Maxïmo Park

The band was created by guitarist Duncan Lloyd and is named after Máximo Gómez Park (also known as Domino Park), located in Little Havana, Miami.{{Cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2005/01/maximo-park/|title=Maximo Park|date=25 January 2005|website=SPIN}}{{Cite web|url=https://thatmusicmag.com/maximo-park-returns-to-philadelphia-with-self-produced-album/|title=That Music Magazine » Maxïmo Park Returns to Philadelphia With Self-Produced Album|website=Thatmusicmag.com}} Initially, the four founding members played several small shows including Manchester's In the City, which showcases unsigned bands in the UK. In 2003, the band decided they wanted a frontman as the original singers, Archis and Duncan, wanted to focus on writing the songs. The then-girlfriend of the drummer Tom English noticed his friend Paul Smith singing along to Stevie Wonder's "Superstition".{{cite news| last = Duerden| first =Nick| title = An audience with Maximo Park's front man| newspaper = The Independent | url =https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/an-audience-with-maximo-parks-front-man-437402.html| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20080608160345/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/an-audience-with-maximo-parks-front-man-437402.html| url-status =dead| archive-date =8 June 2008| access-date = 16 March 2009 | date= 22 February 2007 }} When Smith was found, the band did not know if he could sing: "When he first joined we didn't know if he could; just that he was a lunatic jumping around in a suit, it felt like the last piece of the jigsaw". With Smith joining the band gave him demos of their songs and from then on they started writing as a unit.

Around March 2004, a friend funded 300 copies of a 7" red vinyl single ("Graffiti" / "Going Missing") which was recorded by Duncan Lloyd in his and Thomas English's flat in Fenham, Newcastle. The band's second release was a 7" single of their songs "The Coast Is Always Changing" and "The Night I Lost My Head", recorded by Paul Epworth. After some time of doing gigs around their home town, Steve Beckett of the dance-electronic label Warp Records acquired one of these records and decided to sign the band to his label after also seeing the band perform at the Notting Hill Arts Club hosted by Creation Records founder Alan McGee.

In 2005, Maxïmo Park released their first album, A Certain Trigger, which sold over 300,000 copies and was nominated for the Mercury Prize in July 2005. In July, Maxïmo Park had the honour of being the first band to play the Ibiza Rocks festival on its opening event.[http://www.ibizarocks.com/events/gigs/maximo-park-everything-everything-kissy-sellout-july-13/ Events] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100816114113/http://www.ibizarocks.com/events/gigs/maximo-park-everything-everything-kissy-sellout-july-13/ |date=16 August 2010 }}. Ibiza Rocks. Retrieved on 2012-04-15. In December 2006, the band were brought to Shanghai by Split Works and were one of the earlier big-name acts from abroad to play in China.{{cite web |url=http://www.spli-t.com/splitworks/maximo-park-china-tour-2006-bacardi-sino-sessions/ |title=Maximo Park China Tour 2006 (Bacardi Sino Sessions)_Split Works |access-date=2012-08-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120928094222/http://www.spli-t.com/splitworks/maximo-park-china-tour-2006-bacardi-sino-sessions/ |archive-date=28 September 2012 |df=dmy-all }}. spli-t.com. Retrieved on 2012-08-15.

In August 2006, the band announced that they had started work on their next album, which was produced by Gil Norton and recorded at Rak Studios in St John's Wood in London. On 22 January 2007, the band announced that their second album, Our Earthly Pleasures, would be released on 2 April 2007, preceded by the album's lead single, "Our Velocity", on 19 March 2007.{{cite magazine | url = http://www.nme.com/news/maximo-park/25951 | title = Maximo Park unveil new album details | access-date = 30 January 2007 | date = 22 January 2007 | magazine = NME }} On 30 January 2007, the band released details of a tour to promote Our Earthly Pleasures, the tickets of which sold out within minutes of their release on 2 February 2007.

