Frightened Rabbit
Frightened Rabbit were a Scottish indie rock band from Selkirk, formed in 2003. Initially a solo project for vocalist and guitarist Scott Hutchison, the final lineup of the band consisted of Hutchison, his brother Grant (drums), Billy Kennedy (guitar, bass), Andy Monaghan (guitar, keyboards), and Simon Liddell (guitar). From 2004, the band were based in Glasgow.[1]
Frightened Rabbit
Selkirk, Scotland
2003–2018
Scott Hutchison
Grant Hutchison
Billy Kennedy
Andy Monaghan
Simon Liddell
Gordon Skene
Frightened Rabbit's first studio album, Sing the Greys, was recorded by the Hutchison brothers and Billy Kennedy, released on independent label Hits the Fan in 2006. The band subsequently signed to Fat Cat Records, in 2007, and shortly after recorded their second album The Midnight Organ Fight (2008). The album was released to strongly positive reviews and extensive touring, with guitarist and keyboardist Andy Monaghan joining the band to flesh-out its live performances.
The band's third studio album, The Winter of Mixed Drinks, was released in 2010, with former Make Model guitarist Gordon Skene joining the band for its accompanying tour. Frightened Rabbit signed to Atlantic Records later that year, and issued two EPs, A Frightened Rabbit EP (2011) and State Hospital (EP) (2012), before the release of its fourth studio album, Pedestrian Verse in 2013. A critical and commercial success in the UK, the album peaked at number nine on the UK Albums Chart,[2] with additional guitarist Simon Liddell joining the band on its subsequent tour.
Disillusioned from touring, Scott Hutchison, Monaghan, and Liddell recorded a studio album without the band, entitled Owl John (2014). Gordon Skene departed from the band in early 2014, and the band recorded Painting of a Panic Attack the following year with producer Aaron Dessner (The National), in New York, with Liddell joining the band as a full contributing member.
Scott Hutchison died in May 2018 after going missing. In December 2018 the remaining members of the band played together for the first time since Hutchison's death, at a charity gig in Glasgow with special guests performing vocals.[3] The band have said that Frightened Rabbit "no longer exists" without Scott Hutchison, although some music from the album that was in progress when Hutchison died may be released in the future.[4][5]
History[edit]
Formation and first years (2003–2006)[edit]
In 2003, vocalist and guitarist Scott Hutchison used the name Frightened Rabbit, which came from a name his mother gave him in his youth due to his chronic shyness,[6] as a stage moniker for his solo shows. The project became a full-fledged band with the addition of his brother Grant Hutchison on drums in 2004, and guitarist Billy Kennedy in 2006. During early shows, the band would give out their email address for those interested in receiving a free demo. After a time during which few demos were sent out, Scott said that he would send out biscuits with the music, which led to a rise in requests for the demo. This led to a lasting impression with the recipients:
Charitable work[edit]
Frightened Rabbit did extensive work with the Invisible Children music coalition project, taking representatives of the group on tour with them in 2011 to raise awareness of the charity's work.[49] They performed songs for them, including a cover of the Death Cab For Cutie song, "Different Names for the Same Thing",[50] as well as performing the song "Scottish Winds", from their new EP.[51] At the end of the tour, they auctioned off the guitar they played during the tour, signed by the members, and the proceeds went to Invisible Children.[52] In 2015, Frightened Rabbit raised money for Ditch the Label, a UK anti-bullying charity, after receiving messages from an internet troll.[53] In 2017, the band performed at the Sleep in the Park charity event, raising money for homelessness charities in Scotland. They were scheduled to perform at the 2018 as well; after the death of Scott Hutchison, the band played at the event with guest vocalists.[45]
Studio albums