Neon Knights (band)

Neon Knights are a indie/electro/rock band formed by brothers Chris (Vocals/Guitars/Keyboards/Programming) & Nik (Drums/Drum programming) Donaldson from Melbourne Australia and are popular amongst the Melbourne underground scene. The name Neon Knights is taken from a Mstrkrft song of the same name. Neon Knights influences include; Daft Punk, New Order, Justice, Mstrkrft, TRV$DJAM, Blink 182, Test Icicles, Bag Raiders & Ace Enders but have also be quote to be influenced by 1960's music & Hip Hop. A line up change is currently in ProgresS with Johnny Green being added on bass guitar & James Bos on live drums. However as of January 2010, Bos has quit the band.

Background

The Vedettes
Chris & Nik Donaldson are brothers from New Zealand and in 2005 the migrated to Melbourne Australia with friend Johnny Green to focus on music. Late in 2005 indie/rock n' roll influenced band the Vedettes was formed with Chris & Johnny on guitar, Nik on drums & new recruit Chris MacFarlane from the UK providing the vocals. The Vedettes recorded a 4 track demo before Christmas in order to get gigs. After playing their first gig they were praised by Melbourne music manager and guru Neil Wedd saying:

"The Vedettes were a different matter. Two of the members were wearing shades in the Greyhound!! Seriously cool points there. Slacking around backstage, seemingly dawdling around to get their gear onstage. The singer looking like Ian Brown/Liam Gallagher with shades, denim jacket buttoned up like a Mexican gang banger (albeit with AbOUT 4 buttons done up). He announces "We are your favourite new band" and then proceeds to show that they are. The singer came out from the UK in October and this is The Vedettes first gig. Two guitars, drums and vocals. Seriously cool. And the sound you ask? Well its memorable. Hints of Jesus and the Mary Chain, the last song felt like Joy Division. Strong drumming gave it the backbone, the guitars buzzed and fuzzed, the guitarists cool making a wall of sound topped off with the vocals a bit detached. Sometimes almost spoken. Mesmerising. This is the most interesting rock band I've seen at a Jager gig in ages. Where can I get them to play? Support British India (Band) @ Revolver on Saturday 18. Lets shuffle the times a bit. Was it a flash in the pan? Well the CD was interesting and the band put on a great gig and looked cool. Very positive. Listen to the songs on myspace to get an idea."

After this the band landed solid gigs around Melbourne for the next Year and were played on Australia wide radio Triple J.

2006 Saw the recording of a self titled EP and a break for the Vedettes as Chris MacFarlane went back to the UK as his visa had expired. During this period a new member Ben Treyvaud was added on bass guitar. Once MacFarlane returned from the UK the Vedettes once again hit the Melbourne indie scene playing show through to 2007 with Memorable moments that saw them playing 3 "last gig" shows, a ban from venue 'the Evelyn' and Treyvaud losing his equipment. The official 'last gig' of the Vedettes (the 1st of the 3) was played in front of 150 fans at the Legendary 'Old bar' in Melbourne. The Vedettes released one music video for 'Stand On Clouds' and disbanded in 2007 after MacFarlane returned to the UK permeantly. Chris MacFarlane now plays in UK outfit 'Red Nova'. Ben Treyvaud plays acoustic shows in Melbourne offen aided by Chris Donaldson under the name 'Ben William'.

History

The 'Danseprojects' and LaTrobe House Demo
Quiet months after the Vedettes saw Chris Donaldson creating dance music on his computer after discovering that Johnny Green had been recording his own material on a Mac (Named 'Your Genius Hands' after the Everclear song of the same name) and making progress on social networking site Myspace. Realising what was possible, Chris gained help from brother Nik (who was playing in Melbourne post punk duo 'Pets With Pets') to programme the drums and the two started working on what was known as the 'Danseprojects'. Danse was spelt with an 's' to incorporate the French influence on them (Justice and Ed Banger Records artists). After a few months of honing this new craft they recorded the LaTrobe House Demo out of their apartment in Inner City Melbourne. The name was taken from the building's name, LaTrobe House - 200 LaTrobe Street, Melbourne.

Late 2007 Chris played a couple of shows solo with the LaTrobe House Demo and other 'Danseproject' songs under the name Neon Knights which was selected whilst scrolling through his iPod in search of a name. In December 2007 the first show a duo (Nik playing live drums) was played at venue "3rd Class" and earned them a spot in "Inpress Magazines" local live bands in 2007, coming in at number 3.

