Arcade Fire

Artist Image: Arcade Fire
Attribution
Image Credit: leonardo samrani from rosario, argentina (Arcade Fire), CC BY 2.0

Biography

Arcade Fire is an indie rock band based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It consists of the husband and wife duo of Win Butler and Régine Chassagne, along with Will Butler, Richard Reed Parry, Tim Kingsbury, Jeremy Gara, and Sarah Neufeld. Win Butler attended McGill and Régine Chassagne attended Concordia University, where he pursued religious studies and she studied jazz. Arcade Fire came to prominence with the release of their debut album, Funeral, in 2004 to critical acclaim. The band plays guitar, drums, bass guitar, piano, violin, viola, cello, double bass, xylophone, glockenspiel, keyboard, French horn, accordion, harp, mandolin, and hurdy-gurdy. Most of their instruments are taken on tour, and the multi-instrumentalist band members switch duties throughout shows. Arcade Fire has won numerous awards, including the 2011 Grammy for Album of the Year, the 2011 Juno Award for Album of the Year, and the 2011 Brit Award for Best International Album for their third studio album, The Suburbs, released in 2010 to critical acclaim and commercial success. In earlier years they won the 2008 Meteor Music Award for Best International Album and the 2008 Juno Award for Alternative Album of the Year for their second studio album, Neon Bible. They also received nominations for the Best Alternative Music Album Grammy for all three of their studio albums. The band's work has also been twice named as a short list nominee for the Polaris Music Prize in 2007 for Neon Bible and in 2011 for The Suburbs, winning the award for The Suburbs. Win Butler and Josh Deu began performing in Boston as Arcade Fire before moving to Montreal in 2001, recording the "2001 Demos" prior to their arrival in the city. The earliest Montreal-based incarnation of Arcade Fire began performing in the summer/fall of 2001, almost entirely in lofts and art galleries. One of the earliest shows took place at a Christian music festival, Inside Out Soul Festival, and later at a Montreal battle of the bands (other early shows took place at Concordia University's Faculty of Fine Arts VAV Gallery; later the group played the 2001 Christmas party of that faculty's MFA programme). At that time, the band consisted of future husband and wife Win Butler and Régine Chassagne, singer, guitarist, collaborator and original band co-founder Josh Deu, bassist Myles Broscoe (later of Les Angles Morts, Crystal Clyffs, and AIDS Wolf), guitarist/drummer Dane Mills (later of Crackpot), and multi-instrumentalist Brendan Reed (later of Les Angles Morts and founding member of Clues), who lived with Butler and Chassagne in Montreal's Mile End neighbourhood at the time and was a collaborator with them on song-writing and arrangement (2001-2003). The initial Montreal structure of the band began to dissolve in the summer of 2002, when they travelled to Butler's family ranch in Maine to record their self-titled EP. Tension between Butler and Broscoe led the latter to exit the band following the recording session. Richard Reed Parry, who had been enlisted to help the band record, began to collaborate with them during the sessions and would go on to join the band shortly afterwards. In the winter of 2003, the band celebrated the release of its EP with a show at Montreal's Casa del Popolo. Before a crowd packed beyond capacity, the band's set ended (in the middle of an encore) with an argument between Butler and Reed, who quit the band on-stage. Mills told gathered friends in the crowd immediately thereafter that he considered the band to have broken up, as such resigning from the band as well. Following the on-stage implosion, Win's brother William Butler (subject of the early Arcade Fire song "William Pierce Butler") and Tim Kingsbury were brought in to replace Reed and Mills so that the band could continue, and they set out to promote the self-titled EP. The eponymous release (often referred to by fans as the Us Kids Know EP) was sold at early shows. After the band achieved fame, the EP was subsequently remastered and given a full release. The promise shown by the new band in its early live shows allowed them to land a record contract with the independent record label, Merge Records, before the end of its first year together. When asked about the rumour that the band's name refers to a fire in an arcade, Win Butler replied: "It's not a rumour, it's based on a story that someone told me. It's not an actual event, but one that I took to be real. I would say that it's probably something that the kid made up, but at the time I believed him."

