Keane

• 02 Jan 15:53
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Keane's roots can be traced back to 1995, when Tim Rice-Oxley, Dominic Scott and Richard Hughes formed a cover band called The Lotus Eaters. Rice-Oxley actually turned down an offer from Chris Martin to join Coldplay, several years before they became famous. Soon after this Tom Chaplin joined the band as lead vocalist, and they assumed the new name of Cherry Keane, before shortening it to Keane. They self-released a single in 1999, and over the coming years issued several more limited-release singles. The lack of success led to Scott's departure, and in turn proved a catalyst for the development of their characteristic sound, which is driven by Rice-Oxley's piano playing rather than a guitar. They exploded onto the mainstream in early 2004 with a UK Top 5 single Somewhere Only We Know, and later that year their debut album became one of the most acclaimed and bestselling British albums of the year, and one of the finest pop albums of the decade. After some difficult times behind the scenes, they returned two years later with another fine album, which although once again topped the UK charts, sold less than a third of the copies of their debut. Combining great pop melodies, outstanding production, and the ability to put on a great live show, they are one of the most important British bands to emerge from the 00s.

Followers: Scouting For Girls, The Script, Thirteen Senses, Daniel Powter

Influenced By: U2, The Verve, Coldplay, Embrace, Radiohead, The Beatles, Jeff Buckley...

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