Raygun (band)
 | The topic of this article may not meet Wikipedia's notability guideline for music. (August 2009) |
Raygun | |
|---|---|
 Raygun at MTV Fast Forward. | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Raygun and the Adjitators Psycheldelic Zoo |
| Origin | Guildford, England |
| Genres | Pop rock |
| Years active | 2006–2010 |
| Labels | RCA |
| Past members | Ray Gun The Adj Sam Ben |
Raygun were a British band formerly signed to RCA Records.
History
Guitarist The Adj (born Adj Buffone) used to work as a fishmonger at a supermarket when he was 16.[1] After leaving his job, he joined indie rock band Kubb in 2005. After Kubb released their debut album Mother, Adj left after promotion for the album ended a year later. Front man Ray Gun (born Toby Ratcliffe) from Burgess Hill in Sussex, studied performing arts at Oakmeeds Community College and Music at Haywards Heath College before going on to study Music Technology at Guildford where he met Adj. The two began writing songs and touring around Sussex putting on live music events namely 'Raygun and the Adjitators Psycheldelic Zoo'.
Career
The band supported Pink during the European leg of her 2009 Funhouse Tour. They have also supported Alphabeat, Paul Weller, The Script and Newton Faulkner and toured smaller venues as headliners later in 2009.[2]
Their debut single "Just Because" was released on August 3, 2009 and was added to the Upfront List on Radio 1's Playlist, before rising to The C List[citation needed]. The video for "Just Because" was directed by Joseph Kahn.[3]
Raygun was the supporting act for Peter Bjorn and John and Newton Faulkner at the iTunes live festival on the 13th of July 2009.
On August 15, 2009, Raygun made history when it was featured alongside Kasabian, Hoobastank, Pixie Lott, Boys Like Girls and The All-American Rejects as one of the live acts at Asia's first MTV World Stage Live In Malaysia concert that was held in Malaysia.[4]
Raygun toured Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and The Philippines promoting the release of their debut album in South-East Asia.
YouTube Video
On Saturday 1 August 2009 broadcast late at night in its 4Play segment, Channel 4 broadcast a 15-minute programme featuring the band. The video was posted to Youtube by Rhodri Marsden and linked into a negative Guardian article of his with the title "Lack Of Self Awareness". The video received numerous predominantly negative user comments, Sony BMG enforced a take down notice on the video on copyright grounds. The criticism of the video mainly focused on the clichéd sentiments it described in which singer Ray Gun likened his band to "Iggy Pop, James Brown, David Bowie and Shirley Bassey in a lift". He also claimed the album was "inspired by the perils of hedonism, when you go out and indulge too much and regret it the next day. Anything that you think is good for a while can end up being so harmful to yourself, whether it's love or sex or drugs or alcohol". Raygun later released a tongue-in-cheek apology for the whole debacle which they posted to their MySpace blog on August 6.
Discography
- Raygun (2009)
Track listing
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Waiting In Line" | 4:12 |
| 2. | "Just Because" | 3:03 |
| 3. | "Can't Say No" | 3:19 |
| 4. | "Lord Forgive Me" | 4:23 |
| 5. | "It's A Mystery" | 4:08 |
| 6. | "In The City" | 3:17 |
| 7. | "Kaleidoscopic Kid" | 3:20 |
| 8. | "See You Later" | 3:55 |
| 9. | "Rocket Blast" | 3:03 |
| 10. | "Fools Rush In" | 3:26 |
Demise/Break up
At the end of 2009 the band was dropped by Sony which consequently lead to Ray Gun and The Adj deciding to go their separate ways.
Sam and Ben [5] are now playing for successful Scottish singer songwriter Amy Macdonald and are currently touring with her. Ben also plays with X Factor star Olly Murs [6]
References
- ^ Raygun Interview: Gunning for Chart Success http://www.mtvasia.com/News/200908/25018371.html
- ^ Raygun Interview: Gunning for Chart Success http://www.mtvasia.com/News/200908/25018371.html
- ^ Raygun Interview: Gunning for Chart Success http://www.mtvasia.com/News/200908/25018371.html
- ^ MTV World Stage Live In Malaysia http://worldstage.mtvasia.com
- ^ "Amy Macdonald".
- ^ "Olly Murs".