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→‎History of the band: resolve whom tag by moving text closer to source. I am so glad that it is not the early 2000s/late nineties anymore, and pawing at and chucking ice water over strippers is no longer considered a jolly jape
 
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{{Short description|British noise-punk band}}
{{infobox band
{{More citations needed|date=April 2020}}
| band_name = The Martini Henry Rifles
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
| image = [[Image:Themartinihenryrifles.jpg]]

⚫
| caption = From left to right: Fudge Wilson, Cez Mathias and Chris Warlow. |
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Musicians -->
| years_active = [[2000]] - [[2006]](? - split yet not official) |
| origin = [[Cardiff]], [[Wales]] |
| name = The Martini Henry Rifles
| country = [[United Kingdom]] |
| image =
| caption =
⚫
| music_genre = [[noise music|Noise]], [[punk rock|Punk]], [[alternative rock|Alternative Rock]] |
| record_label = [[FF Vynil]] ([[2003]] - ?) |
| image_size =
| background = group_or_band
| current_members = Ewen "''Fudge''" Wilson<br />Richard "''Cez''" Mathias<br />Chris Warlow |
| past_members = Jason Lorch ([[2000]] - [[2004]]) |
| alias =
| website = [http://themartinihenryrifles.com]
| origin = [[Cardiff]], Wales
⚫
| genre = [[noise music|Noise]], [[punk rock|punk]], [[alternative rock]]
| years_active = 2000–2006
| label = FF Vinyl (2003 - 2006)
| associated_acts =
| website =
⚫
| past_members = Ewen "Fudge" Wilson<br />Jason Lorch<br />Richard "Cez" Mathias<br />Chris Warlow
}}
}}


The '''Martini Henry Rifles''' were a [[United Kingdom|British]] [[noise music|noise]]-[[punk rock|punk]] band based on [[Cardiff]], [[Wales]].
The '''Martini Henry Rifles''' were a [[United Kingdom|British]] [[noise music|noise]]-[[punk rock|punk]] band based in [[Cardiff]], Wales.
⚫
==Influences & genre classification==
⚫
Most of their quoted influences are [[noise]] and [[Punk rock|punk]] (most noticeable [[Brainiac (band)|Brainiac]], whose influence is clear in the ''Martinis''' work), hence the most common ''noise-punk'' genre classification. The band themselves never quite put any kind of convenient genre label on their work, while on the other hand some people just choose to describe their sound as ''chaotic'', mostly derived from their very energetic live performances.


⚫
==Influences and genre classification==
<!-- Unsourced image removed: [[Image:TMHR2.jpg]] -->
Most of their quoted influences are [[noise]] and [[Punk rock|punk]] (most noticeably [[Brainiac (band)|Brainiac]], whose influence is clear in the Martinis' work), hence the most common noise-punk genre classification. [[Drowned In Sound]] likened them to fellow Cardiff band [[Mclusky]], as well as [[...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=2004-11-08 |title=Album Review: The Martini Henry Rifles - Superbastard |url=http://drownedinsound.com/releases/3847/reviews/10559- |access-date=2024-03-20 |website=DrownedInSound |language=en |archive-date=20 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240320183307/https://drownedinsound.com/releases/3847/reviews/10559- |url-status=dead }}</ref> while [[Western Telegraph]] described their album's sound as "[[Steve Albini|Albini]]-[[Public Image Ltd.|PIL]]-[[Superchunk]]-[[Pussy Galore (band)|Pussy Galore]] howls of pure pop noise fury".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2005-07-15 |title=An original treat |url=https://www.westerntelegraph.co.uk/news/6653227.an-original-treat/ |access-date=2024-03-20 |website=Western Telegraph |language=en}}</ref> [[Manchester Evening News]] described the band's live show as "a a sugar rush of [[Dead Kennedys]]' bile, [[Ikara Colt|Ikara Colt's]] thrash and [[Beastie Boys]] attitude".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2004-08-03 |title=Terrashima, The Martini Henry Rifles @ Night and Day |url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/going-out/music/terrashima-the-martini-henry-rifles--1177581 |access-date=2024-03-20 |website=Manchester Evening News |language=en}}</ref> More Mclusky and Ikara Colt comparisons came from [[Uncut (magazine)|Uncut]], which grouped them in with "2002’s scuzzy punk uprising" of which those acts were a part.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Uncut |date=2004-12-01 |title=The Martini Henry Rifles - Superbastard |url=https://www.uncut.co.uk/reviews/the-martini-henry-rifles-superbastard-11830/ |access-date=2024-03-21 |website=UNCUT |language=en-GB}}</ref>
<br />


