Fightstar

radio1

Formed 2005.

Fightstar Nigel Crane/Redferns

Biography

Fightstar are a British alternative rock band from London, formed in 2003. The band's line-up comprises lead vocalist, guitarist and keyboardist Charlie Simpson, guitarist and vocalist Alex Westaway, bassist Dan Haigh and drummer Omar Abidi. Although generally considered a post-hardcore band, Fightstar are also known to implement metal, progressive and acoustic elements into the band's sound. During the band's initial emergence, they were faced with much scepticism due to Simpson's former pop career. However, they began to receive positive reactions to early live shows and their debut EP, They Liked You Better When You Were Dead (2005) was a critical success. Since then, their three studio albums have obtained top 40 chartings and critical praise. Fightstar's debut album, Grand Unification (2006) was regarded as "one of the best British rock albums of the past decade" by Kerrang! editor Paul Brannigan.

The band went onto receive nominations at the Kerrang! Awards for "Best British Band", before releasing second album, One Day Son, This Will All Be Yours (2007). The following year a compilation album including b-sides and rarities titled, Alternate Endings (2008) was released. The band then self funded and co-produced third album, Be Human (2009), which heavily featured orchestral and choral elements. It became their highest charting album after peaking at number twenty in the UK Albums Chart. The band announced an extended hiatus in 2010, allowing its members to concentrate on other projects, including Simpson's solo album. They are expecting to regroup in the near future to begin work on new material.

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Links & Information

Latest News Stories

News from the BBC

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Latest Blog Posts

Blogs from the BBC

  1. Our programme on Monday...

    Fri 17 Apr 2009 15:30 Derek Conway, Caroline Spelman, Jacqui Smith, Tony McNulty: just some of the... Louisa Compton

BBC Reviews

  1. Alternate Endings 2008

    Review of Alternate Endings

    Reviewed by Al Fox

    Alternate Endings proves that Fightstar are far from transitory.
  2. One Day Son, This Will All Be Yours 2007

    Review of One Day Son, This Will All Be Yours

    Reviewed by Robert Jackman

    One Day Son sees Fightstar attempt many styles – some skilfully; others ham-fistedly.
  3. Grand Unification 2006

    Review of Grand Unification

    Reviewed by Chris Long

    Fightstar are Charlie Simpson's proper grown-up band, a full-on rock machine complete...

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