- The Ordinary Boys
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- For the Morrissey song, see The Ordinary Boys (song).
The Ordinary Boys Origin Worthing, England Genres Indie rock, Mod Years active 2002–2008, 2011- Labels MCA Music, Inc./B-Unique Members Samuel Preston
Simon GoldringPast members William J. Brown
James Gregory
Charles "Chuck" StanleyThe Ordinary Boys are an English indie rock band from Worthing, a seaside town in West Sussex, England. Originally named Next in Line, they were influenced by mod revival and Britpop music, as well as the bands Madness, The Specials, The Kinks and The Smiths.[1] Their name derives from a Morrissey song, "The Ordinary Boys".[1]
The membership of the band that split in 2008 consisted of founder members Samuel Preston (vocals, guitar), William Brown (guitar), James Gregory (bass), plus Simon Goldring (drums), who replaced Charles “Chuck” Stanley in 2005.[2]
Despite their limited success on the UK charts, their popularity grew, particularly due to media coverage that the lead singer, Samuel Preston, received when participating in Celebrity Big Brother UK in January 2006. Following that appearance, sales of the band's albums increased and the "Boys Will Be Boys" single moved from #33 to #3 in four weeks. Fans of the band are nicknamed "The Ordinary Army".
Notable songs include "Maybe Someday", "Talk Talk Talk", and "Seaside" from their debut album; "Boys Will Be Boys" from their second album; and "Over the Counter Culture", which was featured in the soundtrack for Burnout 3: Takedown. Their single "Lonely at the Top" marked a change of sound, with more of a pop feel to it; featuring synthesisers and samples.
Yahoo! UK revealed that The Ordinary Boys was the fourth most searched for keyword of 2006 in their annual top ten search results.[3]
The song "Boys Will Be Boys" featured in the fifth Harry Potter movie, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. The band was also referenced in episode five ("Smoke and Mirrors") of series two of The IT Crowd.
In early 2008, lead singer Preston confirmed the band's split through the official Ordinary Boys website, and announced he was writing new material for a solo album. Though it was apparently completed in 2009, the album was never released after his only single "Dressed To Kill" (which sampled Siouxsie and the Banshees' "Happy House"), failed to chart and Preston is now attempting a new career as a DJ. A couple of the tracks recorded for the album later appeared on YouTube.
The Ordinary Boys will be reuniting in December 2011 for a UK tour. There is no involvement from William Brown or James Gregory and the band have recruited a new guitarist, bassist and keyboard player, along with original member Sam Preston and drummer at the time of split, Simon Goldring. They have also made a new song called "Run This Town".[4]
Worthing's the Ordinary Boys should not be confused with another band of similar name "Ordinary Boys", who are a Smiths tribute band.
Contents
Discography
Albums
Year Details UK
[5]Certifications 2004 Over the Counter Culture - Released: 5 August 2004
- Label: B-Unique/Warner Music
19 2005 Brassbound - Released: 20 June 2005
- Label: B-Unique/Warner Music
11 - UK: Gold[5]
2006 How to Get Everything You Ever Wanted in Ten Easy Steps - Released: 23 October 2006
- Label: B-Unique/Polydor
15 Singles
Year Title Peak chart positions Album UK
[5]UK D/L
[5]IRE
[6]2004 "Maybe Someday" — — — Over the Counter Culture "Week In, Week Out" 36 — — "Talk, Talk, Talk" 17 — — "Seaside" 27 — — 2005 "Boys Will Be Boys" 16 — — Brassbound "Life Will Be the Death of Me" 50 — — 2006 "Boys Will Be Boys" (reissue) 3 1 22 "Nine2Five" (vs. Lady Sovereign) 6 12 25 How To Get Everything You Ever Wanted in Ten Easy Steps "Lonely at the Top" 10 26 — 2007 "I Luv U" 7 5 — The music videos for 'Boys Will Be Boys', 'Life Will Be The Death Of Me', '9 To 5' and 'Lonely At The Top' were all directed by Andy Hylton (http://www.andyhylton.com).
References
- ^ a b "Biography by MacKenzie Wilson". Allmusic.com. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p645164. Retrieved 9 March 2009.
- ^ http://www.last.fm/music/The+Ordinary+Boys
- ^ Yahoo 2006 top searches
- ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRks3ydDE8w
- ^ a b c d e "UK Chartlog: The O – Ozric Tentacles". zobbel.de. http://zobbel.de/cluk/CLUK_O.HTM. Retrieved 27 July 2009.
- ^ "Irishcharts: searchable database". irishcharts.ie. http://irishcharts.ie/search/placement. Retrieved 27 July 2009.
External links
Albums Over the Counter Culture (2004) • Brassbound (2005) • How to Get Everything You Ever Wanted in Ten Easy Steps (2006)Singles "Maybe Someday" • "Week In, Week Out" • "Talk, Talk, Talk" • "Seaside" • "Boys Will Be Boys" • "Life Will Be the Death of Me" • "Nine2Five" • "Lonely at the Top" • "I Luv U"Categories:- English indie rock groups
- Worthing
- The Ordinary Boys
- Musical groups established in 2002
- Musical groups disestablished in 2008
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