Passionate, wired and raw, Razorlight are the current darlings of the music press. Fronted by hyperactive star-in-waiting Johnny Borrell, thier very English brand of indie-punk has seen them compared to both the Clash and The Libertines, and stunning single Rip It Up crashed into the charts
Already snowballing along on the hype machine, Razorlight are the latest garage rock sensation to light up the pages of the rock press. Described by Steve Lamaq as, "one of the best bands I've seen in the past year," the Radio 1 DJ said their performance left him, "totally shocked." With support slots for the Von Bondies and The Libertines already in the bag, the band are set to further cement the ties between the New York-London rock'n'roll axis.
However, we're definitely digging Razorlight, the New York Rocker-inspired foursome led by Johnny Borrell -- the Dave Mustaine of the Libertines. They're derivative, to be sure, but they've definitely got the tunes. In fact, "In the City" might be the best Patti Smith Group pastiche ever. People will be comparing Razorlight to Television and the Strokes -- not unreasonably -- but the fact of the matter is, they sound like the great Binky Phillips, which rates a big thumbs up in our ancient book.
Here's a great new band to look out for: Razorlight, a London quartet whose tasty debut single 'Rock'n'Roll Lies' is released by Mercury Records on August 18. A peer of The Libertines, Razorlight frontman Johnny Borrell sets wry, sharply-observed stories to a soundtrack that calls to mind legendary London post-punkers The Only Ones (with the vocal delivery pitched somewhere between Lou Reed and Lloyd Cole). A recent show at the Barfly confirmed that Razorlight already have enough material for a blinding debut album - the likes of 'Which Way Is Out', 'Stumble & Fall' and ‘In The City' are just as great as the single - so be prepared to have ‘em steal your heart away.
"With the buzz on Razorlight storming past the usual boundaries of ‘buzz bands’ (Camden High Road), they’ve been happy to let their music do the talking and give hype the proverbial kick up the arse. Based around Johnny Borrell’s scuzzy tales of hedonism, the band have acted as support to The Libertines and The Von Bondies over the past year. With said ‘buzz’ continuing to build, the tables could soon turn."
"RAZORLIGHT are, according to some, 'the best unsigned band in Britain'. Fronted by R'n'R pin up Johnny Borrell, the four-piece offer an intoxicating blend of new wave rock and old school tunes with riffs and melodies as sharp as their cheekbones. Think Patti Smith, think Iggy Pop, all wrapped up in one extravagant flourish of guitars and attitude."
Go to Razorlight's Drowned In Sound page
"RAZORLIGHT - London's coolest, most passionate underground rock'n'roll band. Their wired, poetic songs blow away the run of the mill garage rock bands with frontman Johnny Borrell's charismatic delivery."
Razorlight - Demo
"Based in and around the capital, these hombres sound like they've just been beamed down from New York City circa the late 70s with Television sounding like a major, major influence. Fronted by the confident Johnny Borrell, songs on this demo like 'Rock N Roll Lies' and 'In The City' sound like he just may have the talent to back it all up. Impressive."
RAZORLIGHT - Demo
"New four-piece spotted at London's Dublin Castle, peppering their tunes with Strokes-esque influences."