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Mystery Jets

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Mystery Jets are an English indie rock band, formed on Eel Pie Island in Twickenham, London.[2] The founding members still part of the band consist of Blaine Harrison (vocals, guitar and keyboards), Henry Harrison (lyrics), and Kapil Trivedi (drums).[3]

Mystery Jets
Mystery Jets in 2009
Mystery Jets in 2009
Background information
OriginEel Pie Island, Twickenham, London, England
GenresIndie rock, post-punk revival, indie pop, psychedelic rock, new prog
Years active2003–present
LabelsCaroline International (current), Rough Trade, 679, Transgressive, Dim Mak (former)
MembersBlaine Harrison
Kapil Trivedi
Ollie Taylor
Eddie Taylor
[1]
Past membersJack Flanagan
William Rees
Kai Fish
Tamara Pearce-Higgins
Peter Cochrane
Matt Park
Henry Harrison
Websitemysteryjets.com

History

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Formation and early demos (2003)

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The band's first line-up consisted of Blaine Harrison on drums, William Rees on guitar and Henry Harrison (Blaine's father) on bass. Henry became a second guitarist in the band and they were joined by Kai Fish on bass and Tamara Pearce-Higgins on the organ.[4] Kai joined the band after suggestions that they needed a bassist (he played the cello originally). Their original name was The Misery Jets, which was taken from an Evening Standard headline (Eel Pie Island is under the Heathrow flight path, where planes can be frequently spotted). It got changed to Mystery Jets when Blaine accidentally misspelled the name while painting it on a drum skin.[5]

The band at this time recorded an eponymous EP with Aswad producer Nick Sykes. They would practise in the boat shed built by Henry on land he bought after a hippie commune on Eel Pie Island burnt down. Blaine (whose voice had yet to break[6]) took lead vocals. Tamara left the band, and Blaine switched from drums to keyboards.[4] The band had a brief stint with a friend of Williams' (known only as Max) on drums, but he was unreliable and for a time a drum machine was used.[7] The band advertised on internet message boards for a drummer and found Kapil Trivedi.[8] Kapil is not from Eel Pie Island like the rest of the members, but rather Wembley, North London. He found out about the band through his drum teacher. Mystery Jets draws influences from Hall and Oates,[9] Syd Barrett, and Pink Floyd. William Rees has named Robert Fripp, Adrian Belew, Jimi Hendrix, and David Bowie[10] as his guitar inspirations. Much attention has been drawn to their hosting of a series of parties, dubbed "The White Cross Revival", on Eel Pie Island.[11][12]

Making Dens and Zootime (2005–2006)

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The Eel Pie Island EP was recorded soon after by a young producer called Bishop Dante at Rooster studios. The band issued its first proper single, a limited edition 7" of "Zoo Time", on Transgressive Records. Mystery Jets ran a series of illegal parties on Eel Pie Island, attracting large crowds, before being shut down by the police. They went on to sign to 679 Recordings. 2005 saw a number of singles and their TV debut on MTV Two's Spanking New Music Week. The start of 2006 saw the band gain their highest-charting single with "The Boy Who Ran Away", play the ShockWaves NME Awards Tour and make their first appearance on Top of the Pops.[13]

The band's debut UK album, Making Dens, was released on 6 March 2006.[14] On 18 September 2006, the band put on a tribute show to Syd Barrett,[15] one of their biggest influences.[16] The show was put on at the Union Chapel in Islington, London. Performers were Kid Harpoon, Lupen Crook, Kate Nash, Dan Treacy and the Television Personalities, Drew from Babyshambles, Ben from SixToes, Lucas from the Cazals and Mystery Jets. The groups created a special fanzine for the show with entries from all the performers and artwork by the bands.

