All about this artist
Biography:
This UK punk rock outfit was formed at the end of 2003 by Charlie Simpson (born Charles Robert Simpson, 7 June 1985, Woodbridge, Suffolk, England; guitar/vocals), who at the time was one third of the highly successful "boy band" Busted.
Simpson was seeking to progress beyond the commercial but limited pop rock of Busted, and used Fightstar to return to his first musical loves, hardcore punk and heavy rock. Alex Westaway (b. 2 February 1983, Northamptonshire, England; guitar), Omar Abidi (b.
England; drums) and Dan Haigh (b. 1982, Grimsby, England; bass) joined him in the line-up, and with the quartet gelling in rehearsals Simpson opted to leave Busted in January 2005 and devote himself fully to Fightstar. They made their debut the following month with the EP, They Liked You Better When You Were Dead.
The first track, "Palahniuk's Laughter", was named after US author Chuck Palahniuk, a stated influence on the band's music. The excellent emo-tinged "Paint Your Target" followed in June, reaching the UK Top 10 and causing a number of previously cynical critics to sit up and take notice.
Subsequent singles and debut album Grand Unification were less successful, with Simpson's determination to remain true to his hardcore roots (including cancelling an appearance on UK chart show Top Of The Pops) not helping the band's commercial fortunes, although the album was given a warm welcome by the music press.
The band severed their contract with Island Records later in the year. They signed a new deal with Institute, an offshoot of the leading UK independent Gut Records, and decamped to Los Angeles to record new material with established hardcore/metal producer Matt Wallace.
Released at the end of 2007, One Day Son, This Will All Be Yours was a slicker, more melodic effort than their debut. This was somewhat ironic considering the quartet had parted company with their previous label over pressure to come up with a more accessible sound.
