Reuben were/are a heavy rock trio from the Farnborough/Aldershot area of southern England, the same scene that spawned fellows Vex Red and Hundred Reasons. Renowned for their genre-busting catalogue of songs, energetic live shows and inventive promo videos, they were also noted for their loyal and personal approach to their fanbase.
After releasing an EP on indie label Badmusic in 2001 whilst sill at college, the original line up of Jamie Lenman, Jon Pearce and Mark Lawton did their best to court major label interest and play as many shows as possible. When Mark was replaced on drums by Guy Davis the following year, they released a string of indie singles and toured extensively, earning themselves not only recognition but a number of Radio One and MTV2 top spots.
After a long period of gestation the debut album, �Racecar Is Racecar Backwards� was released in 2004 on Xtra Mile/Sony to further plaudits from various media, and was followed by more touring, and even a nomination for a Kerrang award.
Second album �Very Fast, Very Dangerous� followed swiftly in 2005 and saw a shift from complex near-prog to a more rock-and-roll sound, and launched the band on another period of extensive touring, including their first trip to Europe with heroes Billy Talent.
Upon return from touring the band split with Xtra Mile/Sony and set up their own label, Hideous Records, releasing through it the DVD film, �What Happens In Aldershot Stays In Aldershot�, which also included a live set from a show at the Mean Fiddler in London. The film, a documentary that had been shot throughout the summer, highlighted a dichotomy that the band had always keen to discuss � the fact that whilst they were on tour and on television and making records, they were all still working part time jobs in department stores and restaurants. This fact would continue to amuse and intrigue journalists and record-buyers alike who were unaware that many UK acts share the same predicament.
Shortly after the DVD, third album �In Nothing We Trust� was released in 2007 to critical acclaim across the board, reviewers noting its return to complex song structure and distinctly darker tone. The band continued to release singles through their label, including a stab and the Christmas No.1 spot with �Christmas Is Awesome�, and played some of their biggest shows to date in support of them.
In 2008, After the release of a split EP, the pressure of running the band, the record company and still their normal jobs finally wore the band out and they cancelled their remaining festival dates, stating that they would be on an indefinite break from the band from then on.
At the time of writing, there are no plans to write, record or perform as Reuben again, but remember that Goonies - real Goonies - never say die..
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