Progress
2008 saw the band play with such bands as Midnight Juggernauts, [...] Arms, The Galvatrons, Le Castle Vania (from Atlanta, Georgia, United States) and many other popular Melbourne independent acts. Neon Knights were highly praise in Melbourne local street press magazines Beat and Inpress and were named top band to look out for in 2008 in RMIT's Catalyst magazine.

Excerpt from Catalyst magazine:

"The Knight at the of this stallion is one Chris Donaldson (formerly of Vedettes notoriety,) who, with some assistance from his brother/drummer Nik, have barnstormed the inner-city, hipster club scene with some refreshingly original, arp-heavy electro... this is inspired stuff." - Nick Clarke (Catalyst Magazine)

With the help of rave reviews "Their beats make you want to take your pants off and rub against the nearest person or wall. The only way to describe this beautifully hectic song styling is if Kavinksy were to have a baby with early MSTRKRFT. The melodies punch and the hooks drag you in with such gravity that I thought I was going to hit the moon" - Alex Willox (Indigo 4 Music), Neon Knights played a gig in Melbourne's ACDC Lane to a crowd of 500 people and has appeared on Melbourne's 90.7 SYN FM, Channel 31, Envex Records and interviewed on Beat TV.

In 2009 Neon Knights continued have independent success playing frequently and gaining a steady fan base. This was helped along when they were played on Australia-wide radio Triple J (Where they have come in at number 3 - The Cellar, number 4 - Problems In The Playground, & number 15 - Something In Her Eyes, in the Unearthed Electronic charts) and also when asked to provide the music for Sportsgirl's new clothing line - "Romance was born (Something In Her Eyes) & Metalicus' winter collection (Problems In The Playground). Mid year came the departure of Nik who returned to New Zealand to study. Nik states however he still wants to continue programming the drums for new Neon Knights material and is still considered part of the band. Chris has now added old friend from the Vedettes Johnny Green on bass and drummer James Bos to the lineup. Neon Knights returned to live shows in September 2009 playing the Refraction Records release party. This was closely followed with a show with ARIA winning Bertie Blackman and a music video being completed for the track "Something In Her Eyes" which was directed by close friend and DJ Jonny O'Hara (AKA Knackerd Converse) from Black Night Crash. In January 2010 Bos left the band. The band has decided to continue as a two-piece. The future holds another Compilation CD being released by Gigantically Small Run by Barry Palmer from Hunters & Collectors) and a seven-inch split vinyl single through Envex Records.

EPs

• D.E.M.O - May, 2008

Track 1: 'Something In Her Eyes' - 4:45
Track 2: 'Problems In The Playground' - 3:23
Track 3: 'The Cellar' - 4:10
Track 4: 'Just The Best' - 5:14

Compilation appearances

• Something In Her Eyes (Released 17.09.2009) – Luminosity; "Refraction Records"
• TBA (Unreleased) – TBA; "Gigantically Small"

Current Members

Chris Donaldson - Vocals/Synthesisers/Keyboards/Programming/Guitars
Johnny Green - Bass
Nik Donaldson - Drum Programming

References

http://www.indieinitiative.com/ifShowHeadline.asp?ID=4222
http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=269984588&albumID=524764&imageID=4247547
http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/.../Neon-Knights-Alex-Mcleod-Staky-Biggie-Sean-Kelly--Transit-Bar-Canberra-021008.htm
http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=269984588&albumID=524764&imageID=5086828
http://www.myspace.com/neonknightsmusic
http://www.last.fm/music/Neon+Knights
'Catalyst Magazine' February 2008 P14
http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=269984588&albumID=524764&imageID=5616666
http://www.myspace.com/thevedettes
http://jplay.com.au/JSite/ViewArtist.aspx?ArtistID=6592
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yP-8yS-yx3w
http://envexrecordz.com/phorum/list.php?2
'Inpress Magazine' December 26, 2007 - January 2, 2008
http://indigo4music.com/newsletter/newsletter/september.htmlCDReview
http://www.wavesatnight.com/author/patch/
http://jplay.com.au/JSite/ViewSong.aspx?SongID=2902 http://www.mtv.com.au/shows/aria-red-carpet/episodes/2009-aria-awards-show/video/aria-awards-2009-bertie-blackman-wins-best-independent-release-460095/

External links

• http://www.myspace.com/neonknightsmusic
• http://www.facebook.com/pages/Neon-Knights/85768232562
• http://www.triplejunearthed.com.au/neonknights
• http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/group/Neon_Knights
• http://www.twitter.com/NEON_KNIGHTS_
• http://www.myspace.com/thevedettes
• http://www.myspace.com/yourgeniushandsmusic
• http://www.myspace.com/benwilliammusic
• http://www.myspace.com/petswithpets
• http://www.myspace.com/rednovamusic