It’s hard to believe that Burn The Negative have only been together since 2008, considering the ground they’ve covered in such a short space of time. From squeezing in gigs at IBIZA ROCKS with Soulwax, playing Glastonbury, V festival, Isle of Wight and opening Creamfields main stage to releasing albums, remix albums, acoustic projects alongside well supported singles and videos.
It was Carlisle born lead singer and songwriter, Mark Baker, who decided a band should be put together to perform the new material, which he was writing at the time. The music transformed and matured as it was being written into their very own, as now known, electronic nu-wave, punk pop sound.
Gareth Milburn joined on bass, introducing Mark to Lee Smith for guitar duties. Gary Little (later to be replaced on live tech duties by friend of the band, Paolo Di Liberto), was currently working with Mark on Lil' Devious projects, he also helped engineer and produce the albums’ material whilst working on keyboard and tech duties for gigs.
Mark and Gary have worked with many influential characters in the past, from Imagination’s Leee John to Mick Karn, bassist with 80’s visionaries Japan. They even produced the first single for a certain buddy of theirs who would later go on to be called Calvin Harris.
By the end of 2008, the band had signed single and album deals with pioneering electronic gurus, Gung-Ho! Recordings of London, netted themselves live representation from live booking agent giants ITB, who also look after the likes of Kasabian, Soulwax and Aerosmith.
In 2009, the band’s first TV appearance on Channel M of Manchester was recorded and followed by massive support for videos ‘Wonder Why’ and ‘Low’ on NME TV. They even hit the Number 1 spot on NME’s club chart.
May 2009 saw the release of their debut album, ‘In The Atmosphere’, which went on to gain serious respect from the Guardian – likening Burn The Negative to bands such as the Killers and even ‘New Romantic’ legends, Japan. They also gained the Guardians ‘Band Of The Day’ slot, were dubbed ‘saviours of electronica punk funk’ by DJ Magazine, ‘New Blood’ in the Artrocker magazine and even ‘Ones to watch’ in the Clash Magazine. Whilst all this was erupting, the summer saw the band hit Matter at the O2 Arena (twice!) and smash festivals such as Glastonbury, Isle Of Wight, RockNess, Hop Farm and the V Festival. To finish off this huge festival tour, Burn The Negative opened Creamfields mainstage and wowed crowds at the legendary Ibiza Rocks – in the same weekend!
In late 2009, taking into consideration the band was now only just nearing two years old; the second album had been requested from the label with plans to hit the shops and digital highways in the late summer of 2010. We're promised a bigger, bolder, stronger and more mature album with ‘How To Weigh The Human Soul’ – released on Monday 30th August 2010 – which will be supported by a summer tour that takes in clubs and festivals including Secret Garden Party, Kendal Calling and SolFest. This therefore should be something the pop masses and discerning electro fans will look forward to, not to mention the loveable, gurning lunatics at the front of the festivals mosh pits. See them out there as soon as you can!
