MP4 (band)
British rock band formed by sitting and former MPs.
MP4 are a British rock band composed of four current and former Members of Parliament. The group originated as MP3 in 2004 and later changed its name after adding a fourth member. They are notable for being the first rock group to perform at the Palace of Westminster.
Quick Facts
- Also known as
- MP3
- Origin
- United Kingdom
- Genre
- Rock
- alternative rock
- indie rock
- pop rock
- Years active
- 2004–present
- Current members
- Greg Knight
- Ian Cawsey
- Pete Wishart
- Kevin Brennan
Facts from the source article.
Members
The band was founded as MP3 in 2004 by Pete Wishart (keyboards), Ian Cawsey (bass guitar and vocals), and Sir Greg Knight (drums). Kevin Brennan later joined on guitar, prompting the name change to MP4. Wishart had previously played keyboards with Runrig and Big Country. After the 2010 general election, Cawsey lost his seat but remained a band member. Knight and Brennan stood down at the 2024 general election, while Wishart was re-elected for Perth and Kinross-shire.
Recordings
In 2005, MP4 released an EP titled House Music, initially as a download by EMI and later on CD by Busy Bee Records. It included covers and an original song by Brennan. Their first full album, Cross Party, produced by Robin Millar CBE, came out on Revolver Records in April 2010 and was launched at the Speaker's House. In November 2016, they recorded a single, "You Can't Always Get What You Want", with several artists under the name Friends of Jo Cox, released by Chrysalis Records with proceeds going to charity; it peaked at number 2 on the Official Independent Singles Breakers Chart. A mini-album, MP4 - EP5, produced by Robin Millar, was released on 25 October 2018 by Revolver Records. In 2024, they began work on a new single written by Kevin Brennan, with an early 2025 release anticipated.
Appearances and achievements
In July 2007, MP4 backed Feargal Sharkey in his first stage appearance in over 15 years at the annual Rock The Boat party. The band was the subject of a Sky Arts television biography in 2008. In January 2009, they appeared on BBC1's Your Country Needs You with Eurovision hopeful Jade Ewen. In December 2009, they became the first rock group to play at the Palace of Westminster, performing a sell-out concert on the terrace of the House of Commons, joined by Feargal Sharkey for an encore. In December 2011, they won Alternative Parliamentary Entertainers of the Year at the GovNet Awards. In May 2012, they became the first musicians to perform in Westminster Hall, entertaining an audience of about 1,000. In March 2013, they appeared at a Macmillan Cancer Support fundraiser, joined by Mike Read. A 10th anniversary concert at The Bedford in March 2014 featured Tony Moore of the Cutting Crew.
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