You Me At Six
You Me at Six are a British rock band from Weybridge, Surrey. Formed in 2004, the group rose to fame in 2008 with the success of their debut album, Take Off Your Colours, which included the singles "Save It for the Bedroom", "Finders Keepers" and "Kiss and Tell", with the latter two peaking at No. 33 and No. 42 respectively in the official UK Singles Chart. The band's main influences include American rock bands Blink-182, Incubus and Thrice.
In the early days of You Me at Six they released 2 extended plays We Know What It Means to Be Alone and Untitled. Tracks such as "Gossip" and "The Rumour" were born on this EP. Joe Phillips was also kicked out of the band and was replaced by Dan Flint just before the release of the first album. They were nominated for "Best British Band" at the 2008, 2009 and 2010 Kerrang! Awards, losing each time to metalcore band Bullet for My Valentine. However, they won the title for "Best British Band" in 2011.
The band released their second studio album, titled Hold Me Down on 11 January 2010, which reached number 5 in the UK. This album included the popular singles "Underdog", which reached number 49 in the UK and "Liquid Confidence" which peaked at number 86. The band released the third official single from the album, "Stay with Me", on 5 September 2010 which peaked at No. 53.
The band also released a single titled "Rescue Me" on 14 February 2011, which features American alternative hip hop act Chiddy Bang. The band also made an announcement that they would be heading back to the studio in early February/March 2011 in preparation to record their third upcoming album, Sinners Never Sleep, which was released in the UK on 3 October 2011.
Take Off Your Colours:
You Me at Six debut album Take Off Your Colours was released through Slam Dunk Records on 8 October 2008. It spawned debut single "Save It for the Bedroom", "If I Were in Your Shoes", "Gossip", "Jealous Minds Think Alike", "Finders Keepers" and "Kiss and Tell". In September, You Me at Six released a deluxe version of the album with a bonus disc featuring singles "Finders Keepers" and "Kiss and Tell" along with B-sides "Sweet Feet", "All Your Fault" and "Blue Eyes Don't Lie". You Me at Six covered Lady Gaga's "Poker Face" as a Live Lounge cover which became a B-side on the "Kiss and Tell" single.
The band were a supporting act for Fall Out Boy in late 2008.
Hold Me Down:
On 11 November 2009, lead singer Josh Franceschi announced that their second album was completed, and would be released in early 2010.AbsolutePunk.net later announced the album would be titled Hold Me Down and would be released through Virgin Records on 11 January 2010. The band then announced shortly afterwards that they would be making the song, "The Consequence" available for free digital download from their official website. The album was recorded at Outhouse Studios in Reading, produced and engineered by Matt O'Grady and mixed by John Mitchell, as was their previous record Take Off Your Colours. The album debuted at No. 5 in the UK album charts, however it managed to hit No. 4 for the mid-week charts. Later, the band announced that the first official new single from Hold Me Down is titled "Underdog". The song was later made available for free streaming on the band's MySpace site. On 28 January, the band announced that they would be releasing an iTunes exclusive bundle, including the second follow-up single of their new album Hold Me Down, "Underdog" (which precedes "The Consequence"). The Underdog EP would also include an acoustic version of the track, and an all-new b-side titled "Fact-tastic."
On 14 July 2010, the band announced the third single from the second album Hold Me Down, titled "Stay with Me". On 21 July, the band released the music video for the single on their official website, and was made available later on iTunes and the band's YouTube channel. The video was shot on location in California before they headed out for the Warped Tour 2010. It was also confirmed that the band would be releasing an official iTunes "single bundle" for "Stay with Me". The bundle, which would be made available on iTunes, includes an acoustic version of "Stay with Me", along with a cover of the track "Starry Eyed" by Ellie Goulding (on which the band first performed at the Radio 1 Live Lounge in May).
Rescue Me:
In late 2010, You Me at Six collaborated with American rap duo Chiddy Bang on a track titled "Rescue Me" and was later released on 14 February 2011. The single's package included an exclusive B-Side track "Knew It Was You", which was written back in the old Hold Me Down days. However, it was later confirmed that the track would not be featuring on the band's upcoming third studio album, Sinners Never Sleep.
Sinners Never Sleep:
On 15 December 2010, the band was interviewed by coupdemainmagazine regarding the progress of their upcoming third studio album. The album was said to be set for a September 2011 release.
On 8 April 2011, a video was uploaded to Tumblr confirming that Oli Sykes was recording with the band on their upcoming third album at Sound Factory studio, Los Angeles.
Sinners Never Sleep was released on 3 October, and peaked at No. 3 in the Official UK Album Charts.
