YESTERDAY WENT TOO SOON (Feeder in general)

Member Name: C_Padd

Product:	Feeder in general
Date:	11/01/02 (77 review reads)
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Jon Boy.

We will miss you more than melody - friends always

Love Grant and Taka
Proper

Simple, yet sweet and from the heart, it says it all really. That was the response from the remaining members of British rock band Feeder following the tragic and untimely death of the drummer Jon Lee, who was found dead in his Miami home on Monday. He was found hung, believed to be suicide, no obvious reasons for his death. It will be a sad loss to the music industry, Feeder were incredibly hard working to get where they are today after several long years they hit the big time with ‘Buck Rogers’ and their album ‘Echo Park’, now one of the most talented drummers of today is gone. Feeder have said they will go on performing, however I doubt it will be the same without him up on stage behind the drums.

I am a big fan of Feeder, I love their feel good rock tracks that just make you want to get up and really pick you up when you are down, as well as nice melodies, sublime lyrics and sadly their strong backbone of drumming. Strangely I was planning to write a general opinion on Feeder before all this happened, anyway on with the work.

Lee was one of the founding members of Feeder, when he and Grant Nicholas combined in 1995 in Cardiff. The two moved up to London a year later when they took their present form with Japanese bassist Taka Hirose. Both Grant and Jon were natives of South Wales, their friendship going back some time. Jon was the drummer, while Grant is the lead guitar player, lead singer and also is the songwriter. They were signed to the Echo record label and since then Feeder have been touring pretty much non-stop since then.

Their first release was in 1996 with a six track mini-album entitled ‘Swim’. This has now been re-released to include some more tracks from that time. Their second album ‘Polythene’ followed a year later, but was again re-released after a song p
roved to be a hit on tours. ‘High’ was included on the second version, and became Feeders biggest hit so far when it was released mainstream, reaching number 24 in the charts. New material came in 1999 when ‘Yesterday Went Too Soon’ was released reaching number 7 in the album charts as Feeder continued to play live. Several singles were released from this album, but their biggest hit single was ‘Buck Rogers’ released from their 2001 album ‘Echo Park’. That reached number 5, ‘Seven Days in the Sun’ was a good follow up and the album sold very well. ‘Echo Park’ has now turned gold for Feeder, with two other albums at silver. In the charts currently is the tune from computer game Gran Turismo ‘Just a Day’, though not currently on any album Grant has been busy writing more material, which I and many others eagerly await. Feeder were named top live act from the music magazine Kerrang!

Touring has been one of Feeder’s trademarks; they are renowned for their spectacular shows, which can get quite loud. Jon Lee broke his ankle on one tour but continued to play, as did Grant when he fractured his cheekbone. They have recently just finished touring with fellow Welsh band the Stereophonics to sell out crowd, and have toured in the US, South Africa, Australia and Europe as well as lots of headline British festivals and their own headline acts.

As well as being very talented musicians Feeder do seem a very genuine band. Grant and Jon grew up together so have a great friendship, and there seems to be a great chemistry on stage as there is with all the top acts. Grant is a great lead singer, he is able to belt out heavy rock anthems, then write a very touching slow and mournful balled and sing that equally well. Jon’s drumming was a key feature, something that is needed and few bands have. They also seem great people, their attitude is spot on. They are not in the
least bit manufactured, they spend a lot of time touring and then meeting the fans afterwards. All the people that have met them, fans and journalists alike have praised them for this, and if will be missed. Both Grant and Taka have said they will continue, it is what Jon would have wanted, but something will always be sorely missed.

Lee leaves behind a wife, a Brazilian model Tatiana Englehart who he married in 2000 and a young son, Cameron. His parents, Norman and Patricia are also devastated and my thoughts are with all of them. It would be nice too see some recognition in sales due to this, this was not a publicity stunt but maybe more could wake up to Feeder.

Official site: www.feederweb.com

Jon Lee 1968-2002 RIP

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