Tubelord

Tubelord is a UK indie rock and math rock group from Kingston upon Thames, England. The band forms in 2006 and is active from 2006 to the present.

Line-up

The group includes Sean Bamberger and James Elliott Field. In earlier line-ups, the band features Joseph Prendergast on lead vocals and guitar, David Catmur on backing vocals and drums, Tom Coulson-Smith on bass, and James Elliot Field on keyboard and sampler. The band begins when Prendergast suggests making use of free studio time at Kingston College, first with Catmur and Olev Saunders.

Career

Tubelord develops from recording sessions at Kingston College into a full band, playing an early show at David Catmur’s house before moving on to basement and club gigs. A live set at The Luminaire in Kilburn, London is recorded and broadcast online by BeatCastTV, making the band the first act featured on that web channel.

After releasing an EP and three singles, and building an audience through touring with bands including This Town Needs Guns and Tellison, Tubelord signs to Hassle Records. Its debut album, Our First American Friends, follows and receives critical praise. The single “Propeller” supports the album. In 2010 the band releases Tezcatlipoca, which includes “Ratchet”, featuring Mikey Glenister on cornet. In 2011 Tubelord releases Romance on Pink Mist.

Later activity

The band announces a break-up in 2012 and plays a final gig at the Old Blue Last in London on New Year’s Eve, but it remains active according to later band history. Tubelord is also associated with cryptic lyrics, screenprinted wares and a preoccupation with fifth-dimensional time travel.