Enter Shikari facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Enter Shikari
Enter Shikari performing in 2015. From left to right: Rory Clewlow, Rou Reynolds, Rob Rolfe and Chris Batten.
Background information
Also known as	Hybryd (1999–2003) Shikari Sound System (DJ alter ego) Jonny and the Snipers
Origin	St Albans, England
Genres	Alternative rock electronic rock post-hardcore electronicore
Years active	1999–present
Labels	Ambush Reality PIAS SO Recordings
Members	Chris Batten Rou Reynolds Rob Rolfe Rory Clewlow

Enter Shikari is a British rock band that started in St Albans, England, in 1999. The band was formed by Chris Batten (bassist), Rou Reynolds (lead singer and keyboard player), and Rob Rolfe (drummer). In 2003, Rory Clewlow joined as the guitarist, completing the band's lineup. This is when they officially became "Enter Shikari."

In 2006, the band played at the Download Festival and had a sold-out show at the London Astoria. Their first album, Take to the Skies, came out in 2007 and quickly reached number 4 on the UK album charts. It has since sold enough copies to be certified gold in the UK. Their second album, Common Dreads, was released in 2009, reaching number 16. Their third album, A Flash Flood of Colour, came out in 2012 and also hit number 4. Both of these albums have been certified silver in the UK.

The band toured a lot to support A Flash Flood of Colour. After that, they started working on their fourth album, The Mindsweep, which was released in 2015. Their fifth album, The Spark, came out in 2017, and their sixth, Nothing Is True & Everything Is Possible, in April 2020. Their most recent album, A Kiss for the Whole World, was released on April 21, 2023. This album became their first-ever number 1 album!

Enter Shikari has their own record label called Ambush Reality. They also work with other big labels to help share their music around the world. Their music style is unique, mixing rock with different kinds of electronic music.

Band History: How Enter Shikari Started

Early Days: From Hybryd to Enter Shikari (1999–2006)

The band began in 1999 under the name Hybryd. It included Rou Reynolds on guitar and vocals, Chris Batten on bass, and Rob Rolfe on drums. They released a short album called an EP, Commit No Nuisance.

In 2003, Rory Clewlow joined as a guitarist, and the band changed its name to Enter Shikari. The name "Shikari" comes from Rou Reynolds' uncle's boat. Rob Rolfe explained in 2011 that "Shikari" is a Hindi word meaning "hunter." After the name change, Rou Reynolds focused on singing and playing electronic instruments instead of guitar.

Between 2003 and 2004, the band released three demo EPs. These EPs had early versions of songs that later appeared on their first album, Take to the Skies. They often played at their local music club, The Pioneer Club, with other local bands.

In August 2006, they released a music video for their song "Mothership." This song became the "single of the week" on the iTunes Store. Their first physical single, "Sorry You're Not a Winner/OK Time for Plan B", was released on October 30, 2006. Only 1000 copies were made, and they sold out in the first week.

In early 2007, "Mothership" briefly appeared on the UK singles chart based on downloads. "Sorry You're Not a Winner/OK Time for Plan B" also charted and was even featured in the video games NHL 08 and Madden 08. Enter Shikari also performed at the 2006 Download Festival.

They were featured in popular music magazines like Kerrang! and Rock Sound. On November 4, 2006, they became only the second unsigned band ever to sell out the famous London Astoria venue. NME magazine also listed them in their "New Noise 2007" list, predicting their future success.

Their next single, "Anything Can Happen in the Next Half Hour", was released on March 5, 2007, and reached number 27 on the UK chart. The band also released a collection of demo tracks and earlier singles called The Zone.

First Album: Take to the Skies (2007–2008)

The band's first full album, Take to the Skies, was released on March 19, 2007. It quickly reached number 4 on the UK Official Album Charts. The album included new versions of many songs from their earlier demo EPs and singles.

In March 2007, it was announced that Enter Shikari would play at many big festivals, including Download Festival, Reading and Leeds Festivals, Glastonbury Festival, and Rock am Ring in Germany. On March 30, 2007, they announced "Jonny Sniper" as their next single.

By 2007, Enter Shikari had performed over 500 shows. They started their first North American tour on May 14, 2007, and followed it with three more tours there.

