Peace (band)

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Peace
Peace live in Denver, United States in 2013
Peace live in Denver, United States in 2013
Background information
OriginWorcester, England
GenresIndie rock, alternative rock, funk rock, psychedelic rock
Years active2012–2018, 2023–present
LabelsColumbia
Ignition
MembersDouglas Castle
Dominic Boyce
Harrison Koisser
Samuel Koisser
Websitepeaceforeverever.co.uk

Peace are an English indie rock band, formed in Worcester.[1][2] The band currently consists of brothers Harry and Sam Koisser.[3] The band began to receive critical acclaim in early 2012, from publications such as The Guardian and NME, who compared them to The Maccabees, Foals, Wu Lyf and Vampire Weekend.[4] They were considered part of the B-Town movement, along with bands such as Swim Deep, Jaws and Superfood.

Their first single, "Follow Baby", was self-released in April 2012 in the form of 500 7" vinyl copies.[5] The band then signed to Columbia Records & released their debut extended play, EP Delicious, on 7 September 2012.[6] With their debut studio album, In Love, released on 25 March 2013,[7] the band released their lead single "Wraith" on 13 January 2013.[8] It was announced by the BBC on 9 December 2012 that Peace had been nominated for the Sound of 2013 poll.[9]

The band is distinct from the zamrock band The Peace, that was active in the 1970s or the CCM band, Peace, led by Dan Peek during the 1990s.

History

2009–2011: Formation and beginnings

Originally named November and the Criminal, the band formed in August 2009 and released their self-titled debut EP in March 2010[10] before changing their name to Peace in October 2010.[11] The band stated in 2013 they changed their name after having "written a whole different group of songs, which had a different feel" and dismissed their previous incarnation as November and The Criminal as being a "high-school band, when we were in college". During the band's last gig under their old name, they performed the first song written as Peace twice.[12]

Lead singer Harry Koisser stated that the band was founded out of boredom, while the name Peace was inspired by a photograph celebrating the end of the Second World War.[4][13] The Koisser brothers grew up in Droitwich,[14] where they attended the Wychavon Youth Music after school club and formed Farmyard Juice[15] before forming The Third Exit together in January 2004 whilst at Droitwich Spa High School.[16] The brothers also formed Emo/Melodic hardcore band "Drowning In Deuce" in 2008.[17][18][19][20] Boyce and Castle both attended Nunnery Wood High School, with the band forming when Harry Koisser and Boyce met at Worcester Sixth Form College.[21]

Up until this point, the band were relatively unknown, even on the local music scene, and their earliest documented gig took place during the Worcester Music Festival on 23 August 2009[22] Andrew Marston of BBC Introducing was one of the band's first supporters, giving them a prime-time slot on the BBC Hereford & Worcester stage at the Nozstock Festival of Performing Arts in July 2010 as well as much airplay beforehand.[23] Andy O'Hare would later make them one of his top ten picks of the year.[24]

In January 2012, Peace released their first track, "Bblood", online.[25] Having attracted the attention of NME, the band were featured as part of the magazine's 2012 'Ones to Watch' feature, which praised them for "Doomy, gruff vocals laced with foreboding guitars that board on tropical (and sound about 10 times more exhilarating than you imagine that could be)".[25] Peace were also well received by The Guardian, who hailed them as "the future of indie".[4]

The band released their debut single "Follow Baby" in April 2012, which was limited to 500 7" vinyl copies, 200 of which were signed by the band members.[5] Having supported Mystery Jets and The Vaccines on tour,[26] Peace proceeded to release their debut extended play EP Delicious on 7 September. Well received by the BBC and NME, the four-track extended play featured "California Daze", a track made available as a free download by the band in August of that year.[27][28]

2012–2013: In Love

On 9 December 2012, the BBC announced that Peace had been nominated for the Sound of 2013 poll.[9] The band released the lead single from their upcoming studio album "Wraith" on 13 January 2013,[7][8] where it debuted at number seventy-five on the UK Singles Chart for the week ending 26 January 2013.[29]

In February 2013, the band performed in an opening slot on the NME Awards Tour 2013 alongside Palma Violets, Miles Kane and headliners Django Django.[30] "Follow Baby" was reissued as the second single from their debut album on 17 February 2013, failing to chart in the United Kingdom.[31] In Love was released as the band's debut studio album on 25 March 2013 in the United Kingdom, debuting at number sixteen on the UK Albums Chart with sales of 9,028 copies for the chart week dated 6 April 2013.[29]

