Formed in 2006 from the ashes of Christchurch groups 103 and thomas:parkes, The L.E.D.s was a conscious effort to move away from the constraints of guitar music. Marcus Thomas, Blair Parkes and Helen Greenfield quickly found their aesthetic; self- described as pop-tronica- a combination of vocals, beats and icy synths : electro-fuelled pop made by machines and people. Despite being split between Wellington and Christchurch, the group actively pursued their creative direction, producing four albums and an ep over the next six years. Daniel Batkin–Smith added electric drums 2007-2009 . The L.E.D.s found a dedicated live following in Christchurch and Wellington, playing frequently at Mighty Mighty and The Dux over a two year period.
Music from The L.E.D.s backgrounded dozens of scenes in New Zealand TV shows ‘Go Girls’ [series 1-4] and ‘Outrageous Fortune’ [series four and five].
‘”We are the L.E.D.s” is now available digitally from flying out
‘We are The L.E.D.s’ [2007]:
“I’m in love. I love this album more than I can possibly say, or at least, put into words. This is legacy stuff. It’s the first perfectly formed pop album I’ve heard from New Zealand this decade.” -Simon Grigg, The Opinionated Diner July 2007
“The L.E.D.s debut album is a finely executed work- it sounds like a far away dream of the future from twenty years ago“ -Three stars, Adele Hunter-Higgins Real Groove July 2007
“Its like standing to close to an electro-fuelled space shuttle blasting off for galaxies unknown and will have you walking in light for days.” -four stars, Vicki Anderson , The Press Jan 13 2007
Still [2008] :
“The fact that their music – the main product of this origami package of PR bliss- delivers and really pushes your preconceptions into the dirt puts this Christchurch trio in good stead. With brushes of Air’s sweeping orchestral approach and Bauhaus dry ice intensity, Billy Idol’s subtle glam edge and plunky basslines The Fall might claim as their own, they melt like chocolate. “ Sarah Gooding, Real Groove, October 2008
“The LEDs, whose second album was a slightly edgier version of their first but just as addictive (although sadly they suffered from the hip last week syndrome that plagues popular music) and, had only three tracks over three minutes….bang, bang, bang perfection; “ Simon Grigg – The Opinionated Diner, December 2008
albums from the l.e.ds can be downloaded here
video links:
the l.e.d.s – outer room
the l.e.d.s – travelogue
the l.e.d.s – it does not make sense
the l.e.d.s –rumba
blair parkes 