Idlewild consists of Bob Fairfoull (bassist), Colin Newton (percussionist, drummer), Rod Jones (guitarist), Roddy Woomble (vocalist).
Idlewild are a Scottish rock band formed in December 1995, by Roddy Woomble (vocals), Rod Jones ( guitar), Phil Scanlon ( bass), and Colin Newton ( drums).
Initially their sound obeyed the conventions of 1990s British indie-punk guitar music, but unlike many of their contemporaries, it developed over time, from an edgy and angular sound approaching post-hardcore, as heard in their early material (once described as "the sound of a flight of stairs falling down a flight of stairs"), to a different, sweeping melodic rock sound as displayed on 'The Remote Part'. Idlewild are a truly independent band, in that they do not fit into any specific scene, though their sound has clearly been influenced by bands like Fugazi, early Pixies and more recently R.E.M..
Part of Idlewild's early success can be attributed to their singles gaining heavy rotation on Steve Lamacq's Evening Session on BBC Radio 1, as well as his all-round endorsement of them - the diminutive DJ often cites them as one of his favourite bands.
As of November 21, 2005, Idlewild announced that after eight years and four albums they were parting ways with their record label Parlophone/EMI. Part of the band statement reads 'The band had fulfilled their record contract and it seemed like a good time to move on.' A Roddy Woomble solo folk album is due for release in 2006.
Idlewild, named after the quiet meeting place in Roddy Woomble's (vocals) favourite book at the time, Anne of Green Gables, formed in December of 1995 in Edinburgh, Scotland when the then 19 year-old Woomble met Colin Newton (drums) at a party. The two discovered they had much in common, including similar musical interests and record collections (including the likes of Sonic Youth, Bob Dylan and R.E.M.); by the end of the night, they had discussed forming a band together. Also that evening, the two were introduced to Rod Jones (guitar) and the three kept in contact afterwards. They would meet up to listen to music, and began to write songs together. In need of a bassist, they brought Phil Scanlon into the fold due to the fact that he owned a bass guitar. The four began practising late in the year in a room that has been described as "so cold that all the early songs were written with gloves on".