Late 2013–2016: Happy People

In November 2013, Peace confirmed they had started recording for their second album. The band toured the US in October 2013 with Oliver Henry Burslem, who later formed and fronted Yak, temporarily replacing guitarist Douglas Castle.[32] In late November and December 2013, playing at notable venues such as two nights at o2 Shepherd's Bush Empire, o2 Academy Birmingham, and Rock City (club) in Nottingham. During this November–December 2013 tour, Peace debuted future single 'Money'. The single received its first play on Hottest Record in the World on Radio 1 by Huw Stephens on 15 April 2014, with Peace announcing that it would be the first single from their upcoming second album and would be released 16 June 2014 and uploaded the music video for the song to their VEVO channel. The album date was scheduled for early February 2015.[33]

On 30 July 2014, Peace announced the next single taken from their second album would be called "Lost On Me" and would be released on 28 September.[34]

In August 2014, the band returned to the Reading and Leeds festivals, playing their largest shows to date. The band performed sixth on the bill for the main stage, playing before a number of popular artists including The Hives, Foster the People and the day's headliners Arctic Monkeys.

The second album, Happy People, was released on 9 February 2015.

2017–2022: Kindness is the New Rock and Roll

On 8 December 2017, the band issued their first release for new label Ignition Records in the form of digital single "From Under Liquid Glass". The track was released in support of MQ Mental Health.[35]

Their third album, Kindness Is the New Rock and Roll, was released on 4 May 2018.

In 2022, their 2013 single "Lovesick" appeared in the first episode of the British TV series, Heartstopper.[36]

2023: New band line-up and Utopia

On 3 April 2023, after a series of online teasers regarding their return in March 2023, Peace put their fourth album Utopia up in its entirety exclusively on their password protected website and performed several UK gigs in May and June 2023. It was also revealed that the band are now a duo, as founding members Douglas Castle and Dominic Boyce are no longer serving for the band.[3]

Members

  • Harrison "Harry" Koisser – lead vocals, guitar, keyboards, piano, tambourine
  • Samuel "Sam" Koisser – bass guitar, backing vocals
  • Douglas "Doug" Castle – guitar
  • Dominic "Dom" Boyce – drums, percussion, backing vocals

Discography

Studio albums

List of studio albums, with selected details and chart positions
Title Details Peak chart positions
UK
[29]
In Love 16
Happy People
  • Released: 9 February 2015[37]
  • Label: Columbia
  • Format: LP, CD, digital download
12
Kindness Is the New Rock and Roll
  • Released: 4 May 2018[38]
  • Label: Ignition
  • Format: LP, CD, digital download
49
Utopia
  • Released: 5 April 2023[39]
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: LP, Digital download

Extended plays

List of EPs, with selected details
Title Details
EP Delicious
  • Released: 7 September 2012[6]
  • Label: Columbia
  • Format: Digital download

Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
UK
[29]
"Follow Baby"[5][31] 2012 In Love
"Wraith" 2013 75
"California Daze"[citation needed]
"Lovesick"[citation needed]
"Money" 2014 66 Happy People
"Lost on Me"[40]
"I'm a Girl"[citation needed] 2015
"From Under Liquid Glass"[41] 2017 Kindness Is the New Rock and Roll
"Power"[42] 2018
"Happy Cars" 2023 Utopia
"—" denotes single that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Tours

  • Supertour (March–May 2012) (as headliner & support)[43]
  • Tour Delicious (October–December 2012) (as headliner)[44]
  • NME Awards Tour (February 2013) (as support)[30]
  • In Love Tour (April–May 2013) (as headliner)[45]
  • Gorge Tour (November–December 2013) (as headliner)[46]
  • May/June 2014 UK Tour
  • So Long See You Tomorrow Tour (November–December 2014) (as support)
  • J'adore tour 2015
  • Happy People Tour 2015
  • Kindness Is the New Rock and Roll Tour 2018[39]

Awards and nominations

Year Organisation Award Work Result
2012 NME 50 Best Tracks
of 2012[47]
"California Daze" #13
"Bloodshake" #43
"Follow Baby" #47
BBC Sound of 2013[9] Nominated
2013 NME Best New Band[48] Nominated
2014 NME Best Album[49] In Love Nominated

