Music - Coldplay Appreciation #12 - The band for the attractive, intelligent and charming.

**Crystaline** · 07-12-2006, 09:54 PM

Coldplay Appreciation Thread

The Band
Chris Martin - Vocals, Piano, Guitar
Jonny Buckland - Lead Guitar
Guy Berryman - Bass Guitar
Will Champion - Drums

Discography
Parachutes - July 10th, 2000
A Rush of Blood to the Head - August 27th, 2002
X&Y - June 6th, 2005

Singles
Yellow
Trouble
In My Place
The Scientist
Clocks
God Put A Smile Upon Your Face
Moses
Speed of Sound
Fix You
Talk
The Hardest Part

Links
Official Site
Coldplaying

Biography
Coldplay never intended to become England's favorite rock & roll sons when their signature rock melodies ruled the charts throughout 2000. The Brit rock quartet -- composed of Chris Martin (vocals/piano), Jon Buckland (guitar), Will Champion (drums), and Guy Berryman (bass) -- yearned to mess around a bit, plucking their own acoustics for fun while attending the University College of London. All had been playing instruments since their early teens and had been influenced by the likes of Bob Dylan, the Stone Roses, Neil Young, and My Bloody Valentine.

They never imagined taking reign of the U.K.'s ever-changing rock scene. Each member had come from a solid household of working-class parents who encouraged music. Martin, the eldest of five, began playing the piano as a young child. He started playing in bands around age 15 and sought solace in the words of Tom Waits. Buckland, on the other hand, was into the heavy guitar work of Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix and was playing guitar by age 11. Scotland native Berryman was into funk instead of indie rock, therefore leaving him to play bass. The multi-instrumentalist, Champion, didn't plan to be a drummer until he joined Coldplay. He favored playing guitar, bass, and the tin whistle, but caught on to playing percussion when the band became official.

Coldplay was heart-rending like Travis, passionate like Jeff Buckley, and as fresh as Oasis when they burst onto the scene. They had played their first gig at a festival for unsigned bands in Manchester, and the Safety EP was issued shortly thereafter. The Brothers & Sisters EP was issued by Fierce Panda and released a year later. (Both releases saw only 500 pressings.) Their sweet melodies and swooning lyrics landed Coldplay a U.K. deal with Parlophone in April 1999, and the five-track limited-edition Blue Room EP followed that fall. With nods from the media, the dream pop foursome was hailed as the next Travis, thanks to their simplistic acoustics and charming personas. Two more EPs, Shiver and Yellow, arrived in spring 2000.

Their full-length debut, Parachutes, earned the band a Mercury Music Prize in the U.K. It saw a U.S. release in November 2000, and a month later "Yellow" was chosen as the theme song for all promo spots for ABC. The well-received hype surrounding Coldplay continued throughout 2001 as well; they were nominated for three Brit Awards and embarked on a sold-out ten-date tour of the U.S. Rumors of a split consumed most of the U.S. tour. Martin frequently battled nasty colds and voice exhaustion, which led Coldplay to cancel a series of American dates and scrap a European tour. With all gossip aside, Coldplay resumed playing in summer 2001 and earned additional success with second single "Trouble."

By fall, they headed into the studio for a second album. Rumor had it that it might be Coldplay's last album, for the bandmembers felt they might not capture such brilliance again. A Rush of Blood to the Head was released in August 2002. The CD/DVD package Live 2003 was issued one year later. Capturing the band's show at the Horden Pavilion in Sydney, Australia, it highlighted Coldplay's monumental success worldwide with A Rush of Blood to the Head. Martin specifically earned a higher notch on the celebrity scale by marrying actress Gwyneth Paltrow in December 2003. Paltrow gave birth to the couple's first daughter, Apple Blythe Alison Martin, the following April.

Fatherhood didn't stop Martin from working, as Coldplay began recording material for a third album within weeks. Previously recorded material with longtime producer Ken Nelson was scrapped early on, while Danton Supple (Morrissey, the Cure) joined Coldplay to complete the recording of X&Y. "Speed of Sound" marked Coldplay's first single from their long-awaited third effort in spring 2005; the album followed in June, topping the charts around the world, including America and Britain.

The Wanderer · 07-12-2006, 10:58 PM

A brand new Coldplay thread.

goodnightboy · 07-13-2006, 01:00 AM

Yay for new threads!

I like the pictures.

**Crystaline** · 07-13-2006, 10:54 AM

Glad you like 'em.

Quote:

Coldplay Brings Attention To Free Trade

Hong Kong, China (AHN) - Chris Martin of Coldplay says that the band doesn't want to impose its political beliefs on others, but the band members feel it's their responsibility to use their celebrity status to bring attention to important issues.