December 2006 saw the band release "Umbrellahead / Half In Love With Elizabeth" through its Myspace site to competition winners. The two tracks were produced by Erol Alkan and were meant to be part of a ten-inch vinyl acoustic EP, but that idea was scrapped. Throughout 2007 the band wrote new songs (including "Hand Me Down", "Pink Elephant" and "Undercover Lover", the latter two being renamed "Veiled In Grey" and "Hideaway" and all three being included on their album Twenty One) and played more gigs around the world, especially in America, where they released their debut album Zootime (a collection of tracks from Making Dens, as well as EPs and singles[17]) on 8 May, through Dim Mak Records.[18] Henry Harrison decided to stop playing live with the band shortly afterwards, but is still very much involved and went into the studio with the rest of the band.[19] He still helps with songwriting and occasionally makes onstage appearances. Henry has said, "I'm just another member, I'm one of five. I love it. That whole authority thing served a purpose and when it was done I was glad to relinquish it, because it got in the way of us working properly together."[20]

Twenty One (2007–2008)

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Kapil Trivedi in 2008

At the end of 2007, the band went on a short club show across the UK, and released a free Christmas single, "Flakes".[21]

Their second album, Twenty One, was released on 24 March 2008.[22] Produced by Erol Alkan and mixed by renowned producer Nick Launay, it was preceded by the single "Young Love" featuring Laura Marling, released on 10 March 2008. The second single released from the album was "Two Doors Down". It reached 24 in the U.K charts, their highest position so far.[23] The album represented a change in the band's sound, shifting from psychedelic and progressive rock towards more of a pop direction.

On 8 June 2008, the band played at the Scottish RockNess music festival, which attracted over 35,000 music lovers. The band's set was broadcast on national UK broadcaster Hitz Radio. The band also spoke backstage about their rise to fame, reviving the eighties and how they plan to take over the world.[24][25]

In 2008, Mystery Jets, along with Jeremy Warmsley and Adem, contributed the song "Grains of Sand" to the Survival International charity album Songs for Survival.

Serotonin (2009–2010)

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In January 2009, Mystery Jets left their previous contract with 679 Recordings and signed a new deal with Rough Trade Records.[26] They also began recording a new album and continued to tour. They performed at the Reading and Leeds Festivals at the end of August 2010.

In April 2010, Mystery Jets announced their third studio album, Serotonin.[27] The album was released on 5 July 2010 and was produced by Chris Thomas. The working title was Luminescence[28] but the name was changed later on. Blaine has said that he wanted this album to be "quintessential Mystery Jets record." A promotional single, entitled "Flash A Hungry Smile", was made available on the band's website for free. The first single to be released from the album, "Dreaming Of Another World", was added to BBC Radio 1's B Playlist in May 2010 and was also released on 5 July 2010. On 5 July, Mystery Jets performed an in-store session at Rough Trade East for their album release. A limited edition 12" was released as well as CD format and digital download. In 2010, the band featured on The Count & Sinden track "After Dark".[29]

Radlands (2011–2013)

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In March 2011, following a secret SXSW show, the band set up a home recording studio in a country house by the Colorado River of Texas in the Westlake area in Austin, Texas. Writing and recording sessions lasted two months, at the end of which the band returned to the UK to play the summer festivals. Blaine went to California in early July to get inspiration and imagery for the songs. On 22 November 2011, the Mystery Jets announced that their new album would be released in April 2012, with a tour to follow in May 2012.[30] On 3 April 2012, shortly before the release of Radlands, it was announced that Kai Fish would be leaving the band, with bassist Pete Cochrane taking his place for the band's UK tour. On 15 February 2013, it was announced that the Mystery Jets would be performing at Y Not Festival in Derbyshire on Friday 2 August 2013.[31]

Curve of the Earth (2016–2017)

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On 30 September 2014, the Mystery Jets played a one-off show at the Barbican in London, along with Johnny Flynn & The Sussex Wit, Marika Hackman, Dry The River, and with Laura Marling as a special guest, to celebrate Transgressive Records' tenth anniversary. In a blog post on the band's official website following the show, Blaine Harrison announced that the band was "deep into the thick of album five sessions", and had completed building their own studio in a former button factory. Harrison also announced a new band member, bassist Jack Flanagan, had been officially incorporated into the band in January 2014.[32]

