Brigade (UK band)

Brigade
Brigade perform live at the Carling Academy, Oxford in 2008. L-R: Will Simpson, Andrew Kearton and Naoto Hori
Background information
Origin	London, England
Genres	Alternative rock, post-hardcore
Years active	2003 (2003)–2011, 2016
Labels	Mighty Atom, Roadrunner
Associated acts	Once Upon A Dead Man
Website	www.brigadeofficial.com
Members	Will Simpson James Plant Naoto Hori Nathaniel Finbow
Past members	Andrew Kearton Alex Baker Jumpei Hirano

Brigade are a British alternative rock band from London, England, formed in 2003. The four-piece consisted of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Will Simpson, lead guitarist and backing vocalist James Plant, bassist Naoto Hori, and drummer Andrew Kearton.

To date Brigade have released two extended plays and three studio albums. The band have toured with such UK bands as Fightstar, InMe and Hell Is For Heroes, and US bands including Aiden and Kill Hannah.

Brigade came together in 2003. Early gigs saw them win a "Battle of The Bands" competition at the Emergenza festival at the West One Four venue in West Kensington during May 2004. Their 'Safe Hands' demo gained the quartet significant interest in rock circles and in support, the quartet have been constantly touring the UK to build up a strong fanbase.

Brigade released their debut EP, "Made to Wreck", on 12 September 2005. To support the release of this EP, they toured with many bands; one of which was Fightstar, whose frontman (Charlie Simpson) is Will's younger brother.

Brigade went back into the studio during early November 2005 to put the finishing touches on their debut album. It was subsequently produced and mixed by Joe Gibb and co-produced by Gethin Woolcock. The band finished their debut album by November 2005.

Brigade began 2006 with a UK tour supporting Fightstar. Following this, the band embarked on a UK Tour throughout April and May 2006, the April dates co-headlining with Northern Irish band Fighting With Wire. Brigade released their debut album "Lights" on 29 May 2006 in the UK. "Lights" received impressive reviews from the press receiving 8/10 from NME, 4/5 from Kerrang! and 8/10 from Rock Sound.