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Fun (band)

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"Fun." redirects here. For other uses, see Fun (disambiguation).
fun.
Fun's lead singer Nate Ruess peforming in March 2010
Fun's lead singer Nate Ruess peforming in March 2010
Background information
OriginNew York City, New York, U.S.
GenresIndie rock, indie pop[1]
Years active2008 (2008)–present
LabelsFueled by Ramen, Nettwerk, Paper + Plastick
MembersNate Ruess
Andrew Dost
Jack Antonoff
Websitewww.ournameisfun.com

Fun (stylized as fun.) is an American indie rock band based in New York City that was formed by Nate Ruess, formerly of The Format. After the breakup of The Format, Ruess formed Fun with Andrew Dost and Jack Antonoff, of Anathallo and Steel Train, respectively.[2] Fun has released two albums: Aim and Ignite in 2009 and Some Nights in February 2012.

The band is best known for its three hit singles: Grammy Award-winning "We Are Young" (featuring Janelle Monáe), "Some Nights," and "Carry On." "We Are Young" reached number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and Digital Songs charts. It peaked at number one on the UK Singles Chart, as well. "Some Nights" was released as the album's second single in June 2012, peaking at number three on the Hot 100 chart and becoming Fun's second Top 10 single, as well as the band's second song to reach platinum status in the United States.

On February 10, 2013, Fun won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist and won the Grammy Award for Song of the Year for "We Are Young." Additionally, Fun was a nominee for four other Grammy Awards: Record of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance (both for "We Are Young") along with Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album (both for Some Nights).[3]

Background

2007–2008: Career beginning and formation

The Format split in February 2008. Immediately afterward Nate Ruess asked Andrew Dost and Jack Antonoff to join his new project. Dost had toured with The Format and provided various instrumentation. Ruess met Antonoff after The Format toured with Steel Train.[4] The three began working together in New Jersey within a week. Ruess sang melodies while the other two provided music for them.[5] The first demo song the band recorded was "Benson Hedges," which was made available for free in Spin's September 20, 2008 article on the band.[6] Fun approached Steven McDonald, who produced The Format's album Dog Problems with Ruess, to produce their debut album. McDonald was enthusiastic about the project and stated, "I can’t believe what we’re working on here. This crushes anything I’ve ever done."[5]

2009–2010: Aim and Ignite

Recording took place in the fall of 2008. The band's first single, "At Least I'm Not as Sad As I Used to Be" was made available as a free download on the band's Myspace page on April 6, 2009.[7] Aim and Ignite was released on August 25, 2009 and had positive reviews. AbsolutePunk.net's Drew Beringer praised the album, stating it was "what a pop album 'should' sound like" and "the most essential pop album of 2009."[8] Allmusic called the album "progressive, but in the best possible way" and admired Ruess's lyrics for "investigating the larger truths of life...with a witty approach that keeps the songs bubbling merrily along on a positive note".[9] Dave de Sylvia of Sputnikmusic wrote, "Aim and Ignite isn’t the most consistent pop album around," but he ultimately commended the album as "a superbly mixed and arranged album made by musicians who clearly understand the limits and potential of pop music".[10] Estella Hung of PopMatters was less impressed with the album. She praised songs "Be Calm" and "The Gambler", but criticized the lyrics and production of the album's early tracks. Hung concluded that while Aim and Ignite is "pretty original to say the least", it "fails to live up to the Format’s last outing."[11] Popdose's Ken Shane called the album "an interesting and unusual listen." Shane applauded the album's songwriting and said "many of the songs are really good," but he objected to the "cute" production, desiring to hear the band "in a more stripped-down form." He ended his review with: "I have a similar problem with Dr. Dog, a band that was recommended to me by a number of people. I think much of their recorded work is too fussed over, but when I saw them live and their sound was more stripped down out of necessity, emphasizing their powerful songwriting, I thought they were wonderful. Perhaps the same fate awaits me with Fun."[12] The album reached number 26 on Sputnikmusic's top 50 albums of 2009. The album peaked at 71 on the US album charts.

