Fono is a rock band, originally from the United Kingdom but later based out of San Diego, California.
Fono | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Seven |
| Origin | United Kingdom |
| Genres | Alternative rock, Christian rock |
| Years active | 1996–? |
| Website | fono |
History
editFono formed under the name Seven (and originally from Milton Keynes), and released one album and one EP under this name; they also opened for a UK concert by Bon Jovi before changing their name to Fono in 1998.[1] Lead singer Del Currie had previously played with Split Level and Tribe of Dan,[1] and went on a year-long hiatus from songwriting and performing before putting the group together.[2] The band has stated that the name "Fono" has no significance; in an interview, Currie said "It means absolutely nothing".[3] Following the name change, the group was featured in Kerrang! magazine as one of their Best Unsigned Bands. Not long after, they did sign with a label, and the group released their debut full-length, Goesaroundcomesaround, in 1999.[4] Album reviewers noted the album's American, as opposed to British, rock sound[5][6] and the group's general appeal to audiences outside the world of Christian rock.[7] In America, the group scored two Christian radio hits with the singles "Now She's 24" (No. 7, 1999) and "Drift Away" ( 16, 2000).[1] They also toured with Robert Plant, The Goo Goo Dolls,[1] Third Eye Blind,[8] and Audio Adrenaline.[7]
After the release of the album, the band relocated permanently to the United States, settling in San Diego, California in 2000.[8] That year, a restructuring at their record label resulted in their becoming embroiled in a lawsuit which took over two years to resolve; during this time the band was prevented from recording any music.[9] They then began recording a new album, but the studio where they were recording and all of their equipment and masters were destroyed in the Cedar Fire of 2003.[9] The group re-recorded the material and independently released It's the Way That You Use It in 2004 and Too Broken to Break in 2007.
In 2010, vocalist Del Currie released a solo album under the name Zoo Seven.
Members
editCurrent members
edit- Del Currie - vocals, guitar
- Andy Ridley - drums
- Cindy Cate - bass
- Soren Engen - guitar
Former members
edit- Ian Crawford - bass (1996-)
Discography
edit- As Seven
- High And Wired (Blinding Music, 1996)
- Burn EP (1997)
- As Fono
References
edit- ^ a b c d Mark Allan Powell, The Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music. Hendrickson Publishers, 2002, pp. 335-336.
- ^ Fono. Christianity Today.
- ^ Interview with Fono. Jesus Freak Hideout, May 18, 2000.
- ^ Jason Ankeny, Fono at Allmusic
- ^ Review of Goesaroundcomesaround, Allmusic
- ^ Privett, Andrew (December 1998). "Review of Goesaroundcomesaround". Cross Rhythms (48).
- ^ a b Pick of the Month. The Phantom Tollbooth, February 1999.
- ^ a b Rimmer, Mike (October 2003). "Come in Number 6... Your Time is Up!". Cross Rhythms (77).
- ^ a b Review of Too Broken To Break. Jesus Freak Hideout, October 21, 2007.