Line-up

Headliner
Mystery Jets Last time in Tunbridge Wells: 14 years ago

Venue

The Forum

Fonthill, The Common, TN4 8YU, Tunbridge Wells, UK

www.twforum.co.uk/

Capacity: 250

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Mystery Jets biography

Mystery Jets (formed in 2004) is an English alternative and indie-rock band, best known for their second full-length album “Twenty One”, hailing from Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, London, England.

Originally formed of 12 year old drummer Blaine Harrison, guitarist William Rees, and Blaine’s father Henry Harrison on bass, the group underwent a series of lineup alterations prior to their musical debut. Following the arrival of Kai Fish on bass and Tamara Pearce-Higgins on the organ, Henry Harrison became the second guitarist and the band settled on the moniker The Misery Jets. Prior to the band’s debut EP Blaine misspelled Misery Jets “Mystery Jets” on his drum skin and pleased with the result the band kept it.

Having practiced in Henry’s Eel Pie Island boat shed, the band began practicing steadily with Blaine assuming the role of lead singer. Influenced by the melodies of Hall and Oates and experimentalism of Pink Floyd, Mystery Jets released their eponymous debut EP in 2004. Produced by Bishop Dante, the group’s subsequent EP the “Eel Pie Island” was issued later in 2004, following which the band began to develop new material and tightness on a modest UK tour. Mystery Jet’s first official single “Zoo Time” was released on up-and-coming label Transgressive Records, after which the band hosted a series of illegal parties. Due to this exposure the group were subsequently signed by 697 Recordings, who issued the single “The Boy Who Ran Away”.

Mystery Jets’ debut studio album “Making Dens” was released in March 2006, extolled by many, aided by the singlex “You Can’t Fool Me Dennis”, “Diamonds in the Dark”, and “Alas Agnes”. Following the release the band hosted a tribute show to Syd Barrett, featuring artists Kid Harpoon, Kate Nash, and Dan Treacy among others, and embarked on their first worldwide tour. In May 2007, the band released the U.S. only album “Zootime”, which was almost entirely made up of songs from their debut “Making Dens”.

Ahead of their sophomore album “Twenty One”, Mystery Jets released the single “Young Love” featuring indie-darling Laura Marling. The album’s second single was the seductively groovy “Two Doors Down”, which reached No. 24 on the UK Singles Chart. “Twenty One”, produced by Erol Alkan and Nick Launay, earned widespread critically acclaim, peaking at No. 42 on the UK Albums chart. Following the release the band moved away from 679 Recording and signed with the established independent Rough Trade Records. With new label backing Mystery Jets issued their third studio album “Serotonin” in 2011 lead by the singles “Flash a Hungry Smile” and “Dreaming of Another World”. The band’s fourth LP 2012’s “Radlands”, was recorded in a home studio by the Colorado River of Texas, and was supported by extensive international touring.

Live reviews

Mystery Jets, already, have had quite the eccentric career; starting out on Eel Pie Island in the mid-noughties, their debut record, Making Dens, was a strange brew of influences - it was almost as if they’d made a progressive indie rock record. That was during a time, of course, when frontman Blake Harrison could count his dad, Henry, amongst his bandmates; he no longer tours with the band, but as far as I can discern, he’s still involved in the recording process. When they followed up Making Dens with the terrific Making Dens in 2008, it marked one of the great reinventions in recent British history; suddenly, the eccentricity that had marked their previous output fell by the wayside, and in its place, we simply had a fabulous pop album. On stage, the setup’s remained much the same since Harrison Sr.’s departure, save for the loss of bass player Kai Fish a few years later; Harrison Jr., who suffers with spina bifida, plays gigs seated, but still flits between guitar and keyboards - the band also have a policy, as far as possible, to avoid venues that don’t offer suitable access for disabled fans. Guitarist William Rees takes on lead vocal duties on his fair share of songs, too, including Laura Marling collaboration ‘Young Love’, which they performed with her at London’s Royal Festival Hall back in 2012, the same year they dropped their most recent full-length, Radlands; expect them back before long with new material and dates.

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