Drive-by Argument

Infobox musical artist
Name = Drive-By Argument
Landscape = yes


Background = group_or_band
Alias = DBA, Drive-By
Origin = Ayr, Great Britain
Genre = Indie rock, electro, techno
Years_active = 2004–present
Label = One (2005),
Lizard King (2006-present)
Associated_acts =
URL = [http://www.drivebyargument.co.uk www.drivebyargument.co.uk]
Current_members = Stewart "Stoke" Brock (Vocals/Synthesizer)
Stuart Kennedy (Guitar/Keyboards)
Ryan Drever (Bass/Backing Vocals)
Colin Keenan (Guitar/Synthesizer)
Lewis Gardiner (Drums)

Drive-by Argument are an electro-indie band from Ayr, Scotland. The band's sound is a mixture of raw guitars, rippling synthesizer, bleeping keyboards and rough acoustic/pounding electronic drumming. Under the DUB of a genre known as "Four-to-the-floor unhappy hardcore", this electronically based quintet released their self-titled début album (Drive-by Argument) via download on the 12th of May, 2008 and physically on the 19th of the same month.

History

Early years (2004-2005)

The band originally formed as part of a music project for a University course, in 2004. The group were picked at random to be in the band, and told to produce 5 songs, written by each member of the band. In an interview for the website Rocklouder TV, Frontman Stewart "Stoke" Brock, claims that they actually wrote the songs as a whole band, instead of sporadically and when asked about it claimed that they stuck to the set rules. cite web | url=http://www.rocklouder.co.uk/articles/3614/Interview-Drive-By-Argument.html | title=Drive-by Argument university information | accessdate=2007-09-11 ] Before the formation of the band, the members hadn't met before, except for bassist Ryan Drever and front-man Stoke. The band then proceeded to drop out of University and commit to their new project, Drive-by Argument.

The band released two show-only EPs during the course of 2005, called 'EP1' and 'December Demos/Dragon EP'.

One Records/Sex Lines Are Expensive Comedy (2005-2006)

In late 2005, the band signed a one single deal with Glasgow Label, One Records, releasing their very first limited edition single "Sex Lines Are Expensive Comedy" on the 24th October 2005.cite web | url=http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=79590852&s=143444 | title=Sex Lines Are Expensive Comedy Debut Single Release | accessdate=2005-10-24 ] The song caused the band to receive a small following, even to be used regularly at Madison Square Garden on the warm up soundtrack for the National Hockey League's New York Rangers, and once on the American crime drama Cold Case.cite web | url=http://rangers.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NHLPage&id=19859 | title=Sex Lines Are Expensive Comedy play-listed at Madison Square Garden | accessdate=2007-12-23 ] cite web | url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0935265/soundtrack | title=Sex Lines Are Expensive Comedy on Cold Case | accessdate=2007-12-23 ]

Lizard King Records (2006)

Unfortunately, in 2006, the band signed to the worst Indie label in the world, Lizard King Records. The band received attention when they secured a supporting position for two dates of Panic At The Disco's 2006 UK tour. The first date was at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall (22nd August 2006) and the second was Brixton Academy (22nd October 2006). cite web | url=http://www.wolvescivic.co.uk/index.asp?loc=whatsonshow&woid=8336 | title=Supporting panic the disco at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall | accessdate=2006-08-22 ] cite web | url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXGtRKRHxEg | title=Supporting panic the disco at the Brixton Academy | accessdate=2006-10-06 ] That luck transcended into reputation and notoriety for the band, gaining them several fans new from the two gigs.

The Album (2006-Present)

In late 2006, after a bout of touring, the band went into the studio and recorded their self-titled debut studio album, Drive-by Argument, which was originally designated for release in September 2007. After several delays in the release of the album, it was finally released the following year, via download on the 12th Of May, and physically, on the 19th of May.cite web | url=http://www.nortago.com/clients/drivebyargument/site | title=DBA album release date | accessdate=2008-03-14 ] On March 5th 2007, the band released a limited edition vinyl/download single called "The Sega Method" to gain more awareness. Shortly before that, the band began their first major solo tour to promote the new single and forthcoming album. In summer, the band released a re-recorded version of "Sex Lines Are Expensive Comedy" for their second album single release on the 25th of June, 2007.

The band released their third album single "Dance Like No-One's Watching" on the 28th of April 2008.cite web | url=http://www.nortago.com/clients/drivebyargument/site | title=DBA single release date | accessdate=2006-03-14 ] So far, it has been the most well received single from Drive-By Argument, even securing a place on the MTV2 'MySpace Chart' for several weeks during the time of April and May 2008.cite web | url=http://hangout.altsounds.com/news/96886-drive-argument-debut-no-7-mtv2-myspace-chart.html | title=DLNOW on MTV2 MySpace Chart | accessdate=2008-04-22 ]

Trivia

* The name of the band is a minor reference to a short skit in the American Cartoon Sitcom "Family Guy".cite web | url=http://familyguy.wikia.com/wiki/Reginald_B._Stifworth | title=Drive-by Argument name origin | accessdate=2007-09-11 ]
* The band have played such prestigious music festivals as T In The Park, Rockness, FM4 Frequency, The Edge Festival (formerly T On The Fringe) 2005, The Secret Garden Party Festival 2007 and the Download festival 2007.cite web | url=http://www.rocklouder.co.uk/articles/3328.html | title=Drive-by Argument festival information | accessdate=2007-05-15 ]

Discography

Albums

* "Drive-By Argument" (2008)

EPs

* "Beta" (2007)
* "Dragon" (2005)
* "EP1" (2005)

ingles

* "Dance Like No-One's Watching" (2008)
* "Sex Lines Are Expensive Comedy" (2007)
* "The Sega Method" (2007)
* "Sex Lines Are Expensive Comedy" (2005)

References