Basement Jaxx – Short Biography - Summer 2009
Since starting life as underground producers and party promoters in 1995, putting out their first tracks on shrink wrapped vinyl and throwing hush-hush raves in abandoned South London pizza joints, Simon Ratcliffe and Felix Buxton, collectively known as Basement Jaxx, have taken the sound of London, SW9 to the world.
With album sales of more than 3 million under their belt, including 2005’s double platinum UK No.1 collection “The Singles”, Basement Jaxx have also developed into a remarkable live act in which they eschew the usual head bobbing DJ style show that dance music is known for in favour of an all out sensory assault featuring drums, percussion, guitar and an army of singers. 2005 saw them play at the world famous Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, to 30,000 people in Hyde Park in Central London and close the main stage at the ultimate festival, Glastonbury.
Earlier the same year they collected their first Grammy for “Best Electronic Album” to add to the two BRIT’s (Best Dance Act) and numerous other awards already on the shelf.
2006 saw the first Jaxx UK arena tour, selling over 55,000 tickets across the UK in support of the album “Crazy Itch Radio”.
“Raindrops”, the first hit single from the album “Scars”, heralded the return of the Jaxx to the airwaves and the band are playing an extensive European festival tour this Summer, including headline slots at Rockness, Creamfields, Wireless & The Big Chill.
“Scars” is released on XL Recordings on September 21
st and the Jaxx will be rounding off the year with a handful of US DJ dates and another run of UK live dates ending with the mother of all Christmas parties at London’s O2 on December 17th.