Biography Wikipedia
Wikipedia:
Friendly Fires are an English band from St Albans, Hertfordshire, England. They are currently signed to XL Recordings. Their self-titled debut album was released on 1 September 2008, and was announced as one of the shortlisted twelve for the 2009 Mercury Prize on 21 July 2009.
History
Friendly Fires met at St Albans School. At age 13, in Year 8/9 (the second or third year) the members formed their first band, a post-hardcore outfit called First Day Back, covering songs by Green Day and other rock-like artists, which existed until they began university. During this time lead singer Ed Macfarlane released his own music (under his own name) through the electronica label Skam, and Precinct Recordings. Upon leaving university they formed a new band inspired by dance music, "lush shoegaze melodies", and classic pop songwriting. The name Friendly Fires originates from the opening track of the Section 25 LP Always Now. The band consider German techno label Kompakt, Carl Craig and Prince to be their greatest influences.
In late 2007, they became the first unsigned band to appear on Channel 4's Transmission programme. Their single "Paris" achieved "Single of The Week" in The Guardian newspaper, NME magazine, and also on Zane Lowe's BBC Radio 1 show. They have toured extensively, with past performances taking place throughout the UK, Europe, Japan, USA, Canada, Mexico, South America and Australia.
In May 2008, their song "On Board" was featured in North American television commercials for Nintendo's Wii Fit. "On Board" is also featured in the trailer for the PlayStation 3 game Gran Turismo 5. "White Diamonds" is featured in one of the episodes in the second season of the American television series Gossip Girl. "Jump in the Pool" is the theme tune to BBC1's Final Score for the 2009/10 Football Season, aired on Saturday afternoons. "In The Hospital", and "Lovesick", are featured in the PC/Xbox360/PS3 driving game "Colin McRae: DiRT 2". "Lovesick" is played on Soccer AM as the weeks football fixtures are announced.
In September 2008, theiy released their first LP : Friendly Fires, featuring the singles "On Board", "Paris", "Jump in the Pool", "Skeleton Boy" and, later on, "Kiss of Life", present on the second disc of the enhanced LP edition (featuring various remixes).
The album was certified double gold in the UK; the band was nominated for a Best Breakthrough Award at The South Bank Show Awards and for ‘Best Dancefloor Filler’ at the NME Awards. They were also second on the bill on the NME Awards Tour 2009.
On 21 July 2009, the band was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize.
On 19 January 2010, the band was nominated for two Brit Awards; Best British Group and British Breakthrough Act.
Friendly Fires have contributed the soundtrack to the Frank Miller directed advertisement for 'Guilty', a women's fragrance by Gucci. It was a cover of Depeche Mode's song, "Strangelove".
On 27 September 2010, Friendly Fires released a mix CD through the Berlin based K7 Records, and London club promoters Bugged Out!.
In May 2011, their second album, Pala was released. The first single was "Live Those Days Tonight", soon be followed by "Hawaiian Air". On 20 August that year, Friendly Fires announced that their trumpet player, Richard Turner, who contributed to their live shows, had died. Turner had suffered a cardiac arrest while swimming on 19 August 2011. At the end of 2011, Friendly Fires played their biggest UK tour to date, starting in Brighton on 10 November, and performing at cities such as Birmingham, Newcastle, Glasgow and London.
