Luke

Luke is a French rock band from Bordeaux, France, active since 1998. The group forms around Thomas Boulard and includes Stéphane Bouvier, Ludovic Morillon, Christophe Plantier, Bayrem Benamor, Jean-Pierre Ensuque, Cyril Guillanneuf, Damien Lefèvre and Romain Viallon.

Formation and early releases

The band begins in Aquitaine in 1998, when Thomas Boulard joins the group Spring, which already includes Christophe Plantier and François Jugé. The name Luke comes from the American film Cool Hand Luke. In 1999, the group records a set of demos and a seven-track CD and signs to Village Vert. That same year it releases the EP Je n'éclaire que moi.

Albums and tours

Luke releases its first album, La Vie presque, in 2001. The record is noted for Boulard’s intense lyrics. After touring, the band returns to the studio and records La Tête en arrière, released in 2003. The single La Sentinelle appears first, followed by Soledad, and these tracks help establish the band’s wider success.

During a 2004 tour, Bayrem Benamor joins as guitarist after being recruited via the internet. By the end of the tour, both Cyril Guillaneuf and Benamor leave the group, and Benamor is replaced by Jean-Pierre Ensuque. Luke later tours with Déportivo in 2005. After a year away from recording, the band works in the studio on its third album, Les Enfants de Saturne. The album is released in 2007, with La terre ferme issued as a single.