Haunts (band)

Infobox musical artist
Background = group_or_band
Name = Haunts


Img_capt = Haunts promo shot
Years_active = 2007 – Present
Origin = North London, Hertfordshire, England
Genre = New wave
Rock
Label = Black Records
Current_members = Banks
Alex
Grover
Mitch
Past_members =
URL = http://www.myspace.com/haunts
http://www.myspace.com/hauntsremix
http://www.hauntslondon.com

Haunts are a British rock band based in north London and Hertfordshire. Described as 'Noirists', their musical style combines elements of punk, new wave, dance, prog rock, indie and Britpop. The band refer to themselves simply as 'new wave'. Haunts' line-up consists of Banks (vocals, guitar, synth) Alex (guitar, backing vocals), Grover (drums, backing vocals) and Mitch (bass guitar, backing vocals).

History

Banks and Alex formed Haunts in late 2006 and shortly after recruiting Grover (from Alex's previous band) as drummer produced a demo of the song 'Bomz II Drop' which quickly started to draw attention to the band via the internet. The line-up was finalised with Mitch being recruited (from Banks' previous band) to play bass guitar, and shortly after this the band received a request from Welsh band Lostprophets to support them at a sold out 'secret' show at London's Scala on April 26, 2007. This was followed by tours with Switches, The Sunshine Underground and Funeral For a Friend, as well as many low-key dates at club nights in London. Haunts made their first festival appearance on June 24, 2007 at London's Hyde Park Calling festival.

Haunts released their debut single, 'Low Slung City Skyline' through Grand Recordings in September 2007 on 7" vinyl. The single was limited to 500 pieces and features unusually elaborate packaging. All musical and design production was done by the band themselves, a work ethic they have persevered with on subsequent releases (Alex is a graduate of Chelsea College of Art & Design; Banks is an established record producer, most notably having produced Gallows' critically acclaimed debut album 'Orchestra of Wolves' [ [http://www.epitaph.com/artists/album/518/Orchestra_of_Wolves Orchestra of Wolves liner notes] Epitaph Records] ). The single won BBC Radio 1's 'Fresh Meat' competition hosted by DJ Zane Lowe. After the single's release Haunts toured extensively on the club NME circuit and with indie rock band Boy Kill Boy.

Haunts' second single, 'Underground' was released in April 2008 through Black Records, again as a limited edition vinyl, this time a heavyweight blood-red disc with gatefold case, mirror-finish writing, and a glossy black outer sleeve. Again, Zane Lowe championed the single on his BBC Radio 1 show but this time the single was also picked up by XFM and other stations. The accompanying video clip also aired on MTV2. Appearances at London's Camden Crawl and Brighton's Great Escape festival also helped promote the single. On Friday the 13th of June, Haunts headlined Club NME at London's KOKO. Other festival appearances that summer included Donington's Download, Scotland's T In The Park, Newquay's Boardmasters and Reading Festival.

In August, Haunts released their third independent single 'Live Fast Die Young' as a limited edition 2-part 7" vinyl set comprising a coloured vinyl with gatefold sleeve and a picture disc. The release was supported by support slots with Lostprophets and The Automatic.

Influences

Although the band are generally cagey about their personal influences, they have been known to perform cover versions of songs by artists linked to the new wave genre such as Elvis Costello, Depeche Mode, The Cure, Devo, The Police and Talking Heads. Comparisons to other artists have been erratic but have included a diverse range of bands such as Talking Heads, Bauhaus, Queens of the Stone Age, Refused, Interpol, Franz Ferdinand and The Futureheads. Banks' distinctive deep, dry voice has been likened to Nick Cave and David Bowie.

Discography

*Low Slung City Skyline/ Bag O' Bones - September 2007
*Underground/ Low Slung City Skyline (Haunts Remix) - April 2008
*Live Fast Die Young/ (I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea - August 2008
*Live Fast Die Young (Radio Edit)/ Bomz II Drop (Demo) - August 2008

Remixes

Alex and Banks also have a side-project remixing other artists' songs under the name 'Haunts'. This incarnation of Haunts is the polar opposite of the guitar-based version; songs are swamped in slap bass and synth solos. Comparisons have been made to Chromeo, Justice and Daft Punk.

So far Haunts have remixed:
*Into Oblivion - Funeral for a Friend [ [http://www.normanrecords.com/records/92135 FFAF Haunts Remix] norman records ]
*You're not Alone - The Enemy [ [http://www.grandrecordings.com/grandprod/artists.html Haunts Remix the enemy] Grand union artist management ]
*Low Slung City Skyline - Haunts (B-side of 'Underground' single) [ [http://www.juno.co.uk/artists/Haunts/l Underground Tracklisting] juno.co.uk ]
*The Bears are Coming - Late of the Pier
*The Outsiders - Athlete
*Drugs - The Music
*Into The Galaxy - Midnight Juggernauts
*Crank It Up - Hadouken!
*Death - White Lies
*Move - CSS

References