of the Pops. They performed an iTunes Live from London gig at the London Apple Store. They recorded a 'secret session' for Tiscali. They appeared at the V Festival,[8] and the Isle of Wight Festival.

Guitarist Adj Buffone announced that he had left the band and formed the band Raygun in November 2006.[1] Lead singer Harry Collier featured on the 2006 Faithless single "Bombs".[1]

Kubb's official website was last updated in 2006, and news on the band has been lacking since Buffone left. Harry Collier is currently working on new material for Kubb with a new line-up that features John Hogg (guitar) and Alex Evans (keyboards) from Moke, and Martin Wright (drums). The band played the O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire in December 2009 under the name The Daddy. Original member Ben Langmaid is currently half of the duo La Roux.

Musical style

The band have drawn comparisons with others such as Radiohead, Muse, Keane and Jeff Buckley[1][9] Caroline Sullivan in The Guardian commented "Kubb specialise in the kind of arena-sized balladry that has Coldplay racking up the frequent-flyer miles", and compared Collier's voice to Buckley and Antony Hegarty.[10] Dave Simpson, writing in The Guardian, described the band's sound as "Abbey Road-era Beatles fronted by Jeff Buckley with a suggestion of epic, melancholy 1980s heroic failures such as The Comsat Angels."[11]

Discography

Albums
  • Mother (14 November 2005), Mercury - UK # 26[12]
  • Live from London (iTunes) (7 March 2006)

Singles

From Mother:

  • "Somebody Else" (30 May 2005)
  • "Remain" (22 August 2005), UK # 45[12]
  • "Wicked Soul" (7 November 2005), UK # 25 TUR # 14[12]
  • "Grow" (6 February 2006), UK # 18[12]
  • "Remain" (1 May 2006), UK # 189

Opendisc

Exclusive content available through Opendisc: Video: 'Grow', 'Remain', Making Of 'Remain', Kubb Interview, Vidéo Live au Barfly and photos.

References
  1. "Kubb Biography", AllMusic, Macrovision Corporation, retrieved 12 January 2010
  2. Hoey, Paddy (2005) "Music: What has this man got to be worried about ; Paddy Hoey discovers Harry Collier is a man with talent - and an uncomfortable feeling about the future", Liverpool Daily Post, 29 July 2005
  3. "Single of the week: Kubb - Remain", The Sun, 19 August 2005, p. 58
  4. Scott, Ettrick (2006) "Kubb talent not just cosmetic", Sunday Sun, 9 April 2006, retrieved 12 January 2010
  5. Courtney, Kevin (2006) "Who the Hell is...Kubb?", Irish Times, 5 May 2006, p. 11
  6. " TIME FOR T KUBB", Evening Times, 29 June 2006, p. 13
  7. Dingwall, John (2005) "The Razz: Rock: Get ready to join the Kubb ; He almost lost his faith in music, but Harry Collier is about to beone massive success story", Daily Record, 19 August 2005, p. 43
  8. Paine, Andre (2005) "Branded band excites a live loyalty of sorts", Evening Standard, 29 July 2005
  9. Mawer, Sharon "Mother Review", AllMusic, Macrovision Corporation, retrieved 12 January 2010
  10. Sullivan, Caroline (2005) "Review:Pop: Kubb Scala, London", The Guardian, 9 December 2005, p. 8
  11. Simpson, Dave (2005) "Film & Music: Rock & pop reviews: Kubb - Mother", The Guardian, 4 November 2005, p. 12
  12. Kubb, Official Charts, retrieved 12 January 2010
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