Formed in 2002 in England, Bloc Party may on the surface seem like a band that is influenced by punk music and pop culture. While that certainly is the case, the music is infused with a depth that’s surprising. The music manages to be upbeat and danceable and at the same time dark and contemplative.
They released their first album, ‘Silent Alarm’, in 2005 after being together for several years. They already had a pretty solid fan base at this point but the album gave them critical acclaim and actually reached #3 on the UK charts. They released their sophomore album, ‘A Weekend in the City’, two years later in early 2007.
Bloc Party is influenced by several different groups including The Cure, The Smashing Pumpkins, Blur, and Sonic Youth. The end result is not something that is a direct copycat of these influences. You can hear them every now and then, but Bloc Party has their own sound that is completely unique.
The group features Kele Okereke (guitar and vocals), Russell Lissack (guitar), Gordan Moakes (bass), and Matt Tongs on drums. They tour all over the world including the United States, Canada, Japan, England and Australia. Their success started in their native England and is rapidly branching out.
Sherwood is not the only band out there who cites The Beach Boys as one of their top influences, but they are certainly one of the best. Their songs are catchy without being too pop-heavy and they seem to have a knack for creating melodies that are memorable. There’s a little Jimmy Eat World in there as well, especially with their second album, “A Different Light.”