On 20 October 2015, the band released a trailer announcing their fifth album, Curve of the Earth, which was released on 15 January 2016.[33][3] The album's release was marked with a special one-off live show at London's ICA for competition winners and music journalists.[34]

Following fellow British indie band The Maccabees' announcement that they would be splitting up, Mystery Jets were announced as special guests for their farewell shows on 17 January 2017, alongside IDLES.[35] The run included two nights at Manchester's 02 Apollo and three nights at Alexandra Palace in London.[36]

On 10 July 2017, the band announced they would perform a five-night residency, entitled 'Jetrospective', at London's iconic and newly refurbished venue The Garage, at which they would play their first five studio albums back to back: Making Dens, Twenty One, Serotonin, Radlands and Curve of the Earth.[37] On 30 September 2017, the band announced the support acts for the sold-out run of shows, including Sundara Karma, Jade Bird, Marika Hackman and Blaenavon.[38]

A Billion Heartbeats (2019–2020)

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In August 2019, the band announced their album A Billion Heartbeats. According to Clash magazine, the album was inspired by recent large protest marches in London, and "the continuing politicisation of British youth".[39] The band planned to release the album on 27 September 2019, but the release was postponed after Blaine Harrison underwent emergency surgery to tackle a severe infection.[40] The album was finally released digitally on 3 April 2020, but the physical release was delayed until 26 June 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On 4 February 2020, founding member, guitarist and vocalist of the band William Rees announced his departure from the band via an emotional post on the bands’ Social media.

On 26 May 2020, the band announced they would be launching their own podcast series with Acast, 'Things Worth Fighting For', to coincide with the songs and themes of the album. The series features Blaine teaming up with artists, activists and authors to discuss topics such as the Grenfell Tower blaze, racial and class discrimination in Britain, homelessness, the National Health Service, toxic masculinity and mental health in the digital age. Guests announced for the series include Joe Talbot (Idles), Billy Bragg, Ed O'Brien (Radiohead), Renni Eddo-Lodge, Nikesh Shukla and co-founder of the NGO Help Refugees (now called Choose Love) Josie Naughton.[41]

In April 2023, the band announced a brand new song, ‘You, Me and the Sea’, written and recorded especially for Earth Day 2023. The song was released as part of a bandcamp compilation (alongside Coldplay, R.E.M's Micheal Stipe, Nile Rodgers and many more), available for 2 weeks only and raised money for the climate justice organisation Earth Percent, co-founded by one of the bands’ heroes, Brian Eno.

Members

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Current members

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  • Blaine Harrison – vocals, keyboards, guitar
  • Kapil Trivedi – drums
  • Henry Harrison – lyrics
  • Ollie Taylor – guitar, vocals
  • Eddie Taylor – bass, vocals

Former members

  • Tamara Pearce-Higgins – keyboards, vocals (1996-2002)
  • William Rees – guitar, vocals (1996-2020)
  • Kai Fish – bass, vocals (2001-2012)[42]
  • Henry Harrison – keyboards, guitar, vocals (2001-2007)[43]
  • Peter Cochrane – bass (2012-2014)
  • Matt Park – pedal steel (2012-2014)
  • Jack Flanagan – bass, vocals (2014-2022)

Timeline

Discography

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Studio albums

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Year Album Peak positions Certifications
UK
[44] 		SCO
[45]
2006 Making Dens 32 34
2007 Zootime — —
2008 Twenty One
  • Released: 24 March 2008
  • Label: 679 Recordings
 42 96
2010 Serotonin 42 —
2012 Radlands
  • Released: 30 April 2012
  • Label: Rough Trade
 40 74
2016 Curve of the Earth 30 67
2020 A Billion Heartbeats
  • Released: 3 April 2020
  • Label: Caroline International
 85 30

