The Proclaimers facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Proclaimers
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Craig (left) and Charlie on stage in 2005
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| Background information | |
| Born | 5 March 1962 Leith, Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Origin | Auchtermuchty, Fife, Scotland |
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| Years active | 1983–present |
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| Members | Charlie Reid Craig Reid Backing band Steven Christie (keyboard) Clive Jenner (drums) Garry John Kane (bass guitar) Zac Ware (electric guitar) |
The Proclaimers are a Scottish rock duo. They were formed in 1983 by twin brothers Craig and Charlie Reid. The brothers were born on March 5, 1962.
They became famous with their 1987 song "Letter from America". This song reached number 3 in the United Kingdom. Their 1988 song "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" was a huge hit. It topped the music charts in Australia, Iceland, and New Zealand. Their most successful album, Sunshine on Leith (1988), sold over 2 million copies worldwide. The Proclaimers have sold more than 5 million albums around the world.
The Proclaimers started as an acoustic duo in 1983. Later, their music became more rock-focused. Their style mixes different types of music. These include country, folk, and punk rock. Their songs often feature their strong Scottish accents. The Proclaimers frequently tour internationally. They have released 12 studio albums since 1987. Their most recent album, Dentures Out, came out in 2022. They have also released three compilation albums and a DVD.
Contents
The Proclaimers' Story
Early Life and Music Beginnings
Craig Reid and Charles Reid were born in Leith, Scotland, on March 5, 1962. They grew up in different places, including Edinburgh, Cornwall, and Auchtermuchty. While living in Auchtermuchty, they went to Bell Baxter High School.
The brothers got into music through punk music. Craig got a drum kit and Charlie a guitar. They played in several punk rock bands. One early band was called the Hippy Hasslers. They chose this name because they didn't like hippie culture. Another band they were in was called Black Flag. They didn't know about the American punk band with the same name at the time. Craig Reid shared that he loved punk bands like The Clash, The Jam, and the Sex Pistols. He also liked music from the mid-1960s, such as The Rolling Stones and The Beatles.
Starting as The Proclaimers
In 1983, the Reid brothers realized they could perform well as a duo. They formed The Proclaimers as an acoustic group. Their early sound was a mix of post-punk and folk music. They quickly gained fans, especially in Inverness. Many of their songs, like "Letter from America," were written during this time. This song, written in 1984, talked about unemployment rates.
The Proclaimers recorded a demo album with help from Kevin Rowland of Dexys Midnight Runners. This demo was heard by the English indie pop band the Housemartins. They invited The Proclaimers to join their 1986 tour. This tour gave the duo a chance to perform on the TV show The Tube in January 1987. Soon after, Chrysalis Records signed them.
In 1987, their first album, This Is the Story, was released. It had a simple but lively sound. The song "Letter from America" was remixed for release as a single. It became a big hit, reaching number 3 in the UK Singles Chart. The Proclaimers appeared on Top of the Pops for the first time in December 1987. The album This Is the Story also sold very well, earning a gold award.
Big Hits and Touring Success
Their next album, Sunshine on Leith, came out in 1988. This album had a more rock-driven sound. It was the first time The Proclaimers worked with a full band. The songs on the album covered topics from family happiness to Scottish nationalism. It included the hit singles "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" and "I'm on My Way". "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" became number one in Australia and New Zealand.
Sunshine on Leith was especially popular in Australia in 1989. It was the 12th best-selling album that year and reached number 2 on the charts. It also earned a 2× multi-platinum award. By June 2009, Sunshine on Leith had sold 2 million copies worldwide. Critics also loved the album.
The tour for Sunshine on Leith included a performance at the 1989 Glastonbury Festival. They played to over 65,000 people. The Proclaimers also had a hit with their EP King of the Road in 1990. It reached number nine in the UK. The title song was used in the 1990 film The Crossing.
"I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" became a hit in the United States in August 1993. This happened after it was featured in the movie Benny & Joon. It was their only song to chart in the US. Because of this popularity, The Proclaimers opened for the American band Bon Jovi at Madison Square Garden.
Their third studio album, Hit the Highway, was released in 1994. It continued the rock sound of Sunshine on Leith. While it didn't reach the same level of success, it did have the hit song "Let's Get Married". This song charted in the United Kingdom, Canada, and Austria. The Proclaimers also recorded a cover of "Get Ready" by the Temptations for the 1994 comedy film Dumb and Dumber. After 1994, The Proclaimers took a break from the public eye for several years, mainly to focus on their families.
Returning to Music
After seven quieter years, The Proclaimers released their comeback album Persevere in 2001. This album was recorded in the United States. The duo toured North America to support the Canadian band Barenaked Ladies.
Their first greatest hits album, The Best of The Proclaimers, came out in April 2002. It was praised as a great summary of their music. The album reached number 5 in the UK and was certified platinum. It also charted in New Zealand. The Proclaimers' fifth studio album, Born Innocent, was released in 2003. This was their first release on their own label, Persevere Records. It was seen as a return to their earlier style.