Fun began its first North American tour on November 8, 2008 with Jack's Mannequin.[13] The debut album Aim and Ignite was released on Mach 8 2008[14] In reviewing the album, The Washington Post called some of the arrangements "theatrical, much like those on Panic at the Disco's 2005 debut".[15] In February 2010, Fun supported Jack's Mannequin on their headline tour, along with Vedera which was followed by their first UK appearances in March. Their current touring band also includes Will Noon, Rob Kroehler, Emily Moore, Nate Harold, and Jon "Jonny Thunder" Goldstein.[16] In April 2010, Fun supported Paramore's headline tour. Other support for the tour includes Relient K and Harriet Ellis of Summer Beats.[17] The band then embarked on a full UK tour in May. On August 4, 2010, Fun announced that they had signed with label Fueled by Ramen.[18]

On August 14, 2010, it was announced via the Official Paramore Fan Club that Fun would be opening for Paramore on their November UK tour.[19] In 2010 Fun's single, "Walking the Dog," was used in a commercial for the travel site Expedia.com.[20] Will Noon (formerly of Straylight Run) played drums with Fun on tour, according to Noon's Twitter page.[21] To celebrate the Paramore UK tour and the band’s new single ‘Walking The Dog’, Hassle Records gave away a free download of an acoustic version of the track.[22] On April 27, 2011, a video of the band performing a new song entitled "Carry On" was uploaded to YouTube.[23]

2011–present: Some Nights

On May 17, 2011, the band released "C'mon" as a joint single with Panic! at the Disco, whom they opened for on their 2011 Vices & Virtues Tour. On November 7, 2011, the band announced that their next album would be titled Some Nights. Its first single, called "We Are Young" featuring Janelle Monáe, has since been used in several other media including television series Gossip Girl,[24] 90210,[25] Glee, and Chuck,[26] commercials for Chevrolet[27] and Apple,[28] and in the trailer for Judd Apatow's film This Is 40.[29]

On December 12, 2011, the band's song "One Foot" was available for instant streaming and free download on Nylon's website.[30] On February 13, 2012, the band released an album stream of Some Nights on their website along with a note from Ruess thanking fans for their ongoing support. Ruess states he is "over the moon about what you're about to hear and falling asleep knowing that as soon as I wake up, this will no longer be a dream."[31] It was released on February 21, 2012 through Fueled by Ramen.[32] On February 29, 2012 the band kicked off the start of their North American tour in support of Some Nights.[33]

On March 7, 2012, Fun's single "We Are Young" reached the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. This makes Fun the first multi-member rock band to have a No. 1 Billboard debut on the Hot 100 since Nickelback's "How You Remind Me" in December 2001/January 2002.[34] On April 11, 2012, Billboard.com announced that Fun's "We Are Young" also made Digital Sales history. As the song was at the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for a sixth consecutive week, it has become the first, and at this time only, song that has ever gained 300,000+ downloads for seven weeks straight.[35] The group performed "We Are Young" on the 2012 MTV Europe Music Awards on November 11, 2012.

The song "We Are Young" made an early appearance during the 2011 Pacific-12 Football Championship Game. The chorus played underneath a montage of highlights featuring University of Oregon players.

Jimmy Fallon recalled the band performing on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on June 22, 2012: "They did Some Nights and just hit a homer, it was incredible. People who didn't even really know them were like, 'Oh, that's those We Are Young guys? I love them!"[36]

In September 2012, the song "Some Nights" was featured in the National Championship video for the 2011 University of Alabama football team. The video featured home videos of fans watching the 2012 BCS National Championship Game.

On October 24, 2012, the music video for the album's third single, "Carry On", was released.[37] "Carry On" is the third song from Some Nights to enter the Billboard Hot 100.

