FILM SCHOOL began life as a group of like-minded San Francisco musicians writing and producing music by themselves for themselves. The result was something very special indeed. Undoubtedly they rock - hungry unrestrained guitars and loud driven drumbeats - but it is a sound as brooding, atmospheric and self-contained, as it is explosive and infectious. It is a sound that makes them memorable as well as unique and unequalled amongst their contemporaries, yet simultaneously it seems somehow familiar. It is the recalling of an early eighties alternative spirit mixed with an unprecedented fervent and conviction. Film School today are San Francisco based: Krayg Burton (vocals/guitar), Nyles Lannon (guitar/vocals), Justin LaBo (bass), Donny Newenhouse (drums) and Jason Ruck (keyboards). Burton - Film School’s founder - started off releasing tracks on Metoo! Records (a three track 7” entitled ‘I’m Not Working’). Soon after Burton’s determination and dedication meant a group of musicians were sought to guest on the debut ‘Brilliant Career’, also on Metoo! Records, released in 2001, including Film School’s present members Lannon, (who Burton met after submitting Film School music to a website Lannon worked on) and Ruck (who met Burton after seeing him play at a local African restaurant), as well as appearances on various songs from Tim Mitchell (The Decoration), Scott Kannberg (Pavement, Preston School Of Industry), Kyle Statham (Fuck) and Mauri Skinfill (Elephone). Lannon, a musician in his own right, was simultaneously at work releasing his own electronic solo album ‘ Astronomy for Children’ (awarded BBC’s ‘Album of the Week’). This was released under the name n.Ln on Highpoint Lowlife Records (and followed later, in 2004, with the critically acclaimed solo acoustic/electronic album on Badman Recording Co. entitled ‘Chemical Friends’, this time released under the name n.lannon). Prolifically Lannon was – during the making of ‘Brilliant Career’ - also involved with electronica outfit Technicolor alongside LaBo. So roll on ‘Brilliant Career’ tour and Labo is the obvious choice to hit the roads on bass. Alongside Ben Montesano on drums the touring line-up was almost as Film School are today – Burton, Lannon, LaBo and Ruck. Film School had long since been discovered and heavily supported locally by Aaron Axelson of Live 105 and news travelled north as Seattle’s KEXP began championing them and therefore helping them sell out shows and getting the music industry abuzz. Meanwhile, after spending some quality time in the UK – Film School started feeling the love there too. After playing at the Barfly and Metro, and supporting TV On The Radio at the Garage, rave live reviews in the NME and The Fly followed. After a super buzzy appearance at SXSW in 2005, The London Sunday Times Culture Magazine hailed them as one of the new bands that “should be huge” and UK’s Music Week included them in their rundown of the “eleven buzz bands on the brink of greater things”. On listening to the record it would be easy to assume Film School might be adept - sensational even - live. The ascending atmospherics of the music, though often brooding and self-contained, has an epic hypertension that explodes (quite literally it seems) when experienced live. They are a band with impressively eclectic influences (Floyd, The Who, obscure electronica, metal, drone), a grandiose collective musical history and a healthy bout of critical acclaim. It rocks, it’s memorable, and yet it sounds somehow familiar. These qualities by themselves would be outstanding traits, but together they transcend pop music into a place inhabited by very few bands, they have cultural resonance.