File:Paul Smith of Maxïmo Park in the Live Music Hall Cologne.jpg

In October 2008, the band announced that they had started recording their third album in Los Angeles with the producer Nick Launay, known for his recent work with Nick Cave and Grinderman.{{cite magazine| title = Maximo Park begin recording third album| magazine = NME | url =http://www.nme.com/news/maximo-park/40666| access-date = 16 March 2009 | date= 27 October 2008}} The full track list of the album was announced on 11 March 2009. Quicken the Heart was released on 11 May, with the first single, "The Kids Are Sick Again" being released a week earlier.{{cite web|title=Quicken The Heart Track listing and Release Date |publisher=maximopark.com |url=http://www.maximopark.com/quicken-the-heart-tracklisting-and-release-date |access-date=16 March 2009 |date=11 March 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714053827/http://maximopark.com/quicken-the-heart-tracklisting-and-release-date |archive-date=14 July 2011 }} Tickets for a tour taking place in May 2009 sold out in record time {{Citation needed|date=July 2009}}. In 2010, they performed a new song called "Banlieue",{{cite web|title=Maximo Park - Banlieue - (Split Festival 2010) |last=song called Banlieue|first=Maximo park play new|website=YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqPQQt5LvbM&NR=1 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/lqPQQt5LvbM |archive-date=2021-12-13 |url-status=live}}{{cbignore}} which ended up on their next album, The National Health. Their 2011 tour also had "Banlieue" in the set list, as well as another song which was to be on The National Health, "Waves of Fear".

On 28 March 2012, Maxïmo Park announced the fourth album title as The National Health. Smith said, "We're in a global recession and everyone is being bombarded with bouncy, happy music. The nation is out of control and the record is about taking back control, and being a force for change in your own life. It can't speak for everybody but it has its eyes and ears all around us… that's always been a Maxïmo Park thing: look at yourself." The album was released on 11 June 2012.{{cite web| title = Maximo Park announce details of new album | publisher = NME.com | url= http://www.nme.com/news/maximo-park/62899| access-date = 28 March 2012 | date= 28 March 2012}}

In September 2012, it was announced that the bass guitarist Archis Tiku would be taking time away from touring, to be covered by Paul Rafferty of Hot Club de Paris.{{cite web | title = Maximo Park Bassist to Take Break from Band | publisher = xfm.co.uk | url = http://www.xfm.co.uk/news/maximo-park-bassist-to-take-break-from-band | access-date = 2 January 2013 | date = 27 September 2012 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121018015623/http://www.xfm.co.uk/news/maximo-park-bassist-to-take-break-from-band | archive-date = 18 October 2012 | df = dmy-all }}

On 15 November 2013, Maxïmo Park announced the forthcoming release of their fifth album.{{cite web | title = New Maximo Park Album Announced | url = http://maximopark.com/news/new-maximo-park-album-announced | access-date = 15 November 2013 | date = 15 November 2013 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160313145530/http://maximopark.com/news/new-maximo-park-album-announced | archive-date = 13 March 2016 | df = dmy-all }} Titled Too Much Information, the album was released on 3 February 2014. Of the album, Smith said, "Our lyrics and our music will never be too-cool-for-school - we are an emotional band even if it might be too much information for some."{{cite web| title = Maximo Park announce new album and share free download | publisher = NME.com | url= http://www.nme.com/news/maximo-park/73897| access-date = 18 November 2013 | date= 18 November 2013}} The album was recorded by Duncan Lloyd and produced by the band, with additional production by The Invisible's Dave Okumu on the track Brain Cells. Recording originally started as an EP of 5 tracks in Sunderland, with help from Field Music's David and Peter Brewis, before turning into a fully formed album with the extra tracks recorded in the band's studio in Newcastle.{{cite web| url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01pq2gc| title = Maximo Park play for Dermot| access-date = 21 January 2014 | date= 11 January 2014}}

On 20 January 2017, Maxïmo Park announced their sixth album Risk to Exist via their website, following the debut of the title track and first single the night before on BBC 6 Music's Steve Lamacq Show. The band confirmed via Twitter that bassist Archis Tiku, who had not performed with the band live since the end of the Quicken the Heart tour, had officially retired.{{cite tweet|user=maximopark|author=Maxïmo Park|number=823639621548511232|title=Retired!|access-date=12 May 2022}} His live replacement, Paul Rafferty, was confirmed to be the session bassist on Risk to Exist, although he is not an official member of the band.{{cite web|url=https://theregoesthefear.com/2017/04/single-review-maximo-park-get-high-no-i-dont.php|title=Single Review: Maximo Park – Get High (No, I Don't)|last=Chang|first=Mary|date=10 April 2017|publisher=There Goes the Fear|access-date=12 May 2022}}

