Artists : The Blackout

The Blackout are a post-hardcore band from South Wales, who formed in 2003. They have released two mini-albums and one full-length album so far, drawing on multiple influences to create their own sound. The Blackout are perhaps most famous for supporting fellow Welsh band Lostprophets on their ‘Liberation Transmission’ tours.

The band consists of Gavin Butler (vocalist), Sean Smith (vocalist), Matthew Davies (lead guitarist), James Davies (rhythm guitarist), Gareth Lawrence (drums) and Rhys Lewis (bassist). Their first mini-album, ‘Pull no Punches’, which only contained three tracks, was released in 2004. Only one single was released from it: ‘Hard Slammin’’. The Blackout have supported bands of the likes of Funeral For a Friend, Thrice, Avenged Sevenfold, besides Lostprophets. They were also the opening act for the ‘Give It a Name’ festival of 2006. After touring across Europe and the United Kingdom with Lostprophets, The Blackout released their second mini-album ‘The Blackout! The Blackout! The Blackout!’. Singer Ian Watkins of Lostprophets is featured on the song ‘It’s High-Tide, Baby!’, returning the favour after Sean Smith did the guest vocals for Lostprophets’ song ‘Everyday Combat’. The Blackout played the Rockstar Taste of Choas tour in Europe, joining Gallows, Aiden, Rise Against and The Used. October 2007 saw the release of their second album through the ‘Fierce Panda’ record company, namely ‘We Are the Dynamite!’. To coincide with this release, The Blackout have announced a headlining tour across the UK. ‘We Are the Dynamite!’ has produced one single since: ‘The Beijing Cocktail’, but the second single (‘It’s High-Tide, Baby!’) is expected to be released in early 2008.