User:Mercury831

Mercury are a five-piece New Zealand rock band formed in early 2007. The band consists of five core members: Jay Kim (Lead Vocals), Andrew Grant (Rhythm Guitar/Vocals/Keys), Scott Wong (Lead Guitar), Ben Lange (Bass), Henry Wilkinson (Percussion)

Mercury were formed out of the East Auckland teenage musical obsession of early 2007 that included other grassroots bands such as Handful of Mav. They had built up a small fanbase by the end of 2007. Their musical style can only be described as pop-punk with a touch of funk.

History and Origin
In April-May of 2007, Andrew Grant and Ben Lange, long established in their East Auckland music scene, then-lead guitar Henry Black and Bassist Louis Sapeta formed the preliminary foundations of what would later become Mercury. Black invited good friend Henry Wilkinson to play drums and Mercury's original line-up was complete with Grant on vocals, Lange on rhythm guitar, Sapeta on bass, Black on lead-guitar and Wilkinson on drums.

This Mercury lasted just one month before Sapeta left to join rival band Handful Of Mav. After much debate, Lange then switched to bass with Grant adopting rhythm guitar. With this, a more efficiant and evolved Mercury was born.

This version of the band lasted almost 7 months before a rift, well publicised among peers in the scene, meant Henry Black left the band meaning the line-up of Mercury was to be slightly adapted with Andrew taking on all guitar roles. Versions on whether Black left the band by his own wishes or whether he was forced by the voices of the other members differ.

In early 2008, Mercury were asked to play in front of over 2000 people at the annual KCI festival in Auckland. For a relatively small band this was a big deal and Jay Kim was recruited on lead vocals. The competition was a success and Mercury were signed to label Stompbox Records

After this, it was decided that the changing sound of the band meant another guitarist was needed. So Scott Wong was recruited and the band became a five piece.

Live Performance
Mercury are known, but not renowned, for their live performance quality. They usually open with a high energy rendition of "Come Down", although since Kim's inclusion in the band, "Going Up", Mercury's only released single from the abandoned "Going Up" EP. Mercury generally play an 8 song set, plus an occasional second encore. The final song differs frequently. After In the Dark's release, Free was the last song, with Wrecking Ball as an encore. However at the two shows on 4th and 6th of September at Ellen Melville Hall, the first single off Mercury's debut album, Have It All has been played as the last song, introduced as "the soundtrack of our summer". A new song, "Stars" has also been recently included in the set. Mercury have also been known to play a number of covers: The Last Fight by Velvet Revolver, Take Me Out by Franz Ferdinand and I Believe in a Thing Called Love by the Darkness are frequent. The set-list as of Mercury's last show is as follows: 1. Going Up 2. Stars 3. Take Me Out 4. Free 5. The Last Fight 6. Wrecking Ball 7.I Believe In a Thing Called Love 8. Have It All

Studio Releases
In The Dark (2007) 

After a moderately successful 2007 which was largely spent playing covers on the local circuit, Andrew Grant began to write songs for a studio release. "Come Down", the first single, began to feature in the set regularly. Grant would often introduce the song as "the future themsong for everyone's lives". At this time, Grant took on all vocal responsibilities and the band's live performance quality was limited. As the year progressed, more songs were added to the song list and the makings of an EP were forming. In December 2007, the EP entitled "In the Dark" was released independantly. The album sold 900 copies and the Single "Wrecking Ball" received moderate success. There is also a rap at the end of the final song, Time warp. This is simply Grant and Lange mock-rapping as a release from serious recording.

1. Come Down

2.Free

3.Until the Morning Comes

4. Wrecking Ball

5.Time Warp

Red Games

Red Games is the highly anticipated debut album due in 2009. Andrew Grant said “We’re just going through a bunch of songs at the moment and making everything as awesome as possible”. It is rumoured that Red Games will include some material from the “Going Up” EP, which was cancelled due to Jay Kim joining the band. The first single, “Have It All” is due out on November 8th 2008.

Musical Style, Influences and Critical Reception
Mercury's style and sound are characterized by punchy guitar riffs, driving bass and energetic drums. The band themselves liken their sound to hard rock bands like Velvet Revolver, Muse, Guns n Roses and ACDC, combined with Grant’s pop-punk upbringing including Blink 182 and Green Day. Grant’s punk-like riffs mix with Wong’s talented metal lead playing and Kim’s authentic lyrics and melodic voice to create a unique sound that can only be described as Alternative Punk.

Mercury have been criticized by doubters in the past of playing a brand of "poser rock" by their peers who prefer lighter sounds. They have even been likened to metal music, a tag which the band say they are keen to shake off. They themselves consider their music Rock and Roll, although they admit Hard Rock does sound like their genre.

Instruments and Image
Jay: Jay is often remembered for his elaborate stage movements, stripping and powerful vocal solos on stage. He can usually be seen in leather and is seen as the “funny” member of the band.

Andrew: Grant plays a supporting role to Kim on stage and his primary songwriter for the band. Grant is commonly referred to as “emo”, a tag he strongly opposes. Grant is seen as the “good-looking” member of the band.

Scott: Scott is a supremely talented guitarist. Bandmate Andrew Grant was once quoted as saying “I’ve got as much skill as Scott’s left ear”. Not much is known about Wong, as he is a new addition to the band. He is seen as the “Talented” member of the band.

Ben:Lange is often recognised by his curly hair. He is seen as the “cool” member of the band.

Henry: Henry is usually shy and reserved, but is widely regarded as a superb drummer, coveted among rival bands.

Equipment
Jay Kim: Kim uses shure mics and occasionally an Epiphone Les Paul

Andrew Grant: Andrew is recognised for his White Gibson Billie Joe Les Paul Junior among fans. He also uses a Paul Reed Smith Custom 24, a Gibson Les Paul Special and occasionally a Fender "obey" Telecaster. His pedalbox consists of A boss overdrive pedal, Dunlop Crybaby and Acoustic Phaser. He uses a Fender FM 65 stack

Scott Wong: Scott uses a Jackson Soloist, Fender Stratocaster and Ibanez JEM. He uses a Dunlop Heavy Metal Distortion Pedal and a Vox Valve amp.

Ben: Ben uses a Fender Pete Wentz Signature precision bass and a Pure white fender artist series Jazz/Precison Bass. He uses a Boss bass overdrive pedal and a Fender Rumble amp

Henry: Henry uses Mapex Custom skins and Wave New Generation cymbals.

Band Members
Current Band Members

Jay Kim - Lead Vocals (2008-present)

Andrew Grant - Rhythm Guitar/Vocals/Keys (2007-Present)

Scott Wong - Lead Guitar (2008-present)

Ben Lange - Bass (2007-Present) Henry Wilkinson - Percussion (2007-Present)

Former Band Members

Henry Black - Lead Guitar (2007-2008)

Louis Sapeta - Bass (2007)

Extended Band Members

Jordan Lantz – Keys

Discography
Singles:

Wrecking Ball (2008)

Free (2008)

Come Down (2008)

Last Fight (2008)

Going Up (2008)

Have It All (2009)

Studio Releases:

In the Dark (2008)

Red Games (2009)