In May 2008, the band started releasing a video series called "Enter Shikari: In the 'Low." These videos on YouTube showed the band recording new music, including their single "We Can Breathe In Space, They Just Don't Want Us To Escape."

Second Album: Common Dreads (2009–2010)

Enter Shikari live at Heaven in London in 2009. From left to right: Clewlow, Rolfe, Reynolds and Batten.

NME magazine confirmed that Enter Shikari finished their second album, Common Dreads, in March 2009. They announced a tour across the UK and Europe. They also offered a free download of a new song called "Antwerpen." On April 15, 2009, their song "Juggernauts" was played on Radio 1 as the "Hottest Track in the World." It was released as a single on June 1, 2009.

Common Dreads was released on June 15, 2009, and reached number 16 on the UK album chart. The second single from the album was "No Sleep Tonight." A video for the song "Zzzonked" was also released, made from clips of a live show.

A special 2-disc version of Common Dreads came out in January 2010. It included remixes of their singles. The band also released new singles "Thumper" and "Tribalism" in early 2010. These songs were part of a new album of B-sides and remixes called Tribalism, released on February 22, 2010.

In February and March 2010, Enter Shikari played at the Soundwave festival in Australia. They then toured Japan and supported the band A Day to Remember on their "Toursick" tour in April and May 2010.

In December, Enter Shikari held two Christmas Party shows in Hatfield, Hertfordshire. The audio from these shows was released as a special box set.

Third Album: A Flash Flood of Colour (2011–2012)

On June 14, 2010, Enter Shikari announced they were back in the studio to record a new song called "Destabilise." It was released as a download in October 2010.

In June 2011, the band signed with Hopeless Records in the US. They also joined the Vans Warped Tour for the second year in a row.

In mid-2011, they released another single, "Quelle Surprise." Then, they released the first singles from their third album, "Sssnakepit" and "Gandhi Mate, Gandhi", in September and December.

The band released A Flash Flood of Colour on January 16, 2012. They played three special shows in London, Kingston upon Thames, and Leeds to celebrate the album's release. The album reached number four in the UK charts in its first week.

Later that year, the band started their world tour for A Flash Flood of Colour. They played in Japan, at the Soundwave Festival in Australia, and then toured across the United States, South Africa, and Europe. They also played at many major festivals like Reading and Leeds Festivals and Rock am Ring.

At the 2012 Kerrang! Awards, the band won "Best Live Band" for the second time. Rou Reynolds also won "Hero of the Year."

In November 2012, the band launched their own beer called "Sssnakepit," which was sold at their "A Flash Flood of Christmas" tour venues.

Rat Race EP (2013)

In April 2013, the band released a new song called "The Paddington Frisk." They later announced it would be part of a three-song EP called Rat Race EP. On June 5, 2013, the band announced they were filming a video for their new single "Radiate." This song was first played on BBC Radio 1 and was named "Single of the Week." Five months later, "Rat Race" was released, and all three songs were put together on the Rat Race EP.

The band went on a big tour across the UK and Ireland in April and May. They made sure to play in smaller towns that don't usually get many shows, as a way to thank their fans.

Fourth Album: The Mindsweep (2014–2016)

In late 2012, bassist Chris Batten mentioned that the band would start working on their fourth album after their touring finished in 2013. However, he confirmed it wouldn't be ready that year.

On October 8, 2014, the band announced their fourth album would be called The Mindsweep, set for release on January 19, 2015. Before the album came out, they released singles "The Last Garrison" and "Anaesthetist." They also shared two other songs, "Never Let Go of the Microscope" and "Slipshod," in late 2014. On January 12, 2015, the full album was available for streaming on their website.

In May 2015, they covered System of a Down's "Chop Suey!" for a Rock Sound compilation album. In June, they covered "Know Your Enemy" by Rage Against the Machine for a Kerrang! compilation. On October 30, they released their first remix album, The Mindsweep: Hospitalised, featuring remixes from artists on the Hospital Records label.

On January 12, 2016, a new single called "Redshift" was first played on BBC Radio 1. Another new single, "Hoodwinker," premiered on BBC Radio 1 on October 9, 2016.