In early November, the band announced that "Bite My Tongue" featuring Oliver Sykes would be released as a new single. The official music video which also stars Sykes was released soon after. The single was released on 4 December 2011.
The band scheduled plans on touring parts of Southeast Asia and Europe, including countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Japan in mid-2012.
In March 2012, the band announced that the third single off the album would be "No One Does It Better", despite the single artwork for "Jaws on the Floor" having been leaked in late February. The single would be released along with two additional tracks titled "Over Us" and "Retain" and be released as a single bundle through Virgin Records in April.
The band announced in March 2012 that they had recorded a new song for The Swarm, a ride at Thorpe Park, which will be Europe's tallest winged roller-coaster. The song was released to iTunes on 18 March 2012 and is the world's first single for a roller coaster.
Cavalier Youth:
In June 2013, the band announced they will be entering a recording studio at a secret location to record their new upcoming album. On 20 June 2013, vocalist Josh Franceschi announced all lyrics have been written and the band is ready to record the new record. Pre-production subsequently began on 21 June 2013.
In July and August 2013, the band announced they will be recording their album in Los Angeles, California with producer Neal Avron (Fall Out Boy, Linkin Park, Say Anything). The band also worked closely with music photographer by the alias of GetDeluxe, who filmed the tour diary of the band's Spring Fever Tour with All Time Low and Pierce The Veil. Band members also updated their official Instagram profiles with the progress of the new album.
On 2 September 2013, the band announced and premiered the first single to be off the new record, titled 'Lived a Lie'. The album was also revealed to be titled 'Cavalier Youth'. The album would contain 12 tracks, including an interlude track. The music video to 'Lived a Lie' was made available to the world on the band's Vevo channel and UK fans can download the new track on iTunes shortly after.
On 28 September 2013, Josh Franceschi announced in concert that Cavalier Youth would be released in January 2014.
Tours and show dates (2010-2012):
You Me at Six kicked off their year playing a launch show in Kingston - originally intended to be an instore gig at Banquet Records, it was quickly upgraded to the new Hippodrome - in support of their new album Hold Me Down on 11 January. As of February they have played 3 dates, including, also, an HMV instore and an HMV event headline promoting new British music at the Relentless Garage London. They announced that they would be playing several festivals including Punkspring in Japan, the whole Vans Warped Tour; and supported Paramore on all Soundwave dates, as well as on Paramore's tour.
They have completed their third sell-out headline tour in support of their second album Hold Me Down. They were joined by Sean Smith and Elissa Franceschi on selected dates. In Belfast, Matt told GiggingNI.com how it was "exciting to see how much you've grown from a year and a half ago".
It was announced on the Leeds leg of the tour on 16 March that You Me at Six would be returning to Leeds and playing the festival. In August 2010, the band performed on the main stage at the Leeds and Reading festivals. The band also did a Reading and Leeds warm up gig at Wedgewood Rooms in Portsmouth in August.
On 18 May 2010, You Me at Six visited BBC Radio One's Live Lounge for the second time, presented by Fearne Cotton. Aside from being interviewed they played a version of "Liquid Confidence" and a cover of Ellie Goulding's "Starry Eyed" at Maida Vale, in London live on air. On 23 May 2010, they played the "In New Music We Trust" stage at the Radio One Big Weekend in Bangor, North Wales. They were joined onstage by Sean Smith for "The Consequence" and Aled Phillips on "Save It for the Bedroom".
On 3 December 2010, the band posted an announcement on their official website stating "both the band and YMAS HQ are extremely disappointed to announce that due to the inclement weather and transport issues, the two You Me at Six shows at the Edinburgh Corn Exchange this weekend will be postponed" and that "it's just not safe for the band or the attending fans to travel over to the show". You Me at Six has also made a reschedule of both the dates and an exchange fund of the tickets bought earlier.
During the first Edinburgh show, Josh Franceschi announced that the band would be playing at T in the Park.
On 21 February 2011, the band announced that they would be touring with Parkway Drive, Bleeding Through, Confession and more on the Mix N' Mash Tour in May.
On 16 April 2011, Blink-182 announced that their headlining tour would be delayed till 2012 due to the fact that they have not finished recording for the new album yet. As a result, You Me at Six will not be touring with them. Upcoming tour dates for the UK in September will be released on 15 June, and the band have announced that they will be touring Australia with We the Kings in late August-early September.
On 10 July 2011, the band announced headlining US tour dates for October 2011 to promote the release of their third studio album.
