Maxïmo Park

Maxïmo Park

Maxïmo Park are an English alternative rock band from Newcastle upon Tyne, formed in 2000 and active since then. The band’s line-up includes Paul Smith on vocals, Duncan Lloyd on guitar, Archis Tiku on bass guitar, Tom English on drums, Lukas Wooller on keyboards and Paul Rafferty. Their sound sits in indie rock, new wave and post-punk revival, and they are associated with the wider British indie scene.

Early releases and Warp Records

After releasing 300 copies of two songs, the band is discovered by Warp Records and signs to the label in 2004. Their debut album, A Certain Trigger, follows in 2005 and becomes a major release for the group. It receives critical attention, is widely described as one of the best British albums of that year, and earns a Mercury Music Prize nomination.

Chart success and singles

A Certain Trigger produces several UK chart singles, including Apply Some Pressure, Graffiti and Going Missing, all of which reach the UK Top 20 in 2005. The album’s final single, I Want You To Stay, is released in 2006. The band also contributes the song Wasteland to the War Child compilation Help: A Day in the Life.

Later albums and touring

The second album, Our Earthly Pleasures, is released in 2007, with singles including Our Velocity, Girls Who Play Guitars, Books From Boxes and Karaoke Plays. A third album is recorded by 2008, and the band’s fourth album, The National Health, is later associated with themes of society and control. Across the mid-2000s they tour widely in Europe, the United States, Japan, Australia and Asia, and play festivals including Glastonbury, Lowlands and the Carling Weekend. They also support Kaiser Chiefs on the NME Rock and Roll Riot Tour, appear at XFM Winter Wonderland in London, headline the NME Awards Tour with Arctic Monkeys, Mystery Jets and We Are Scientists, and perform at Rock 100 Festival in Bangkok. The band also plays small hometown shows in Newcastle and headlines Freevolution 2007, a free outdoor festival in Newcastle/Gateshead.