The Long Blondes
| Company type | Indie rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2003 in Sheffield, England |
| Headquarters | Sheffield , England |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
The Long Blondes emerged as an English indie rock ensemble originating from Sheffield in 2003, consisting of Dorian Cox (lead guitar, keyboards), Reenie Hollis (bass, backing vocals), Emma Chaplin (rhythm guitar, keyboards, backing vocals), Kate Jackson (lead vocals), and Screech Louder (drums).
Following a series of well-received singles, their debut album, Someone to Drive You Home, was launched through Rough Trade Records in November 2006. Their sophomore release, Couples, produced by Erol Alkan, arrived in April 2008. On 20 October 2008, the band announced their amicable disbandment due to lead guitarist and chief songwriter Dorian Cox’s illness, coinciding with the release of their compilation album, "Singles". In 2021, The Long Blondes reformed as a duo featuring Jackson and Cox.
Career
Established in Sheffield in 2003, all members were either current students or alumni of local universities. The group cited influences such as The Mael Brothers, Marx Brothers, and The Bewlay Brothers, consciously steering clear of classic rock legends like The Beatles or Jimi Hendrix. Their initial vision was to craft a fantasy pop act inspired by icons like Nico, Nancy Sinatra, and Barbara Windsor, merging alluring and intellectual motifs. Lead vocalist Kate Jackson found inspiration in bands fronted by powerful women including Siouxsie and the Banshees and Blondie.
Independent releases
In July 2004, The Long Blondes debuted with the single "New Idols" on the local label Thee Sheffield Phonographic Corporation, followed by "Autonomy Boy" and "Giddy Stratospheres" released via Angular. The following year saw the release of "Appropriation (By Any Other Name)" and "Separated By Motorways", with the latter produced by Paul Epworth on his Good & Evil imprint. These singles attracted favorable reviews and increased media interest.
Still unsigned as of February 2006, the band earned the prestigious NME Philip Hall Radar Award, previously bestowed upon artists like Franz Ferdinand and Kaiser Chiefs. They were also recognized by The Guardian and Vogue as "the best unsigned band in the UK". During this phase, members balanced various day jobs: Jackson sold vintage apparel on eBay; Cox was employed within the University of Sheffield Law Department; Hollis worked in a Media Studies college division; Chaplin was based in an art library in Leeds; and Louder held a position at the Home Office.
Someone to Drive You Home
On 13 April 2006, The Long Blondes secured a contract with Rough Trade Records and proceeded to record their debut album over the summer months with producer Steve Mackey from Pulp. Prior to the album launch, singles "Weekend Without Makeup" in July and "Once and Never Again" in October were released, with the latter reaching number 30 on the UK Singles Chart. NME ranked it as the 15th best track of that year.
Released in November 2006, Someone to Drive You Home featured compositions created collaboratively by the band members, with lyrics primarily penned by Cox alongside Jackson’s contributions on "Separated by Motorways" and "Madame Ray". The album was met with largely positive critiques; NME awarded it a 9/10 score, commending its execution of "fantasy pop". Its themes explored outsider experiences, nods to 1950s-60s pop culture, and female viewpoints on relationships. The Guardian likened its style to Franz Ferdinand and the 1980s indie-pop group The Flatmates, describing it as an exhibition of brilliance. Reviewers emphasized Jackson’s vocal performance as unique and engaging.
Uncut (magazine) assigned a three-star rating, acknowledging the band’s ambition but suggesting that a more assertive pop producer might polish their sound further. Throughout summer 2006, The Long Blondes performed at prominent UK festivals including the Carling Weekend, later appearing on the Other Stage at the Glastonbury Festival in 2007.
"Couples" and "Singles"
Following an extensive tour across Europe, The Long Blondes commenced work on their sophomore album in October 2007, collaborating with producer Erol Alkan, who had previously worked on their dance-infused b-sides such as "Five Ways To End It" and "Fulwood Babylon". On 19 December 2007, the band officially revealed the album's title as "Couples". This title draws inspiration from David Bowie's album "Heroes" and centers around the theme of a significant breakup. Ahead of the album’s launch, each member released enigmatic promotional videos that delved into the creative motivation behind the project. The group acknowledged influences from the resurgence of Italo disco, citing acts like Glass Candy, the Italians Do It Better label, and ABBA. Cox highlighted ABBA’s unique fusion of innocence with a simultaneously futuristic yet vintage aesthetic as a key factor shaping the album’s sonic character.
Released on 7 April 2008, "Couples" was preceded by the single "Century" on 24 March 2008. The record peaked at number 48 on the UK album chart and garnered mostly favorable critiques. Click Music awarded it a 4.5 out of 5, describing it as "a strong contender for record of the year." Meanwhile, The Guardian gave it four stars, noting a stylistic evolution towards a more cinematic tone reminiscent of Kylie Minogue’s "Confide in Me". In contrast, NME provided a lukewarm 6/10 score, labeling it "not terrible, but disappointing," and remarked on its departure from earlier themes that explored suburban ennui. Following "Century," the band released "Guilt" as a single available on both 7" vinyl and digital platforms.
