After two decades of considerable success with his band Feeder, frontman Grant Nicholas will now go it alone with the release of his first solo album, Yorktown Heights.”
Feeder were one of the most popular British rock bands of their generation, achieving mainstream success with the likes of Buck Rogers and Just a Day, while crucially never losing sight of their core fan base.
This represents a brand new chapter for their softly spoken front man. During a career with Feeder that oscillated wildly, one week at a tiny club to a massive festival arena the next, Nicholas is well use seeing both sides of the coin.
After having to go through the suicide of Jon Lee, the bands original drummer, it speaks volumes that Nicholas views this as his most personal project to date – his nine year old daughter hand drawn illustrations are the sleeve artwork for the record.
“Feeder is a great band to be in” he said “but it requires a certain head space. I wanted to clear my head for a bit and write some songs, and this album Yorktown Heights just came along. It felt so natural because there were no expectations.”
The aforementioned death of Jon Lee was the inspiration for Feeders most acclaimed album Comfort in Sound, littered with sombre and reflective tracks which perfectly captured the sensation of grief and then subsequent hope. Nicholas is hoping to retain that evocative nature of his music while giving fans something new as an original artist.
“I’ve spent a lot of time on it and I want people to hear it. And if it takes off, then of course that’s a nice problem to have.”
Grant Nicholas will perform at Whelan’s on Saturday the 28th February 2015.
Tickets are on sale from Saturday the 19th November at 9am.