Luxembourg (band)

Infobox musical artist
Name = luxembourg


Img_capt = From left to right: Alex Potterill, David Barnett, Steve Brummell, David Shah, Rob Britton
Img_size = 275
Landscape =
Background = group_or_band
Alias =
Origin = London, England
Genre = Pop noir, Indie, Pop
Years_active = 2001- 2008
Label = Dogbox Records
Associated_acts =
URL =
Current_members =
Past_members = David Shah
Alex Potterill
Rob Britton
Steve Brummell
Jon Bacon
David Barnett
Notable_instruments =

Luxembourg were a British five-piece indie band. For most of their life, the lineup consisted of David Shah (lead singer), Rob Britton (guitar), Alex Potterill (keyboards), Jon Bacon (bass) and Steve Brummell (drums). Bassist Jon left the band at the end of 2006 and was replaced by David Barnett. Luxembourg were most often compared to artists like Pulp, The Smiths and Roxy Music and sometimes described as "pop noir".

They released most of their music through their own record label Dogbox Records. Despite a loyal fanbase and support from a large number of webzines, Luxembourg were never signed to a major label.

2001 - 2006

Born from the ashes of the band Grosvenor, Luxembourg formed in 2001 and began playing extensively around London. During their early years they issued a number of demo EPs, which cemented them a loyal fanbase.

They went on to feature on the first two acclaimed compilations put out by the Angular Recording Corporation - "The New Cross" and "Rip Off Your Labels" - alongside artists such as Bloc Party, Art Brut and The Long Blondes. This provoked a lot of interest from webzines and mentions in higher profile publications such as the NME.

Their debut single proper, "What The Housewives Don't Tell You", was released in September 2004, featuring B-sides "Close-Cropped" and "Pin Me Down". Reviews from webzines were outstanding, but the release failed to break through to the mainstream, although "Close-Cropped" did receive an airing from Radio One's Steve Lamacq.

In December 2004, the band released "Best Kept Secret", a 14-track compilation featuring tracks from the now deleted demo EPs alongside live recordings and electro reworkings. The album (described as "Not Our Debut Album" on the CD artwork) received 3.5 out of 5 from indie journalism legend Simon Price in the Independent On Sunday.

"Luxembourg vs Great Britain" was the next single, released in November 2005, with B-sides "The Exhibitionist" and "About Time". All three songs were produced by Darren Allison, previously involved with artists such as The Divine Comedy. The single was a long time coming and received mixed reviews. By the time of its release, the band were already in the studio with producer Brian O'Shaughnessy, recording their debut album.

"We Only Stayed Together For The Kids" was released as a single in June 2006, with B-side "A Secret Public". It was the band's first vinyl release, and received exceptional reviews in some quarters, including publications who had previously spurned the band such as Artrocker.

Following pre-album single "Sick of DIY" (with B-sides "Fingers" and "Changing Trains"), Luxembourg finally issued their debut album "Front" in late October 2006. As with previous releases, the album secured extremely positive reviews within the underground webzine community, and with long-time supporters Planet Sound, but failed to spark the interest of the mainstream music press.

Bassist Jon Bacon left the band after their gig on 16th December 2006, for family reasons.

2007 - 2008

The band named Jon's replacement as David Barnett, previously of The Boyfriends, on 12th March 2007.

The first gig with the new line-up occurred under the pseudonym The Exhibitionists on 29th March 2007, showcasing a large number of new songs.

As well as playing frequent London gigs throughout 2007, the band ran an online fan club called The Bourglar, giving fans access to unreleased recordings, photos, exclusive interviews and other features. Following the band's split, this content is currently unavailable.

Luxembourg split in early 2008, citing "musical differences". At the same time, they made available an uncompleted album, "Last Holiday Before Divorce", free to download at Last.fm, featuring demos of the songs which might have comprised the second studio album alongside an unreleased single, "Kick Me" / "Not Quite Right/Not Quite Not Right".

Post-split activity

David Shah went on to concentrate on his electro-pop solo project, [http://www.myspace.com/themeltingicecaps The Melting Ice Caps] . The Melting Ice Caps' debut single, "Hard To Get" / "Don't Say A Word", was released for free download in July 2008. "Hard To Get" was produced by Alex Potterill.

Alex Potterill now fronts glam/indie pop band [http://www.myspace.com/jonnycolaandtheagrades Jonny Cola & The A-Grades] .

Rob Britton plays bass in David Barnett's ever-changing punk outfit [http://www.myspace.com/thenewroyalfamily The New Royal Family] .

Discography

ingles

*What The Housewives Don't Tell You, September 2004, Dogbox Records (BOX1)
*Luxembourg vs Great Britain, November 2005, Dogbox Records (BOX5)
*We Only Stayed Together For The Kids, June 2006, Dogbox Records (BOX11)
*Sick of DIY, October 2006, Dogbox Records (BOX15)

Albums

*Front, October 2006, Dogbox Records (BOX16)
* Last Holiday Before Divorce, May 2008/http://www.last.fm/music/Luxembourg/Last+Holiday+Before+Divorce%3A+Deleted+Scenes+From+An+Unfinished+Sequel

Compilations

*Best Kept Secret - Demos & Rarities 2001-2004, December 2004, Dogbox Records (BOX2)

Appearances on Compilations

*"Making Progress" on The New Cross: An Angular Sampler, November 2003, Angular Recording Corporation (ARC002)
*"Let Us Have It" on Rip Off Your Labels: More Angular Product, June 2004, Angular Recording Corporation (ARC004)
*"Not My Number" on Blue Skies Up: Welcome To The New Pop Revolution, May 2006, Dogbox Records (BOX8)
*"Kick Me" on Doing It For The Kids 08, May 2008.

Live appearances outside London

Despite being best known in London, where they played most of their gigs, Luxembourg also performed in:

Brighton (twice), Sheffield (twice), Liverpool (at the Mathew Street Festival), Cardiff, Oxford, Reading, Cambridge (Downing College Ball), Norwich, Newcastle-upon-Tyne (twice), Glasgow (twice), Edinburgh, Tunbridge Wells and Paris.

External links

* [http://www.luxembourgband.co.uk/ Official website]
* [http://www.myspace.com/luxembourgband Luxembourg myspace]
* [http://www.last.fm/music/Luxembourg/+albums Last.fm page, featuring entire back catalogue for free download]