Klaxons

The London-based Klaxons feature the combined talents of Jamie Reynolds, James Righton, and Simon Taylor.

Despite being a rock band at the core, Klaxons are heavily influenced by dance music, particularly the late-'80s/early-'90s U.K.

rave movement.

(Reynolds has even dubbed his band "nu-rave" to further emphasize the inspiration.) By the time Klaxons released their second low-key single, they had become a favorite of publications such as NME and wound up signing with Polydor Records.

As the group set to work on its first album, the Modular label issued a brief singles compilation entitled Xan Valleys in late 2006.

Myths of the Near Future, the full-length debut, was then released in early 2007 on both sides of the Atlantic.

That same year, Myths of the Near Future won the coveted Mercury Prize.

In 2008, Klaxons began work recording new songs with legendary producer Tony Visconti and later with Bernard "Focus..." Edwards, Jr.

Purportedly, the band's label Polydor felt the songs were too experimental and rejected the album.

Subsequently, Klaxons did re-record the album with producer Ross Robinson.

In 2010, Klaxons released the material as its sophomore effort Surfing the Void.

~ Andy Kellman, Rovi

Klaxons wasted ''a lot of time and money'' by going into the studio unprepared to record their second album.

(BANG) -

Klaxons wasted "a lot of time and money" by going into the studio unprepared.

The psychedelic rock band famously had their initial attempt at recording second album 'Surfing The Void' scrapped by their record company, leading to them taking three years to follow up their Mercury Music Prize winning debut album.

Guitarist Simon Taylor-Davis admitted the band weren't initially ready to record when they first did, telling The Scotsman newspaper: "We made the big mistake of going into the studio without any new songs. If you want to waste a lot of time and a lot of money, follow our example!

"We came up with a lot of exciting, experimental and totally self-indulgent stuff - crazy time signatures, really long songs."

After aborted attempts to record with a number of different producers, the group finally found a sound they liked with heavy metal producer Ross Robinson and the results were released this week. The band will also play the Reading and Leeds festivals this weekend, where bassist Jamie promises the band will put on an audio/visual spectacular for their slot headlining the NME/Radio1 stages.

He told NME magazine: "We've got a full team, and Ed Warren, our visuals guy is going to be on board for the first time, so he will do his business.

"I think the set's really strong. We've set the balance really well and we're just raring to go."

Klaxons play Leeds on Saturday (28.08.10) and Reading on Sunday (29.08.10).

Klaxons claim they ''weren't a band'' when they recorded their first album, but a ''collection of ideas by three people'' worked into a record by a producer.

(BANG) -

Klaxons claim they "weren't a band" when they recorded their first album.

The UK dance-pop group released their second album 'Surfing The Void' yesterday (23.08.10), and bassist Jamie Reynolds says it is a much more complete body of work than the band's first effort, 2007s 'Myths Of The Near Future'.

He told Spinnermusic.co.uk: "We fundamentally weren't a band on our first record

"We were very much a collection of ideas by three people that reached out and worked with a producer. That then allowed us to make these ideas into the realities of being songs and us a band."

"We wished our success into existence and we naively carried that with us. And the spirit carried us to the point that everything worked."

'Myths Of The Near Future' went on to become one of the moist critically acclaimed albums of 2007 and landed the band - completed by James Righton, Simon Taylor-Davis and Steffan Halperin - the prestigious Mercury Music award.

Following up the album wasn't easy for the band, however, and their initial efforts in 2008 were rejected by their record label. Trouble finding the right producer for the group's sound also lead to long delays before they finally settled on Ross Robinson, who is best known for working with Heavy metals groups including Slipknot and Korn.

Jamie said Ross pushed drummer Steffan the hardest, telling website Drowned In Sound: "It's noticeable how much bigger everything sounds now. Stefan is like a different man thanks to Ross."

He added that Ross immediately clicked with the band and that: "He just came along and everything started working."

Klaxons are happy they had a ''slightly difficult time'' making their second album 'Surfing The Void'.

(BANG) -

Klaxons are happy they struggled to make their second album.

The British band - who will release 'Surfing The Void' next month -admit they had an easy time with their first album and needed "sorting out."

Singer-and- bassist Jamie Reynolds said: We don't look at any of what's happened as negative. It was important for us to have a slightly difficult time, because we'd been on this breeze, the band was just upwards and upwards and upwards - it never stopped!"

The 'Golden Skans' hitmakers also say working with Slipknot producer Ross Robinson gave them some much needed guidance.

Guitarist Simon Taylor-Davis said the unlikely partnership was exactly what the band needed.

He explained: "He started by studying the drums, then he just slowly prised each one of us apart. He said to Steff Halperin, the drummer, just before the first take 'You are going to die tomorrow and this is what you'll be remembered for - so let's do it!'"

Jamie added: "His is a very dramatic approach to finding the moment and making everything feel completely alive and real."