Live albums

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Year Album Peak

positions

Certifications
2013 Live at the Royal Festival Hall

EPs

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Singles

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Year Single Peak positions Certifications Album
UK
[44][48] 		EUR MEX
[49] 		SCO
[50]
2005 "Zoo Time" — — — — Making Dens
"On My Feet" [A] — — — —
"You Can't Fool Me Dennis" 44 — — 40
"Alas Agnes" 34 100 — 35
2006 "The Boy Who Ran Away" 23 83 — 27
"You Can't Fool Me Dennis" (re-release) 41 — — 29
"Diamonds in the Dark" 47 — — 37
2008 "Young Love" (featuring Laura Marling) 34 99 — 19 Twenty-One
"Two Doors Down" 24 74 — 25
"Half in Love with Elizabeth" 107 — — 35
2010 "Dreaming of Another World" — — — — Serotonin
"Show Me the Light" — — — —
"After Dark" (The Count & Sinden featuring The Mystery Jets) 47 — — 46 Mega Mega Mega
2011 "Serotonin"[51] — — — — Serotonin
2012 "Someone Purer" — — — — Radlands
"Greatest Hits" — — 42 —
2015 "Telomere" — — — — Curve of the Earth
2016 "Bubblegum" — — — —
2019 "Hospital Radio" — — — — A Billion Heartbeats
"Screwdriver" — — — —
"History Has Its Eyes On You" — — — —
"Wrong Side of the Tracks" — — — —
2020 "Petty Drone" — — — —
"—" denotes a release that did not chart or has not been released
  • A - Although the single does not actually feature on the album Making Dens, the track entitled "Summertime Dens" is a continuation.

7" special limited

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  • Powercut Serenades (Signed with "Umbrellahead" and "Half In Love With the Radio" on. Limited edition of 300 copies all given away to competition winners)

Early demos

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  • Mystery Jets EP (2001, self released CD)
  • Christmas Sessions EP (2003, self released CD)