On 29 August 2011, the fourth track of the Sinners Never Sleep, "This Is the First Thing" was leaked online by one of the inside recording team member back in Los Angeles while the band was tracking their vocals. On 1 September 2011, a 30-second snippet of the track from the record "Bite My Tongue" featuring Oli Sykes was leaked on the internet as well. It was removed 30 minutes later due to infringement and copyrighted issues.
The band's next UK tours started in March 2012. The first two tour dates, which were supposed to be played in Belfast and Dublin were postponed due to Josh Franceschi contracting tonsillitis and being unable to perform. The dates were rescheduled to take place in early April.
You Me at Six played the entire Warped Tour 2012.
Clothing lines:
The band's bassist Matt Barnes owns a clothing line range called "Cheer Up! Clothing", which was first formed in late 2007. The clothing line sponsors several artists and bands including Four Year Strong, Emarosa, The All-American Rejects, VersaEmerge, and We Are the in Crowd amongst others.
The band's frontman Josh Franceschi himself also owns a clothing range, "Down But Not Out". Franceschi himself expressed that "the phrase, "Down But Not Out", has been my ethos, my way of approaching life for the last two years or so" and have "always wanted to start some sort of clothing company to express myself through a means other than music". The clothing line models' feature several of the band's members as well.
In summer 2011, the band's rhythm guitarist Max Helyer started up his own clothing range called "Become Antique".
Cover versions:
"Starry Eyed" - Ellie Goulding cover in Radio 1 Live Lounge ("Stay with Me" single),
"Poker Face" - Lady Gaga cover in Radio 1 Live Lounge ("Kiss and Tell" single),
"Sugar, We're Goin Down" - Fall Out Boy cover recorded for B-side ("Finders Keepers" single),
"Foo Fighters Medley" ("All My Life", "Bridge Burning", "Best of You") - Foo Fighters Live Lounge cover, released through "Bite My Tongue" EP.,
"Paradise" - Coldplay cover on Triple J.,
"Domino" - Jessie J cover in Radio 1 Live Lounge,
"Wake Me Up" - Avicii cover in Radio 1 Live Lounge,
Band members:
Current members
Josh Franceschi - lead vocals (since 2004),
Max Helyer - rhythm guitar, backing vocals (since 2004),
Chris Miller - lead guitar (since 2004),
Matt Barnes - bass guitar (since 2004),
Dan Flint - drums, percussion, sampling (since 2007),
Touring musicians
Luke Rendell - additional guitar, backing vocals,
Former members
Joe Philips - drums, percussion (2004-2007)
In the early days of You Me at Six they released 2 extended plays We Know What It Means to Be Alone and Untitled. Tracks such as "Gossip" and "The Rumour" were born on this EP. Joe Phillips was also kicked out of the band and was replaced by Dan Flint just before the release of the first album. They were nominated for "Best British Band" at the 2008, 2009 and 2010 Kerrang! Awards, losing each time to metalcore band Bullet for My Valentine. However, they won the title for "Best British Band" in 2011.
The band released their second studio album, titled Hold Me Down on 11 January 2010, which reached number 5 in the UK. This album included the popular singles "Underdog", which reached number 49 in the UK and "Liquid Confidence" which peaked at number 86. The band released the third official single from the album, "Stay with Me", on 5 September 2010 which peaked at No. 53.
The band also released a single titled "Rescue Me" on 14 February 2011, which features American alternative hip hop act Chiddy Bang. The band also made an announcement that they would be heading back to the studio in early February/March 2011 in preparation to record their third upcoming album, Sinners Never Sleep, which was released in the UK on 3 October 2011.
Take Off Your Colours:
You Me at Six debut album Take Off Your Colours was released through Slam Dunk Records on 8 October 2008. It spawned debut single "Save It for the Bedroom", "If I Were in Your Shoes", "Gossip", "Jealous Minds Think Alike", "Finders Keepers" and "Kiss and Tell". In September, You Me at Six released a deluxe version of the album with a bonus disc featuring singles "Finders Keepers" and "Kiss and Tell" along with B-sides "Sweet Feet", "All Your Fault" and "Blue Eyes Don't Lie". You Me at Six covered Lady Gaga's "Poker Face" as a Live Lounge cover which became a B-side on the "Kiss and Tell" single.
The band were a supporting act for Fall Out Boy in late 2008.
