Raygun (band)
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
The Adj, former guitarist indie rock band Kubb, met lead singer Ray Gun studying Music Technology in Guildford. The two began writing songs and performing around Surrey and London, putting on live music events under the name 'Raygun and the Adjitators'. The duo recruited the help of bass player Ben and drummer Sam, continued the wild live performances and recorded an album at Britannia Row with producer Tim Bran.
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.[1]
Their debut single "Just Because" was released on August 3, 2009.[citation needed] The video for "Just Because" was directed by Joseph Kahn, which features a high speed chase on the freeway. A flash game was also released to support the single.[2] The video was not met with much response.
Raygun was the supporting act for Peter Bjorn and John and Newton Faulkner at the iTunes live festival on 13 July 2009.
On 15 August 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.[3]
Raygun toured Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and The Philippines promoting the release of their debut album in South-East Asia.
YouTube video
On 1 August 2009 broadcast late at night in its 4Play segment, Channel 4 screened a 15-minute programme featuring the band. The video was posted on YouTube by Rhodri Marsden[4] 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 (real name Tobias Alexander Ratcliffe[5]) 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 an apology for the whole debacle which they posted on their MySpace blog on 6 August.
Discography
- Raygun (29 January 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 and break-up
At the end of 2009, the band was dropped by Sony which consequently led to Ray Gun and The Adj deciding to go their separate ways.
Sam and Ben are now playing for successful Scottish singer-songwriter Amy Macdonald[6] and are currently touring with her. Ben also plays with X Factor star Olly Murs.[7]
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
- ^ MTV World Stage Live In Malaysia http://worldstage.mtvasia.com
- ^ RayBanned! Why is Sony censoring its own acts? http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/musicblog/2009/aug/04/raygun-sony
- ^ Tobias Ratcliffe's Myspace http://www.myspace.com/TobiasRatcliffe
- ^ "Amy Macdonald".
- ^ "Olly Murs".