Bloc Party
Biography
Bloc Party is an English rock band formed in London in 1999. The initial lineup consisted of Kele Okereke on vocals and rhythm guitar, Russell Lissack on lead guitar, Gordon Moakes on bass, and Matt Tong on drums. After going through several names, the band settled on Bloc Party in 2003. They gained recognition after giving a demo of their song "She's Hearing Voices" to BBC Radio 1 DJ Steve Lamacq and Franz Ferdinand's lead singer, Alex Kapranos.
Silent Alarm (2005)
Bloc Party released their debut album, Silent Alarm, in February 2005 to widespread critical acclaim. Produced by Paul Epworth, the album was noted for its fast-paced, rhythm-focused sound, which blended indie rock with dance-punk and post-punk revival influences. Lyrically, Kele Okereke explored themes relevant to young adults. The album was a commercial success, reaching number three on the UK Albums Chart and achieving platinum status in the UK. It also made an impact in the United States, entering the Billboard 200. Key singles from the album include "Helicopter," "Banquet," and "So Here We Are." In late 2005, a remixed version of the album, Silent Alarm Remixed, was released.
A Weekend in the City and Intimacy (2007–2008)
The band's second album, A Weekend in the City, was released in 2007 and saw the band incorporating more electronic elements. The album was a commercial success, reaching number two in the UK Albums Chart and number twelve on the Billboard 200 in the US. The album's lyrical themes touched upon modern city life, including topics like drug use and sexuality. This was followed by their third album, Intimacy, in 2008, which was released digitally with minimal promotion just weeks after it was completed. This album continued the band's exploration of electronic sounds and was produced by Paul Epworth and Jacknife Lee. It reached number eight in the UK Albums Chart and number eighteen on the Billboard 200.
Hiatus, Side Projects, and Four (2009–2013)
Following the tour for Intimacy, Bloc Party went on hiatus in 2009. During this time, the members pursued side projects. Kele Okereke released a solo album, The Boxer, in 2010, which had a more dance-oriented sound. Russell Lissack was involved with his project Pin Me Down and also toured with Ash. Gordon Moakes formed the band Young Legionnaire. The band reunited in 2011 and released their fourth album, Four, in 2012. This album marked a return to a more guitar-driven rock sound, reminiscent of their debut. It reached number three in the UK Albums Chart. The band went on another hiatus in 2013, during which drummer Matt Tong left the band.
Lineup Changes, Hymns, and Alpha Games (2015–Present)
In 2015, bassist Gordon Moakes also departed from the band. Bloc Party returned with new members Justin Harris on bass and Louise Bartle on drums. Their fifth album, Hymns, was released in 2016 and featured a more subdued, electronic, and groove-driven sound. After another break, the band released their sixth album, Alpha Games, in 2022. This album was hailed as a return to the high-energy, post-punk sound of their early work and was the first to feature significant songwriting contributions from the new members. Justin Harris departed the band in 2023. In 2023, the band released the The High Life EP.