In November 2018, keyboardist Lukas Wooller announced his imminent departure from the band in order to emigrate to Australia{{Cite web|url=https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/whats-on/tickets-sale-maximo-park-announce-special-farewell-gig-leeds-keyboard-player-199605|title=Tickets on sale as Maximo Park announce special farewell gig in Leeds for keyboard player|website=Yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk|date=29 November 2018 }} and start a family there.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/maximo-parknew-single-child-of-the-flatlands-2752051|title=Listen to Maximo Park's new single 'Child Of The Flatlands'|website=NME |date=14 September 2020}} His final show took place on 10 January 2019 at Leeds Beckett University.{{cite web |title=Maximo Park detail farewell show for Lukas Wooller, new live album |url=https://www.live4ever.uk.com/2018/11/maximo-park-detail-farewell-show-for-lukas-wooller-new-live-album/ |date=29 November 2018 |website=Live4ever |access-date=27 November 2020}} He was replaced by touring keyboardist Jemma Freese, converting the official line-up of the band into a trio.{{cite news|url=https://www.scotsman.com/whats-on/arts-and-entertainment/music-review-maximo-park-liquid-room-edinburgh-1416562|title=Music review: Maximo Park, Liquid Room, Edinburgh|date=28 May 2019|author=|work=The Scotsman|access-date=12 May 2022}}

Shortly after Wooller's departure, the band released a new live studio session as a CD/DVD package, entitled As Long As We Keep Moving.{{cite web |last1=McMahon |first1=Amy |title=Maxïmo Park Announce Live Album 'As Long As We Keep Moving' |date=7 February 2019 |url=https://www.hotpress.com/music/maximo-park-22766409 |website=Hot Press |access-date=27 November 2020}}

In September 2020, the band shared a new single, "Child of the Flatlands."{{cite web |last1=Young |first1=David James |title=Listen to Maximo Park's new single 'Child Of The Flatlands' |url=https://www.nme.com/en_au/news/music/maximo-parknew-single-child-of-the-flatlands-2752939 |website=NME |date=14 September 2020 |publisher=BandLab Technologies |access-date=27 November 2020}} A month later, the band released "Baby, Sleep" and announced their seventh album, Nature Always Wins.{{cite web |last1=Atkinson |first1=Jesse |title=New cut 'Baby, Sleep' brings news of a new Maxïmo Park album |url=https://www.gigwise.com/news/3391338/new-cut-baby--sleep-brings-news-of-a-new-max-mo-park-album |website=Gigwise.com |access-date=27 November 2020}} On 27 November 2020 the band released the album's third single, "I Don't Know What I'm Doing." The album was released worldwide on 26 February 2021,{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/nature-always-wins/1533637321|title=Nature Always Wins - Maxïmo Park album|website=iTunes |access-date=4 March 2021}}{{cite web |last=Brandle |first=Lars |title=Maximo Park on Track For First U.K. No. 1 With 'Nature Always Wins'|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/music/news/maximo-park-on-track-for-first-uk-no-1-with-e2-80-98nature-always-wins-e2-80-99/ar-BB1ebJ6L?pfr=1|website=MSN |date=3 March 2021|access-date=4 March 2021}}{{cite web |last=Laing |first=Rob |title=Interview: Maxïmo Park's Duncan Lloyd on new album Nature Always Wins and 10 records that changed his life|url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/interview-maximo-parks-duncan-lloyd-on-new-album-nature-always-wins-and-the-10-records-that-changed-his-life|website=MusicRadar |date=3 March 2021|access-date=4 March 2021}}{{cite web |last1=Solomon |first1=Kate |title=Maxïmo Park, Nature Always Wins, review: the twangy guitars still chug away|url=https://inews.co.uk/culture/music/maximo-park-nature-always-wins-review-surprisingly-sparky-887922|website=i |date=25 February 2021 |access-date=4 March 2021}}{{cite web |last1=Deen |first1=Sarah |title=How Greg James is helping indie band Maxïmo Park topple Alice Cooper in the charts with first album in four years|url=https://metro.co.uk/2021/03/03/maximo-park-front-man-paul-smith-on-chart-battle-with-alice-cooper-14180182/|website=Metro |date=3 March 2021|access-date=4 March 2021}} and was expected to become their first number one album in the United Kingdom after debuting in that position in the midweek chart.{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/albums-chart-update/20210301/7502u/|title=Official Albums Chart Update Top 100 | Official Charts Company|website=Officialcharts.com}}

