Brigade (band)
British alternative rock band formed in London in 2003.
Brigade were a London-based British alternative rock band that got together in 2003. The group featured Will Simpson on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, James Plant on lead guitar and backing vocals, Naoto Hori on bass, and Andrew Kearton on drums. Over their career, they put out two EPs and four full-length albums. They shared stages with UK acts like Biffy Clyro, Fightstar, InMe, Hell Is For Heroes, and Busted, as well as US bands such as Hidden in Plain View, Aiden, and Kill Hannah.
The band formed in 2003 and soon won a Battle of the Bands at the Emergenza festival in West Kensington in May 2004. Their demo "Safe Hands" drew attention in rock circles, and they built a strong following through constant UK touring. Their debut EP, *Made to Wreck*, came out on 12 September 2005. To support it, they toured with several bands, including Fightstar—whose frontman Charlie Simpson is Will's younger brother. In early November 2005, Brigade finished recording their debut album, produced and mixed by Joe Gibb and co-produced by Gethin Woolcock.
They started 2006 touring the UK with Fightstar, then did a co-headlining run with Northern Irish band Fighting With Wire in April and May. Their debut album *Lights* was released on 29 May 2006 to strong reviews: 8/10 from NME, 4/5 from Kerrang!, and 8/10 from Rock Sound. The first single, "Magneto," came out on 5 May 2006, charting at number 134 in the UK top 200, number 9 in the Indie Chart, and number 3 in the Rock Chart. A second single, "Meet Me at My Funeral," followed on 21 August 2006, reaching number 4 in the UK rock chart; its video was shot on Canvey Island. After that, Brigade co-headlined with Disco Ensemble and supported Hawthorne Heights in London. In October 2006, Kerrang! included "Queenie" on their "New Breed" CD. That same month, Brigade toured the UK with InMe and released a video for "Guillotine," shot at a pub near London Bridge with ex-Hollyoaks star Elise Du Toit, Andrew Howard, and Matt Berry. *Lights* was re-released on 30 October 2006 with a second CD of promo and live videos. In December, they supported Minus The Bear at Islington Academy. Brigade were nominated for Best British Newcomer at the 2006 Kerrang! Awards but lost to Bring Me The Horizon. Early in 2007, *Lights* was voted into the Top 10 Albums of 2006 in the Rock Sound Readers' Poll.
Quick Facts
- Landscape
- Yes
- Origin
- London, England
- Genre
- Alternative rock, post-hardcore
- Years Active
- 2003–2011, 2016–present
- Label
- Mighty Atom, Roadrunner
- Current Members
- Will Simpson / James Plant / Nathaniel Finbow / Alex Baker / Mark Fisher
- Past Members
- Naoto Hori / Andrew Kearton / Jumpei Hirano
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Brigade formed in 2003 and won a Battle of the Bands at the Emergenza festival in May 2004. Their debut EP 'Made to Wreck' was released on 12 September 2005. The band's debut album 'Lights' came out on 29 May 2006, receiving positive reviews from NME, Kerrang!, and Rock Sound. The first single 'Magneto' charted at number 134 in the UK top 200 and reached number 3 in the Rock Chart. The second single 'Meet Me at My Funeral' achieved number 4 in the UK rock chart. In 2006, Brigade were nominated for Best British Newcomer at the Kerrang! 'Lights' was later voted into the 'Top 10 Albums of 2006' in the Rock Sound Readers' Poll. The band's second album 'Come Morning We Fight' was released on 12 May 2008, preceded by the single 'Pilot'. They toured with Fightstar and We Are The Ocean on the Ride The Deathcar tour and supported Aiden on their UK tour. In late 2008, Brigade were voted 'Most Underrated Band of 2008' by Rock Sound readers. The band signed with Roadrunner Records in Japan to release their second album there in 2009. Their third album 'Will Be Will Be' was funded through PledgeMusic and released for download on 31 May 2011, with a wider release in autumn 2011. Naoto Hori left the band in summer 2011, and Alex Baker covered bass for the subsequent tour, which was announced as the band's last nationwide tour.
Reader's Guide
Brigade occupied a notable place in the mid-2000s UK alternative rock scene, building a dedicated fanbase through constant touring and strong live performances. Their debut album 'Lights' earned critical acclaim and chart success in the rock charts, while their second album 'Come Morning We Fight' continued their momentum with support slots for major acts. The band's willingness to engage fans directly through PledgeMusic for their third album reflected changing industry models. Though they never achieved mainstream breakthrough, Brigade were recognized by Rock Sound readers as 'Most Underrated Band of 2008', indicating their respected status within the rock community. Their music appeared in a Portuguese beer advert, and they played at the final gigs of the historic London Astoria. The band's legacy lies in their consistent output, strong live reputation, and the familial connection between Will Simpson and Fightstar frontman Charlie Simpson.
Did You Know?
- Will Simpson's younger brother Charlie Simpson is the frontman of Fightstar, a band Brigade toured with.
- Brigade's song 'Together Apart' was used in a Portuguese beer advert in early 2009.
- Brigade played at the London Astoria during its final gigs before the club closed in January 2009.
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