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Biography Pure Reason Revolution

Pure Reason Revolution are a British rock group formed at the University of Westminster in 2003. Their music incorporates elements of progressive rock (the band has been recommended by Rick Wakeman "Prog's progeny" by Matt Allen, August 11, 2006, The Guardian) and grunge rock, while its vocal harmonies are reminiscent of The Beach Boys. It has been variously described as 'Astral Folk' and 'New Prog'. Members have a shared appreciation for the work of bands such as Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Porcupine Tree, Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins and the Super Furry Animals."Roll on the Revolution" by Alexia Loundra, ''The Independent'', 6 January 2006

Lineup

Studio album personnel:

Jon Courtney - vocals, guitars, keyboard
Chloe Alper - vocals, bass guitars, keyboard
Jim Dobson - keyboards, bass guitar, violin, guitars, vocals, trombone - left November 2006
Greg Jong - vocals, guitars - left early 2005
Jamie Willcox - vocals, guitars - joined April 2005
Andrew Courtney - drums - left November 2006
Paul Glover - drums - joined late 2006

History

The Sunset Sound

Pure Reason Revolution began life as a Reading outfit named The Sunset Sound, which featured the Courtney brothers, Chloe Alper and, for a short while, Jim Dobson. The Sunset Sound fan discography Jon and Andrew Courtney had previously played with pop guitar band Gel, and were signed by Seymour Stein to his Sire record label (home of Madonna, The Undertones, The Ramones and Ice-T). Gel fan discography Alper used to front the Period Pains, who scored a minor hit with an anti-Spice Girls song in 1997.

The band was completed by Tom Leathes (vocals, guitar) and Bob Cooper (bass guitar). Debut single "Moving" picked up radio airplay on BBC Radio 1 (where the band was championed by alternative-music guru Steve Lamacq Steve Lamacq show listing), XFM and LA's KROQ. Velocity Recordings entry The Reading Chronicle's Weekender section described the band's sound as "sugary sweet swaggering guitars" and "breezy, sophisticated harmonised guitar pop" and compared the band to the Beach Boys playing Nirvana songs.

Pure Reason Revolution

Whilst at Westminster University, Drowned in Sound listing Jim, Greg and Jon met and discovered they were musically compatible. Pure Reason Revolution (hereafter 'PRR') was born. The band went through a number of name changes before settling on PRR including "The Wow" Smalltown America review and "Pendulum Dawn".

The band signed to Alan McGee's Poptones label for a one-off release of "Apprentice of the Universe" Album review by Dave Simpson, 7 April 2006, The Guardian (peaking at #12 in the indie charts and #74 nationally).

Signing to SonyBMG in autumn 2004, the following year saw the band releasing two singles - the 12-minute long Bright Ambassadors of Morning (the title is from a line in Pink Floyd's Echoes on the Meddle album), and The Intention Craft - plus one mini-album, Cautionary Tales for the Brave. This was released to make up for delays in recording that meant the band would miss its original launch window. The use of so many of the proposed album tracks on a mini-album led the band to develop some new material for the album, including "The Twyncyn/Trembling Willows". Releases were on the band's own Holograph imprint, via SonyBMG.

In March 2005, the band played the South-by-Southwest festival in Texas, before playing several North American dates, By Tom Semioli, Amplifier Magazine 2006 and they wore a groove in the British club circuit with its hard touring. During this time, PRR supported Mew, Wessex Scene Online interview Hope of the States, The Race, BBC Berkshire live review Secret Machines, and Oceansize, Gigwise review as well as headlining their own gigs, and recorded sessions for Mark Radcliffe's Radio Two show and XFM. In spring 2005, Jong left the band, to be replaced by another Westminster pal Jamie Willcox, though it is Jong's work featured on recorded output up to, and including, The Dark Third. Both Jong and Willcox receive credits on the The Dark Third album, though neither has an individual 'Thank You' section.

The band regularly allows fans to listen to streaming material via its MySpace website, including works in progress and exclusive Christmas tracks.

The first full-length album, The Dark Third was released in the UK on April 10th 2006, and was produced by Paul Northfield (Rush, Porcupine Tree, Gentle Giant, Hole). Stylus review by Iain Forrester A US version of the album containing the original, pre-Cautionary Tales mooted tracklisting and amended artwork was released in the USA on 25 July 2006.

In the summer of 2006, it was announced the Andrew Courtney was to leave the band, This was due to his wife being pregnant with their first child. He was replaced with Paul Glover, formerly of the band Wire Jesus.

The departure of Courtney was closely followed by the departure of Jim Dobson, in November 2006. No formal announcement was made regarding his departure from the group, however a notice was posted on the band's forum explaining that nothing could be said due to 'legal reasons'.

In December 2006, the band was dropped by Sony/BMG, who withdrew their option on PRR's second album owing to disappointing sales of The Dark Third in the UK.

On 16 February 2007, the European version was released under licence to, and by, Inside Out music.

Pure Reason Revolution supported Blackfield on their European tour in February 2007. This was their first major jaunt with new drummer Paul Glover. Their live set had many changes, including a re-worked reprise of 'Golden Clothes', in which all band members (minus Glover, who is drumming) play synth keyboards, and end singing a capella.

Following the tour, the band entered the studio to begin recording the follow-up to The Dark Third. In June, the band journeyed to the US again to play at the 2007 edition of the renowned progressive/art rock festival, NEARfest, and a handful of other club dates. These shows saw the debut of a new song called "Deus Ex Machina". Pure Reason Revolution also opened for Porcupine Tree on their 'Tour Of A Blank Planet' European tour in June/July 2007.

The band played just one more UK date in 2007, on the 15th October at Southampton University. Their Myspace page (www.myspace.com/purereasonrevolution) quotes "the band expect to start recording a second album due for release in Oct/Nov 2007". However, their manager has quoted on the unofficial Proboard fans' forum that March 2008 will be the earliest release date, blaming the delay on 'ill luck'.