404

404 is a name used by several different acts across rock and electronic music. The best-known entries in the available information include a Korean band formed in 2009, a Hungarian rock group founded in summer 2010, a UK band active in the early 1980s, and an electronic project built around soundtrack and commercial work.

Korean 404

The Korean 404 forms in 2009 and consists of Se Chung on vocals and guitar and Inchol Cho on drums. The group releases its first album, 1, in 2012.

Hungarian 404

The Hungarian 404 forms in the summer of 2010 and plays eclectic progressive rock. It makes a demo in 2011 containing four songs, all homemade except for the vocals, which are recorded by Bálint Csongor of Subscribe.

UK 404

The UK 404 forms in 1983 with Paul Stirk on drums, Lee Russel on bass, Paul A. Moore on guitar and John Hunter on guitar and vocals. The band records its first demo at an 8-track studio in Bridlington, Yorkshire, a studio associated with recording Joy Division. The line-up does not last long, and the group splits soon afterwards, although Paul and John continue to work together from time to time. After time in Australia backpacking, they return to England and record a new five-song demo as 404, featuring “Give All You Got”, “Something I Need”, “Revved Up”, “Let Me Go” and “I Don’t Want To Talk”. The demo attracts producer Rupert Hine, who works with artists including Tina Turner, Stevie Nicks and Chris de Burgh, and the band secures a recording contract with BMG Records in the USA and a publishing deal with EMI within six months. The planned album is never released, and the group then takes a sabbatical.

Electronic 404

The electronic 404 makes old-school electronica with acid elements, and draws on ambient techno and orchestral textures. Its influences include Banco de Gaia, The Orb, Peter Gabriel, Underworld, ELO, Beloved and Paul Oakenfold. It also begins with soundtrack work for commercials for Heineken, Motorola and Siemens, as well as occasional short films, and that filmic quality remains part of its sound.