On 9 June 2008, The Long Blondes announced that Cox had been hospitalized due to illness, necessitating the cancellation of all live performances throughout July. This included support slots for Duran Duran during their Red Carpet Massacre tour at venues such as Birmingham NIA and London’s O2 Arena, as well as an anticipated appearance at Glastonbury Festival.
Subsequent to "Couples", the band issued a compilation entitled "Singles" on 20 October 2008 through Angular Records. This twelve-track anthology compiled all songs from their early singles, featuring a demo rendition of "Separated By Motorways" instead of the Paul Epworth-produced single version, alongside one previously unreleased track named "Peterborough". The compilation earned recognition as the 25th best album of 2008 according to Artrocker magazine.
Breakup and post-breakup
Guitarist Dorian Cox announced the dissolution of The Long Blondes on 20 October 2008, attributing the split mainly to his stroke in June 2008 which resulted in numerous cancelled shows. Cox conveyed his appreciation to supporters while expressing uncertainty about regaining his ability to play guitar. The band’s breakup coincided with the release of their compilation Singles, which included this announcement. An article by The Guardian titled "Why music will miss the Long Blondes" underscored the significance of their departure.
By December 2008, Cox was engaged in physiotherapy and remained optimistic about resuming guitar playing.
Jackson embarked on a solo path under the moniker Madame Ray, partnering with producer and former Suede guitarist Bernard Butler. Initially influenced by country rock, her project evolved into a grand pop production, culminating in the early 2016 release of British Road Movies.
Dorian Cox went on to establish a new band called Unmade Bed, sharing several tracks online.
Hollis continued her musical journey with The Bon Bon Club, a group she formed alongside Louder. Their debut single featured covers of tracks originally by The Cure, Pulp, and Death From Above 1979, released through Thee Sheffield Phonographic Corporation in June 2008 as a limited edition 7” pressing of only 500 copies. Additionally, she performs with Nature Set, whose first single was launched by Elefant Records in 2011.
Reunion
On 17 December 2021, Kate Jackson and Dorian Cox reunited The Long Blondes as a duo to perform at the launch of an art exhibition by Jackson in Leicester, England. Early in 2022, a podcast featuring Martyn Ware confirmed that the pair had commenced work on a new album. By April 2022, they revealed plans for their official live comeback at the Green Man Festival in Powys, Wales, scheduled for the summer. Their initial reunion performance occurred in Salford on 8 July 2022.
However, on 11 August 2022, Jackson announced her departure from The Long Blondes following allegations made against Cox by his former partner Victoria Lane on social media, with an ongoing police inquiry.
Influences
The Long Blondes' sound is inspired by 1960s pop, punk pioneers like Buzzcocks and The Ramones, post-punk groups such as The Fall, as well as new wave. Jackson’s vocal delivery has drawn comparisons to Ari Up of The Slits, Blondie’s Deborah Harry, and Lesley Woods from Au Pairs. Their music is characterized by sharp guitar riffs combined with strong bass lines. They also acknowledge broader influences including Burt Bacharach, the songwriting teams of Holland-Dozier-Holland and Chinn & Chapman, alongside Stock Aitken Waterman.
Individually, Chaplin favored bands like The Smiths, Sweet, and The Jesus and Mary Chain; Hollis leaned towards Belle and Sebastian, ELO, and The Eagles; Cox cited ABBA and The Fall; Louder preferred Scott Walker, The Slits, and Captain Beaky; while Jackson found inspiration in The Smiths, The Fall, Nancy Sinatra, and Lee Hazlewood. Screech Louder highlighted Siouxsie and the Banshees as a significant influence admired for their lasting innovation rather than fleeting success.
Intertextual references
The Long Blondes often embed nods to films, performers, icons, and artists within their songs. Screech Louder identified Alfred Hitchcock as a key inspiration, emphasizing film noir’s blend of stylish aesthetics with substantive themes.
Lyrics
- "Darts" references British darts legend Bobby George along with commentator Sid Waddell.
- "Erin O'Connor" honors model Erin O'Connor and mentions Lily Cole, opening with a quote from the BBC play No Sex Please, We're British.
- "Five Ways To End It" alludes to Hattie Jacques from the Carry On films and producer Peter Rogers.
- "I Liked The Boys" concludes with a line by broadcaster Terry Wogan. The band incorporated vintage reel-to-reel radio clips into several tracks during their sophomore album sessions.
- "I'm Going To Hell" finishes with a phrase by actor Peter Sellers.
- "Long Blonde" makes mention of punk icons Ramones, one of their key influences.
- "Lust in the Movies" includes references to 1960s socialite Edie Sedgwick, American actress Arlene Dahl, French actress Anna Karina, and echoes a repeated lyric from Sheffield’s Cabaret Voltaire’s "Nag Nag Nag".
- "Madame Ray" draws from photographer Lee Miller, muse of avant-garde artist Man Ray.
- "Melville Farr" is inspired by Dirk Bogarde’s character in the 1961 film Victim.
