The Martini Henry Rifles
| The Martini Henry Rifles | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Cardiff, Wales |
| Genres | Noise, Punk, Alternative Rock |
| Years active | 2000–2006 |
| Labels | FF Vinyl (2003 - 2006) |
| Members |
Ewen "Fudge" Wilson Richard "Cez" Mathias Chris Warlow |
| Past members | Jason Lorch |
The Martini Henry Rifles were a British noise-punk band based on Cardiff, Wales.
Influences & genre classification
Most of their quoted influences are noise and punk (most noticeable Brainiac, whose influence is clear in the Martinis' work), hence the most common noise-punk genre classification. The band themselves never quite put any kind of convenient genre label on their work, while on the other hand some people just choose to describe their sound as chaotic, mostly derived from their very energetic live performances.
History of the band
Their story dates back to late 2000. Cez Mathias and Jason Lorch put up an advert to find musicians on a record shop. Chris Warlow responds and some months later Fudge Wilson joins to complete the line-up. They start by using the name Luxinterior until April 2001, when The Martini Henry Rifles was finally chosen as a permanent name.
In November 2001 they released the limited edition of the single Kill/Summer/Shit. It attracted the attention of Sean McClusky, who released the Martinis subsequent Luger 6000 single and became their manager. The band featured on McClusky's Sonic Mook Experiment compilation Future Rock & Roll.
In 2003, they signed for indie label FF Vinyl. Reportedly the band refused to sign the contract unless it was to be done in a strip club or some place of the sort. The place chosen was a lapdancing club called Fantasy Lounge.[1]
In December 2003 they released the single And Then We Hit A Truck, just before going on a break to record their debut-album.
In November 2004, after almost a year of recording and remixing, their debut album Superbastard is finally released. After finishing the album drummer and founder member Jason Lorch decides to leave the band (to emigrate to Australia and pursue other interests),[2]and they started using a drum machine as a replacement for him.
During most of 2005 they toured the UK and Europe, and in the first few months of 2006 recorded and preparing the release of their 2nd full-length album.
Their final EP "Infomercial" was released on FF Vinyl Records at the start of 2006.[3]
In late April 2006 the members informed fans on their MySpace website that they have decided to put an end to the band. No particular reasons have been given.
Fudge Wilson now plays bass in Exit_International who have toured the UK extensively as well as touring in Europe and Japan. Fudge is the owner of sound space studiossound space studios in Cardiff and Works as a Sound engineer and Producer.
Chris Warlow is a Member of The Milk Race and regularly plays all over the UK.
Fudge Wilson often appears with the Milk Race to play additional guitar for their live shows.
Band members
Band members as of 2004 - 2006 were:
- Chris Warlow (vocals/guitar/synthesizer)
- Cez Mathias (vocals/guitar/drum machine)
- Fudge Wilson (bass).
Band members as of 2000 - 2004 were:
- Jason Lorch (drums).
- Chris Warlow (vocals/guitar/synthesizer)
- Cez Mathias (vocals/guitar/drum machine)
- Fudge Wilson (bass).
References
- ↑ "Martini Henry Rifles sign a record deal!". Joe Goodden, BBC Wales.
- ↑ "New Music Project". Jason Lorch.
- ↑ http://www.noreally.co.uk/opinions/singles/martinihenryriflesinfomercialep.php?rev=oh