⚫
The band themselves never put any kind of genre label on its work, while on the other hand some people{{who|date=April 2020}} just choose to describe its sound as "chaotic", mostly derived from very energetic live performances.
⚫
== History of the band ==


⚫
==History of the band==
Their story dates back to late [[2000]]. Cez Mathias and Jason Lorch put up an advert to find musicians on a record shop. Chris Warlow responds and some months later Fudge Wilson joins to complete the line-up. They start by using the name ''Luxinterior'' until April [[2001]], when ''The Martini Henry Rifles'' was finally chosen as a permanent name.
In late 2000, Cez Mathias and Jason Lorch advertised in a record shop to find musicians. Chris Warlow responded and some months later "Fudge" Wilson joined to complete the line-up. They started by using the name Luxinterior until April 2001, when The Martini Henry Rifles was finally chosen.


In November [[2001]] they release the limited edition of the single ''Kill/Summer/Shit''. It attracts the attention of [[Sean McClusky]], who releases the ''Martinis'' subsequent ''Luger 6000'' single and becomes their manager. The band featured on McClusky's [[Sonic Mook Experiment]] compilation ''Future Rock & Roll''.
In November 2001, they released the limited edition single "Kill"/"Summer"/"Shit". It attracted the attention of Sean McClusky, who released the Martinis' subsequent "Luger 6000" single and became their manager. The band appeared on McClusky's [[Sonic Mook Experiment]] compilation ''Future Rock & Roll''.


Their story runs short until [[2003]], when they sign for indie label ''[[FF Vynil]]''. The signing was completed in a really bizarre manner; reportedly the band refused to sign the contract unless it was to be done in a strip club or some place of the sort. The place chosen was a lapdancing club called ''Fantasy Lounge''<ref name="BBC Wales interview">{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/music/sites/martinihenryrifles/pages/mhr_lapdancing.shtml|publisher=Joe Goodden, BBC Wales|title=Martini Henry Rifles sign a record deal!}}</ref>.
In 2003, they signed with the independent label FF Vinyl. The BBC reported that the band had requested that their contract be signed at a lapdancing club called Fantasy Lounge.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/music/sites/martinihenryrifles/pages/mhr_lapdancing.shtml|author=Joe Goodden|work= BBC Wales Music|title=Martini Henry Rifles sign a record deal!|url-status=dead| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050418045258/http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/music/sites/martinihenryrifles/pages/mhr_lapdancing.shtml|date=18 April 2005|archivedate=18 April 2005}}</ref> In December 2003, they released the single "And Then We Hit A Truck", just before taking on a break to record their first album.


⚫
In November 2004, after almost a year of recording and [[remixing]], ''Superbastard'' was released. After finishing the album, Lorch, the drummer, left the band to emigrate to Australia and pursue other interests,{{Citation needed|date=March 2024}} and they began using a [[drum machine]] as a replacement.
In December [[2003]] they release the single ''And Then We Hit A Truck'', just before going on a break to record their debut-album.


In February 2005 the band released the ''Slash The Seats (Culprit One Remixes)'' as the fourth single from ''Superbastard'', which the [[South Wales Argus]] described as a move "towards a richer, more produced sound".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2005-02-11 |title=Bad boys' latest bit of genius |url=https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/4597214.bad-boys-latest-bit-of-genius/ |access-date=2024-03-20 |website=South Wales Argus |language=en}}</ref>
⚫
In November [[2004]], after almost a year of recording and [[remixing]], their debut album ''Superbastard'' is finally released. After finishing the album drummer and founder member Jason Lorch decides to leave the band (to emigrate to Australia and pursue other interests)<ref name="New music adventure">{{cite news|title=New Music Project|publisher=Jason Lorch|url=http://myspace.com/nilbyear}}</ref>,and they start using a [[drum machine]] as a replacement for him.


