Stapleton is an independent rock band who come from

Glasgow Glasgow ( ; sco, Glesca or ; gd, Glaschu ) is the most populous city in Scotland and the fourth-most populous city in the United Kingdom, as well as being the 27th largest city by population in Europe. In 2020, it had an estimated popul ...

. They formed in April 1997 and have released four albums and two EPs. They have to date played over 300 shows. They have released records on a number of independent record labels and are presently signed to

Xtra Mile Recordings Xtra Mile Recordings are a British independent record label based in London, England. The label was founded in 2003 by Charlie Caplowe and they release an eclectic mix of genres with a focus on rock and folk. History The label first signed the ...

in the UK and This Time Records in Japan. The band consist of Andrew Cook (Guitar & Vocals), Gordon Farquhar (Drums & Percussion), Alistair Paxton (Vocals & Guitar) and Nico Weststeijn (Bass).

History

Stapleton first came to prominence in the Glasgow DIY music scene of the late nineties, playing early shows alongside bands such as

Karate (; ; Okinawan language, Okinawan pronunciation: ) is a martial arts, martial art developed in the Ryukyu Kingdom. It developed from the Okinawan martial arts, indigenous Ryukyuan martial arts (called , "hand"; ''tii'' in Okinawan) under the ...

Bluetip Bluetip was an American rock band from Washington, D.C., forming in March 1995 by ex-members of Swiz. They released four albums, an EP, and a number of singles before splitting up in January 2002. Originally, the band was to be named The Ohio Blu ...

, Dismemberment Plan and

Les Savy Fav Les Savy Fav ( ) is an American indie rock band based in New York City. Their style is influenced by art punk and post-hardcore. The group is known for the stage presence of lead singer Tim Harrington. The band is signed to Frenchkiss Records, ...

. They were an integral and ubiquitous part of a supportive and diverse independent Scottish music scene that also included bands such as Laeto, Sawyer, Idlewild,

Aereogramme Aereogramme were a Scottish alternative rock band from Glasgow, formed in 1998, consisting of Craig B. (vocals, guitar), Iain Cook (guitar, programming), Campbell McNeil (bass) and Martin Scott (drums). Prior to their split in 2007, the band ...

and

Biffy Clyro Biffy Clyro are a Scottish rock band that formed in Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire, composed of Simon Neil (guitar, lead vocals), James Johnston (bass, vocals), and Ben Johnston (drums, vocals). Currently signed to 14th Floor Records, they have r ...

. The turn of the millennium brought an increase in touring for Stapleton, as well as a first full release; 'Rebuild The Pier' on the English label Year 3 Thousand Records. Recorded at the Brill Building, Glasgow over two days by Richie Dempsey, Rebuild The Pier was critically acclaimed by national press and has retrospectively been regarded as a pioneering, landmark record by many bands and individuals. The 2001 follow up, 'On The Enjoyment of Unpleasant Places', achieved a similar status on its release through the legendary English label Subjugation Records. Initial pressings of the record sold very quickly and, indeed, it remained out of print until a repackaged version (including the Icy You EP) was released in 2004. 2002 saw the release of two EPs by Stapleton; firstly, the 'Icy You' EP, made up of songs from the 'On The Enjoyment' sessions, and secondly, the 'Chez Chef' EP, recorded in London by Pat Collier and Larry Hibbitt. Stapleton toured prolifically around this time, supporting high-profile peers such as Idlewild,

Snow Patrol Snow Patrol are a Northern Irish–Scottish Rock music, rock band formed in 1994 in Dundee, Scotland. They consist of Gary Lightbody (vocals, guitar), Nathan Connolly (guitar, backing vocals), Paul Wilson (musician), Paul Wilson (bass guitar, ...

and

Hundred Reasons Hundred Reasons are an English alternative rock band from Aldershot, Hampshire, and Teddington, South West London, formed in 1999. The band consists of Colin Doran (vocals), Larry Hibbitt (guitar, vocals), Andy Gilmour (bass) and Andy Bews (drum ...

