Fightstar

Fightstar
Frontman Charlie Simpson (left) and bassist Dan Haigh in 2010
Background information
Origin	London, United Kingdom
Genres	Post-hardcore alternative rock heavy metal
Years active	2003–2010 2014–present
Labels	PIAS Gut Island Trustkill Deep Elm
Associated acts	Gunship
Website	fightstarmusic.com
Members	Charlie Simpson Alex Westaway Dan Haigh Omar Abidi

Fightstar are a British rock band from London which formed in 2003. The band is composed of lead vocalist, guitarist and keyboardist Charlie Simpson, guitarist and vocalist Alex Westaway, bassist Dan Haigh and drummer Omar Abidi. Generally considered a post-hardcore band, Fightstar are known to incorporate metal, alternative rock and other genres into their sound. During the band's early days, they were viewed skeptically because of Simpson's former pop career with Busted. However, their live shows received a positive reaction and their 2005 debut EP (They Liked You Better When You Were Dead) was a critical success.

The band released their debut studio album, Grand Unification, the following year; Kerrang! editor Paul Brannigan called it "one of the best British rock albums of the last decade". Fightstar received a nomination for Best British Band at the 2006 Kerrang! Awards before releasing their second album, One Day Son, This Will All Be Yours, in 2007. A compilation album including B-sides and rarities, Alternate Endings, was released the following year. The band self-funded and co-produced their third album, Be Human (2009), which featured orchestral and choral elements. It was their highest-charting album, peaking at number 20 on the UK Albums Chart.