The band supports Oxfam's fair trade campaign, which lobbies against trade policies that negatively affect developing countries, such as the influx of goods from developed countries.

Martin said at a news conference in Hong Kong before a Coldplay concert on Thursday "We don't want to be preachy, we just say those words (fair trade), and make sure people look it up themselves. When one or two people take pictures of us, we feel like we could start advertising something we care about."

Quote:

Jonny, Will & Guy: 'We're The Limbs And Chest Hair'

Jonny Buckland, Guy Berryman and Will Champion. These names probably don't ring a bell.

They are members of Coldplay, one of the United Kingdom's biggest bands. You'll probably only recognise the lead singer - Chris Martin - yes, he who is married to Hollywood A-lister Gwyneth Paltrow and has two tots, Apple and Moses.

Martin has become so synonymous with the band's name, everyone knows him as the face and voice of Coldplay. But the other members don't seem to mind playing second fiddle.

Guitarist Buckland, 27, told The New Paper, tongue firmly in cheek: 'Chris is the face, Will is the leg, Guy is the arm and I'm the chest hair.'

The band was in town to perform on Monday night at the Singapore Indoor Stadium as part of its Twisted Logic tour. The show was to launch the inaugural MTV Centrestage Singapore, which is a celebration of live music.

Buckland had a practical reply about Martin hogging the band's limelight. 'Actually, that happens to all bands, with the exception of the Beatles, 'cos they have two singers... So it's rare that the lead singers aren't the face of the band. Besides, I am happy being the chest hair... We feel kinda dizzy when we are standing in front,' he said.

Naturally, most of the questions directed to Buckland were about Martin, who decided to grant only selected interviews to members of the press, even if some had come as far away as Indonesia. Yet, the guitarist remained unfailingly polite.

When asked if the band became known only after Martin, 29, began dating Oscar-winner Paltrow, 34, Buckland simply said: 'All press is good press.' And although Paltrow has been known to trot along for her hubby's worldwide performances, she wasn't on this tropical tour, he added.

Buckland's girlfriend didn't make it either. But he plans to make it up to her. 'I will be going to Hawaii with my girlfriend to unwind after the tour,' he said.

Coldplay is known as a serious rock band, with its serious lyrics and socially-conscious themes. Apart from fronting the Fair Trade Agreement campaign, Martin also spoke against the Iraq war in 2003. The band has also refused to allow its music to be used for product endorsements, even thought it has received requests from big brands like Gap and Gatorade.

'People buy our music and it means something. I think if you sell them (for endorsements), we would be degrading the music... If we had given a song that we've done to, say, a mobile phone or shampoo, it'd mean a lot less,' explained Buckland.

However, he dismissed suggestions that Martin would enter politics one day or be the next Bono, the frontman for Irish band U2 who is actively involved in anti-war and anti-poverty campaigns. 'We kind of do what we believe in and I think Bono is one of a kind,' he said. As for being a rock star, Buckland says the 'whole lifestyle is kind of strange'.

Which is why he's planned his retirement - to be a 'sheep farmer in Kathmandu'. 'There are sheep in Kathmandu, right?' he asked cheekily.

"'Chris is the face, Will is the leg, Guy is the arm and I'm the chest hair." Jonny is hilarious!

Quote:

Coldplay: Singapore Indoor Arena - More Pictures

More pictures from Coldplay's Singapore gig are online, starting here

Nice pics! Chris is all over the stage.

Quote:

Coldplay Documentary Put On Hold

A behind-the-scenes documentary of Coldplay's world tour has been put on hold because frontman Chris Martin is too busy to edit the footage.

The Clocks rocker commissioned his film-making best pal to shoot over 600 hours of film as he followed the notoriously publicity shy group as they toured their X&Y album. But Martin insists he must be involved in putting the TV documentary together, and is currently to busy to go into the editing room for an extended period of time.

An insider tells British newspaper the Daily Star, "The camera has been with them all over the globe capturing some amazing gigs and special moments. "It's brilliant stuff but as there's loads of it, editing won't be simple. Chris is very hands-on with Coldplay and wanted to check everything himself. "The footage that's been viewed so far is cracking, so it's a shame the project might not see the light of day."

Quote:

Gwyneth Paltrow, Apple And Moses Out In NYC

The New York Post printed a photo of Gwyneth Paltrow and her son Moses, 3 months, out in New York City earlier this week. He's getting big, and certainly looks like big sister Apple!

I was contemplating if I should post about this or not. It's not really Coldplay news, but Moses is too damn cute not to see.

