Blur

Blur are an English alternative rock band. Formed in London in 1988 as Seymour, the group consists of singer/keyboardist Damon Albarn, guitarist/singer Graham Coxon , bassist Alex James and drummer Dave Rowntree. Blur's debut album Leisure (1991) incorporated the sounds of Madchester and shoegazing. Following a stylistic change influenced by English guitar pop groups such as The Kinks, The Beatles and XTC, Blur released Modern Life Is Rubbish (1993), Parklife (1994) and The Great Escape (1995). As a result, the band helped to popularise the Britpop genre and achieved mass popularity in the UK, aided by a chart battle with rival band Oasis in 1995 dubbed "The Battle of Britpop". In recording their follow-up, Blur (1997), the band underwent another reinvention, showing influence from the lo-fi style of American indie rock groupsTheir next album, 13 (1999) saw the band members experimenting with electronic and gospel music, and featured more personal lyrics from Albarn. In May 2002, Coxon left Blur during the recording of their seventh album Think Tank (2003). After a 2003 tour without Coxon, Blur did no studio work or touring as a band, as members engaged in other projects. In 2008 Blur reunited, with Coxon back in the fold, for a series of concerts and have continued to release several singles and retrospective releases. == Links to Peel == Peel was not a fan of Blur's early material, but he did like their 1997 self titled released album, which had a lo-fi American indie style influence, which he played some tracks from the album and even invited the band for two sessions at Peel Acres and one session with Silver Apples at Maida Vale.



He also subsequently played some of Blur's later material and also some of Graham Coxon and Damon Albarn solo material.

Damon Albarn was also a guest of John Peel's Record Box, when he was talking about John Peel and his record collection.

Festive Fifty Entries

 * 1997 Festive Fifty: Song 2 (CD - Blur) Food #11
 * 1999 Festive Fifty: Tender (CD - 13) Food #40 

Sessions
1. Live from Peel Acres Recorded: 22 April 1997. Broadcast: 05 May 1997. Repeated: None 2. Recorded with Silver Apples: 05 July 1998. Broadcast: 07 July 1998. Repeated: None 3. Lives from Peel Acres Recorded: 17 September 1999. Broadcast: 05 October 1999. Repeated: None
 * Country Sad Ballad Man / Chinese Bombs / Movin' On / M.O.R. / On Your Own / Popscene / Song 2
 * Misty Mountains / Oscillations / Untitled Collaboration / Essex Dogs
 * Bugman / Fried / Blur EMI / 1992 / Bonebag / Trim Trabb / John Peel Birthday Skank

Other Shows Played
The list below was compiled only from the database of this site and may be incomplete. Please add further details if known.

1997

1999 2003
 * 16 February 1997: M.O.R. (CD - Blur) Food (JP: You see, I knew these buggers would come good in the end.’)
 * 26 February 1997: Chinese Bombs (CD - Blur) Food
 * 05 May 1997: Bank Holiday (CD - Parklife) Food  (JP:  "It's April 22nd... today on our calendar is Blur day... it's 8:30 in the morning... I've come out to walk the dogs... and already vans have started arriving..." )
 * 05 May 1997: Beetlebum (CD - Blur) Food
 * 23 December 1997: Beetlebum (CD - Blur) Food (Alison Howe, Peel Show producer chose this track)
 * 23 December 1997: Song 2 (CD - Blur) 1997 Festive Fifty: #11
 * 23 December 1999: Tender (CD - 13) Food 1999 Festive Fifty: #40
 * 25 March 2003: We've Got A File On You (7") White label
 * 17 April 2003: We've Got A File On You (7") White label
 * 07 October 2003: Out Of Time (SFB Remix) (12") White label)