Coronas, The

The Coronas

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The Coronas

The Coronas are an Irish rock and indie band, that originated in Dublin. They are signed to their own independent record label, 3ú Records, and are based between Dublin and London.They have released three studio albums, Heroes or Ghosts (2007), Tony Was an Ex-Con (2009) and Closer to You (2011). The first album brought them widespread popular acclaim with songs such as, Heroes or Ghosts and San Diego Song. Tony Was an Ex-Con received Best Irish Album at the 2010 Meteor Awards, beating Snow Patrol's Up To Now and U2's No Line on the Horizon among others. Closer to You was released in 2011, and was the band's first UK release, later in 2012.

Members

  • Danny O'Reilly - vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards
  • Dave McPhillips - lead guitar
  • Graham Knox - bass
  • Conor Egan - drums, percussion

History

Formation

Two of the members of The Coronas, Danny OReilly and Graham Knox, were born two weeks apart, in Dublin. Their families were friends, and in turn Danny and Graham built a firm friendship as well. Both came from particularly musical backgrounds; Dannys mother is the renowned Irish folk vocalist Mary Black.

In 1997, while attending Terenure College secondary school in Dublin, Danny and Graham were introduced to Conor Egan; it was here as well that the three made friends with Jim Lawless, who would later become their manager. Identifying a mutual love for music, Danny, Graham, and Conor, then only 15 years old, formed a band called Kiros along with another friend. However, this band did not work out and soon split. But in 2003, upon leaving school, Danny, Graham, and Conor reformed under a new name, Corona, taking Jim Lawless on as their manager. "Corona" came from the Smith Corona typewriter used by the protagonist in the film Almost Famous.

Danny went on to attend University College Dublin to study Commerce and Irish, while Graham and Conor both studied sound engineering. Meanwhile, practicing in a disused factory and gigging around small venues in their free time, Corona began to gather a small following. The band soon entered and won a competition for Irish up-and-coming bands, called the Jack Daniels "JD Set." In 2005, Corona recorded a self-titled EP, their first recordings of original songs, in a small house in county Wicklow, Ireland. The EP proved to be popular, especially among college students in Dublin. It was around this time that the band also changed its name to The Coronas, largely because the pre-existing Italian dance act, also called Corona, re-emerged.[2]

In 2006, they met guitarist Dave McPhillips while on a holiday in Vancouver; shortly thereafter, asked him to join the band as lead guitarist. Dave was a fellow Dubliner, hailing from Monkstown, and had attended Gonzaga College. Dave later studied at University College Dublin.[2]

In September 2006, The Coronas sold out a show at Whelans, one of Dublin's most prestigious venues for new music. Following this gig they were signed to the independent label 3ú Records, in November, and soon began to record what would become their debut full-length album, Heroes or Ghosts, which was released in October 2007. A second LP, Tony Was An Ex-Con, followed in September 2009. They were nominated for four Meteor Awards, winning Best Irish Album in 2010 for Tony Was An Ex-Con.

The bands third album, Closer to You, was released in Ireland on 11 November 2011. The Coronas recorded the album in LA with producer Tony Hoffer who has worked with Air, Beck, The Kooks, Belle and Sebastian and many more. Their first single from the album, Addicted To Progress, was a big hit on Irish airwaves and the single was in the Top 5 Irish Airplay Chart for more than 13 weeks. The song was also nominated for the 2012 Meteor Choice Music Prize.

The bands second single from the album, Mark My Words, was released on 10 February 2012.

Heroes or Ghosts

The band's debut album Heroes or Ghosts was released on 5 October 2007, debuting at number 27 in the Irish Albums Chart, and was described by Hot Press as "walking a soulful line between Jeff Buckley and the Libertines." The album spent a total of 74 weeks in the Irish album charts, peaking at number 18.

The Coronas have appeared on RTÉ's Late Late Show, The Cafe and The Podge and Rodge Show, TV3's event guide, Channel 6's Popscene and radio shows, along with being interviewed on Youtube. In 2008 the Coronas were nominated for a Meteor Award, in the Best Irish Pop Act category. The award was won by Westlife, on February 15, 2008. In 2009 they were nominated for two Meteors in the Best Pop and Best Live categories.

The title track, Heroes or Ghosts, was also translated into Irish ( Taibhsí nó Laoich ) for the Irish-language album, Ceol 08.

Tony Was an Ex-Con

Main article: Tony Was an Ex-Con

Tony Was An Ex-Con is The Coronas second studio album. It was released in Ireland on 25 September 2009. The album was recorded in the Sawmills Residential Studios in Cornwall, England, and was produced by John Cornfield. The album went straight into the number 1 spot in the Irish iTunes Album chart upon its release. The following week it debuted at number 3 in the Irish Album Chart. From "Tony...", the band released the single "Listen Dear", which peaked at 16 in the Irish Singles Chart and was also translated to Irish for the Irish-Language album Ceol. They later went on to release "Far From Here", "Someone Else's Hands" and "Won't Leave You Alone".

After the release of "Tony...", The Coronas made their television debut on RTÉ's Late Late Show on 18 September 2009. Prior to this televised performance the band did promotion for the album in print, radio and television media. The band appeared on the front cover of Hot Press magazine which hit news stands on 24 September 2009.[1] They appeared in HMV music stores around Ireland, doing in-store promotions. After the success of "Tony..." in Ireland, the band went on their first Tour of America, and performed in over ten different cities. They also did an Asian Tour, playing in places such as Singapore and Thailand.