References

  1. ^ "Top music magazine is giving Peace a chance". Worcester News. 6 December 2012. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
  2. ^ O'Hare, Andy (22 January 2010). "The Marr's Bar, Worcester 22.01.2010". Hereford and Worcester. BBC. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
  3. ^ a b Pilley, Max (3 April 2023). "PEACE RETURN WITH NEW ALBUM NEWS". Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  4. ^ a b c Lester, Paul (16 January 2012). "New band of the day: Peace (No 1,186)". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
  5. ^ a b c "Peace – Follow Baby 7". Deadlystore. Archived from the original on 27 August 2013. Retrieved 6 January 2013.
  6. ^ a b "Peace – 'EP Delicious' – Digital Download". iTunes. 7 September 2012. Retrieved 6 January 2013.
  7. ^ a b c "Peace – 'In Love'". Amazon. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
  8. ^ a b "Peace – 'Wraith' – Digital Download". iTunes. Retrieved 6 January 2013.
  9. ^ a b c "Sound of 2013 Profiles: Peace". BBC. 9 December 2012. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
  10. ^ "About: November and the Criminal". Not Just Sauce. Archived from the original on 29 September 2013. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
  11. ^ "November and the Criminal announce rename". Alter the Press. October 2010. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
  12. ^ "Underground Festival 2012 - Peace (Interview)". No Ripcord.
  13. ^ Homewood, Ben. "Ones To Watch: Peace". The Fly. Archived from the original on 22 August 2012. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
  14. ^ "3rd Exit on PureVolume". PureVolume. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
  15. ^ "Whychavon District Council – Arts Newsletter" (PDF). Whychavon District Council. May 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
  16. ^ "Third Exit: The Band". n/a. Archived from the original on 28 September 2013. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
  17. ^ "Drowning in Deuce". Flickr - Photo Sharing!. 5 July 2008.
  18. ^ "Honesty Fails, Friday First, Drowning In Deuce". remotegoat.com.
  19. ^ "Drowning in Deuce". Last.fm.
  20. ^ "Official page of Drowning in Deuce genre: Hardcore Rock". emergenza.net.
  21. ^ "Interview: Peace". 7 Bit Arcade. 13 December 2012. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
  22. ^ "Andy O'Hare reviews the Worcester Music Festival 2009". Hereford and Worcester. BBC. 23 August 2009. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
  23. ^ "In pictures: November and The Criminal live at Nozstock". Hereford and Worcester. BBC. 23 July 2010. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
  24. ^ "The Very Best of 2010". Hereford and Worcester. BBC. 31 December 2010. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
  25. ^ a b "Peace – NME Ones to watch 2012 – Bblood Demo". Deadly People. 13 January 2012. Archived from the original on 26 September 2013. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  26. ^ "10 Tracks You Have To Hear This Week (11/08/12)". NME. 7 August 2012. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
  27. ^ Diver, Mike. "Peace EP Delicious Review". BBC. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
  28. ^ Howard, Tom (12 September 2012). "Peace EP Delicious". NME.
  29. ^ a b c d "Official Charts: PEACE (Artist)". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 May 2018.
  30. ^ a b "Django Django to headline NME Awards Tour 2013". NME. 26 November 2012. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
  31. ^ a b "Peace – 'Follow Baby' – Digital Download". iTunes. 22 March 2013. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
  32. ^ Kessler, Samantha. "Peacefully rocking out". Tiger Tales. Retrieved 15 December 2017.
  33. ^ Ed Keeble, Andrew Trendell. "Peace discuss their 'experimental' new album". gigwise.com.
  34. ^ "Peace - Lost On Me - All-Noise". All-Noise. 30 July 2014.
  35. ^ "Listen to 'From Under Liquid Glass', the new single from Peace". NME. 8 December 2017. Retrieved 15 December 2017.
  36. ^ Warner, Sam (25 April 2022). "'Heartstopper' soundtrack: every song played in the new Netflix drama". NME. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  37. ^ "'Peace Discuss Their New Experimental Album". Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  38. ^ "Kindness Is the New Rock and Roll by Peace". iTunes (UK). 4 May 2018. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
  39. ^ a b Andrew Trendell (3 April 2023). "Peace surprise release new album, announce new line-up and intimate UK shows". NME. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  40. ^ "Peace – Lost On Me (Audio)". YouTube. Retrieved 30 July 2014.
  41. ^ "From Under Liquid Glass - Single by Peace". iTunes (UK). 8 December 2017. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
  42. ^ "Power - Single by Peace". iTunes (UK). 9 February 2018. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
  43. ^ "Peace Supertour Poster". Peace. 3 May 2012. Archived from the original on 22 September 2013. Retrieved 22 September 2013.
  44. ^ "Peace Tour Delicious Poster". Peace. 10 October 2012. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 22 September 2013.
  45. ^ "Peace reveal 'In Love' album artwork and UK tour details". NME. 14 February 2013. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
  46. ^ "Peace and Drenge to tour UK together in November". NME. 27 August 2013. Retrieved 30 August 2013.
  47. ^ "50 Best Tracks of 2012". NME. 20 November 2012. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
  48. ^ "NME Awards 2013 winners in full". Digital Spy. 27 February 2013. Retrieved 13 March 2013.
  49. ^ "NME Awards 2014 nominees in full". Digital Spy. 15 January 2014. Retrieved 15 January 2014.

External links