Details

Item Name Item Details
Year Formed 2003
Number of Albums 23
Record Label Columbia
Website www.arcadefire.com
Wikipedia Arcade Fire on Wikipedia
Social Networks

Trivia

When did Canada's Arcade Fire debut?

2004

..., Canada's Arcade Fire became underground favorites when they debuted in 2004 with the critically acclaimed Baroque popmeetsindie rock Funeral. Stylis...
What was the name of the album released by the band in 2004?

Funeral

...ebuted in 2004 with the critically acclaimed Baroque popmeetsindie rock Funeral . Stylistically evolving over the years, the unabashedly earnest group ...
What year did WE arrive?

2022

...ng of charttopping albums. WE, the band's sixth studio album, arrived in 2022 with themes inspired by a 1924 dystopian novel of the same name. Origina...
Who were the original Arcade Fire members?

Régine Chassagne, Richard Parry, Tim Kingsbury, and brothers William and Win Butler

... same name. Originally comprising Régine Chassagne, Richard Parry, Tim Kingsbury, and brothers William and Win Butler , Arcade Fire formed during the s...
In what year did Arcade fire form?

2003

...brothers William and Win Butler, Arcade Fire formed during the summer of 2003 , after Win spotted Chassagne singing jazz standards at a Montreal art ex...
Where did the members of Arcade fire briefly retreated to for the recording sessions?

Maine

... Arcade Fire issued a selftitled EP in 2003, having briefly retreated to Maine for the recording sessions. Seeking catharsis in the studio, the member...
When was Funeral released?

September 2004

...e funneled their energies into the creation of Funeral. Released in September 2004 , the debut album was met with unanimous acclaim both commercially a...
Which two high profile festivals did the band play?

Lollapalooza and Coachella

...t presence on the road, playing such highprofile festivals as Lollapalooza and Coachella between a slew of smaller club dates. They also appeared on t...
On what magazine did they appear on the cover?

Time

...between a slew of smaller club dates. They also appeared on the cover of Time magazine's Canadian edition, garnered a Grammy nomination for Best Alter...
Along with David Bowie, what band toured with the band?

U2

...c Album, rubbed shoulders with superfan David Bowie, and toured alongside U2 . Following an exhausting year, Arcade Fire decamped to a church outside o...
What was the name of the second release?

Neon Bible

...church outside of Montreal to work on a second release. The ambitious Neon Bible arrived in March 2007, featuring such grand ornamentations as a pipe ...
Win Butler and the Arcade Fire return with what new album?

Everything Now

...As Win Butler and the Arcade Fire gang return with new album Everything Now , out next Friday, Jordan Bassett looks back at the Canadian groups incredi...
Who looks back at the Canadian bands incredible career so far?

Jordan Bassett

...de Fire gang return with new album Everything Now, out next Friday, Jordan Bassett looks back at the Canadian groups incredible career so far The Albu...
What was played at the start of Manchester City home games in 2006?

Wake Up

...ng and lifeaffirming work about dancing through the darkness. Fun fact: Wake Up was played at the start of Manchester City home games in 2006. Neon Bi...
What was the name of the album that was inspired by a letter?

The Suburbs

...they bought then abandoned in 2013 when the roof started to collapse. The Suburbs 2010 What it did: Stripped the sound back to something altogether mo...
Who did the backing vocals on the title track of Reflektor?

David Bowie

...rough the dark, Reflektor partied with a heavy heart. Fun fact: Thats David Bowie doing the backing vocals on the title track, and LCD Soundsystems Ja...
Who are the members of Arcade Fire?

husband and wife Win Butler and Régine Chassagne, alongside Richard Reed Parry, Tim Kingsbury and Jeremy Gara

... band, consisting of husband and wife Win Butler and Régine Chassagne, alongside Richard Reed Parry, Tim Kingsbury and Jeremy Gara . The band's current...
Who contributed to each of the band's studio albums?

