Radiohead

Radiohead created a rock sound strongly influenced by the Pixies in the early to mid-nineties, with albums like Pablo Honey and The Bends. In the 2000s, they Merged electronica with abrasive guitar with Kid A and Amnesiac. They inspire the listener to be uplifted and reflective in equal measure. Their most critically acclaimed album, 1997's OK Computer, has been nominated as one of the greatest albums of the last 20 years.

Before they were known as Radiohead, On A Friday were formed in 1986 by five lads who went to the same school in Oxfordshire: Thom Yorke (vocals, rhythm guitar, piano, electronics), Jonny Greenwood (lead guitar, ondes martenot, keyboards, electronics, Sound effects), Ed O'Brien (guitar, backing vocals, keyboards, sound effects), Colin Greenwood (bass, synthesizers, electronics) and Phil Selway (drums, percussion, Backing Vocals).

Even though they all went away to University, they continued to play live gigs during the holidays and at weekends, and recorded a few demos. Their continuing efforts to increase their profile finally paid off when they secured a six album deal in 1991. At the request of their record company, they changed their name from On A Friday to Radiohead.

In early 1992, their first song was "Creep", which was initially unsuccessful. Later that year, they released the Drill EP, which contained "You", "Pop Is Dead", "Anyone Can Play Guitar", and "Stupid Car".

Their first full-length album, Pablo Honey, was recorded in three weeks and was released in 1993. It was not particularly well received in the UK, though fared better in the US thanks to the success of single "Creep". "Creep" was later frowned upon by the band and some fans because many considered them to be a one-hit wonder. People expected everything Radiohead made to better than or equal to "Creep". By the time The Bends was released in 1995, Radiohead had achieved a breakthrough in America and were gaining some positive critical momentum in their home country, albeit as ‘outsiders’ in a Britpop dominated music environment.

OK Computer was the album that turned them into heroes. Released to widespread acclaim in 1997, it remains a landmark album for many with its experimental approach, richly textured melodies and rock tinged edges.

By the time they released Kid A in 2000, the band were almost burnt out and feeling the pressure of the expectation to meet the majesty of their last album. Rather than produce an OK Computer 2, Radiohead and their producers chose instead to create music with a sparser, more experimental sound. Kid A was mostly well received by the press: some critics even went so far as to proclaim that Radiohead were the ‘world’s most important band'. However, some fans were unhappy that the band had moved further away from the straight indie-rock of The Bends.

When Amnesiac was released in 2001, it attracted criticism from some who considered it over-indulgent, though many others considered it a worthwhile accompaniment to Kid A. Most fans were happy with the release of Hail to the Thief in 2003, but there were whispers of dissent suggesting that Radiohead were merely maintaining the creative status quo.

With no record deal (they had completed their six album commitment) and no Radiohead album since Hail To The Thief, some suggested that Radiohead had wrung themselves dry. They proved the doubters wrong with the internet-only release of In Rainbows, which was hailed by many as a return to form. Controversially they decided to offer the download on a 'payment-optional' basis - a move which sent shockwaves throughout the record industry. When the album was later released on CD as normal, it still managed to top album charts worldwide despite many fans having already purchased the album online.