Friendly Fires met at St Albans School. At age 14, the members formed their first band, a post-hardcore outfit called First Day Back[3][4] which existed until they began university. During this time lead singer Ed Macfarlane released his own music (under his own name) through the electronica label Skam, and Precinct Recordings. Upon leaving university they formed a new band inspired by dance music, “lush shoegaze melodies”[5], and classic pop songwriting[5]. The name Friendly Fires originates from the opening track of the Section 25 LP Always Now. The band consider German techno label Kompakt, Carl Craig and Prince to be their greatest influences.
In late 2007, they became the first unsigned band to appear on Channel 4′s Transmission programme[6]. Their single Paris achieved ‘Single of The Week’ in The Guardian newspaper, NME magazine, and also on Zane Lowe’s BBC Radio 1 show. They have toured extensively, with past performances taking place throughout the UK, Europe, Japan, Canada, Mexico and the USA. In May 2008 their song “On Board” was featured in North American television commercials for Nintendo’s Wii Fit. “On Board” is also featured in the trailer for the upcoming PlayStation 3 game Gran Turismo 5. “White Diamonds” is featured in one of the episodes in the second season of the American television series Gossip Girl.
The album was certified silver in the UK; the band was nominated for a Best Breakthrough Award at The South Bank Show Awards and for ‘Best Dancefloor Filler’ at the NME Awards. They were also second on the bill on the NME Awards Tour 2009.
