The Long Blondes were a five piece English indie rock band formed in Sheffield, United Kingdom circa 2003. They released their debut album on Rough Trade Records named Someone to Drive You Home in November, 2006 after several critically acclaimed singles.
After an extended European tour, they entered the studio with DJ/producer Erol Alkan and started working on their second album in London. "Couples" was released in April 2008 in the UK. On the 20th October 2008 the band announced their amicable split via a message on their website.
Film and music references
The Long Blondes are known for referencing films, singers, starlets and artists in their music. Screech once said that Hitchcock was a big inspiration when it came to referencing films in their music, he said "the whole film noir thing is very important because it's stylish but there's depth to it as well".
* "You Could Have Both" namechecks American singer Scott Walker. The song also alludes to the Morrissey song "My Love Life", with the line "And who was it who sang, I know you love one, so why can't you love two?" referencing the line "I know that you love one, So why can't you love two?". The song also mentions C.C. 'Bud' Baxter from The Apartment.
* "Lust In The Movies" mentions underground actresses such as 60's art star Edie Sedgwick, American actress Arlene Dahl & French actress Anna Karina. Also the repeated line "Nag nag nag" is a reference to the same repeated lyric in the song Nag Nag Nag by Sheffield band Cabaret Voltaire.
* "Long Blonde" mentions punk band Ramones.
* "Appropriation" is a homage to Hitchcock's 1958 film Vertigo. It has been said that the song is told from Judy's perspective, due to lines such as "When I met you, I never wore dresses like that" & "You can't have me, make me act the same". Lead singer Kate Jackson painted two different portraits for the CD single and 7" Vinyl, they both depicted Kim Novak's characters Madeleine Elster and Judy Barton.
* "Darts" mentions British darts player Bobby George and darts commentator Sid Waddell.
* "Only Lovers Left Alive" is a homage to the 1950s film From Here To Eternity.
* The two front covers of "Weekend Without Make-Up" are paintings of Diana Dors.
* "Madame Ray" is inspired by Lee Miller, the photographer and muse of avent-garde artist Man Ray.
* "Five Ways To End It" mentions Carry On star Hattie Jacques and also the producer of the Carry On films, Peter Rogers.
* "I Liked The Boys" ends with "Not the most original sentiment I've ever heard, so what's new" which is a line from a radio show by Terry Wogan. Whilst recording the second album, they found an old radio recording form the 50's in one of the old reel-to-reel tape recorders and decided to use parts of the show in some of their songs.
* "Round The Hairpin" begins with a line by British comedian Kenny Everett.
* "I'm Going To Hell" ends with a line by Peter Sellers.
* "Erin O'Connor" is a homage to Erin O'Connor which also mentions fellow model, Lily Cole. It begins with a line by Ronnie Corbett and David Swift from the BBC play No Sex Please, We're British.
Awards and nominations
In 2006 The Long Blondes received the Philip Hall Radar Award at the NME Awards honouring rising talent, which in previous years has accurately predicted big things for Kaiser Chiefs and Franz Ferdinand.
Band members
* Dorian Cox - lead guitar and keyboards
* Reenie Hollis (real name Kathryn Hollis) - bass guitar and backing vocals
* Emma Chaplin - rhythm guitar, keyboards and backing vocals
* Kate Jackson - lead vocals
* Screech Louder (real name Mark Turvey) - drums
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