However, when the chart was announced on 5 March 2021, the band had debuted at number two on the UK Albums Chart, with 549 sales separating them from the number-one album that week: Architects' For Those That Wish to Exist.{{Cite web|url=https://www.musicweek.com/analysis/read/charts-analysis-architects-edge-out-maximo-park-for-no-1-album/082763|title=Charts analysis: Architects edge out Maximo Park for No.1 album | Analysis | Music Week|website=Musicweek.com}}{{cite web |title=A fantastic achievement for Geordie lads @maximopark whose new album Nature Always Wins has made it to number 2 in the UK album chart following the #MaximoPark4Number1 Twitter campaign|url=https://twitter.com/MetroRadioNews/status/1367892940530606084|website=Twitter |date=5 March 2021|access-date=5 March 2021}}{{cite web |title=Architects win close battle to secure their first Number 1 album with For Those That Wish To Exist: "It's unbelievable" - The metalcore band lead an all-new Top 5 on the Official Albums Chart.|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/architects-win-close-battle-to-secure-their-first-number-1-album-with-for-those-that-wish-to-exist-it-s-unbelievable-__32616/|website=Official Charts |date=5 March 2021|access-date=5 March 2021}}

The band released their eighth studio album, Stream of Life, in September of 2024.{{cite web|url=https://www.antimusic.com/p/24/0819maximo_park_stream_quiz_show_clue_and_reveal_album_launch_shows.shtml|title=Maximo Park Stream 'Quiz Show Clue' And Reveal Album Launch Shows|via=antiMusic|access-date=23 August 2024}} Four singles were released in the lead-up: "Favourite Songs",{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/maximo-park-share-single-favourite-songs-announce-2024-uk-european-tour-buy-tickets-3609561|title=Maxïmo Park share uplifting single ‘Favourite Songs’ and announce 2024 UK and European tour |website=NME|date=26 March 2024|access-date=23 August 2024}} "Your Own Worst Enemy",{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/maximo-park-announce-new-album-stream-of-life-share-single-your-own-worst-enemy-3759417|title=Maxïmo Park announce new album ‘Stream Of Life’, share single ‘Your Own Worst Enemy’ |website=NME|date=24 May 2024|access-date=23 August 2024}} "The End Can Be As Good As The Start"{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/listen-to-maximo-parks-exuberant-new-single-the-end-can-be-as-good-as-the-start-3773909|title=Listen to Maxïmo Park’s “exuberant” new single ‘The End Can Be As Good As The Start’ |website=NME|date=11 July 2024|access-date=23 August 2024}} and "Quiz Show Clue".

In 2007, the band contributed their song "Wasteland" to Help!: A Day in the Life.

In 2009, they contributed a cover version of a Vincent Gallo song to the Warp20 (Recreated) compilation, as well as having their own song "Acrobat" covered by Seefeel.

• Tom English – drums (2000–present)
• Duncan Lloyd – guitar (2000–present), backing vocals (2003–present), keyboards, piano (2019–present; in studio), bass (2020–present; in studio), lead vocals (2000–2003)
• Paul Smith – lead vocals (2003–present)

• Jemma Freese – keyboards, piano, backing vocals (2019–present)
• Andrew Lowther – bass guitar (2021, 2022–present)

• Archis Tiku – bass guitar (2000–2014), lead vocals (2000–2003)
• Lukas Wooller – keyboards, piano, backing vocals (2000–2019)
• Paul Rafferty – bass guitar (2012–2020; session/touring musician)
• Katy Trigger – bass guitar (2021; touring musician)

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{{Main|Maxïmo Park discography}}

;Studio albums:

• A Certain Trigger (2005)
• Our Earthly Pleasures (2007)
• Quicken the Heart (2009)
• The National Health (2012)
• Too Much Information (2014)
• Risk to Exist (2017)
• Nature Always Wins (2021)
• Stream of Life (2024)

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Commons|:Category:Maxïmo Park|Maxïmo Park}}

• {{Official website|http://maximopark.com/}}
• [http://www.giggingni.com/2014/03/live-maximo-park-limelight-2-belfast/ - Live review of Maximo Park in Belfast, Northern Ireland]

{{Maxïmo Park}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Maximo Park}}

Category:English indie rock groups

Category:English alternative rock groups

Category:English post-punk music groups

Category:English post-punk revival music groups

Category:Musical groups established in 2001

Category:Musical groups from Newcastle upon Tyne

Category:Warp (record label) artists

Category:V2 Records artists

Category:Cooking Vinyl artists

Category:Vertigo Records artists