Pendulum (band)

Infobox musical artist
Name = Pendulum


Img_capt = Pendulum live at the Electric Ballroom in London during their 2007 tour.
Img_size = 250
Landscape = yes
Background = group_or_band
Origin = Perth, Australia
Genre = Drum and bass, Breakbeat, Rock, Electronicacite web|title=Pendulum at All Music Guide|url=http://wm04.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:wnfixqwgldhe|accessdate=2007-12-01]
Years_active = 2002 - present
Label = Ear Storm, Warner Music, Atlantic Records
URL = [http://www.pendulum.com www.pendulum.com]
Current_members = Rob Swire
Gareth McGrillen
Perry ap Gwynedd
Paul Harding
Paul Kodish
Ben Mount
Past_members =

Pendulum is an Australian drum and bass [http://www.sputnikmusic.com/album.php?albumid=3962] group originally from Perth [http://www.pendulum.com/about.htm] , Australia. In 2003, they relocated to the United Kingdom.

History

Pendulum first released, with the 31 Records record label, a track entitled "Vault" in 2004. [http://www.pendulum.com/discography.htm] While this and several other singles released into the underground circuit met with widespread recognition in that area it wasn't until 2005 that they released their debut album, "Hold Your Colour". Critically, the album was well-received in both the United Kingdom and Australia, receiving plenty of air-time on radio stations around the world. In addition, it was one of the biggest selling drum and bass releases of all time. Pendulum have also collaborated with the Freestylers, releasing the single "Fasten Your Seatbelt". MC Spyda and Tenor Fly also feature as vocalists on the song "Tarantula".

At Pendulum DJ sets in Epsom and also University of Warwick Students' Union in early 2007, it was announced that their new album would be available at the start of November 2007. However, it was later announced on BBC Radio 1, that the album was to be released Q1 2008 during a phone interview with a member of Pendulum. The latest album, titled "In Silico", was released on 12 May 2008, the day after they played at Radio 1's Big Weekend in Maidstone, Kent. The second single from the album, "Propane Nightmares", is their biggest hit to date, peaking at #9 in the UK Singles Chart.

On 30 July 2008 the band performed live in Jo Whiley's Live Lounge where they played their current single, "The Other Side", and also performed a cover of Coldplay's "Violet Hill". [http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/livelounge/artist/080730_pendulum.shtml] The performance was very well received by listeners who made numerous requests for the cover to be replayed on subsequent DJ's shows throughout the day. Pendulum then made the single available for download on their official website.

Pendulum have announced another UK tour after success in the UK, this will take place in November/December 2008. [http://www.pendulum.com/gigs.htm] They also performed on Linkin Park's biggest Projekt Revolution gig to date in Milton Keynes on Sunday 29 June.

On 6 August 2008, to coincide with the launch of their new site, Pendulum released a cover of Violet Hill by Coldplay. [http://www.indielondon.co.uk/Music-Review/pendulum-launch-new-website-with-coldplay-cover-offer] [http://www.ilikemusic.com/music_news/Pendulum_Violet_Hill-5398] The cover was recorded as part of a Live Lounge performance on BBC Radio 1. [http://www.pendulum.com/news,pendulum-cover-coldplay-on-sale-here_5.htm]

Pendulum performed on the NME/Radio 1 stage at the 2008 Reading and Leeds Festivals, as well as the main stage of the Creamfields Festival and the second stage at Download Festival. Pendulum have been booked to appear at the Big Day Out 2009 alongside Prodigy, Arctic Monkeys and headlining act Neil Young. [cite news |url=http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24424393-5006024,00.html |last=Adams |first=Cameron |title=Arctic Monkeys and Neil Young headline Big Day Out |publisher="Herald Sun" |date=2008-09-30 |accessdate=2008-09-30 ]

Musical style

The Pendulum sound is typically heavy beats accompanied by low, buzzing basslines, overlaid with synthesized leads. When Pendulum started out as producers in Australia, their sound was considerably more Drum and Bass-influenced than the work they are known for today. Signature tunes such as "Vault", "Back to You", "Voyager" and "Toxic Shock" which were released on small labels such as Uprising Records, Renegade Hardware and Low Profile Records have a darker more melodic air to them which is substantially absent from their later, more dancefloor driven production. Early work such as "Masochist" however, seems to indicate an early affinity with a more mainstream sound similar to other Breakbeat Kaos artists such as DJ Fresh and Adam F.

The group has produced various remixes of other artists, the most well-known being their remix of "Voodoo People" by The Prodigy. Pendulum have also remixed themselves. In 2006, "Painkiller" with the Freestylers was remixed by NOISIA and released on Against the Grain records.

Recently, however, Pendulum have begun shifting to a more mainstream sound, with elements of rock music and pop music, including electric guitar and authentic drums, overlaying the synthesized leads and basslines they are already known for.They are now considered by many to be classed as electro rave.

Members

*Rob Swire – writer, producer, vocals, synthesiser, ztar
*Gareth McGrillen – writer, producer, DJ, bass guitar
*Peredur ap Gwynedd – guitar
*Paul "El Hornet" Harding – writer, producer, DJ
*Paul Kodish – drums
*Ben "the Verse" Mount – MC

Discography

tudio albums

*"Hold Your Colour" (2005)
*"In Silico" (2008)

References

External links

* [http://www.pendulum.com/ Official website]
* [http://www.dailymusicguide.com/Reviews/pendulum_koko_itunes_festival_review_30072008_1915.aspx Louis Chatten Reviews Pendulum's iTunes Gig at Koko]
*
*
* [http://www.bostonherald.com/entertainment/music/general/view.bg?articleid=1122587 New-look Pendulum swings into Cambridge for U.S. debut] Boston Herald