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A band with a taste for the musically unusual, Russian Girlfriend’s songs are a display of power mixed with an evocative subtlety, affecting audiences on a primal, almost subliminal level. With influences throughout the musical spectrum, the driving force for the band’s songwriting is provided by Matt who, together with bassist Rob and drummer Ian assert a potent combination of searing vocals, compulsive rhythms, insistent harmony and brooding counterpoint: at once in your face and behind your eyes. Though comparisons have been made to bands such as Muse, Suede, Jeff Buckley and more recently Snow Patrol the current line-up has been described as “something fresh and distinctive - truly original and in defiance of todays stereotypes.”
The band was given life in 2001 by the band’s founder member Matt Hanley. Following their first release in 2002, recorded in two days at Jonny Rivers’ Woodbine St Studios, Russian Girlfriend were given a tremendous boost when their song “Butterfly Order" was selected from thousands to receive intensive airplay on digital station Storm Radio, as part of their Rock Revolution promotion of unsigned bands. The station’s Ben Glover said of Russian Girlfriend, “They could be huge. In fact, I hope they will be!”, while Craig Pilling commented, “They will rock your face right off.” The band were further celebrated in “Godiva Rocks”, a history of music from the City of Coventry by author Pete Chambers, who praises their song “Chameleon Boy” and cites Matt Hanley as “The best voice Coventry has ever produced”. The book lists Russian Girlfriend alongside many successful and legendary local artists including; The Specials; The Selecter; Attrition; and King.
The band’s 2004 recording of five songs was overshadowed by personal tragedy within the band, and whilst two of the songs – “Born” and “Opera” received limited release, the hoped for LP of which they formed a part, never saw the light of day. Despite personal setbacks however, Russian Girlfriend maintained a busy concert schedule, involving themselves in many successful charity events both in organisation and performance, and appearing to festival audiences on the same bill as bands such as Shed 7; 4ft fingers; Jesse James; and Think Floyd. Journalist Dayle Crutchlow described the band during this period as “huge, dramatic, anthemic while simultaneously fragile”.
In 2006 Russian Girlfriend have returned to the studio to record four new songs with Jonny Rivers, an engineer and producer whose reputation for outstanding results has led him to work regularly with a who’s who of artists including Ocean Colour Scene; Dead Can Dance; Paul Weller; and Dr John. Their subject matters, such as the exploitation of Earth’s resources sit side by side with tales of ironic loss, corruption and manipulation of the weak, reflecting Russian Girlfriend’s sustained refusal to be pigeonholed – September’s acclaimed performance at the Napton Festival, alongside rock legends Girlschool, saw the band as accomplished as ever in sheer entertainment value and promises to be a mere taste of what is yet to come.
In Jan 2007, Jools, guitar, volin, and creative supervisor, left RGF to pursue his own direction. We will miss him and wish him good luck. In the meantime the revolution continues onwards towards the border.
In July 2007, Dave, drums and co founder, left RGF to spend more time with his new band, his wife and children and on the Soundbunker rehearsal studio. We wish him success and look forward to seeing him on stage.
We now have a project called the "the black sheep family" with James "bluecharger"- so watch this space for more details
In Aug 2007, we recruited Ian on the drums, and to initiate him we are onstage within the month with the bluecharger.
Due to high fertility in the band 3 of us now have new additions to the RGF clan. So work on RGF slowed towards the end of 2007. Now in 2008 we are to co-ordinate a new offensive in the Spring of 2008.
Russian Girlfriend are currently organising gigs around the country if you represent or know of a venue interested in hosting Russian Girlfriend, please email rob.roach@btclick.com |
Butterfly Order
influences take in Muse, Suede, Jeff Buckley, Radiohead etc, the style is all their own – Russian Girlfriend have truly created something fresh and distinctive – “truly original” and “…in defiance of today’s stereotypes”.
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