Biography
Scottish indie rap-rock trio the LaFontaines forged a distinctive style by fusing classic rock, R&B, hip-hop, pop, and soul elements while steadily earning recognition as one of Scotland’s strongest live acts.
In 2008 the group formed in the former industrial town of Motherwell near Glasgow when vocalist Kerr Okan teamed with guitarists Iain Findlay and Darren McCaughey, bassist Anna Smith, and drummer Jamie Keenan. Drawing on influences as varied as the Streets, the Beatles, the Beastie Boys, and Nickelback, they shaped an explosive, riff-driven yet melodic sound built around Okan’s rapping in his native Scottish accent. After debuting at Glasgow’s storied King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, they developed a regional following that expanded through nationwide tours, repeated festival appearances, and shows in the U.S. and Europe.
Smith departed in 2011, with John Gerard stepping in on bass. The band’s self-released debut album, Class, arrived in 2015 via 889 Records and entered the Scottish album chart at number ten; that same year they filled Glasgow’s historic Barrowlands for their largest headline date to date. Findlay exited in 2016 and was succeeded by Neil Mulholland. Their second album, Common Problem, emerged in 2017 on A Wolf at Your Door and carried a darker, more world-weary character. Gerard left in 2018 and Mulholland followed the next year, leaving the LaFontaines to continue as a trio. Their third album, Junior, issued in 2019 by So Recordings, became their first U.K. Top 40 entry.
In 2008 the group formed in the former industrial town of Motherwell near Glasgow when vocalist Kerr Okan teamed with guitarists Iain Findlay and Darren McCaughey, bassist Anna Smith, and drummer Jamie Keenan. Drawing on influences as varied as the Streets, the Beatles, the Beastie Boys, and Nickelback, they shaped an explosive, riff-driven yet melodic sound built around Okan’s rapping in his native Scottish accent. After debuting at Glasgow’s storied King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, they developed a regional following that expanded through nationwide tours, repeated festival appearances, and shows in the U.S. and Europe.
Smith departed in 2011, with John Gerard stepping in on bass. The band’s self-released debut album, Class, arrived in 2015 via 889 Records and entered the Scottish album chart at number ten; that same year they filled Glasgow’s historic Barrowlands for their largest headline date to date. Findlay exited in 2016 and was succeeded by Neil Mulholland. Their second album, Common Problem, emerged in 2017 on A Wolf at Your Door and carried a darker, more world-weary character. Gerard left in 2018 and Mulholland followed the next year, leaving the LaFontaines to continue as a trio. Their third album, Junior, issued in 2019 by So Recordings, became their first U.K. Top 40 entry.
Albums
Singles
