Elbow emerged from the late 1990's Manchester music scene centred around the city's vibrant Northern Quarter on Oldham Street.
Widely acknowledged as one of the UK's most imaginative, adventurous and influential bands, Elbow have become famous for a powerfully atmospheric sound, astonishing live performances, and the highly original, arresting lyrics of lead singer Guy Garvey. Whilst receiving vast critical acclaim and the praise of many major artists including REM, U2, Velvet Underground and Blur, commercial success has yet to match their critical acclaim and cult status.
They met at 6th form college in 1990 and formed a band called SOFT. By 1997 they had changed their name to Elbow, signed a deal with Island Records and recorded their debut album with producer Steve Osbourne. However, when Island was bought out by major label Universal, the band were dropped in a mass cull and their album never released.
They continued to record on the iconic independent label Uglyman, and released The Noisebox EP and The Newborn EP, which was picked up by BBC Radio 1 and given massive airplay.
Their first album, Asleep in the Back, released on V2 in 2000, gained them a Mercury Music Prize nomination and a Brit award nomination. Their second album, Cast of Thousands - a reference to their legendary concert at Glastonbury in 2002, when the band recorded the crowd singing "We still believe in love, so fuck you", cemented their reputation as innovators in modern rock music.
In 2004 Elbow went on an unofficial tour of Cuba, becoming the first British band ever to play a concert outside Havana. The tour was made in to a short film by British documentary maker Irshad Ashraf. The band are currently working on their third album, Leaders of the Free World, which will also be a DVD collaboration with visual artists The Soup Collective to be released on September 5, 2005. The first single, "Forget Myself" (known live as "Buddha with Mace") will be released on August 22.
Guy Garvey (vocals)
Mark Potter (guitar)
Craig Potter (keyboard/Organ)
Pete Turner (bass)
Richard Jupp (drums)
Asleep in the Back (2001) - album; #14
Cast of Thousands (2004) - album; #7
2001 "Red" #36
2001 "Powder Blue" #41
2001 "Newborn" #41
2002 "Asleep in the Back" #19
2003 "Fallen Angel" #15
2003 "Fugitive Motel" #41
2004 "Not a Job" #26
Did not have any US Top 40 hits.
Elbow home
Widely acknowledged as one of the UK's most imaginative, adventurous and influential bands, Elbow have become famous for a powerfully atmospheric sound, astonishing live performances, and the highly original, arresting lyrics of lead singer Guy Garvey. Whilst receiving vast critical acclaim and the praise of many major artists including REM, U2, Velvet Underground and Blur, commercial success has yet to match their critical acclaim and cult status.
They met at 6th form college in 1990 and formed a band called SOFT. By 1997 they had changed their name to Elbow, signed a deal with Island Records and recorded their debut album with producer Steve Osbourne. However, when Island was bought out by major label Universal, the band were dropped in a mass cull and their album never released.
They continued to record on the iconic independent label Uglyman, and released The Noisebox EP and The Newborn EP, which was picked up by BBC Radio 1 and given massive airplay.
Their first album, Asleep in the Back, released on V2 in 2000, gained them a Mercury Music Prize nomination and a Brit award nomination. Their second album, Cast of Thousands - a reference to their legendary concert at Glastonbury in 2002, when the band recorded the crowd singing "We still believe in love, so fuck you", cemented their reputation as innovators in modern rock music.
In 2004 Elbow went on an unofficial tour of Cuba, becoming the first British band ever to play a concert outside Havana. The tour was made in to a short film by British documentary maker Irshad Ashraf. The band are currently working on their third album, Leaders of the Free World, which will also be a DVD collaboration with visual artists The Soup Collective to be released on September 5, 2005. The first single, "Forget Myself" (known live as "Buddha with Mace") will be released on August 22.
Band members
Discography
Studio Albums
UK hit singles
Did not have any US Top 40 hits.