Hold Me Down:
On 11 November 2009, lead singer Josh Franceschi announced that their second album was completed, and would be released in early 2010.AbsolutePunk.net later announced the album would be titled Hold Me Down and would be released through Virgin Records on 11 January 2010. The band then announced shortly afterwards that they would be making the song, "The Consequence" available for free digital download from their official website. The album was recorded at Outhouse Studios in Reading, produced and engineered by Matt O'Grady and mixed by John Mitchell, as was their previous record Take Off Your Colours. The album debuted at No. 5 in the UK album charts, however it managed to hit No. 4 for the mid-week charts. Later, the band announced that the first official new single from Hold Me Down is titled "Underdog". The song was later made available for free streaming on the band's MySpace site. On 28 January, the band announced that they would be releasing an iTunes exclusive bundle, including the second follow-up single of their new album Hold Me Down, "Underdog" (which precedes "The Consequence"). The Underdog EP would also include an acoustic version of the track, and an all-new b-side titled "Fact-tastic."
On 14 July 2010, the band announced the third single from the second album Hold Me Down, titled "Stay with Me". On 21 July, the band released the music video for the single on their official website, and was made available later on iTunes and the band's YouTube channel. The video was shot on location in California before they headed out for the Warped Tour 2010. It was also confirmed that the band would be releasing an official iTunes "single bundle" for "Stay with Me". The bundle, which would be made available on iTunes, includes an acoustic version of "Stay with Me", along with a cover of the track "Starry Eyed" by Ellie Goulding (on which the band first performed at the Radio 1 Live Lounge in May).
Rescue Me:
In late 2010, You Me at Six collaborated with American rap duo Chiddy Bang on a track titled "Rescue Me" and was later released on 14 February 2011. The single's package included an exclusive B-Side track "Knew It Was You", which was written back in the old Hold Me Down days. However, it was later confirmed that the track would not be featuring on the band's upcoming third studio album, Sinners Never Sleep.
Sinners Never Sleep:
On 15 December 2010, the band was interviewed by coupdemainmagazine regarding the progress of their upcoming third studio album. The album was said to be set for a September 2011 release.
On 8 April 2011, a video was uploaded to Tumblr confirming that Oli Sykes was recording with the band on their upcoming third album at Sound Factory studio, Los Angeles.
Sinners Never Sleep was released on 3 October, and peaked at No. 3 in the Official UK Album Charts.
In early November, the band announced that "Bite My Tongue" featuring Oliver Sykes would be released as a new single. The official music video which also stars Sykes was released soon after. The single was released on 4 December 2011.
The band scheduled plans on touring parts of Southeast Asia and Europe, including countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Japan in mid-2012.
In March 2012, the band announced that the third single off the album would be "No One Does It Better", despite the single artwork for "Jaws on the Floor" having been leaked in late February. The single would be released along with two additional tracks titled "Over Us" and "Retain" and be released as a single bundle through Virgin Records in April.
The band announced in March 2012 that they had recorded a new song for The Swarm, a ride at Thorpe Park, which will be Europe's tallest winged roller-coaster. The song was released to iTunes on 18 March 2012 and is the world's first single for a roller coaster.
Cavalier Youth:
In June 2013, the band announced they will be entering a recording studio at a secret location to record their new upcoming album. On 20 June 2013, vocalist Josh Franceschi announced all lyrics have been written and the band is ready to record the new record. Pre-production subsequently began on 21 June 2013.
In July and August 2013, the band announced they will be recording their album in Los Angeles, California with producer Neal Avron (Fall Out Boy, Linkin Park, Say Anything). The band also worked closely with music photographer by the alias of GetDeluxe, who filmed the tour diary of the band's Spring Fever Tour with All Time Low and Pierce The Veil. Band members also updated their official Instagram profiles with the progress of the new album.
On 2 September 2013, the band announced and premiered the first single to be off the new record, titled 'Lived a Lie'. The album was also revealed to be titled 'Cavalier Youth'. The album would contain 12 tracks, including an interlude track. The music video to 'Lived a Lie' was made available to the world on the band's Vevo channel and UK fans can download the new track on iTunes shortly after.
On 28 September 2013, Josh Franceschi announced in concert that Cavalier Youth would be released in January 2014.
Tours and show dates (2010-2012):
You Me at Six kicked off their year playing a launch show in Kingston - originally intended to be an instore gig at Banquet Records, it was quickly upgraded to the new Hippodrome - in support of their new album Hold Me Down on 11 January. As of February they have played 3 dates, including, also, an HMV instore and an HMV event headline promoting new British music at the Relentless Garage London. They announced that they would be playing several festivals including Punkspring in Japan, the whole Vans Warped Tour; and supported Paramore on all Soundwave dates, as well as on Paramore's tour.
