Bombed Out and artist news
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Fig. 4.0 RIP
Posted: 10th July 2004
Tagged: Fig. 4.0
We’re saddened to announce the imminent demise of one of the finest hardcore punk bands the UK has ever seen.
Leeds thrash-attack stalwarts Fig. 4.0 got their first demo to us four years ago and while we thought it was, err, promising (?) it was their 2nd demo that actually secured our interest (with a little help from early 4.0 fans Jamie Duncan and the Joe Ninety boys). We decided to put some faith in the band in 2001 and got them into Soundstation Studio’s, Horbury for their debut album.
At this point we weren’t quite sure what to expect but on first listen Action Image Exchange completely destroyed us! Everything that was so great about the band – the energy, the tongue-in-cheek yet socially aware lyrics, the samples and their uncanny ability to shift from blast-beat thrash to melodic punk rock in the space of a 50 second song – was brought to the fore and damn near took our heads off. Hell, we liked it so much it became the only Bombed Out release to make it out on both CD and (lovely red) vinyl.
The band quickly became one of the best live bands in Leeds, then in the country! Punk kids, hardcore kids and everyone in between were suddenly turned onto the band and they deserved it every step of the way. Household Name Records gave the band a split with US generic-core legends Ensign, Superfi Records one with close friends, Stand, and (eventually), Gravity with London nice-guys Twofold.
Joe, Steve, Matt and Andy (now Stoz) have played more gigs in 4 years than many UK bands play in twice that time. They’ve played with some of the best (we’ll avoid name checking too much), played every Bombed Out all-dayer so far and they’ll be sorely missed.
All good things come to an end yet the good news is the members of Fig. 4.0 are all set to continue, albeit in different bands. Matt is still playing base for metallic mathcore band Eiger while Stoz will continue with Leeds hardcore-punks Charlie Don’t Surf. Steve and Joe now make up half of The Dauntless Elite along with Lee and Andrew from Joe Ninety. Expect an Elite record on Bombed Out sometime soon but for the moment check out their debut EP on Somebody's Song/Plan-It-X.
Fig. 4.0 are set to play their final gig at this years Out of Step festival at Joseph’s Well, Leeds on Friday 20th August. We’ll hopefully see you there!