References

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  1. ^ Crowley, Taryn. "Mystery Jets at SOUND Cafe". Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  2. ^ JacquesSnaefells (14 March 2008). "Mystery Jets on Freshly Squeezed (Interview)". YouTube. Google, Inc. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 20 October 2012.
  3. ^ a b Goodman, Jessica (30 January 2016). "Turning On An Axis: Mystery Jets". DIY. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
  4. ^ a b "Band Biography". Eel Pie Abode. Archived from the original on 11 August 2008. Retrieved 7 May 2008.
  5. ^ Nikki Brogan (19 September 2012). "Interview + Giveaway :: Mystery Jets". FBi 94.5. FBi Radio. Retrieved 20 October 2012.
  6. ^ "Drowned in Sound - Reviews - Live - Mystery Jets". Drowned In Sound. Archived from the original on 9 June 2008. Retrieved 7 May 2008.
  7. ^ "Introducing... Mystery Jets - Edinburgh Evening News". Edinburgh Evening News. Archived from the original on 28 September 2008. Retrieved 7 May 2008.
  8. ^ "Mystery Jets interview - LA BLOGOTHEQUE". LA BLOGOTHEQUE. Archived from the original on 17 August 2010. Retrieved 7 May 2008.
  9. ^ "About". Mystery Jets Facebook fan page. Facebook. 2012. Retrieved 20 October 2012.
  10. ^ "VOX Artists | William Rees and Blaine Harrison of Mystery Jets". 1 October 2009. Archived from the original on 1 October 2009. Retrieved 28 February 2016.
  11. ^ "The Mystery Jets On '21'". XFM. 19 March 2008. Archived from the original on 28 February 2010. Retrieved 17 August 2010.
  12. ^ "Interview with - The Mystery Jets". TNT Magazine. 14 December 2007. Archived from the original on 14 November 2010.
  13. ^ "INTERVIEW: Mystery Jets in Exeter - Music". What's On. Retrieved 7 May 2008.[permanent dead link‍]
  14. ^ "Making Dens : Limited Edition". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 7 May 2008.
  15. ^ "Mystery Jets organise concert for Syd Barrett". NME. Retrieved 11 March 2008.
  16. ^ "Mystery Jets - News, Videos, Biog, Tickets, Reviews, Interview". ContactMusic. Retrieved 11 March 2008.
  17. ^ "PrettySocial - Mystery Jets Schedule 'Zoo Time,' Tour". PrettySocia. Archived from the original on 28 September 2008. Retrieved 11 March 2008.
  18. ^ "Amazon.com listing". Amazon. Retrieved 7 May 2008.
  19. ^ "Mystery Jets - Young Love review". ComfortComes. Retrieved 7 May 2008.
  20. ^ "MYSTERY JETS". Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 4 August 2011.
  21. ^ "MYSTERY JETS - FLAKES". Mystery Jets. Archived from the original on 16 May 2008. Retrieved 7 May 2008.
  22. ^ "Play.com listing". Play.com. Retrieved 11 March 2008.
  23. ^ "New Beatles song set to reach number one on UK singles chart". France 24. 5 November 2023. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  24. ^ "Mystery Jets speak on Hitz Radio". Mystery Jets. Archived from the original on 28 September 2008. Retrieved 7 May 2008.
  25. ^ "Mystery Jets performance cover at Rock Ness 08". Mystery Jets. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 7 May 2008.
  26. ^ The Quietus (3 February 2009). "Mystery Jets Sign To Rough Trade". The Quietus. TheQuietus.com. Retrieved 20 October 2012.
  27. ^ "Mystery Jets reveal new album release date and tracklisting". NME.com. Retrieved 21 April 2010.
  28. ^ "BBC - 6Music News - Mystery Jets' Luminescence". Bbc.co.uk. Archived from the original on 19 July 2012. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
  29. ^ DominoRecords (21 July 2010). "The Count & Sinden featuring Mystery Jets - After Dark (2010)". YouTube. Google, Inc. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 18 October 2012.
  30. ^ "Mystery Jets". Mystery Jets. Retrieved 17 April 2012.
  31. ^ "Y Not Festival". ynotfestivals.com. 20 April 2013. Archived from the original on 8 August 2008. Retrieved 23 April 2013.
  32. ^ Harrison, Blaine. "Prog Rock and Tarka Dal". Mysteryjets.com. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  33. ^ Mystery, Jets. "Mystery Jets announce 'personal' fifth album 'Curve Of The Earth'". Nme.com. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
  34. ^ "Mystery Jets announce new record Curve Of The Earth, detail one-off London show". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  35. ^ Subscribe (17 January 2017). "Mystery Jets and Idles to support The Maccabees on final gigs". diymag.com. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  36. ^ "The Maccabees announce more UK shows for farewell tour | NME". NME. 1 March 2017. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  37. ^ "Mystery Jets to play their five albums in full during newly-announced London residency | NME". NME. 10 July 2017. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  38. ^ "Mystery Jets announce support acts for 'Jetrospective' London residency | Gigslutz". 24 September 2017. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  39. ^ "Mystery Jets Announce New Album 'A Billion Heartbeats'". Clash Magazine. 6 August 2019. Retrieved 3 November 2019.
  40. ^ "Mystery Jets Postpone New Album 'A Billion Heartbeats'". Clash Magazine. 18 September 2019. Retrieved 3 November 2019.
  41. ^ "Mystery Jets announce new podcast series with guests including Radiohead's Ed O'Brien and Idles' Joe Talbot". NME. 26 May 2020. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  42. ^ "Kai Fish quits Mystery Jets | NME". NME. 3 April 2012. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  43. ^ Sullivan, Caroline (21 December 2007). "Mystery Jets". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  44. ^ a b "Artist Chart History: Mystery Jets". The Official Charts Company. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  45. ^ Peaks in Scotland:
  46. ^ a b "British certifications – Mystery Jets". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 14 January 2023. Type Mystery Jets in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  47. ^ "Electronic Earth - Single by Mystery Jets on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  48. ^ "Mystery Jets - Top Songs". Music VF. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  49. ^ "billboard.biz". Billboard.biz. Archived from the original on 12 May 2017. Retrieved 7 September 2016.
  50. ^ Peaks in Scotland:
  51. ^ "Serotonin - Single by Mystery Jets". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. 14 March 2011. Retrieved 22 April 2011.
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