In May 2005, the band's [[BBC Radio 1]] live session prompted complaints from a [[Romani people|Romani]] support group. The BBC's Editorial Complaints Unit concluded that the inclusion of a track called ''Gyppo kids ate my hamster'' on their website was a mistake.<ref>{{Cite web |last=2005-05-05T08:30:00 |title=BBC's web mistake |url=https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/bbcs-web-mistake/1024023.article |access-date=2024-03-20 |website=Broadcast |language=en}}</ref>
During most of [[2005]] they have been busy touring the [[UK]] and [[Europe]], and in the first few months of [[2006]] recording and preparing the release of their 2nd full-length album.


In late [[April 2006]] the members informed fans on their [[MySpace]] website that they have decided to put an end to the band. No particular reasons have been given. Nevertheless it is still possible that their 2nd album gets to see the light of day, due to its recording-completion by that time.
In the first few months of 2006 they recorded and prepared the release of a second album. Their final EP, ''Infomercial'', was released on FF Vinyl Records at the start of 2006.{{Citation needed|date=March 2024}} In late April 2006, the members informed fans on their [[MySpace]] website that they had decided to put an end to the band. No reasons were given.{{citation needed|date=April 2020}}

Wilson now plays bass guitar in Exit International, which has toured the UK extensively as well as touring in Europe and Japan. He is the owner of Sound Space Studios in Cardiff and works as a sound engineer and producer. Warlow is a member of The Milk Race and regularly plays all over the UK. Wilson often appears with the Milk Race to play additional guitar for their live shows.


==Band members==
==Band members==
2000 - 2004:
Band members as of [[2004]] - [[2006]] were:
⚫
*Jason Lorch ([[Drum kit|drums]]).
⚫
*Chris Warlow ([[vocals]]/[[guitar]]/[[synthesizer]])
*Cez Mathias ([[vocals]]/[[guitar]]/[[drum machine]])
*Chris Warlow ([[Singing|vocals]]/[[guitar]]/[[synthesizer]])
⚫
*Cez Mathias (vocals/guitar/[[drum machine]])
*Fudge Wilson ([[bass guitar|bass]]).
*Fudge Wilson ([[bass guitar]])


2004 - 2006:

⚫
*Chris Warlow (vocals/guitar/synthesizer)
Band members as of [[2000]] - [[2004]] were:
*Cez Mathias (vocals/guitar/drum machine)
⚫
*Jason Lorch ([[Drums]]).
*Chris Warlow ([[vocals]]/[[guitar]]/[[synthesizer]])
*Fudge Wilson (bass guitar)
⚫
*Cez Mathias ([[vocals]]/[[guitar]]/[[drum machine]])
*Fudge Wilson ([[bass guitar|bass]]).

==Trivia==

Chris Warlow and Fudge Wilson have since formed a band of their own, called [[Space In The 50s]], together with a new drummer.
<br />Jason Lorch emmigrated to Sydney Australia but is still active in the music scene and is currently working on projects with various artists.
<br />Cez Mathias has since merged with another artist and are working on a new project.


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
<references/>


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.myspace.com/themartinihenryrifles MySpace page & blog of the band]
*[http://www.myspace.com/themartinihenryrifles MySpace page & blog of the band]
*[http://www.myspace.com/spaceinthe50s MySpace page & blog of Chris & Fudge's new project]
*[http://www.myspace.com/nilbyear MySpace page & blog of Jason Lorch's new project]


{{Authority control}}
[[Category:British musical groups|Martini Henry Rifles, The]]

⚫
[[Category:Welsh musical groups|Martini Henry Rifles, The]]
[[Category:Noise rock groups|Martini Henry Rifles, The]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Martini Henry Rifles, The}}
[[Category:Welsh punk rock groups]]
⚫
[[Category:Welsh musical trios]]
[[Category:Musical groups from Cardiff]]
[[Category:Welsh noise rock groups]]

Latest revision as of 07:32, 10 May 2024

The Martini Henry Rifles
OriginCardiff, Wales
GenresNoise, punk, alternative rock
Years active2000–2006
LabelsFF Vinyl (2003 - 2006)
Past membersEwen "Fudge" Wilson
Jason Lorch
Richard "Cez" Mathias
Chris Warlow

The Martini Henry Rifles were a British noise-punk band based in Cardiff, Wales.

