“The secret of rock’n’roll is to work really hard, but make it look like you’re not. You have to toil,” claims Jonny Borrell, Razorlight’s 22-year-old frontman. So far, all is going to plan. His half-London, half-Swedish combo signed to The Rapture’s label, Vertigo, for a sizeable sum before their first birthday.
In summer 2002, struggling singer, compulsive songwriter and Libertines associate Borrell met guitarist Björn Ågren in a pub and realised his vision for a band. Björn introduced Carl Dalemo on bass while Jonny’s half-Peruvian schoolfriend, Christian Smith-Pancorvo, powered the four-piece with blazing drums. Daily rehearsals and a gruelling live schedule created a fan base dedicated to Razorlight’s sharp songwriting, punchy tunes and rock star swagger. Soon their Toerag Studios demo was on XFM and, in August, the band played Japanese stadiums alongside Blur, Radiohead and Kings Of Leon at Summer Sonic festival.
Razorlight are finishing their debut album, which should be released in the spring, and includes singles, Rock’N’Roll Lies and Rip It Up. They’re supporting Suede on their farewell dates and playing a national headline tour in January 04. “If you haven’t got excited about us yet you will, and you’ll regret the time you’ve missed,” claims Jonny. You have been warned.