On August 25, 2016, the band announced a live album from their February 2016 show at Alexandra Palace. It was released on November 18, 2016. On November 8, 2016, Enter Shikari were announced as headliners for Slam Dunk Festival 2017.

Fifth Album: The Spark (2017–2019)

On August 1, 2017, Enter Shikari announced their new album The Spark and its first single, "Live Outside." The album was released on September 22.

To promote the album, the band toured the UK, Europe, Japan, and North America on their The Spark World Tour.

In February 2019, the band released two special live albums: Take to the Skies. Live in Moscow. May 2017 and Live at Alexandra Palace 2. These were recorded during their 2017 tours.

In 2018, the band went on a big tour called "Stop the Clocks" across the UK, Europe, and Scandinavia. They played a new song with the same name. This song was released as a single on August 12, 2019, just before their shows at the 2019 Reading and Leeds Festivals. After this, the band continued their "Stop the Clocks" tour in America. Singer Rou Reynolds said this tour would "bring the whole 'Spark-era' full circle," meaning it would complete that chapter of their music.

Sixth Album: Nothing Is True and Everything Is Possible (2020–2022)

In an interview with Kerrang! magazine, the band said their next album would be their "most definitive Shikari record to date," meaning it would include elements from all their previous albums.

On February 10, 2020, a new single called "{ The Dreamer's Hotel }" was first played on BBC Radio 1. The same day, they announced their new album would be called Nothing Is True & Everything Is Possible and would be released on April 17, 2020. A music video for "The Dreamer's Hotel" was released on March 5, 2020, featuring colorful rainbow effects.

"The King" was the album's second single, released on March 8, 2020. Rou Reynolds described it as a "lesson in patience and forgiveness." "T.I.N.A." was the third single, released on March 22, 2020. The title stands for "there is no alternative." Nothing Is True & Everything Is Possible reached number 2 on the UK album charts on April 30, 2020. This was the band's fifth album to reach the Top 10.

On April 16, 2021, they released Moratorium (Broadcasts from the Interruption) without prior announcement. This album included reworked, re-imagined, live, or acoustic versions of songs from their previous two albums.

From November 2021 to February 2022, Enter Shikari went on a short European tour, including a sold-out show at Alexandra Palace. On July 16, 2022, the band released their film, Live at Vada.

On November 17, 2022, the band released a new song called "Bull," which was a collaboration with Cody Frost. The music video for it was released on the same day.

Seventh Album: A Kiss for the Whole World (2023–present)

Along with the release of their single "(Pls) Set Me on Fire," the title of the band's seventh album, A Kiss for the Whole World, was announced on January 12, 2023. The album was released on April 21, 2023, and immediately went to Number 1 on the Official UK Album Charts. This was their first album to reach the top spot!

Enter Shikari's Unique Sound and Messages

Enter Shikari's music mixes different styles like alternative rock, electronic rock, and post-hardcore. They are known for being pioneers of "electronicore," a style that combines rock with electronic music. Their sound includes elements from drum and bass, dubstep, techno, and trance.

Their songs often feature heavy guitar parts, electronic "wobbles," catchy choruses, and fast drum beats. The band members sing, scream, or even rap their vocals.

The lyrics, written by lead singer Rou Reynolds, often talk about important social and political issues. In a 2015 interview, Kerrang! Magazine noted that Enter Shikari is one of the few rock bands in the UK that sings about politics. Rou believes that if a band calls itself "punk" but doesn't talk about important things, it's "just noisy pop." He feels that social commentary is what this type of music is "for." However, he also said he doesn't mind if people just enjoy their music as "noisy pop" without focusing on the lyrics. He believes the band's main message is that "if we base our lives around love and unity, then that's all that matters."

Some of the political topics the band has sung about include climate change, the misuse of natural resources, the presidency of Donald Trump, nuclear weapons, the privatization of the UK's National Health Service, and capitalism.

Enter Shikari's lyrics also explore personal feelings. Rou Reynolds has written about his own anxiety, depression, mental health struggles, and the sadness of losing someone important. Their album The Spark especially focuses on these personal topics. Rou explained that he felt he had to write about these personal experiences because of everything that happened in his life and the world around 2015.