, as well as highly regarded independent touring bands like

Lungfish Lungfish are freshwater vertebrates belonging to the order Dipnoi. Lungfish are best known for retaining ancestral characteristics within the Osteichthyes, including the ability to breathe air, and ancestral structures within Sarcopterygii, i ...

, Weakerthans,

Q and not U Q and Not U was a post-hardcore band from Washington, D.C., signed to Dischord Records. Members John Davis, Harris Klahr, Christopher Richards, and Matt Borlik formed the band in 1998. After Borlik's departure following the release of their firs ...

Pedro The Lion Pedro the Lion is an American indie rock band from Seattle, Washington, United States. David Bazan formed the band in 1995 and represented its main creative force, backed by a varying rotation of collaborating musicians. In 2006 Pedro the Lion wa ...

, Tristeza and

Burning Airlines Burning Airlines was an American rock band from Washington, D.C. J. Robbins and Bill Barbot of Jawbox formed the band with Peter Moffett (formerly of Government Issue) in 1997. The band released two full-length albums, a self-titled 7", and sp ...

. It was through a Glasgow show with Burning Airlines that Stapleton became involved with the esteemed musician and engineer

J. Robbins James Robbins (best known as J. Robbins) is an American rock musician. Career Robbins began his career as a bassist for Government Issue, and has also led five of his own bands: Jawbox, Rollkicker Laydown, Burning Airlines, Channels, and Off ...

. May 2005 saw Stapleton record their third album, 'Hug The Coast', in Robbins' Baltimore studio, The Magpie Cage. Hug The Coast was released in late 2005 on Gravity Records and contained artwork by Grammy nominated artist

Jesse LeDoux Jesse may refer to: People and fictional characters * Jesse (biblical figure), father of David in the Bible. * Jesse (given name), including a list of people and fictional characters * Jesse (surname), a list of people Music * ''Jesse'' (a ...

. Following considerable touring, Stapleton chose to go on hiatus in Summer of 2006, though only after recording a fourth album 'Rest and be Thankful' with their friend and live engineer Robin Sutherland. Rest and be Thankful was released in May 2008 on

, and was supported by a short UK tour. Though they are presently on hiatus, members of Stapleton are active with other bands. These include Metronomes, Happy Particles, Avast! and Elements of the Seventies.

Discography

Studio albums

*''Rebuild the Pier'' (2000) Year 3 Thousand *''On The Enjoyment of Unpleasant Places'' (2001) Subjugation Records *''On The Enjoyment of Unpleasant Places + Icy You'' (2004) Gravity DIP Records *''Hug The Coast'' (2005) Gravity DIP Records *''Rest and be Thankful'' (2008)

EPs and split singles

*''Acres & Yards'' ('Mosh & Go' 7") released in October 2001 on

Fierce Panda Records Fierce Panda Records is a London-based independent record label, with its first release in February 1994. It also produced a small number of releases that year by now famous artists such as Ash, The Bluetones, Baby Bird and Supergrass. Fierc ...

. *''The Boredom of Bread, The Fun of Cake'' (split CD with Beezewax) released in October 2001 on Biscay Records *''Icy You'' (EP) released in April 2002 on Gravity DIP Records *''Chez Chef'' (EP) released in December 2002 on Gravity DIP Records *''Happy Homes and the Hearts That Make Them / Northwest Corners'' (split 10" with

Dartz! Dartz! (often stylized as DARTZ!) were a Math rock group from Middlesbrough, England, who formed at the beginning of 2005. They are signed to Xtra Mile Recordings in the UK and Deep Elm in the US, and released one full-length album, one mini ...

) released in April 2006 on Gravity DIP Records *''Sports Cars And Devil Worship'' on 'Souvenir', Cable tribute album released October 2006 on Signature Tune Records.

References

External links

Stapleton
on Myspace
Banquet RecordsStapleton Interview on Rockmidgets.comStapleton article archive at Drowned In SoundHappy ParticlesMetronomesAvast!
{{DEFAULTSORT:Stapleton (Band) Scottish rock music groups Musical groups established in 1997