The Martini Henry Rifles
The Martini Henry Rifles | |
|---|---|
| File:Themartinihenryrifles.jpg From left to right: Fudge Wilson, Cez Mathias and Chris Warlow. | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Cardiff, Wales |
| Years active | 2000 - 2006(? - split yet not official) |
| Members | Ewen "Fudge" Wilson Richard "Cez" Mathias Chris Warlow |
| Past members | Jason Lorch (2000 - 2004) |
| Website | [1] |
The Martini Henry Rifles were a British noise-punk band based on Cardiff, Wales.
Influences & genre classification
Most of their quoted influences are noise and punk (most noticeable 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.
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 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.
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[1].
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 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)[2],and they start using a drum machine as a replacement for him.
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.
Band members
Band members as of 2004 - 2006 were:
- Chris Warlow (vocals/guitar/synthesizer)
- Cez Mathias (vocals/guitar/drum machine)
- Fudge Wilson (bass).
Band members as of 2000 - 2004 were:
- Jason Lorch (Drums).
- Chris Warlow (vocals/guitar/synthesizer)
- Cez Mathias (vocals/guitar/drum machine)
- Fudge Wilson (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.
Jason Lorch emmigrated to Sydney Australia but is still active in the music scene and is currently working on projects with various artists.
Cez Mathias has since merged with another artist and are working on a new project.
References
- ^ "Martini Henry Rifles sign a record deal!". Joe Goodden, BBC Wales.
- ^ "New Music Project". Jason Lorch.