Feeder
Band form
1992
Band disban
2012
Feeder (formed 1991 - 2012) Feeder are one of the most successful British rock bands, originating in Newport, Wales.
Formation: Lead singer/guitarist, Grant Nicholas, joined the band Sweet Leaf at the age of 14. Similarly, bassist Taka Hirose and drummer Jon Lee were performing in their own cover bands. Nicholas and Lee met one another while performing in Newport, and decided to form Temper Temper - their own electronic band. After the band failed to gain any label support, they reformed into Raindancer, before changing to Reel. After hiring Hirose due to an advert he posted in a magazine. Finally, they changed their name to Feeder and sent a demo tape to The Echo Label, earning them a contract in 1994. Feeder:
Career: Feeder released their first EP, 'Two Colours', on 25th September 1995. The EP contained two tracks, and was followed by 1996's 'Swim' EP, which received glowing reviews, leading to a rerelease in 2001. In 1997, Feeder released their debut studio album, 'Polythene' which received rave reviews from critics and audiences alike. Feeder then decided that they were going to self-produce their third studio album, 'Yesterday Went Too Soon' in 1999. The album debuted in the UK charts at number eight, as well as receiving overwhelmingly positive reviews. On 8th January 2001, Feeder released the single 'Buck Rogers' which shot into fifth position in the charts, becoming the first top ten single from the band - leading to overall more publicity and mainstream success. In January 2002, drummer Jon Lee committed suicide in his home in Miami, leading to the band seemingly disappearing from the public eye at the height of their success. They returned at the end of the year on 21st October 2002, with the release of 'Comfort in Sound'. The band chose not to promote the album as much as their previous work due to the death of Lee, yet the album still charted well. Feeder's next album, 'Pushing Up Senses', didn't release until 31st January 2005. The album failed to receive the same critical response, and instead received very mixed reviews. On 15th May 2006 'The Singles' was released as a compilation album. Through 2007 and 2008, Feeder were hard at work recording their sixth studio album, 'Silent Cry', which was released on 16th June 2008. Following Lee's death in 2002, Feeder hired Mark Richardson as a drummer. In 2009, Richardson decided to leave Feeder and return to his original band. On 5th July 2010, Feeder released 'Renegades', their seventh studio album, which received very mixed reviews. Following the release of their eighth studio, 'Generation Freakshow', on 23rd April 2012, the band went on hiatus.
Feeder - Rock City, Nottingham 20.11.2019 Live Review
By Mark Moore in Music Reviews on 05 December 2019
Rock City has a place in a lot of gig goers hearts, it's a special venue. It's hosted some of the biggest bands on the planet and has a natural sort of atmosphere that crowds and bands alike feed off - even if the legendary sticky floors have long gone.
For the Nottingham date of Feeder's Tallulah tour, you just know before it even starts that it's going to be a banging show. They don't mess around, and everyone is already singing out their favourite Feeder tunes before they come in straight with a new one in the shape of 'Youth', ahead of some of the bigger numbers like 'Lost & Found' and 'Feeling the Moment'.
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Feeder - Tallulah Album Review
By Mark Moore in Music Reviews on 13 August 2019
It must make those who have followed these guys from the start feel old, coming to the realisation that Feeder have been going longer than some of their new growing fan base have been born. Only two years ago Feeder were celebrating their 25th anniversary together, the whole thing seems bonkers.
On 'Tallulah', Grant Nicholas and Taka Hirose seem to have that burning connection again, and it's clear that they are making music because it's what they love. It doesn't come from a desire to be loved by everybody; they already know they have a loyal fanbase after 27 years of work.
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Feeder - Rock City, Nottingham 16.03.2018 Live Review
By Mark Moore in Music Reviews on 26 March 2018
Twenty-five years and still going strong, Feeder prove their lasting relevance by showcasing their distinctive back catalogue at Rock City, Nottingham. Following their stellar latest album 'All Big Electric', maybe it is just the right time for a "Best Of" tour, giving them a chance to play a few numbers that you wouldn't normally hear live.
