Kubb (band)

Kubb
Kubb performing live in Leeds, 2006
Background information
Origin	United Kingdom
Genres	Indie rock, alternative rock, post-Britpop
Years active	2005-2006
Labels	Mercury
Associated acts	Reef, The Daddy, La Roux, Raygun
Past members	Alex Evans Adj Buffone Dominic Greensmith Ben Langmaid Harry Collier Jeff Patterson John Hogg John Tilley Martin Wright

Kubb were a British indie rock band from London, who had two UK top 40 hits in 2005/6 and a top 30 album. Original member Ben Langmaid went on to become half of the duo La Roux.

The band started to form when singer Harry Collier was invited by Rollo Armstrong (of Faithless fame) to record in the latter's studio after Armstrong heard him sing "Happy Birthday" in the organic café where he was working as a waiter in 2001. At the studio he met Armstrong's old schoolfriend Ben Langmaid, who had a studio in the same complex, and Jeff Patterson. Collier grew up in Tobago, returning to England aged 17, and had been in several bands, most notably Rootjoose, playing over a thousand gigs before finding success with Kubb. The trio began writing songs together that would become Kubb's debut album, Mother. Langmaid and Patterson were only interested in studio and songwriting work, so Collier recruited former Reef member Dom Greensmith (drums), John Tilley (keyboards), and Adj Buffone (guitar).

The band were signed by Mercury Records, and narrowly missed out on a top 40 hit with the second single "Remain" although it was named "Single of the Week" by The Sun, The follow-up "Wicked Soul" gave them a top 30 hit and was used in a Rimmel cosmetics advert on television, and Youth-produced debut album Mother also reached the top 30 of the UK Albums Chart, going on to be certified gold. Collier explained the album's title: "The earth is our mother; we're all made of dirt. It's given birth to us. Most people's emotional make-up stems from their relationship with their mother. So it's a very pertinent word and a very beautiful word." The band had their biggest hit with "Grow", which reached No. 18 in the UK Singles Chart. The band headlined several tours in the UK. They also played two gigs at the Shepherd's Bush Empire, and made guest appearances on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross (on 16 December 2005, and on the Jonathan Ross Radio Show on 4 February 2006). They also appeared on Jools Holland's show Later...,Popworld, CDUK, the Des and Mel Show, The Friday Night Project, and appeared three times on Top of the Pops. They performed an iTunes Live from London gig at the London Apple Store. They recorded a 'secret session' for Tiscali. They appeared at the V Festival, and the Isle of Wight Festival.