Origin Oxford, England Website Facebook | Years active 1996–99, 2014–present Genres Alternative rock, Britpop | |
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Past members Andy Bell
Alex Lowe
Gareth Farmer
Will Pepper Members Andy Bell, Alex Lowe, Gareth Farmer, Will Pepper Record labels Creation Records, Tapete Records Albums Only the Strongest Will Survi, Hurricane #1, Step into My World EP, Find What You Love and Let It, Step into My World | ||
Hurricane #1 are an English rock band, formed in Oxford in 1996. The band were formed by former Ride guitarist Andy Bell, along with vocalist / guitarist Alex Lowe, bassist Will Pepper and drummer Gareth Farmer. After releasing two albums, Hurricane #1 (1997) and Only the Strongest Will Survive (1999), the band broke-up. Bell went to join Gay Dad and then eventually Oasis, while Lowe ventured into a solo career. Fronted by Lowe, the band reformed in 2014 and are set to release their third album, Find What You Love and Let It Kill You, in November 2015.
Contents
Formation, Hurricane No. 1 and Only the Strongest Will Survive (1996–99)
Wishing to perform the later-day sound of his former band Ride, vocalist/guitarist Andy Bell formed Hurricane No. 1. Signed to Creation Records (along with fellow bands such as Oasis, The Jesus and Mary Chain and Primal Scream) they released their debut album in 1997, entitled Hurricane #1. This included their first single, "Step into My World", which reached number 29 in the UK Singles Chart (and a Paul Oakenfold remix of which reached number 19 in 1997), and other less successful singles "Just Another Illusion" and "Chain Reaction".
In 1999, follow-up album Only the Strongest Will Survive spawned the band's other highest charting single, also called "Only the Strongest Will Survive". The song reached number 19 in 1998.
Break up (1999–2014)
In 1999, Bell parted ways with Hurricane No. 1, joining Gay Dad on guitar. Shortly after joining Gay Dad, Bell split from the band to become the bass player for Oasis. In 2004, a double disc compilation of their songs was released, entitled Step into My World.
Former Hurricane No. 1 vocalist / guitarist, Lowe has pursued a solo career, and has released three albums to date. In 2007, Lowe announced a new project called Garage Flowers, and a single, "Where To Begin", was released via iTunes.
Reformation (2014–present)
In November 2014, it was announced that Hurricane No. 1 had reunited without Bell. The line-up, fronted by Lowe, featured Carlo Mariani on guitar, Lucas Mariani on bass and Chris Campbell on drums. The band's third album, Find What You Love and Let It Kill You, was released on 26 November 2015 through German-based label Tapete. Bell features "Think of the Sunshine". Lowe wrote the album while he was undergoing treatment for cancer in hospital. Lowe explained that "When you are wired up to chemo and radio therapy, the last thing you want to do is wallow in it and feel sorry for yourself so I had the idea that the album should be happy and not too dark."
Melodic Rainbows, the band's fourth album, was released on 12 October 2016.
On 27 November 2016, Alex Lowe announced his departure from the band, referring to the group as "the communist band called Hurricane#1."
Discography
Songs
Step Into My WorldHurricane #1 · 1997
Only the Strongest Will SurviveHurricane #1 · 1997
Just Another IllusionHurricane #1 · 1997