The Loungs

Infobox musical artist
Name = The Loungs


Background = group_or_band
Years_active = 2003–present
Origin = St Helens, England
Genre = Rock
Label = Akoustik Anarkhy
Current_members = Jamie Atherton
Daniel Castrogiovanni
Neil Conway
Paul Nicholson
Gaz Pickett
Martin Wills

The Loungs are a six-piece indie rock band from St Helens, Merseyside, in the North-West of England. They have released three singles and an album on Manchester's Akoustik Anarkhy label.

History

Early years

The band was formed in 2003 by Jamie, Dan and Neil, who had been friends at school. They found drummer Gaz outside a takeaway, [http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/entertainment/music/indieandrock/s/205/205600_loungs_set_to_show_their_magic.html] asked him to join the band, and set out gigging. They recruited keyboard player Martin and guitarist Paul in 2004. The band's first gig as a six-piece was on April 24th 2004 at the "Groovy Festival" at Liverpool St Helens Football Club.

The Loungs established a reputation via a series of gigs throughout the UK, playing with Arctic Monkeys, Sondre Lerche, Noisettes, Good Shoes, Yeti, The Basement, The Rakes, 10,000 Things, Moco, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, The Redwalls, Zabrinski, The Harrisons, Gintis, Vinny Peculiar and Jim Noir, amongst others. During this time, they self-released an EP called "Learning is Fun with The Loungs".

Akoustik Anarkhy

In late 2005, they became involved with the Manchester-based Akoustik Anarkhy record label, which led to the releasing of their debut single 'I'm Gonna Take Your Girl' in February 2006 to rave reviews throughout the music press. During this time the band were picked amongst 14 finalists as a part of Channel 4's The Road To V competition and a live performance and interview were featured on the Channel 4 programme of the same name. The Loungs also donated a demo version of their track 'All Your Love' to Lupine Recordings' debut compilation "Tales From The Lux" in October 2006.

Their next single 'Armageddon Outta Here/Cats' followed in April 2007.

We Are The Champ

The Loungs' debut album "We Are The Champ" was released in May 2007 to widespread critical acclaim and was described as "Joyous" (Uncut Magazine), "Gloriously rowdy" (Q Magazine) "One of the most exhausting but enjoyable 34 minutes you'll spend listening to music this year" (NME) and "The best thing to come out of St.Helens since the East Lancs road' ("The Word") amongst many others.

Summer 2007 saw The Loungs appear at many festivals throughout the UK including Glastonbury, Knowsley Hall Music Festival, Bestival and Beat Herder.

Their next single 'Googly Moogly/Jimmy Two Shoes' followed in October 2007.

2008

The Loungs split from Akoustik Anarkhy at the end of 2007.

They are currently working on their 2nd album at Catalyst Studios in St.Helens. A new song 'Jack Sarfatti' will appear in June 2008 on USB stick attached to the cover of Amelia's Magazine which features bands performing specially written songs on the subject of 'the future'.

Discography

elf-released CDs

* "The "Learning Is Fun With The Loungs" EP " - released Summer 2005

ingles

* "I'm Gonna Take Your Girl/Seen My Baby Dancin"' - released 28 February 2006 on Akoustik Anarkhy 7" and Download
* "Armageddon Outta Here/Cats" - released 2 April 2007 on Akoustik Anarkhy 7" and Download
* "Googly Moogly/Jimmy Two Shoes" - released 15 October 2007 on Akoustik Anarkhy 7" and Download

Albums

* "We Are The Champ" - released 21 May 2007 on Akoustik Anarkhy 12" vinyl, CD Digipack and Download. Download available from 23rd April 2007.

Compilations

* "Tales From The Lux Compilation" - released 30 October 2006 on Lupine Records 10" features "All Your Love"

* "Amelia's Magazine" - released May 2008 - Free USB stick attached to magazine features "Jack Sarfatti"

* "Registered" - released September 2008 - Free CD created by the electoral services unit in order to promote young people to use their vote in Manchester features "Dig That Do"

TV and Film

* "Waterloo Road" - the third series of the BBC1 drama featured the songs "All Your Love" and "Clancy's Stomp" in episode 3.
* "The Road To V" - the Channel 4 series featured the songs "Clancy's Stomp" and "I'm Gonna Take Your Girl" and an interview with the band.

External links

* [http://www.theloungs.com Official Website]
* [http://www.freeforum101.com/forum/?mforum=theloungs Official Forum]
* [http://www.myspace.com/theloungs Myspace Page]
* [http://www.akoustikanarkhy.co.uk/ Akoustik Anarkhy website]
* [http://www.wrexhammusic.betastudios.co.uk/features_october_interviews.htm#theloungs Interview with The Loungs on wrexhammusic.co.uk]
* [http://www.sthelensmusic.co.uk St. Helens Music]