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Maxïmo Park

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Maxïmo Park
Maxïmo Park in 2019. L–R: English, Lloyd, Smith, Wooller, Rafferty
Background information
OriginNewcastle upon Tyne,U.K.
Genres
Years active2000(2000)–present
LabelsV2,Beat,Warp,Hostees,Cooking Vinyl,A Remarkable Idea
MembersPaul Smith
Duncan Lloyd
Tom English
Past membersArchis Tiku
Lukas Wooller
Websitemaximopark.com

Maxïmo Parkare an Englishalternative rockband formed in 2000 inNewcastle upon Tyne.The band consists ofPaul Smith(vocals),Duncan Lloyd(guitar), and Tom English (drums). The band have released seven studio albums:A Certain Trigger(2005),Our Earthly Pleasures(2007),Quicken the Heart(2009),The National Health(2012),Too Much Information(2014),Risk to Exist(2017) andNature Always Wins(2021). The first two albums went gold in the UK and their debut was nominated for theMercury Prize.[2]

History

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Formation and early releases (2000–2003)

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The band was created by guitaristDuncan Lloydand is named afterMáximo GómezPark (also known as Domino Park), located inLittle Havana,Miami.[3][4]Initially, the four founding members played several small shows including Manchester'sIn the City,which showcases unsigned bands in the UK. In 2003, the band decided they wanted a frontman as the original singers, Archis and Duncan, wanted to focus on writing the songs. The then-girlfriend of the drummer Tom English noticed his friend Paul Smith singing along toStevie Wonder's "Superstition".[5]When Smith was found, the band did not know if he could sing: "When he first joined we didn't know if he could; just that he was a lunatic jumping around in a suit, it felt like the last piece of the jigsaw". With Smith joining the band gave him demos of their songs and from then on they started writing as a unit.

A Certain Trigger(2004–2005)

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Around March 2004, a friend funded 300 copies of a 7 "red vinyl single ("Graffiti"/"Going Missing") which was recorded by Duncan Lloyd in his and Thomas English's flat in Fenham, Newcastle. The band's second release was a 7" single of their songs "The Coast Is Always Changing"and"The Night I Lost My Head",recorded byPaul Epworth.After some time of doing gigs around their home town, Steve Beckett of the dance-electronic labelWarp Recordsacquired one of these records and decided to sign the band to his label after also seeing the band perform at theNotting Hill Arts Clubhosted byCreation RecordsfounderAlan McGee.

In 2005, Maxïmo Park released their first album,A Certain Trigger,which sold over 300,000 copies and was nominated for theMercury Prizein July 2005.[5]In July, Maxïmo Park had the honour of being the first band to play theIbiza Rocksfestival on its opening event.[6]In December 2006, the band were brought to Shanghai bySplit Worksand were one of the earlier big-name acts from abroad to play in China.[7]

Our Earthly Pleasures(2006–2007)

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In August 2006, the band announced that they had started work on their next album, which was produced byGil Nortonand recorded at Rak Studios inSt John's Woodin London. On 22 January 2007, the band announced that their second album,Our Earthly Pleasures,would be released on 2 April 2007, preceded by the album's lead single, "Our Velocity", on 19 March 2007.[8]On 30 January 2007, the band released details of a tour to promoteOur Earthly Pleasures,the tickets of which sold out within minutes of their release on 2 February 2007.

Quicken the Heart(2008–2010)

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Paul Smith in the Live Music Hall Cologne

In October 2008, the band announced that they had started recording their third album inLos Angeleswith the producerNick Launay,known for his recent work withNick CaveandGrinderman.[9]The full track list of the album was announced on 11 March 2009.Quicken the Heartwas released on 11 May, with the first single, "The Kids Are Sick Again"being released a week earlier.[10]Tickets for a tour taking place in May 2009 sold out in record time[citation needed].In 2010, they performed a new song called "Banlieue",[11]which ended up on their next album,The National Health.Their 2011 tour also had "Banlieue" in the set list, as well as another song which was to be onThe National Health,"Waves of Fear".