Guitarist Rory Clewlow has said that the band's influences are many, including bands like Refused, the Prodigy, and Rage Against the Machine. He also mentioned that much of their sound came from watching local bands in their hometown. Rou Reynolds has also said that British pop music from the 20th century, like The Beatles and Joy Division, influenced his songwriting, especially for The Spark.

Ambush Reality: The Band's Own Record Label

Ambush Reality is an independent record label that Enter Shikari owns. It was started in July 2006 by the band members and their friends. At first, it was only for releasing Enter Shikari's own music. However, on July 21, 2014, the band announced they would also release a song by another band called Baby Godzilla (now known as Heck).

To tour in the United States, the band decided to work with a major record label there. In August 2007, Ambush Reality partnered with Tiny Evil, a part of Interscope Records, to release Take to the Skies in North America. Ambush Reality also signed a deal with Warner Music to help distribute and promote their album Common Dreads and future releases more widely outside the UK.

However, as of December 8, 2010, Enter Shikari and Ambush Reality stopped working with Warner. They now distribute their music in the UK, Europe, Japan, and Australia through PIAS Entertainment Group. Since June 21, 2011, Enter Shikari's music in North America has been released through the independent record label Hopeless Records.

Side Projects and Other Ventures

The band members also have their own separate projects:

• Rou Reynolds makes electronic music under the name "Rout." He sometimes performs these songs at small venues. His music is a mix of drum and bass, jungle, and dubstep. He has also released an EP to support ActionAid, a charity that helps people in need.
• Rob Rolfe is a DJ known as "Sgt. Rolfy." He often plays at the band's after-show parties, playing different styles like trance, drum & bass, and dubstep.
• Rory Clewlow released his first remix, simply as "Rory C," for the band Don Broco in 2012.
• Rou Reynolds also started his own clothing company called Step Up Clothing.

On April 25, 2013, the band announced a new side project called Shikari Sound System. This is like an alter-ego of the group. The band described it as "The same 4 scallywags but playing a live dance set." Shikari Sound System played their first show at the Reading and Leeds festivals. They have continued to play regular DJ sets in the UK and Europe.

In 2017, Rou Reynolds released a book called Dear Future Historians. It explains the lyrics of the band's songs and includes photos. Because it was so popular, the book was updated and expanded in 2019 to include newer music.

In August 2020, Enter Shikari became the main sponsor of their hometown football team, St Albans City Football Club. In 2022, Chris Batten even played in a football match for the club to raise money for those affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

In August 2023, Enter Shikari announced a partnership with The Pioneer Club, where they first started playing, and Headliner Group. They formed Headliner Spaces to help bring The Pioneer Club back as a key music venue and to help the community. They also auctioned off band items, like Rou Reynolds' Kaoss Pad, to raise money for The Pioneer Club Charity. As part of this partnership, the band also donated £1 from every ticket sold for their 2024 arena tour to UK grassroots music venues. These venues have been struggling due to economic challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis.

Band Members

• Rou Reynolds – lead vocals, programming, synthesizer, keyboards, acoustic guitar, rhythm guitar, trumpet, percussion (1999–present)
• Chris Batten – bass, vocals, synthesizer, keyboards, percussion (1999–present)
• Rob Rolfe – drums, percussion, backing vocals (1999–present)
• Rory Clewlow – lead guitar, vocals, percussion, keyboards, synthesizer (2003–present)

• 

  Rou Reynolds
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  Chris Batten
• 

  Rob Rolfe
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  Rory Clewlow

Albums by Enter Shikari

Studio albums

• Take to the Skies (2007)
• Common Dreads (2009)
• A Flash Flood of Colour (2012)
• The Mindsweep (2015)
• The Spark (2017)
• Nothing Is True & Everything Is Possible (2020)
• A Kiss for the Whole World (2023)

Awards and Achievements

Other Recognitions

• Rock Sound's poll for 'who will make it in 2007'.
• Ourzone Reader's Poll: Best Live Band 2011.
• Ourzone Reader's Poll: Who Will Own 2012.
• NME's User's Poll: Best Act at Reading and Leeds Festivals 2012.

See also

In Spanish: Enter Shikari para niños