They have completed their third sell-out headline tour in support of their second album Hold Me Down. They were joined by Sean Smith and Elissa Franceschi on selected dates. In Belfast, Matt told GiggingNI.com how it was "exciting to see how much you've grown from a year and a half ago".
It was announced on the Leeds leg of the tour on 16 March that You Me at Six would be returning to Leeds and playing the festival. In August 2010, the band performed on the main stage at the Leeds and Reading festivals. The band also did a Reading and Leeds warm up gig at Wedgewood Rooms in Portsmouth in August.
On 18 May 2010, You Me at Six visited BBC Radio One's Live Lounge for the second time, presented by Fearne Cotton. Aside from being interviewed they played a version of "Liquid Confidence" and a cover of Ellie Goulding's "Starry Eyed" at Maida Vale, in London live on air. On 23 May 2010, they played the "In New Music We Trust" stage at the Radio One Big Weekend in Bangor, North Wales. They were joined onstage by Sean Smith for "The Consequence" and Aled Phillips on "Save It for the Bedroom".
On 3 December 2010, the band posted an announcement on their official website stating "both the band and YMAS HQ are extremely disappointed to announce that due to the inclement weather and transport issues, the two You Me at Six shows at the Edinburgh Corn Exchange this weekend will be postponed" and that "it's just not safe for the band or the attending fans to travel over to the show". You Me at Six has also made a reschedule of both the dates and an exchange fund of the tickets bought earlier.
During the first Edinburgh show, Josh Franceschi announced that the band would be playing at T in the Park.
On 21 February 2011, the band announced that they would be touring with Parkway Drive, Bleeding Through, Confession and more on the Mix N' Mash Tour in May.
On 16 April 2011, Blink-182 announced that their headlining tour would be delayed till 2012 due to the fact that they have not finished recording for the new album yet. As a result, You Me at Six will not be touring with them. Upcoming tour dates for the UK in September will be released on 15 June, and the band have announced that they will be touring Australia with We the Kings in late August-early September.
On 10 July 2011, the band announced headlining US tour dates for October 2011 to promote the release of their third studio album.
On 29 August 2011, the fourth track of the Sinners Never Sleep, "This Is the First Thing" was leaked online by one of the inside recording team member back in Los Angeles while the band was tracking their vocals. On 1 September 2011, a 30-second snippet of the track from the record "Bite My Tongue" featuring Oli Sykes was leaked on the internet as well. It was removed 30 minutes later due to infringement and copyrighted issues.
The band's next UK tours started in March 2012. The first two tour dates, which were supposed to be played in Belfast and Dublin were postponed due to Josh Franceschi contracting tonsillitis and being unable to perform. The dates were rescheduled to take place in early April.
You Me at Six played the entire Warped Tour 2012.
Clothing lines:
The band's bassist Matt Barnes owns a clothing line range called "Cheer Up! Clothing", which was first formed in late 2007. The clothing line sponsors several artists and bands including Four Year Strong, Emarosa, The All-American Rejects, VersaEmerge, and We Are the in Crowd amongst others.
The band's frontman Josh Franceschi himself also owns a clothing range, "Down But Not Out". Franceschi himself expressed that "the phrase, "Down But Not Out", has been my ethos, my way of approaching life for the last two years or so" and have "always wanted to start some sort of clothing company to express myself through a means other than music". The clothing line models' feature several of the band's members as well.
In summer 2011, the band's rhythm guitarist Max Helyer started up his own clothing range called "Become Antique".
Cover versions:
"Starry Eyed" - Ellie Goulding cover in Radio 1 Live Lounge ("Stay with Me" single),
"Poker Face" - Lady Gaga cover in Radio 1 Live Lounge ("Kiss and Tell" single),
"Sugar, We're Goin Down" - Fall Out Boy cover recorded for B-side ("Finders Keepers" single),
"Foo Fighters Medley" ("All My Life", "Bridge Burning", "Best of You") - Foo Fighters Live Lounge cover, released through "Bite My Tongue" EP.,
"Paradise" - Coldplay cover on Triple J.,
"Domino" - Jessie J cover in Radio 1 Live Lounge,
"Wake Me Up" - Avicii cover in Radio 1 Live Lounge,
Band members:
Current members
Josh Franceschi - lead vocals (since 2004),
Max Helyer - rhythm guitar, backing vocals (since 2004),
Chris Miller - lead guitar (since 2004),
Matt Barnes - bass guitar (since 2004),
Dan Flint - drums, percussion, sampling (since 2007),
Touring musicians
Luke Rendell - additional guitar, backing vocals,
Former members
Joe Philips - drums, percussion (2004-2007)
