The Martini Henry Rifles

Infobox musical artist
Name = The Martini Henry Rifles


Img_capt = From left to right: Fudge Wilson, Cez Mathias and Chris Warlow.
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Background = group_or_band
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Origin = Cardiff, Wales
Genre = Noise, Punk, Alternative Rock
Years_active = 2000 - 2006
Label = FF Vinyl (2003 - ?)
Associated_acts =
URL = [http://themartinihenryrifles.com]
Current_members = Ewen "Fudge" Wilson
Richard "Cez" Mathias
Chris Warlow
Past_members = Jason Lorch
Notable_instruments =

The Martini Henry Rifles were a British noise-punk band based on Cardiff, Wales.

Influences & genre classification

Most of their quoted influences are noise and punk (most noticeable Brainiac, whose influence is clear in the "Martinis"' work), hence the most common "noise-punk" genre classification. The band themselves never quite put any kind of convenient genre label on their work, while on the other hand some people just choose to describe their sound as "chaotic", mostly derived from their very energetic live performances.

History of the band

Their story dates back to late 2000. Cez Mathias and Jason Lorch put up an advert to find musicians on a record shop. Chris Warlow responds and some months later Fudge Wilson joins to complete the line-up. They start by using the name "Luxinterior" until April 2001, when "The Martini Henry Rifles" was finally chosen as a permanent name.

In November 2001 they released the limited edition of the single "Kill/Summer/Shit". It attracted the attention of Sean McClusky, who released the "Martinis" subsequent "Luger 6000" single and became their manager. The band featured on McClusky's Sonic Mook Experiment compilation "Future Rock & Roll".

In 2003, they signed for indie label "FF Vinyl". Reportedly the band refused to sign the contract unless it was to be done in a strip club or some place of the sort. The place chosen was a lapdancing club called "Fantasy Lounge"cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/music/sites/martinihenryrifles/pages/mhr_lapdancing.shtml|publisher=Joe Goodden, BBC Wales|title=Martini Henry Rifles sign a record deal!] .

In December 2003 they released the single "And Then We Hit A Truck", just before going on a break to record their debut-album.

In November 2004, after almost a year of recording and remixing, their debut album "Superbastard" is finally released. After finishing the album drummer and founder member Jason Lorch decides to leave the band (to emigrate to Australia and pursue other interests)cite news|title=New Music Project|publisher=Jason Lorch|url=http://www.myspace.com/eraserelease] ,and they started using a drum machine as a replacement for him.

During most of 2005 they toured the UK and Europe, and in the first few months of 2006 recorded and preparing the release of their 2nd full-length album.

Their final EP "Infomercial" was released on FF Vinyl Records at the start of 2006. [http://www.noreally.co.uk/opinions/singles/martinihenryriflesinfomercialep.php?rev=oh]

In late April 2006 the members informed fans on their MySpace website that they have decided to put an end to the band. No particular reasons have been given.

Band members

Band members as of 2004 - 2006 were:
*Chris Warlow (vocals/guitar/synthesizer)
*Cez Mathias (vocals/guitar/drum machine)
*Fudge Wilson (bass).

Band members as of 2000 - 2004 were:
*Jason Lorch (drums).
*Chris Warlow (vocals/guitar/synthesizer)
*Cez Mathias (vocals/guitar/drum machine)
*Fudge Wilson (bass).

Trivia

*Chris Warlow and Fudge Wilson have since formed a band of their own, called Space In The 50s, together with a new drummer, Marv.
*Jason Lorch emigrated to Sydney Australia but is still active in the music scene and is currently working on projects with various artists.
*Cez Mathias has since merged with another artist and are working on a new project.

References

External links

* [http://www.myspace.com/themartinihenryrifles MySpace page & blog of the band]