The Filaments

The Filaments

The Filaments are a street-punk band with brass from Chelmsford, Essex. They form in 2000 and work within punk and ska, with influences that include Rancid, The Clash, Operation Ivy, The Business, The 4-Skins and The Specials.

Releases

Their debut album, Skull and Trombones, appears in 2001 on New Blood Records. Their second album, ..Whats Next?, appears in 2004 on Household Name Records. That record shows a wider range of writing than the debut, combining UK '82-style punk with dub, 2-tone-influenced ska and psychobilly. A third record, Land of Lions, is also part of the group’s catalogue.

Live work and activity

The Filaments build a reputation for large live shows in the UK and on the European mainland. After the first album they tour with The Casualties, Deadline and Roger Miret and The Disasters. After the second album they tour with The Horrorpops and Leftover Crack, and they play festivals including Glastonbury, Wasted / Rebellion in Blackpool, Rude Boys Unity in Geneva and Punk 'n' Disorderly in Berlin.

Breakup and reunions

In 2005, lead vocalist Jon Fawkes moves to America and the band disbands. They play a farewell show on the City Invasion tour at The Astoria in London. In March 2006 they play two sold-out reunion shows at The Relentless Garage in Highbury with Deadline, and they also appear at the Rebellion punk festival in Blackpool Winter Gardens in August 2007. In August 2009 they reform to support Suicide Bid at The Relentless Garage, after Fawkes returns to the UK permanently, and the band later confirms the reunion.