On November 3, 2012 Fun performed the songs "Some Nights" and "Carry On" on Saturday Night Live.[38]

The group performed at the 55th Grammy Awards, held February 10, 2013. Entertainment Weekly predicted that "We Are Young" would bring home the Grammy in the categories "Record of the Year" and "Song of the Year" (writing, of the latter, "'We Are Young' is the kind of anthem this category is made for"), and that Some Nights would win for "Best Pop Vocal Album." "We Are Young" won the Grammy for the "Song of the Year" category. Fun also won the Grammy for "Best New Artist". They were nominated for "Record of the Year".[39]

Members

Current members

Band member Duration Related note(s)
Jack Antonoff 2008–present Vocals, lead guitar
2012–present Drums
Andrew Dost 2008–present bass guitar, guitar, trumpet, French horn, piano, keyboards, flugelhorn, drums, vocals
Nate Ruess 2008–present Lead vocalist
Touring member Duration Related note(s)
Nate Harold 2009–present Bass guitar, vocals, sampler
Emily Moore 2009–present Guitar, vocals, keyboard, saxophone, maracas
Will Noon 2010–present Drums

Former members

Touring member Duration Related note(s)
Jon Goldstein 2008–2010 Drums
David Lizmi 2009 Bass [40]
Jessica Martins 2009 Guitar[40]
Rob Kroehler 2008–2012 Guitar
Maggie Malyn 2007 Violin
Will Yates 2008 Bass guitar
Ryan Lallier 2010–2011 Guitar
Michael Newsted 2010 Bass guitar
Mike Schey 2010 Guitar
Evan Winiker 2011 Bass guitar

Discography

Main article: Fun discography
Studio albums
EP albums
  • Live at Fingerprints (2010)
  • iTunes Session (2012)

U.S. Tours

  • Out In Your Town-Winter Tour (2013)
  • Most Nights-Summer Tour (2013)

Awards

Main article: List of awards and nominations received by Fun.

Other Projects

Fun. along with designer Rachel Antonoff have collaborated to create the Ally Coalition, an organization supporting LGBTQ rights.[41]

