Bloc Party to send you kicking and screaming into the weekend. Recorded at Best Kept Secret 2013.
Bloc Party formed in London in 1999 by co-founders Kele Okereke (lead vocals, rhythm guitar, piano, sampler) and Russell Lissack (lead guitar). Their first four albums all featured Gordon Moakes (bass, keyboards) and Matt Tong (drums), who have since left the band. Their current lineup also contains Louise Bartle (drums, percussion) and Harry Deacon (bass, synthesizers). Their brand of music, while rooted in rock, retains elements of other genres such as electronica and house music.
Bloc Party’s musical style has been described as indie rock, post-punk revival, post-Britpop, alternative rock, art punk, art rock, dance-rock,and alternative dance.In short, covering all the bases except maybe Country-Western and Classical. Early on, Bloc Party’s sound was shaped primarily by American alternative rock bands Smashing Pumpkins and Weezer. Other influences included the Chemical Brothers, Pixies, Joy Division, Sonic Youth and the Smiths. Both Kele Okereke and Russell Lissack have been influenced by Britpop acts, particularly Blur, though Okereke also cites Suede and particularly their album Dog Man Star as an inspiration. Okereke has also stated that Mogwai’s album Mogwai Young Team changed his life by being his musical “year zero”. Particular parallels were made between Bloc Party and Gang of Four upon their arrival on the music scene, yet the band were “mildly infuriated” at such references, claiming they had never “particularly liked” Gang of Four.
To achieve their unique style, numerous delay and other effects pedals are implemented. During the recording of second album A Weekend in the City, the band suggested it would contain “some truly R&B styled beats, a song where [Tong] and [Moakes] play drums simultaneously with both eggshell-thin fragility and trouser-flapping hugeness”, as opposed to their typical sound. The style has been compared to and inspired by such bands as Radiohead, U2, Depeche Mode, and Björk. Some of the most noticeable changes between debut Silent Alarm and A Weekend in the City are that the songs became more layered and less raw due to inclusion of string arrangements.
Around for 26 years, you know they’re doing something right. But in case you forgot – Press Play and dive back to 2013.
Remember – it’s Thursday.