The National Health(2011–2012)

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On 28 March 2012, Maxïmo Park announced the fourth album title asThe National Health.Smith said, "We're in a global recession and everyone is being bombarded with bouncy, happy music. The nation is out of control and the record is about taking back control, and being a force for change in your own life. It can't speak for everybody but it has its eyes and ears all around us… that's always been a Maxïmo Park thing: look at yourself." The album was released on 11 June 2012.[12]

In September 2012, it was announced that the bass guitarist Archis Tiku would be taking time away from touring, to be covered by Paul Rafferty ofHot Club de Paris.[13]

Too Much Information(2013–2014)

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On 15 November 2013, Maxïmo Park announced the forthcoming release of their fifth album.[14]TitledToo Much Information,the album was released on 3 February 2014. Of the album, Smith said, "Our lyrics and our music will never be too-cool-for-school - we are an emotional band even if it might be too much information for some."[15]The album was recorded byDuncan Lloydand produced by the band, with additional production byThe Invisible'sDave Okumuon the track Brain Cells. Recording originally started as an EP of 5 tracks in Sunderland, with help fromField Music's David and Peter Brewis, before turning into a fully formed album with the extra tracks recorded in the band's studio in Newcastle.[16]

Risk to Exist(2016–2019) and Tiku and Wooller's departures

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On 20 January 2017, Maxïmo Park announced their sixth albumRisk to Existvia their website, following the debut of the title track and first single the night before on BBC 6 Music's Steve Lamacq Show. The band confirmed viaTwitterthat bassist Archis Tiku, who had not performed with the band live since the end of theQuicken the Hearttour, had officially retired.[17]His live replacement, Paul Rafferty, was confirmed to be the session bassist onRisk to Exist,although he is not an official member of the band.[18]

In November 2018, keyboardist Lukas Wooller announced his imminent departure from the band in order to emigrate to Australia[19]and start a family there.[20]His final show took place on 10 January 2019 atLeeds Beckett University.[21]He was replaced by touring keyboardist Jemma Freese, converting the official line-up of the band into a trio.[22]

Shortly after Wooller's departure, the band released a new live studio session as a CD/DVD package, entitledAs Long As We Keep Moving.[23]

Nature Always Wins(2020–present)

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In September 2020, the band shared a new single, "Child of the Flatlands."[24]A month later, the band released "Baby, Sleep" and announced their seventh album,Nature Always Wins.[25]On 27 November 2020 the band released the album's third single, "I Don't Know What I'm Doing." The album was released worldwide on 26 February 2021,[26][27][28][29][30]and was expected to become their first number one album in the United Kingdom after debuting in that position in the midweek chart.[31] However, when the chart was announced on 5 March 2021, the band had debuted at number two on theUK Albums Chart,with 549 sales separating them from the number-one album that week:Architects',For Those That Wish to Exist.[32][33][34]

Other contributions

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In 2007, the band contributed their song "Wasteland" toHelp!: A Day in the Life.

In 2009, they contributed a cover version of aVincent Gallosong to theWarp20 (Recreated)compilation, as well as having their own song "Acrobat" covered bySeefeel.

Band members

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Current members

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  • Tom English – drums(2000–present)
  • Duncan Lloyd– guitar(2000–present),backing vocals(2003–present),keyboards, piano(2019–present; in studio),bass(2020–present; in studio),lead vocals(2000–2003)
  • Paul Smith– lead vocals(2003–present)

Current touring musicians

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  • Jemma Freese – keyboards, piano, backing vocals(2019–present)
  • Andrew Lowther – bass guitar(2021, 2022–present)

Former members

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  • Archis Tiku – bass guitar(2000–2014),lead vocals(2000–2003)
  • Lukas Wooller – keyboards, piano, backing vocals(2000–2019)
  • Paul Rafferty – bass guitar(2012–2020; session/touring musician)
  • Katy Trigger – bass guitar(2021; touring musician)

Timeline

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Discography

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Main article:Maxïmo Park discography
Studio albums

