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Fat Les

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Fat Les
GenresPop, football chant
Years active1998 (1998)–2002, 2012
LabelsTelstar, Turtleneck, Parlophone
Past membersAlex James
Keith Allen
Damien Hirst

Fat Les was a British band consisting of Blur bassist Alex James, actor Keith Allen, and artist Damien Hirst. Vocals on their singles were provided by Keith Allen (all), Alex James ("Vindaloo"), Keith's daughter Lily Allen ("Who Invented Fish & Chips?"), Andy Kane ("Who Invented Fish & Chips?"), Lisa Moorish ("Naughty Christmas (Goblin in the Office)") and various choirs ("Jerusalem").

Background

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James and Hirst first knew each other when they were students at Goldsmiths College, but became friendly when they and Allen met at the Groucho Club.[1] In May 1998, while discussing the forthcoming FIFA World Cup, Allen and James had the idea of creating an unofficial World Cup song, and formed Fat Les (named after a woman they knew). They were later joined by Hirst when they asked him to create artwork for them.[2] Fat Les created the unofficial England national football anthem "Vindaloo" with Guy Pratt and then brought in the singer Andy Kane. The song reached number two in the UK Singles Chart.[3] In the music video, the three band members featured alongside Paul Kaye, Rowland Rivron, Ed Tudor-Pole, Matt Lucas and David Walliams, and appearances by Allen's children Lily and Alfie.[4]

Later in 1998, they recorded "Naughty Christmas (Goblin In The Office)", described as the 'Official Christmas Record', together with Joe Strummer on guitar, Rivron on drums, as well as Matt Lucas and Paul Kaye, and features vocals by Lisa Moorish with Lily Allen in the background.[5][6] Fat Les also starred in a comedy show with Kaye, Lucas and John Thomson in You Are Here broadcast on Channel 4 on 30 December 1998.[7]

In 2000, Fat Les recorded an official theme for the England football team at Euro 2000 tournament held in Belgium and the Netherlands, with a rendition of the hymn "Jerusalem".[8] It was again fronted by Allen, with Michael Barrymore making an appearance. The track was credited to Fat Les 2000.[3] According to Allen, in choosing the hymn he wanted to "crystallise some kind of English culture" and to reclaim it from the Right.[1] The song was recorded at George Martin's AIR Studios at a cost of £50,000 with a full orchestra and four choirs:[1] the London Community Gospel Choir, New London Children's Choir, Syncopeters and London Gay Men's Chorus.[9]

For the 2002 World Cup, they recorded "Who Invented Fish and Chips", which features Lily Allen in her first credited recording and video.[10][11]

In 2012, Fat Les changed their name to "Fit Les" and recorded "The Official Fit Les Olympic Anthem". Alex James left the group while Rowetta of Happy Mondays fame joined the lineup along with producer Matt Eaton.[12]

Discography

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Singles

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Title Year Peak position
UK[13][14]
"Vindaloo" 1998 2
"Naughty Christmas (Goblin in the Office)" 1998 21
"Jerusalem" 2000 10
"Who Invented Fish and Chips" 2002 86
"The Official Fit Les Olympic Anthem" 2012 —

References

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  1. ^ a b c Smith, Andrew (21 May 2000). "Three lions". The Observer.
  2. ^ Allen, Keith (2008). Grow Up. Ebury Press. pp. 346–347. ISBN 9780091910716.
  3. ^ a b Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 196. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  4. ^ Piercy, James (18 June 2021). "The story of how a Bristol Rovers favourite helped create an all-time England football anthem". Bristol Post. Archived from the original on 29 January 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
  5. ^ "What A Curry On". NME. 3 October 1998. Archived from the original on 28 January 2022. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  6. ^ "Best Weirdest Christmas Songs". Elle. October 2019. Archived from the original on 28 January 2022. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  7. ^ "Fat Les Are Here". NME. 21 November 1998. Archived from the original on 28 January 2022. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  8. ^ "Fat Les put Their Money on England". NME. 9 May 2000.
  9. ^ Dent, Shirley; Whittaker, Jason (2 October 2002). Radical Blake: Influence and Afterlife from 1827. Springer. p. 92. ISBN 9780230287402.
  10. ^ Howden, Martin (2008). Lily Allen - Living Dangerously. Kings Road. ISBN 9781784184780.
  11. ^ Rigby, Sam (11 June 2014). "Keith Allen re-releasing World Cup song - featuring 15 year-old Lily Allen". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 8 January 2022. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  12. ^ Cooper, Leonie (19 June 2012). "Keith Allen's Fat Les to release Olympics track as 'Fit Les'". NME. Archived from the original on 27 January 2022. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  13. ^ "Fat Les". The Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 27 January 2022. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  14. ^ "Fat Les 2000". The Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 27 January 2022. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
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