Owen Pallett

...d's studio albums features contributions from composer and violinist Owen Pallett . The band formerly featured Win's younger brother Will Butler, who d...
In what year did Arcade Fire release their fourth album?

2013

...bum of the Year and the 2011 Brit Award for Best International Album. In 2013 , Arcade Fire released their fourth album, Reflektor, and scored the feat...
What was Arcade Fire's fourth album called?

Reflektor

...International Album. In 2013, Arcade Fire released their fourth album, Reflektor , and scored the feature film Her, for which band members Will Butler ...
What was the name of the feature film scored by the band?

Her

... Fire released their fourth album, Reflektor, and scored the feature film Her , for which band members Will Butler and Owen Pallett were nominated in t...
How many Grammy Awards have they been nominated for?

nine

...ct and enhanced their worldwide popularity. They have been nominated for nine Grammy Awards and more than two dozen Juno Awards, winning twice for Son...
How many times have they won Alternative Songwriter of the Year?

twice

...ated for nine Grammy Awards and more than two dozen Juno Awards, winning twice for Songwriter of the Year and three times each for Alternative Album o...
Where was Edwin Butler III raised?

Houston, Texas

...ler III (vocals, guitar) was raised in the Mormon faith in suburban Houston, Texas , by his geologist father and classical musician mother. He formed A...
When did Butler form Arcade Fire?

2001

...geologist father and classical musician mother. He formed Arcade Fire in 2001 with boarding school friend Josh Deu (guitar, vocals). The groups name i...
What was Regine's mother's nationality?

Haitian

...e Chassagne (vocals, multiinstrumentalist), the francophone daughter of Haitian immigrants, was a Communications grad who performed in a medieval musi...
Where did Arcade Fire record their selftitled, selfproduced, sevensong EP?

Butler family farm in Maine

...rlfriend. Arcade Fire EP (2002) The band recorded its selftitled, selfproduced, sevensong EP at the Butler family farm in Maine in the summer of 2002....
What was the name of the band member who became the third band member and Butlers girlfriend?

Regine Chassagne

... a fire that burned down an arcade and killed all the kids inside. Regine Chassagne (vocals, multiinstrumentalist), the francophone daughter of Haitia...
How many songs did the band record at the Butler family farm in Maine?

seven

...rlfriend. Arcade Fire EP (2002) The band recorded its selftitled, selfproduced, seven song EP at the Butler family farm in Maine in the summer of 2002....
When was Arcade Fire founded?

2003 in Montreal

...l popularity in the early 21st century. Arcade Fire was founded in 2003 in Montreal when transplanted Texan singer and guitarist Win Butler (b. April ...
Who was the founder of Arcade fire?

Win Butler

...nded in 2003 in Montreal when transplanted Texan singer and guitarist Win Butler (b. April 14, 1980) met multiinstrumentalist Régine Chassagne (b. Aug...
What is the name of the bassist in Arcade Fire?

Tim Kingsbury

...with keyboardist Richard Reed Parry (b. October 4, 1977) and bassist Tim Kingsbury . The bands ranks continued to swell, including additional drummers,...
Where was Coachella located?

southern Californias

...eared at major music festivals such as Chicagos Lollapalooza and southern Californias Coachella. Arcade Fires third album, The Suburbs (2010), departe...
What year did the band win album of the year at the Grammy Awards?

2011

...upport of a major record label, the release debuted at number one on the Billboard album chart and in 2011 won album of the year at the Grammy Awards....
The title of the album referred to the deaths of several relatives of who?

band members

...le of the debut album referred to the deaths of several relatives of band members during its recording. The album managed to become a success, primari...
When did Funeral go gold in both Canada and the UK?

November 2005

...ess, primarily through the internet, without major label backing. By November 2005 , Funeral had gone gold in both Canada and the UK, this was massive ...
When did Arcade Fire feature on the cover of Time's Canadian edition?