Influences and genre classification[edit]

Most of their quoted influences are noise and punk (most noticeably Brainiac, whose influence is clear in the Martinis' work), hence the most common noise-punk genre classification. Drowned In Sound likened them to fellow Cardiff band Mclusky, as well as ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead,[1] while Western Telegraph described their album's sound as "Albini-PIL-Superchunk-Pussy Galore howls of pure pop noise fury".[2] Manchester Evening News described the band's live show as "a a sugar rush of Dead Kennedys' bile, Ikara Colt's thrash and Beastie Boys attitude".[3] More Mclusky and Ikara Colt comparisons came from Uncut, which grouped them in with "2002’s scuzzy punk uprising" of which those acts were a part.[4]

The band themselves never put any kind of genre label on its work, while on the other hand some people[who?] just choose to describe its sound as "chaotic", mostly derived from very energetic live performances.

History of the band[edit]

In late 2000, Cez Mathias and Jason Lorch advertised in a record shop to find musicians. Chris Warlow responded and some months later "Fudge" Wilson joined to complete the line-up. They started by using the name Luxinterior until April 2001, when The Martini Henry Rifles was finally chosen.

In November 2001, they released the limited edition single "Kill"/"Summer"/"Shit". It attracted the attention of Sean McClusky, who released the Martinis' subsequent "Luger 6000" single and became their manager. The band appeared on McClusky's Sonic Mook Experiment compilation Future Rock & Roll.

In 2003, they signed with the independent label FF Vinyl. The BBC reported that the band had requested that their contract be signed at a lapdancing club called Fantasy Lounge.[5] In December 2003, they released the single "And Then We Hit A Truck", just before taking on a break to record their first album.

In November 2004, after almost a year of recording and remixing, Superbastard was released. After finishing the album, Lorch, the drummer, left the band to emigrate to Australia and pursue other interests,[citation needed] and they began using a drum machine as a replacement.

In February 2005 the band released the Slash The Seats (Culprit One Remixes) as the fourth single from Superbastard, which the South Wales Argus described as a move "towards a richer, more produced sound".[6]

In May 2005, the band's BBC Radio 1 live session prompted complaints from a Romani support group. The BBC's Editorial Complaints Unit concluded that the inclusion of a track called Gyppo kids ate my hamster on their website was a mistake.[7]

In the first few months of 2006 they recorded and prepared the release of a second album. Their final EP, Infomercial, was released on FF Vinyl Records at the start of 2006.[citation needed] In late April 2006, the members informed fans on their MySpace website that they had decided to put an end to the band. No reasons were given.[citation needed]

Wilson now plays bass guitar in Exit International, which has toured the UK extensively as well as touring in Europe and Japan. He is the owner of Sound Space Studios in Cardiff and works as a sound engineer and producer. Warlow is a member of The Milk Race and regularly plays all over the UK. Wilson often appears with the Milk Race to play additional guitar for their live shows.

Band members[edit]

2000 - 2004:

2004 - 2006:

  • Chris Warlow (vocals/guitar/synthesizer)
  • Cez Mathias (vocals/guitar/drum machine)
  • Fudge Wilson (bass guitar)

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Album Review: The Martini Henry Rifles - Superbastard". DrownedInSound. 8 November 2004. Archived from the original on 20 March 2024. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  2. ^ "An original treat". Western Telegraph. 15 July 2005. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  3. ^ "Terrashima, The Martini Henry Rifles @ Night and Day". Manchester Evening News. 3 August 2004. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  4. ^ Uncut (1 December 2004). "The Martini Henry Rifles - Superbastard". UNCUT. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  5. ^ Joe Goodden (18 April 2005). "Martini Henry Rifles sign a record deal!". BBC Wales Music. Archived from the original on 18 April 2005.
  6. ^ "Bad boys' latest bit of genius". South Wales Argus. 11 February 2005. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  7. ^ 2005-05-05T08:30:00. "BBC's web mistake". Broadcast. Retrieved 20 March 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Martini_Henry_Rifles&oldid=1223157000"