Absent Kid | |
---|---|
Origin | Colchester, Essex, UK [1] |
Genres |
Alternative rock Indie rock |
Years active | 2002–present |
Labels | Fierce Panda Records [1] |
Members | Martin Williams (
vocals) Richard Williams ( guitar) Mark Butters ( bass guitar) Kerri-Ann Butcher ( guitar) Craig Jeal ( drums and mash) |
Past members | Dominic Harrison (
guitar) Chris McKeown ( keyboard) |
Website | www.absentkid.co.uk |
Absent Kid are a British indie rock band.
Brothers Martin and Richard Williams and bassist Mark Butters grew up in the small coastal town of West Mersea. The name Absent Kid was inspired by a character in the cartoon South Park. [2]
They debuted in front of a paying audience, performing at a Colchester venue, "Twist". The band developed as performers during a series of live performances, and gained a degree of prominence after opening for the now disbanded group Ikara Colt. [2] This led to the band's first significant radio play, on XFM London. [1]
In 2004, Absent Kid won the Diesel-U-Music award for Best Rock. [1] An awards ceremony, held at nightclub Fabric, was broadcast on Channel 4. Absent Kid were awarded their trophy by BBC Radio 1 DJ Edith Bowman. This brought some attention from the national press, including the influential New Musical Express. [3]
Absent Kid were afterwards signed by Fierce Panda Records, who had previously released records by, amongst others, Coldplay, Idlewild and Keane. The band's debut mini-album, I Burnt Down the Family Business, was released with Fierce Panda on 25 April 2005 to critical acclaim. [1] Their double A-side debut single, Shame On Us All/Quiet Playground, was released on 6 February 2006.
The band gained less notoriety in the following year. They released their first full-length album in July 2007. While their previous works drew comparisons to Radiohead, the new album was hailed as more upbeat and made for the dancefloor. [4]
In December 2009 the band announced a return after a year long hiatus with a new line-up with guitarist Kerri-Ann Butcher (formerly from Stand Still Kid) replacing Dominic Harrison. [1]
April 2010 saw Absent Kid record a version of Up the U's for local football club Colchester United which is now played at home games at the club's Weston Homes Community Stadium.