Their sixth studio album, Restless Soul, was released in 2005. In March 2007, a new version of "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" was recorded for Comic Relief. This version reached number 1 in the UK Singles Chart. It featured guest vocals from popular comedy characters.
A seventh studio album, Life with You, was released in September 2007 in the UK. The main song, "Life with You," reached number 58 in the UK. The album itself was their highest-charting in 13 years, reaching number 13. Life with You received good reviews. Critics noted its songs with political messages.
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The US release of Life with You was promoted with an American tour in April and May 2008. Notes & Rhymes, their eighth studio album, was released in June 2009. The album included a bonus CD with acoustic and live tracks. The Proclaimers also toured Australia and New Zealand with the B-52s in November 2009.
Like Comedy, released in 2012, was The Proclaimers' ninth studio album. It explored a blue-eyed soul sound and was well-received. The Proclaimers toured the United States as an acoustic duo in April 2013. That summer, they toured music festivals in the UK and Canada.
Recent Years and Albums
A third collection of their best songs, The Very Best Of: 25 Years 1987-2012, was released in July 2013. It reached number 80 on the UK Albums Chart and was certified gold in the UK. In 2014, the song "Cap in Hand" from Sunshine on Leith became popular. This was during the time of the Scottish Independence Referendum. The song reached number 6 in Scotland and number 62 on the UK Singles Chart.
Their tenth studio album, Let's Hear It for the Dogs, was released in April 2015. It was recorded in Wales and produced by Dave Eringa. The brothers chose him because they admired his work with other bands.
Their eleventh studio album, Angry Cyclist, came out in August 2018. This album was known for its political lyrics. It talked about topics like Brexit and the Trump administration. Angry Cyclist received good reviews. Critics called it "one of [their] best."
During the tour for Angry Cyclist, they performed in the United Kingdom, Asia, Canada, and Australia. Over 400,000 people saw them play. The Proclaimers also performed at the 2019 Glastonbury Festival.
In May 2022, The Proclaimers announced their twelfth studio album, Dentures Out. It was released on September 16, 2022. The news came with the release of the song "The World that Was." The album also featured a collaboration with James Dean Bradfield from the band Manic Street Preachers.
Community Involvement
The Reid brothers are big fans of the Hibernian football club. Their song "Sunshine on Leith" has become an anthem for the club. In October 2022, The Proclaimers sponsored the Hibernian Girls Academy Under 12s football team.
The brothers are also known for supporting Scottish independence. They have been active in politics, sharing their views during tours. In April 2021, the twins supported the Alba Party. The group has also shown support for Welsh independence.
In 2006, the twins helped in a campaign to free Kenny Richey, a fellow Scot. He was on death row in the United States. They even performed at a charity concert. In 2007, Richey was released and returned to Scotland. In 2010, they performed with Billy Bragg to support Reprieve. This charity works to end the use of the death penalty.
Music Style and Impact
Musical Influences
Craig Reid has said that 1970s punk rock was a big influence on them. He mentioned bands like Buzzcocks, The Clash, The Jam, and the Sex Pistols. Punk bands encouraged The Proclaimers to make music they liked, in their own way, using their own accents. Other important influences included music from the 1960s, such as The Beatles, Bob Dylan, and The Rolling Stones. They also liked American artists from the 1950s.
When talking about who influenced their song lyrics, The Proclaimers mentioned Kevin Rowland of Dexys, Ian Dury of The Blockheads, Joe Strummer of the Clash, and Morrissey of the Smiths.
The Proclaimers' Sound
The Proclaimers' music style is a mix of different genres. It includes parts of country, folk, new wave, pop, punk rock, rock, rockabilly, and soul. Their music has been described as alternative folk, alternative rock, Celtic pop, country folk, folk rock, post-punk, rhythm and blues, and roots rock.
A key feature of The Proclaimers' music is their distinct Scottish accents when they sing. Craig Reid explained that this was a choice. They sang about their lives and where they lived, so it felt natural to sing in their own accents instead of an English or American accent.
Influence on Other Artists
Many bands and artists have said that The Proclaimers influenced them. These include Barenaked Ladies, Belle and Sebastian, and Camera Obscura. Steven Page of Barenaked Ladies felt a connection to The Proclaimers' first album. He said it was perfect for them because they were also "two guys with acoustic guitars, singing in harmony."
Many artists have covered songs by The Proclaimers. These include Imagine Dragons and Todd Rundgren.
A stage musical called Sunshine on Leith was created using The Proclaimers' songs. It was named after their second album and its title track. The musical first appeared in 2007. A film adaptation was made in 2013. It starred Peter Mullan and Jane Horrocks. The film earned over US$4.7 million and debuted at number 3 in the UK box office.
Albums by The Proclaimers
- This Is the Story (1987)
- Sunshine on Leith (1988)
- Hit the Highway (1994)
- Persevere (2001)
- Born Innocent (2003)
- Restless Soul (2005)
- Life with You (2007)
- Notes & Rhymes (2009)
- Like Comedy (2012)
- Let's Hear It for the Dogs (2015)
- Angry Cyclist (2018)
- Dentures Out (2022)
See also
In Spanish: The Proclaimers para niños