References

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  1. ^Beaumont, Mark (4 February 2014)."Tyneside's dynamic indie giants add an electronic twist to their latest songs, served up with their trademark wit and energy".The Guardian.Retrieved2 March2017.
  2. ^"Certified Awards Search".BPI. Archived fromthe originalon 24 September 2009.Retrieved27 May2012.
  3. ^"Maximo Park".SPIN.25 January 2005.
  4. ^"That Music Magazine » Maxïmo Park Returns to Philadelphia With Self-Produced Album".
  5. ^abDuerden, Nick (22 February 2007)."An audience with Maximo Park's front man".The Independent.Archived fromthe originalon 8 June 2008.Retrieved16 March2009.
  6. ^EventsArchived16 August 2010 at theWayback Machine.Ibiza Rocks. Retrieved on 2012-04-15.
  7. ^"Maximo Park China Tour 2006 (Bacardi Sino Sessions)_Split Works".Archived fromthe originalon 28 September 2012.Retrieved15 August2012..spli-t.com. Retrieved on 2012-08-15.
  8. ^"Maximo Park unveil new album details".NME.22 January 2007.Retrieved30 January2007.
  9. ^"Maximo Park begin recording third album".NME.27 October 2008.Retrieved16 March2009.
  10. ^"Quicken The Heart Track listing and Release Date".maximopark.com. 11 March 2009. Archived fromthe originalon 14 July 2011.Retrieved16 March2009.
  11. ^song called Banlieue, Maximo park play new."Maximo Park - Banlieue - (Split Festival 2010)".YouTube.Archivedfrom the original on 13 December 2021.
  12. ^"Maximo Park announce details of new album".NME.com. 28 March 2012.Retrieved28 March2012.
  13. ^"Maximo Park Bassist to Take Break from Band".xfm.co.uk. 27 September 2012. Archived fromthe originalon 18 October 2012.Retrieved2 January2013.
  14. ^"New Maximo Park Album Announced".15 November 2013. Archived fromthe originalon 13 March 2016.Retrieved15 November2013.
  15. ^"Maximo Park announce new album and share free download".NME.com. 18 November 2013.Retrieved18 November2013.
  16. ^"Maximo Park play for Dermot".11 January 2014.Retrieved21 January2014.
  17. ^Maxïmo Park [@maximopark] (23 January 2017)."Retired!"(Tweet).Retrieved12 May2022– viaTwitter.
  18. ^Chang, Mary (10 April 2017)."Single Review: Maximo Park – Get High (No, I Don't)".There Goes the Fear.Retrieved12 May2022.
  19. ^"Tickets on sale as Maximo Park announce special farewell gig in Leeds for keyboard player".Yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk.29 November 2018.
  20. ^"Listen to Maximo Park's new single 'Child Of The Flatlands'".NME.14 September 2020.
  21. ^"Maximo Park detail farewell show for Lukas Wooller, new live album".Live4ever.29 November 2018.Retrieved27 November2020.
  22. ^The Newsroom (28 May 2019)."Music review: Maximo Park, Liquid Room, Edinburgh".The Scotsman.Retrieved12 May2022.{{cite news}}:|author=has generic name (help)
  23. ^McMahon, Amy (7 February 2019)."Maxïmo Park Announce Live Album 'As Long As We Keep Moving'".Hot Press.Retrieved27 November2020.
  24. ^Young, David James (14 September 2020)."Listen to Maximo Park's new single 'Child Of The Flatlands'".NME.BandLab Technologies.Retrieved27 November2020.
  25. ^Atkinson, Jesse."New cut 'Baby, Sleep' brings news of a new Maxïmo Park album".Gigwise.com.Retrieved27 November2020.
  26. ^"Nature Always Wins - Maxïmo Park album".iTunes.Retrieved4 March2021.
  27. ^Brandle, Lars (3 March 2021)."Maximo Park on Track For First U.K. No. 1 With 'Nature Always Wins'".MSN.Retrieved4 March2021.
  28. ^Laing, Rob (3 March 2021)."Interview: Maxïmo Park's Duncan Lloyd on new album Nature Always Wins and 10 records that changed his life".MusicRadar.Retrieved4 March2021.
  29. ^Solomon, Kate (25 February 2021)."Maxïmo Park, Nature Always Wins, review: the twangy guitars still chug away".i.Retrieved4 March2021.
  30. ^Deen, Sarah (3 March 2021)."How Greg James is helping indie band Maxïmo Park topple Alice Cooper in the charts with first album in four years".Metro.Retrieved4 March2021.
  31. ^"Official Albums Chart Update Top 100 | Official Charts Company".Officialcharts.com.
  32. ^"Charts analysis: Architects edge out Maximo Park for No.1 album | Analysis | Music Week".Musicweek.com.
  33. ^"A fantastic achievement for Geordie lads @maximopark whose new album Nature Always Wins has made it to number 2 in the UK album chart following the #MaximoPark4Number1 Twitter campaign".Twitter.5 March 2021.Retrieved5 March2021.
  34. ^"Architects win close battle to secure their first Number 1 album with For Those That Wish To Exist:" It's unbelievable "- The metalcore band lead an all-new Top 5 on the Official Albums Chart".Official Charts.5 March 2021.Retrieved5 March2021.
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