References

  1. ^ Chris DeVille (April 18, 2012). "Feature: fun. at LC Pavilion". Columbus Alive. The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved 27 April 2012. Maybe you've been following fun.'s emo-fried, Queen-inspired power-pop since the trio brought together members of The Format, Steel Train and Anathallo in 2008. If so, you probably heard "Penis Envy" when the band released it last September. Perhaps you discovered the song when the "Glee" cast performed it in November.
  2. ^ Martin, Hannah (September 15, 2009). "A new dynamic to Fun: Nate Reuss", Boston Globe, p. G3.
  3. ^ "55th Annual GRAMMY Awards Nominees: General". Grammy.com. Retrieved February 10, 2013.
  4. ^ Introducing: Fun.. Retrieved June 11, 2010.
  5. ^ a b "About - Fun". Retrieved November 24, 2009.
  6. ^ Kiser, Matt. "Members of the Format, Steel Train, Anathallo Unite as Fun.", Spin, 2008-08-20. Retrieved 2008-09-19.
  7. ^ "Dear You: Letter from Nate + new song!". Fun.'s MySpace Blog. April 6, 2009. Retrieved November 25, 2009.
  8. ^ Beringer, Drew (25 July 2009). "Fun. - Aim & Ignite - Album Review". AbsolutePunk.net. Retrieved 23 November 2009.
  9. ^ Poet, J. "allmusic ((( Aim and Ignite > Review )))". Allmusic. Retrieved 26 February 2010.
  10. ^ de Sylvia, Dave (18 August 2009). "Fun. - Aim and Ignite Review". sputnikmusic. Retrieved 23 November 2009.
  11. ^ Hung, Estella (18 November 2009). "Fun.: Aim and Ignite < Reviews". PopMatters. Retrieved 23 November 2009.
  12. ^ Shane, Ken (27 August 2009). "CD Review: Fun., "Aim and Ignite"". Popdose. Retrieved 23 November 2009.
  13. ^ Tate, Jason (November 8, 2008). "Introducing: Fun. - News Article". AbsolutePunk.net. Retrieved November 24, 2009.
  14. ^ "Aim and Ignite is out today! Listen to a special track now". August 25, 2009. Retrieved November 23, 2009.
  15. ^ Dunham, Nancy (September 18, 2009). "CD Review: Fun.: Aim and Ignite", The Washington Post, p. T8.
  16. ^ The Format's Ruess talks about music and Fun.. Retrieved June 11, 2010.
  17. ^ Paramore to tour US with Fun. and Relient K. Retrieved June 11, 2010.
  18. ^ "Special Letter From Nate & Live Web Chats with Fun.!". Fun.'s Website. August 4, 2010. Retrieved August 4, 2010.
  19. ^ Bhamra, Satvir (2010-08-14). "B.o.B and Fun. to join Paramore on UK tour". Amplified.tv. Retrieved 2011-08-13.
  20. ^ "Expedia.com commercial featuring "Walking the Dog."!". September 4, 2010. Retrieved September 4, 2010.
  21. ^ willnoon. "will noon (willnoon) op Twitter". Twitter.com. Retrieved 2011-08-13.
  22. ^ Bhamra, Satvir (2010-11-15). "FREE Download: 'Walking The Dog' (acoustic) by fun". Amplified.tv. Retrieved 2011-08-13.
  23. ^ "Fun. - Carry On (Live @ TCNJ)". YouTube. Retrieved 2011-08-13.
  24. ^ "Gossip Girl Music - Season 5, Episode 24". The CW. Retrieved May 16, 2012.
  25. ^ "90210 Music - Season 4, Episode 24". The CW. Retrieved May 18, 2012.
  26. ^ Sepinwall, Alan (December 30, 2011). "Review: 'Chuck' - 'Chuck vs. the Baby': The mother and child reunion". HitFix.
  27. ^ "Chevy Sonic "Stunt Anthem"". YouTube. January 27, 2012. Retrieved February 2, 2012.
  28. ^ "Apple - Apple Events - Apple Special Event March 2012". Events.apple.com.edgesuite.net. 2012-03-07. Retrieved 2012-07-11.
  29. ^ O'Connell, Sean (April 27, 2012). "This Is 40 Trailer Tackles Aging, Apatow Style". CinemaBlend.com. Retrieved September 25, 2012.
  30. ^ "Free Music: Fun - Nylon Magazine". Nylonmag.com. 2011-12-12. Retrieved 2012-07-11.
  31. ^ "Fun". Ournameisfun.com. 2012-06-23. Retrieved 2012-07-11.
  32. ^ "Fun. Album Title and Release Date". 8 November 2011. Retrieved 8 November 2011.
  33. ^ Common, Tyler. "fun. reveal spring 2012 tour dates". Alternative Press Online. Retrieved June 27, 2012.
  34. ^ "Fun.-tastic! 'We Are Young' Tops Hot 100". Billboard.com. 2009-09-14. Retrieved 2012-07-11.
  35. ^ "Music Charts, Most Popular Music, Music by Genre & Top Music Charts". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2012-07-11.
  36. ^ Fallon, Jimmy (February 8, 2013). "Jimmy Fallon's Grammy Year". Entertainment Weekly. New York: Time Inc.: 34.
  37. ^ "Fun. Get Reflective in 'Carry On' Clip". Rolling Stone. 2012-10-24. Retrieved October 29, 2012.
  38. ^ "Fun to be Musical Guest on SNL". HuffingtonPost.com. {{cite web}}: Text "accessdate-2012-10-21" ignored (help)
  39. ^ Entertainment Weekly Staff (February 8, 2013). "EW's Grammy Picks". Entertainment Weekly. New York: Time Inc.: 26.
  40. ^ a b "We Aren't Changing Our Name. van Andrew Dost op Myspace". Myspace.com. 2009-04-28. Retrieved 2012-11-07.
  41. ^ "Info - The Ally Coalition". The Ally Coalition. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
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