Absent Kid are a British indie rock band.

Absent Kid
OriginColchester, Essex, UK[1]
GenresAlternative rock
Indie rock
Years active2002–present
LabelsFierce Panda Records[1]
MembersMartin Williams (vocals)
Richard Williams (guitar)
Mark Butters (bass guitar)
Kerri-Ann Butcher (guitar)
Craig Jeal (drums and mash)
Past membersDominic Harrison (guitar)
Chris McKeown (keyboard)
Websitewww.absentkid.co.uk

History

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Brothers Martin and Richard Williams and bassist Mark Butters grew up in the small coastal town of West Mersea. The name Absent Kid was inspired by a character in the cartoon South Park.[2]

They debuted in front of a paying audience, performing at a Colchester venue, "Twist". The band developed as performers during a series of live performances, and gained a degree of prominence after opening for the now disbanded group Ikara Colt.[2] This led to the band's first significant radio play, on XFM London.[1]

In 2004, Absent Kid won the Diesel-U-Music award for Best Rock.[1] An awards ceremony, held at nightclub Fabric, was broadcast on Channel 4. Absent Kid were awarded their trophy by BBC Radio 1 DJ Edith Bowman. This brought some attention from the national press, including the influential New Musical Express.[3]

Absent Kid were afterwards signed by Fierce Panda Records, who had previously released records by, amongst others, Coldplay, Idlewild and Keane. The band's debut mini-album, I Burnt Down the Family Business, was released with Fierce Panda on 25 April 2005 to critical acclaim.[1] Their double A-side debut single, Shame On Us All/Quiet Playground, was released on 6 February 2006.

The band gained less notoriety in the following year. They released their first full-length album in July 2007. While their previous works drew comparisons to Radiohead, the new album was hailed as more upbeat and made for the dancefloor.[4]

In December 2009 the band announced a return after a year long hiatus with a new line-up with guitarist Kerri-Ann Butcher (formerly from Stand Still Kid) replacing Dominic Harrison.[1]

April 2010 saw Absent Kid record a version of Up the U's for local football club Colchester United which is now played at home games at the club's Weston Homes Community Stadium.

Discography

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  • Scatter Photos and Relive Bloodloss (EP)
  • I Burnt Down the Family Business (25 April 2005)
  • Shame On Us All / Quiet Playground (6 February 2006)
  • Misadventure (July 2007)

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f "Absent Kid 'Xfm Session'". XFM. 28 April 2005. Retrieved 23 October 2008.
  2. ^ a b "Absent Kid FAQ". Archived from the original on 12 April 2008. Retrieved 23 October 2008.
  3. ^ "Old and new honoured at Diesel Music Awards". NME. 8 July 2004. Retrieved 23 October 2008.
  4. ^ "ABSENT KID - MISADVENTURE (ALBUM)". Noisy Fanzine Magazine. 28 July 2007. Retrieved 23 October 2008.[permanent dead link]
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