Tony Was an Ex-Con won Best Album at the 2010 Meteor Awards, beating albums by artists such as U2, Bell X1 and Snow Patrol. The band did a version of "Listen Dear" in the Irish language for the Irish cover compilation album Ceol '10 Súil Siar. The track is named "Éist a Ghrá" and is listed as a bonus track on the record.

The album was met with favourable reviews throughout Ireland. Blogger Lottie from Irish site Culch.ie said "Having listened to Tony Was An Ex-Con a few times this evening, I can say its an enjoyable album overall. Although sweet and more polished than their first, this second album is like Heroes or Ghosts heavy on the ballads and a little samey at times." Entertainment.ie gave the album a slightly-less polished review saying "It's doubtful that 'Tony Was an Ex-Con' will change the opinion of their most resolute detractors, and it's not exactly revolutionary enough to change the world, either. Still, it's a somewhat steadying effort."

Closer to You

Closer to You was released on 11 November 2011. It went straight into the Irish Indie Chart at number one, making number three in the overall chart. The album was produced by Tony Hoffer, who has worked with artists such as The Kooks, Supergrass, Beck and The Fratellis. The majority of the album was written whilst the band were in Dingle, Co. Kerry. They later traveled to Los Angeles to link up with Hoffer and record the album. The first single from Closer To You was "Addicted to Progress", which received more radio play in Ireland than any of the band's previous singles, topping Today FM's playlist chart for three consecutive weeks in December 2011. The band released their second single "Mark My Words", which featured O'Reilly's girlfriend and MTV Presenter Laura Whitmore in the official video. Closer To You is also the band's first mainstream UK release, having released it in July 2012. They proceeded to release videos for other tracks on the album, including "Dreaming Again" and title-track "Closer To You".

RTE Ten reviewer Alan Corr gave the album three stars, claiming that "The Coronas play it straight for the masses on another set that will please their fans and leave hipsters as bewildered as ever." Orlagh Murphy from Oxygen.ie said "Although the lyrics of some tracks use typical clichés, and would remind you of a gushing Lionel (Richie) track, The Coronas' music has certainly evolved entirely."

The full set-list of the album is:

  1. What You Think You Know
  2. Mark My Words
  3. Closer to You
  4. Dreaming Again
  5. Blind Will Lead The Blind
  6. Addicted To Progress
  7. My God
  8. Dreaming Again Part 2 (Wait For You)
  9. Write To Me
  10. Different Ending
  11. Make It Happen

Notable Shows

  • The band have become famous for their Christmas gigs in the Olympia Theatre in Dublin, usually held in December. In December 2011 they played a record-breaking six nights in the Olympia.
  • On 22 July 2011, the Coronas played in Marlay Park to over 7,000 fans. They were supported by Bressie, Royseven and KT Tunstall.
  • On 2 July 2011,the band supported The Script in front of 50,000 fans in the Aviva Stadium. Tinie Tempah also supported.
  • Jan/Feb 2011 the Coronas supported The Script on their European tour.
  • In July 2010 The Coronas played on the main stage at one of Europes largest festivals Oxegen to an estimated 20,000 people.
  • The band played at the SXSW festival in March 2010.

  • The band were the second act to appear on the main stage at Oxegen music festival on Friday 10 July 2009.
  • The Coronas were the supporting act to The Script for their nine gigs in Ireland from 25 August to 5 September 2009.
  • They appeared on The John Murray Show on RTÉ Radio 1 in November 2011.[2]
  • On 14 December 2012, the band played their biggest headline show to date, to over 14,000 people in the 02, Dublin. They were supported by Ryan Sheridan and Róisín O (Danny's sister). Singer Danny 'O Reilly claimed that it was the happiest moment in the bands life. After an encore the band invited Sheridan and Róisín O back on stage and performed Mic Christopher's Heyday together

On 10 July 2013 they supported Justin Timberlake in Phoenix Park and played to their largest crowd yet (40,000 people)

Discography

Studios albums

Year Album details Peak chart positions
IRL
2007 Heroes or Ghosts
  • Released: 5 October 2007
  • Label: 3u Records
  • Formats: LP, CD, Download
24[3]
2009 Tony Was an Ex-Con
  • Released: 25 September 2009
  • Label: 3u Records
  • Formats: LP, CD, Download
3
2011 Closer to You
  • Released: 11 November 2011
  • Label: 3u Records
  • Formats: LP, CD, Download
3
"" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Singles

Year Single Peak chart positions Album
IRL
[4]
2007 "The Talk" 18 Heroes or Ghosts
"San Diego Song" 26
2008 "Grace, Don't Wait!" 30
"Heroes or Ghosts" 24
2009 "Listen Dear" 16 Tony Was an Ex-Con
2010 "Someone Else's Hands" 23
"Wont Leave You Alone"[5] -
2011 "Addicted to Progress" 7 Closer to You
2012 "Mark My Words"[6] 33
"" denotes a title that did not chart

References

External links

This page was last modified 17.03.2014 21:01:19

This article uses material from the article The Coronas from the free encyclopedia Wikipedia and it is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.