- "Never To Be Repeated" mentions film star Greta Garbo.
- "Only Lovers Left Alive" takes its name from Dave Wallis’s 1964 science fiction novel and includes a lyric from the 1950s movie From Here To Eternity.
- "Round The Hairpin" begins with a line delivered by comedian Kenny Everett.
- "Swallow Tattoo" contains a lyric referencing the satirical pop group fronted by Peter Cook in Bedazzled.
- "You Could Have Both" cites American singer Scott Walker, makes an allusion to Morrissey’s "My Love Life," and mentions C.C. 'Bud' Baxter from The Apartment.
Artwork
- Before the launch of "Couples" each band member created enigmatic promotional videos that revealed the album's creative influences. Jackson mentioned artist Richard Hamilton, along with videos by ABBA, Lee Miller, and Le Corbusier as major sources of inspiration.
- The two alternate covers for "Weekend Without Makeup" display paintings portraying Diana Dors.
- The debut album Someone to Drive You Home showcases a cover painting by Kate Jackson depicting Faye Dunaway in the film Bonnie and Clyde, featuring a Mark 3 Ford Cortina as the getaway vehicle. The interior artwork includes images of Nicolas Cage and Laura Dern from Wild at Heart.
- The "New Idols" cover consists of a painted image of Diana Dors in the movie Yield to the Night.
Style
Lead vocalist Kate Jackson was featured in The Guardian's fashion section and climbed from 39th to 7th place on the NME Cool List between 2005 and 2006. Regarding her position, Jackson suggested it was partly due to a desire to increase female presence within an otherwise male-centric list. She characterizes her personal style as a fusion of "Bonnie Parker meets a Carry On girl."
Albums
| Year | Album details | Chart rankings | |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK | UK Indie Chart | ||
| 2006 | Someone to Drive You Home
|
44 | 1 |
| 2008 | "Couples"
|
48 | 2 |
Compilations
| Year | Album details | Chart rankings | |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK | UK Indie Chart | ||
| 2008 | "Singles"
|
||
Singles and EPs
| Release date | Single title | UK chart peak | Appears on: | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A-side track | B-side track(s) | |||
| July 2004 | "New Idols" | "Long Blonde" | "Singles" | |
| 30 September 2004 | "Autonomy Boy" | "Long Blonde" | ||
| 29 November 2004 | "Giddy Stratospheres" | "Polly", "Darts" | ||
| June 2005 | "Giddy Stratospheres" | "Polly", "Autonomy Boy", "Darts" | ||
| 13 June 2005 | "Appropriation (By Any Other Name)" | "My Heart Is Out of Bounds", "Lust in the Movies" | 83 | |
| 12 December 2005 | "Separated By Motorways" | "Big Infatuation" | ||
| 26 June 2006 | "Weekend Without Makeup" | "Fulwood Babylon", "Platitudes", "Last Night on Northgate Street" | 28 | Someone to Drive You Home |
| 23 October 2006 | "Once And Never Again" | "Five Ways To End It", "The Whippet Fancier", "Who Are You To Her?" | 30 | |
| 5 February 2007 | "Giddy Stratospheres" | "All Bar One Girls", "Never To Be Repeated", "I'm Coping" | 37 | |
| September 2007 | "Five Ways To End It/Fulwood Babylon (Erol Alkan Remixes)" | |||
| 24 March 2008 | "Century" | "The Unbearable Lightness of Buildings" | "Couples" | |
| 30 June 2008 | "Guilt" | "Melville Farr", "Good As Gold", "Too Happy" | ||
Additional Releases
The track "Christmas Is Cancelled" was made available as a limited edition CD-R during the holiday season of 2004.
Music Videos
The Long Blondes became known for producing visually appealing music videos on modest budgets. Their debut official video, "Appropriation (By Any Other Name)," was directed by Rupert Noble, who went on to direct several of their subsequent videos.
| Date | Video | Director |
|---|---|---|
| July 2004 | "New Idols" | Reenie Hollis |
| September 2004 | "Autonomy Boy" | Reenie Hollis |
| September 2004 | "Long Blonde" | Reenie Hollis |
| November 2004 | "Giddy Stratospheres" | Reenie Hollis |
| June 2005 | "Appropriation (By Any Other Name)" | Rupert Noble |
| December 2005 | "Separated By Motorways" | Rupert Noble |
| June 2006 | "Weekend Without Makeup" | Gina Birch |
| October 2006 | "Once And Never Again" | Rupert Noble |
| February 2007 | "Giddy Stratospheres" | Rupert Noble |
| March 2008 | "Century" | Minsu Song |
| June 2008 | "Guilt" | Abby Warrilow & Lewis Gourlay |
Honors and Recognitions
At the 2006 NME Awards, The Long Blondes received the Philip Hall Radar Award, an accolade celebrating promising new artists, placing them alongside previous winners such as Kaiser Chiefs and Franz Ferdinand.
| Year | Award | Category | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | NME Awards | Philip Hall Radar Award | Won |