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The Copperpot Journals are:
Lee Dodson
– Bass guitar, keyboards, melodica
Gareth Owen
– Vocals, electric & acoustic guitars
Euan Rodger
– Drums, percussion, xylophone
Stuart Turner
– Electric & acoustic guitars
Contact:
www.copperpotjournals.com |
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Biography
Formed in middle England in the winter of 1999, the Copperpot
Journals knew from the start that somewhere inside of them was
a sound that needed to come out. Gareth Owen (vocals & guitars)
& Stuart Turner (guitars) both from Rutland, joined together
with Leicester based Lee Dodson (bass, keyboards) & Euan Rodger
(drums). Their first release came in the form of a 5 track self-titled
EP. Released on Leeds based label Blind Bear Records, this EP
represents a poppier side of the band, receiving comparisons to
bands like Farside & Gameface.
They began to get a name for themselves within the UK's punk/hardcore
scene, mainly through their live performances. Chris from London
based Firefly Recordings was convinced that the songs the band
were now playing live, that weren't on the EP, were their best
yet and offered to put them out. The Copperpot Journals knew that
they wanted to release a full length album next, but 4 songs were
needed; 4 songs never came. The old cliché of 'musical
differences' put a stop to any further songs being written, so
they decided to call an end to the band, but not without first
recording the songs they did have.
They booked in with UK based engineer/producer John Hannon (ex-Understand)
and set about recording the songs that were to become the 7 track
mini-album 'Plotting To Kill Your Friends'. This recording became
a blessing in disguise as it gave new life to the band. They all
agreed to give it another go and the CD was finally released in
May 2002 through Firefly Recordings. The CD got great reviews
from the UK music press and elevated the band to another level.
This mini-album represents a more thoughtful and diverse side
to the band, with comparisons to Fireside, circa-Uomini D'nore.
Since then its been pretty much non-stop. Two UK tours were completed,
the first with Floridians As Friends Rust, the second with one
of the UK's premier rock acts, Hundred Reasons. HR had personally
asked the band to tour with them, and the Copperpot Journals were
exposed to crowds as big as 2000 people a night. Also on this
tour were Sparta. All this combined to make for an experience
they'll never forget.
Whilst all this was going on, every spare weekend was used to
write and rehearse new songs. The band were happy with 'Plotting…'
as they felt it was getting closer to the sound they knew was
inside them. They were confident that the next album would be
something special. Between writing and rehearsing new songs, they
found time to get into the studio and record the song 'Coronary'
for a six band EP that was to be released on the legendary UK
based label Fierce Panda, and came out in March 2003.
The next major event in the life of The Copperpot Journals came
when they played a show with future label mates, Pale in Derby
in February 2003. Though CJ had played with the German quartet
before, it wasn’t until this show that the guys from Defiance
Records stepped in. They must've been impressed with what they
saw in Derby as Defiance propositioned Firefly to make the album
a split release, with Defiance releasing 'Pilots' in Europe and
Firefly in the UK. Both Firefly and the Journals were more than
happy to join forces with Defiance.
Which brings us to the present. 'Pilots' is the most musically
diverse thing they've done so far, steering themselves away from
the limitations sometimes inflicted upon the punk/hardcore scene,
yet not forgetting their involvement. The band are convinced these
are the songs that will represent them as they're supposed to
be. Though they've already started to plan their next batch of
songs, this could all change... evolution kids... |
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