**Crystaline** · 07-14-2006, 11:05 AM

More news.

Quote:

[Download] Coldplay warm to Hong Kong media

At a packed press conference on Thursday, British rock sensation Coldplay, gave their answers to a pretty eclectic mix of media questions.

Highlights included Britpop rivalry, Ronald Mcdonald, the A-team and a headbutt from a certain French football star.

Download the full interview here

Hilarious interview! Chris says he's like the Ronald McDonald of the band. "I'm the face of the band, but I don't actually do the cooking."

Quote:

Chris Martin Verbally Jabs Cheney

Chris Martin, lead singer of the band Coldplay, reportedly insulted U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney at a recent press conference in Hong Kong.

TMZ.com reported that the 29-year-old singer added the verbal jab to Cheney while he was answering questions about the potential disbanding of Coldplay.

You know, if you don't like (the music), just listen to something else, said Martin. We'd much rather have a fight with Dick Cheney, you know -- people who really do things that we consider to be bad.

Hee! A man after my own heart.

Quote:

Chris Martin unclear on Coldplay future

Coldplay front man Chris Martin has fuelled speculation that the band are set to split.

Speaking in Hong Kong, Martin admitted that it might be some time before the band release another album.

"We won't do another album until we think we've written the best songs in history, and that could take a while, so we could be waiting, 20 years or 50 years. Who knows? All we know is we're playing this evening in Hong Kong." he said. "And tomorrow, we don't know what's happening. So our next record seems like a long way away."

Martin and fellow band members Guy Berryman (Bass), Johnny Buckland (Guitar) and Will Champion (drums) are in Asia for their Twisted Logic Tour.

They used a press conference ahead of the gig to talk about their commitment to the Fair Trade campaign. The Oxfam initiative lobbies against trade policies that hurt developing countries, such as the influx of goods from developed countries.

Martin said that the band did not want to impose its political beliefs on others but felt an obligation to use their celebrity for a good cause. "We're just musicians and obviously we are not as well versed as many politicians are," he said. "But if we can just get those words into every article that's written about us, then we're doing our job."

I guess that means we have a long wait ahead of us until the new record.

Quote:

[Hong Kong] Pictures

You can now view pictures from Coldplay's gig last night in Hong Kong, here

Pictures from Coldplay's press conference in Hong Kong.

source: coldplaying.com

IndieBoy<3Curly · 07-14-2006, 02:21 PM

EEEE! New thread

thanks for starting Crystal

Oh gosh that interview...

and Moses looks so cute and adorable and Chris-like

goodnightboy · 07-14-2006, 10:24 PM

Thanks for the articles! Ronald McDonald

I'm sure he does more than that.

You know, I don't usually go for celebrity couples (and pairs like Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes is downright disgusting to me) but I really like Chris and Gwenyth. They just seem so cool. Although I respect Chris' not wanting to talk about his personal life. And Moses is cute

martystel · 07-15-2006, 05:26 AM

a new thread

Chris and Gwenyt are perfect together, and I like the fact they have a private life.
Most of the famous couples like having their pics on the magazine's covers, but they don't and I like it

**Crystaline** · 07-15-2006, 01:33 PM

I agree. They do seem very guarded and protective of their marriage/family and they have every right to be. The attention isn't something they crave.

Quote:

Chris Martin Loves "Bad Mood" Performances

Chris Martin has revealed that he likes to travel to his own gigs by public transport.

The Coldplay singer admits that the experience puts him in a "bad mood" and believes that this encourages him to put on a better show for fans.

"I try getting to shows at the same time as everyone else," he told The Mirror. "I've been stuck in traffic, I've been on an overcrowded train and I've lined up to buy an overpriced hot dog. Quite often this will put me in a bad mood. So I know just what it's like for everyone else who is paying. It makes me more determined to get on-stage and really deliver a show that makes it all worthwhile for everyone."

Have I mentioned I love this man?

~*bitterswt*~ · 07-15-2006, 03:59 PM

He's just so unique.

IndieBoy<3Curly · 07-15-2006, 04:23 PM

Yeah so I'm deciding that Chris is pretty much perfect

**Crystaline** · 07-15-2006, 04:37 PM

Yeah, I'm with you on that. He's witty, funny, charming, humble, passionate and so British. Plus he's in a band. Irresistible.

SleepingBeauty16 · 07-15-2006, 07:27 PM

Hello! It's great to see a thread for such a great band!

I love their music! Earlier this year they had their first concert in Sacramento, CA and I went! It was fantastic, I din't want it to end. Chris can be very humorous. It was funny because he was playing the guitar version of a song and he breaks a string right in the middle of it. He played it off well and it was endearing!