This show even features the likes of 'Stereo World' and 'Piece by Piece'; songs that haven't been heard on the live circuit since 2001. The more commercial songs like 'Come Back Around' and Buck Rogers' go down just as well as 'Insomnia', 'Cement' and 'Tender'. It's a mixture formulated to perfection, the highlight being 'My Perfect Day'. What a tune.
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Feeder - The Best Of Album Review
By Mark Moore in Music Reviews on 29 September 2017
Feeder celebrate 21 years of recording this year (2017); 21 years ago since the band came onto the scene with the release of their mini album 'Swim'. As a band they have been together for 25 years which nowadays is almost unheard of. So what better way to celebrate this great milestone than with a 'Best Of' compilation?
Stand out tracks from 'Echo Park' have to be 'Buck Rogers' and 'Seven Days In The Sun', which really take you back to the energy of these guys in their early years. There is no real order to the album though; you can go from an 'Echo Park' track to 'All Bright Electric' and 'Silent Cry', which sounds mad but it's a perfect mix. 'The Best Of' seems to take at least four songs from each album and their 2016 rebirth, 'All Bright Electric', is well represented with 'Universe Of Life' 'Eskimo' and 'Paperweight'.
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Feeder - Renegades (Special Edition Re-issue) Album Review
By Mark Moore in Music Reviews on 23 March 2017
It seems to be the age of the re-issue, one that Feeder have embraced with their seventh studio album from 2010 'Renegades'. Unlike other album re-issues out there, though, this is not a special anniversary release. The simple fact is that before now you could no longer buy this album either physically or digitally.
If you want an in-your-face, loud record then this is perfect; the first three tracks shake your head around to near explosion. 'White Lies' and 'Call Out' feature thrashing guitars and crashing cymbals that almost feel like a statement from Feeder showing that there is nothing mainstream about this album and they're embracing their grunge roots. The title track keeps that high energy, guitar-celebrating party going.
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Feeder - All Bright Electric Album Review
By Alex Lai in Music Reviews on 23 September 2016
Following frontman Grant Nicholas' solo stint, Feeder have reconvened to release their ninth studio album, 20 years after their breakthrough EP. Promotion of the release will come by way of a month-long tour, which is to begin imminently and is the band's first tour in four years.
It couldn't be argued that the band are back to their best, with filler tracks particularly after the half-way point of the album, but this is certainly a couple of notches up from 2012's 'Generation Freakshow'.
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Feeder - Borders
There are bands around that are like Ryan Giggs: they seem to have been around forever, like the Manic Street Preachers. Naturally Feeder - unlike the Manics, who have stated 'you wont hear from us now for at least a couple of years' - have no intention of taking a year or so out, as they return with their new single 'Borders'.
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Feeder, Borders Single Review
By Mark Moore in Music Reviews on 23 January 2012
There are bands around that are like Ryan Giggs: they seem to have been around forever, like the Manic Street Preachers. Naturally Feeder - unlike the Manics, who have stated 'you wont hear from us now for at least a couple of years' - have no intention of taking a year or so out, as they return with their new single 'Borders'.
Feeder, Renegades Album Review
By Andrew Lockwood in Music Reviews on 21 June 2010
Having road-tested their new material with a couple of low-key tours earlier in the year, Feeder now present their seventh studio album on their own Big Teeth Music label.
'Renegades' has been touted as a return to Feeder's earlier, harder sound and this is indicated in the crunching riffs of opener 'White Lines'. Recent single 'Call Out' furthers this claim, its raw fun making for a frantic anthem, while the title track recalls the spirit of punk. It is an attitude carried throughout the likes of 'Home' and 'Barking Dogs' with the only let down being under-developed 'This Town', while 'Down By The River' opens up with an impressive chorus in the power-ballad mould.
The return to a primal style may theoretically alienate more recent fans, but Grant Nicholas still proves his knack for writing a catchy tune. The lack of variation may drag slightly toward the finale of the record, but at just over 30 minutes the length of the LP is perfect to avoid this becoming detrimental.
3/5
Andrew Lockwood