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By 2007 the list of those who had invited Razorlight to play their shows and support their causes had reached absurd proportions. Bob Geldof, Nelson Mandela, U2, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Oasis, Ray Davies, Muse, Queen and George Martin had all recognised that here was a truly exceptional British guitar band with whom they were proud to share stages and microphones.

To those looking in on Razorlight, their seemingly swift journey from the London bar-band scene to huge cultural phenomenon was a miraculous ascendance. For the band themselves it was exactly what should have happened according to the dream script they wrote as they formed their ideas four years back in a run down rehearsal room in East London.

For singer/guitarist Johnny Borrell, drummer Andy Burrows, bassist Carl Dalemo and guitarist Bjorn Agren, playing before seventeen thousand screaming kids at their arena shows, dazzling the worlds TV cameras at Live 8, getting Tom Cruise up on his feet applauding on UK show Parkinson, meeting Mandela, drinking with Bono and Sean Penn, chatting with the UKs next Prime Minister, 30 UK magazine covers, quadruple platinum number 1 albums, number 1 singles, rave reviews in Rolling Stone, the front cover of Vogue this was all how it should be.

From the start Razorlight set out to prove that the lineage of classic bands had not come to an end. They knew their history. They knew the moment. They wanted to set the bar higher. They would not suffer from the UK malaise of indifferent performers with mistaken attitude. In Bjorn, Carl and Andy they had three amazing musicians and in Johnny, a unique front man and true rockstar who combined the ability to mesmerise on stage with timeless songwriter craftsmanship.

Through early 2004 Razorlight paid dues, gigging at bars and on support tours. By late 2004 they were playing roof tops and causing London traffic jams and firmly on the cover of the NME. Swiftly Razorlight overtook the bands who were being championed as scene leaders, outstripping the likes of The Libertines, a band whos erratic destiny Johnny had shaped by educating them about The Clash and New York Dolls while hanging out with them early on.When Razorlights debut album came out in June 2004 first day sales took it to number 1 and stopped every UK guitar band in its tracks.

Up All Night detailed the lifestyle and defined what was possible. You could know the big city from subculture to subway, and still have hits. Golden Touch was a huge hit. It took them onto prime time TV for a momentous Parkinson performance with a choir of gospel singers. The awards that came in 2005 - Best New Band from Q Magazine, Best New Band from NME played catch up to the million people whod bought the album for songs like Stumble And Fall or Vice and superlative live performances like the bands two night stand at the cavernous Alexandra Palace.


In late 2005 Razorlight went to ground in London, stockpiling songs for their second album. The syndrome of poor follow up records would not afflict them. An astute choice of producer was made in Chris Thomas, the legendary figure behind some of the best records ever made The Beatles, The Sex Pistols, The Pretenders, Pink Floyd, Roxy Music. This time the songwriting was sweeter and sadder but with no loss of energy, ranging from the dancefloor oblivion of In The Morning to the storytelling drama of Los Angeles Waltz (inspired by a lost night in LA after pulling a show at the El Rey when Johnny lost his voice).

With Johnny and Chris Thomas pushing each other in the studio, Andy Burrows coming in as a co-writer on America and Fall To Pieces the sessions took the band to the next level, creating one of the great international pop records of the new decade. The editor of Q Magazine announced in his five star review that the bands new record was the best guitar album since Oasiss Definitely Maybe.

Titled simply Razorlight the album shot to number 1 in the UK album charts, opening up a new phase for the band. First single In The Morning went to number 2. The follow up America proved to be a monster hit, taking on all comers at radio, holding the number 1 UK airplay slot for weeks, and topping the single charts. A heartstopping song of love and confusion set in the USA, America had a radio impact globally through late 2006, attaining the summit of airplay and singles charts in Ireland, Holland, France, Denmark, Germany, New Zealand, Australia, Japan and beyond.


As 2007 rolls on, Razorlight are entering a fascinating second chapter. A rocknroll band too good to not be in the mainstream, theyve hit celebrity status at home with Johnny becoming a Jagger-esque icon instantly recognizable in his all white stage clothes. There are stories of bloody incidents and band excess littering the tabloid press. When Beatles producer Sir George Martin needs a voice for a live performance of the end of The Beatles Abbey Road, Johnny gets a call to duet with Corrine Bailey-Rae. When Courtney Love needs the best young drummer of his generation, Andy Burrows gets a call. When politicians are looking for the youth angle on green issues, its Johnnys dressing room they head for.

Its all fuel for the bands onward journey. Theyre selling out shows across Europe. They have the respect of their peers and predecessors.
Theyre one of the few bands who make me feel inspired to go out and play a gig says Noel Gallagher.
They make me feel that I have to try harder, says Brandon Flowers.
Im a fan. America is an amazing song, and it should be on the radio everywhere. says Bono.

Now all Razorlight want is the world.