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Biography
Infobox musical artist|name = Alfie|image =|caption =|image_size =|background = group_or_band|origin = Manchester , England |genre = Indie rock , folk rock |years_active = 1999& ndash;2005|label = Twisted Nerve Records Regal Zonophone Records |associated_acts = The Beep Seals |Also Known As =|current_members =|past_members = Lee Gorton Ian Smith Matt McGeever Sam Morris Sean Kelly|notable_instruments = Alfie were an England|English indie rock band from Manchester . They were originally signed to Twisted Nerve Records before moving to EMI sub-label Regal Zonophone Records .
Twisted Nerve years (1999-2002)
The band signed to the Twisted Nerve label in 1999, and were recruited by label co-founder Damon Gough (aka Badly Drawn Boy ) to be his support act and backing band.Cite web| title =Alfie Interview | url = http://www.freewilliamsburg.com/august_2002/alfie.html | publisher = freewilliamsburg.com | date = August 2002 | accessdate = 17 January 2011
After three vinyl-only Extended Play|EP releases, they released the album, If You Happy with You Need Do Nothing , a compilation of the latter two of these. In 2002, there followed the first album proper, A Word in Your Ear , and their first United States|US tour. At this time, they were close to fellow Manchester bands Doves (band)|Doves , I Am Kloot and Elbow (band)|Elbow , with whom they shared a rehearsal complex. However, while these bands and labelmate, Badly Drawn Boy, all won or were nominated for the Mercury Prize , similar recognition eluded Alfie.
Parlophone years (2002-2005)
Later in 2002, the band signed to Parlophone, for whom they recorded third album, Do You Imagine Things? with Coldplay producer Ken Nelson. The album was praised as being 'a great leap forward'Cite web| title =Alfie: Do You Imagine Things? | url = http://www.uncut.co.uk/music/alfie/reviews/6447 | publisher = Uncut | accessdate = 17 January 2011 and 'a warm record that is above the indie quagmire'. Despite the favourable reviews, the album failed to break the UK Top 40.Cite web | url = http://www.everyhit.com/index.html|title=EveryHit | publisher = Everyhit.com failed verification|date=January 2011 The fourth album, Crying at Teatime was released in 2005, and heralded in advance by Gorton as full of 'triumphant moments' and a 'bigger sound' than previous albums.Cite web| title =Alfie Use Their Other Head | url = http://www.citylife.co.uk/news_and_reviews/news/4014_alfie_use_their_other_head | publisher = City Life | date = 18 January 2005 | accessdate = 17 January 2011 Again, reviews were favourable, claiming they had 'finally found the missing piece of their jigsaw'.Cite web| title =Alfie Crying At Teatime Review | url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/5qjw | publisher = www.bbc.co.uk | date = 18 January 2005 | accessdate = 17 January 2011
However, with no further chart progress made, on 27 October 2005, they announced they were breaking up, with Gorton stating that 'it's hard to keep faith when it feels like no-one's listening'. http://www.nme.com/news/alfie/21358. NME.com
Post break-up
After the band split up, guitar Ian Smith and bassist Sam Morris played in The Beep Seals who were active between 2006 and 2009. Singer Lee Gorton has not released any new material, but has focused on organising gigs in Manchester and London. http://www.myspace.com/downattheredbricks Myspace.com
Their song "Indoor League", from the album Do You Imagine Things? was used for an advertisement on Channel 4 for Channel 4 Radio .
Origin of name
According to Gorton, the name Alfie "was just plucked out of the air" but being one of the first bands alphabetically had helped them. For example, when "we played All Tomorrow's Parties , it looked like we were headlining".
Band members
Lee Gorton ( Singing|vocals )
Ian Smith ( guitar )
Matt McGeever (guitar, cello )
Sam Morris ( bass guitar|bass , keyboard instrument|keyboards , french horn )
Sean Kelly ( Drum kit|drums )
Discography
Singles and EPs
"Alfie" (EP) (2000)
"Bookends" (EP) (2000)
"Montevideo" (EP) (2000)
"You Make No Bones" (2001) - #61 UK Singles Chart|UK
"A Word In Your Ear" (2002) - #66 UK
"People" (2003) - #53 UK
"Stuntman" (2003) - #56 UK
"No Need" (2004) - #66 UK
"Your Own Religion" (2005) - #61 UKcite book
| first= David | last= Roberts | year= 2006 | title= British Hit Singles & Albums | edition= 19th | publisher= Guinness World Records Limited | location= London | isbn= 1-904994-10-5 | page= 18
Albums
If You Happy with You Need Do Nothing (March 2001) - #62 UK Albums Chart|UK
http://www.myspace.com/52408105 Alfie Myspace page with links to former band members current projects
DEFAULTSORT:Alfie (Band) Category:English indie rock groups Category:Musical groups from Manchester Category:Musical groups established in 2000 Category:Musical groups disestablished in 2005
Copyright Citations
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