Forgotten Bands: Regular Fries

Regular Fries were an English electronic-rock seven-piece band that formed in 1997. Although chart success eluded them, they received rave reviews in the music media from the NME magazine (New Musical Express), Rolling Stone, and Loaded; who once allegedly cited them as "the best rock'n'roll band in the world". On their split in March 2001, songwriter Paul Moody announced: "We hate the charts, and the charts hate us. We're off into the cosmos!".

According to M. Strong (2003), the band was formed in 1997 in North London by graphic designer Will Beaven, music journalist Paul Moody, and film-maker Andy Starke; where the line-up would then be completed by Dave Brothwell, Rich Little, Pat O'Sullivan, and Stephen Griffin. M. Strong (2003) has also claimed that the band were sometimes regarded as part of the "skunk rock" movement, as well as becoming known for their extravagant live shows. M. Strong (2003) and L. Meyer (n.d.) said that after touring with the Lo Fidelity Allstars, the band's debut album, 'Accept the Signal', was released in June 1999, followed the next year by 'The War on Plastic Plants', which included a collaboration with Kool Keith on track nine, 'Coke N Smoke (Supersonic Waves)'. Their third and final album whilst together, 'Blueprint for a Higher Civilisation', was released in 2001. The band would then later depart that same year.

Background Information:

Origin: London, UK

Genres/Styles: Indie Rock; Electronica; Psychedelic Rock; Trip Hop

Active Years: 1997-2001

Personnel:

1. Paul Moody (Synthesiser, Vibes)

2. Andy Starke (Drums)

3. Dave Brothwell (Vocals)

4. Rich Little (Vocals, Percussion)

5. Will Beaven (Keyboards)

6. Pat O'Sullivan (Bass Guitar)

7. Stephen Griffin (Electric Guitar)

Ex-Personnel:

1. Ben Halton (Unknown)

Discography:

Studio Albums:

1. June 1999 - Accept the Signal [JBO]

2. 2000 - The War On Plastic Plants [JBO]

3. 2001 - Blueprint for a Higher Civilisation [Soft City/Sony]

Compilation Albums:

1. 2004 - Phone in Sick

Singles:

1. 1997 - Dust It, Don't Bust It [Fierce Panda] (Split 7-inch with Campag Velocet)

2. 1998 - Dust It, Don't Bust It (Full Version)" 12-inch EP [Rabid Badger]

3. September 1998 - Free The Regular Fries EP [JBO]

4. 1998 - Fries Entertainment EP [JBO]

5. June 1999 - King Kong [JBO]

6. 1999 - Dust It [JBO]

7. 2000 - Smokin' Cigars With The Pharaohs EP [JBO]

8. 2000 - Supersonic Waves [JBO]

9. 2001 - Eclipse [JBO] (Withdrawn)

10. 2001 - Transmissions From the War Office vol. 1 EP [Soft City]

11. 2001 - "Afrika" [Soft City]

References:

1. Strong, Martin C. (2003) "Regular Fries", in The Great Indie Discography, Canongate

2. Meyer, L., n.d. Regular Fries Biography, Songs, & Albums | AllMusic. [online] AllMusic. Available at: https://www.allmusic.com/artist/regular-fries-mn0000458558/biography [Accessed 31 July 2022].

Further Reading:

1. Regular Fries. Retrieved 31 July 2022, from https://www.discogs.com/artist/1077-Regular-Fries

2. Regular Fries - Wikipedia. Retrieved 31 July 2022, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regular_Fries