2005

...TV and radio attention. On the April 4, Arcade Fire were featured on the 2005 cover of Time's Canadian edition and hailed as a band who helped put Can...
Funeral and the single Cold Wind were nominated for what awards?

Grammys

...c on the world map. Funeral and the single Cold Wind were nominated for Grammys in the best Alternative Rock Album and Best Song Written for Televisio...
How many tracks did the band commit to their new album in 2006?

15

...t work had been progressing on their new album and the band had committed 15 tracks to tape. The first track officially released from Neon Bibl was In...
How many dates were scheduled in North America and Europe?

25

...in December 2006 on iTunes. The Neon Bible tour continued into September 2007 with 25 dates scheduled in North America and Europe through midNovember....
What year did Arcade Fire form?

1995

...Arcade Fire (formed 1995 ) Arcade Fire is a Canadian alternative rock band. They have released two fulllength studio albums; Funeral and Neon Bible. Th...
How many fulllength albums have Arcade fire released?

two

...1995) Arcade Fire is a Canadian alternative rock band. They have released two fulllength studio albums; Funeral and Neon Bible. The Early Years: Arcad...
Who was the original lineup of Arcade Fi?

Win Butler, Josh Deu and Tim Kyle

...eter Academy. The original lineup of the band consisted of Win Butler, Josh Deu and Tim Kyle (Kyle is now in the band Wild Light). The existing format...
What is the name of the band in which Kyle is now a member?

Wild Light

...nsisted of Win Butler, Josh Deu and Tim Kyle (Kyle is now in the band Wild Light ). The existing formation of the band began in 2003 in Montreal, Canad...
Who is the wife of Win Butler?

Régine Chassagne

... of the band began in 2003 in Montreal, Canada, with Butler's wife Régine Chassagne and Owen Pallett (also of Final Fantasy). In late 2003, early 2004...
When did Arcade Fire record their debut album?

late 2003, early 2004

...fe Régine Chassagne and Owen Pallett (also of Final Fantasy). In late 2003, early 2004 , the band recorded the tracks that would later make up their de...
What was the name of the Arcade fire EP?

Us Kids Know

...ral. Prior to its release, Arcade Fire released an EP, known as the ' Us Kids Know ' EP. Originally, the disc was only sold informally at shows but when...
When was the EP remastered and given a wider release?

when the band gained notoriety

... Originally, the disc was only sold informally at shows but when the band gained notoriety , the EP was remastered and given a wider release. The band ...
What instruments do the band members play?

hurdy gurdy, harp, mandolin and French horn

...s play a wide range of musical instruments, including hurdy gurdy, harp, mandolin and French horn and the band members frequently swap instruments whe...
When does the band frequently swap instruments?

when they play live

... and French horn and the band members frequently swap instruments when they play live . The touring band also includes Owen Pallett, Marika AnthonyShaw...
What instrument does the band members often swap when they play live?

French horn

...nge of musical instruments, including hurdy gurdy, harp, mandolin and French horn and the band members frequently swap instruments when they play live...
Who are some of the members of the touring band?

Owen Pallett, Marika AnthonyShaw, Kelly Pratt, Colin Stetson and Pietro Amato

...ly swap instruments when they play live. The touring band also includes Owen Pallett, Marika AnthonyShaw, Kelly Pratt, Colin Stetson and Pietro Amato ....
What Montreal percussionist performed on the EP and in early live shows?

Dane Mills

...nd formed in Montreal, Quebec, Canada in 2001. Montreal percussionist Dane Mills performed on the EP and in early live shows. The touring band include...
Where did Win Butler and his brother Will grew up?

Texas

...t at the time I believed him. Win Butler and his brother Will grew up in Texas . Band formation Arcade Fire formed around the husband and wife duo of W...
When did the current lineup solidify?

late 2003early 2004

...together as recently as mid2003, the current lineup solidified in late 2003early 2004 , when their first fulllength album Funeral was recorded. The EP ...