Chapel Club | |
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Background information | |
Origin | London, England |
Genres | Synthpop, Indie rock, Post-punk |
Years active | 2007–2013 |
Labels |
Polydor (2009–2012) Ignition Records (2013) |
Associated acts | Gratitude, Hope of the States, Troubles, Summum Bonum, Dogs |
Members | Lewis Bowman Michael Hibbert Liam Arklie Alex Parry Rich Mitchell |
Chapel Club were an English indie-synthpop band from London, consisting of singer Lewis Bowman, drummer Rich Mitchell, bassist Liam Arklie and keyboardists/guitarists Michael Hibbert and Alex Parry.
The band parted ways with Universal imprint Polydor in March 2012 after ditching their previous indie rock sound, which had previously seen the band described as "moody, majestic and magnificent" for an electronic synth/sample led pop approach. The band's second and final album was released on Ignition Management imprint Ignition Records in 2013.
The band announced their split on 17 October 2013 onstage at St Pancras Old Church, London.
The band was formed by ex-Hope of the States/Troubles guitarist Michael Eran Hibbert in early 2007. Following the split of Troubles, Hibbert re-located to London from Harlow, Essex and started writing new material. Hibbert first recruited bassist Liam Arklie who had re-located to London from Swindon and was playing in local bands. Several months later the duo enlisted Lewis Bowman, who had previously been involved in putting on club nights and DJing and was a friend of a friend. Bowman wrote poetry, but had never previously sung in a band or written song lyrics. He was asked if he wanted to try writing for the band and was given several instrumental demos and asked to come up with vocal melodies and lyrics for them. When he recorded the fruits of his efforts at Hibbert's flat a week later, the latter was impressed enough that he immediately asked Bowman to join the band. Soon after, Arklie's best friend, guitarist Alex Parry joined and the band's line-up was completed with the addition of ex-Summum Bonum and Dogs drummer Rich Mitchell from Birkenshaw, West Yorkshire.
Initially named Palace, the newly formed five-piece began rehearsing and gigging around London. As another band already using the name Palace, the band changed their name to Golden Age before they stopped gigging to focus on writing and recording.