Red Electric (band) explained

Red Electric
Alias:
  • REK
  • Previously Drive and Red Electrick
Origin:Malta
Years Active:2008-present
Current Members:
  • Joe Roscoe (vocals)
  • Ivan Borg (bass)
  • Peter Borg (guitar)
  • Aleandro Spiteri Monsigneur (piano)
Past Members:
  • Matthew James Borg (vocals)
  • Jonas Delicata (guitar)
  • Robert Spiteri (drums)
  • Raphael Tonna (drums)

Red Electric (formerly Drive[1] and Red Electrick[2]) is the name of a Maltese rock band formed in 2008. The current line-up consists of frontman Joe Roscoe (voice and guitars), Peter Borg (guitars), Aleandro Spiteri Monsigneur (keyboardist), and Ivan Borg (bassist). [3] [4] The original line-up was made up of Matthew James Borg (voice and keyboards), Peter Borg (guitars), Jonas Delicata (guitars), Ivan Borg (bass and backing vocals), and Raphael Tonna (drums).[5] [6] [7] [8]

History

Founded in 2008, the band changed its name from 'Drive' to 'Red Electrick', while the founding band members were still at college. The band later released its first album, Vine Lady, in 2010. The band has since released five albums, one EP, and various collaborative singles. Its most popular releases are Right Here, Everybody's Listening, Dangerous, Young Again, G.O.R.G.E.O.U.S, and Who the Heck is REK.

In 2015, drummer Robert Spiteri took over from founding member and drummer Raphael Tonna. In 2018, main vocalist Matthew James Borg left the band, citing personal reasons. Singer Joe Roscoe subsequently joined the band as main vocalist.[9] The name of the band was changed to Red Electric in 2022 and announced on social media alongside their new branding.[10]

In Summer 2022, Red Electric released a new single titled Fix of You. The song was written in 2021 and speaks about being addicted to a toxic relationship and the positive reinforcement resulting from that relationship despite the risk it poses.[11]

Over the years, Red Electric have performed in and toured a number of cities overseas, including Austria,[12] Cyprus, Denmark,[13] Los Angeles, UK,[14] Poland, and Spain. The band has also signed agreements with international companies. In 2009, Red Electric (then Red Electrick) signed an agreement with Poison Tree Records, a Los Angeles-based label for their music to be promoted, released, and distributed digitally worldwide.[15] Another digital agreement was signed in 2011 with another Los Angeles-based distributor, BFM Digital, where their debut album Vine Lady was available on a number of digital stores such as Amazon, Spotify and iTunes. This deal predated the availability of iTunes in Malta.

More significantly, the band released the song 'Right Here' under the Rexius Records label in 2018. The band has since signed a global publishing deal with Reservoir Media in 2021.

Discography

Albums

Notable collaborations

Red Electric have collaborated with multiple Maltese artists and groups. The band has released songs in collaboration with singers Joseph Calleja,[19] Destiny,[20] Luke Chappell, and Ira Losco, as well as the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra.[21]

Red Electric have also collaborated with Maltese band The Travellers. The two bands created a concert series where the members of both bands perform together as a single band, with the concert setlist including songs from the discographies of both bands. The first of these concerts occurred in 2019 and was called "1", and the second in 2022 and called "ONE". Part of the proceeds from the 2022 concert were donated to the McDonald House Charities Malta which is an organization that helps families in need.[22] [23] [24] [25] [26]

Awards and accolades

Red Electric have won several local music awards.

!Award!Awarding Body!Year!Additional Information!Source
Best NewcomerBay Music Awards2009[27] [28]
Best New ArtistMalta Music Awards2009[29]
Best VideoMalta Music Awards2010Awarded for the video of "Who the Heck is Rek?"[30]
Best BandBay Music Awards2012[31] [32]
Raise the Roof AwardBay Music Awards2012Awarded to the artists with the strongest audience reaction to their live performance, calculated with sensitive microphones.
Best BandMalta Music Awards2013[33]
Best SongMalta Music Awards2013Awarded for the song "Paul"
Best BandMalta Music Awards2014[34] [35]
Best SongMalta Music Awards2014Awarded for the song "The Runaway"
Best BandMalta Music Awards2020[36] [37] [38]
Best AlbumMalta Music Awards2020Awarded for the album Tragic Optimistic

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Azzopardi . Jean Paul . 17 October 2019 . LMA Performance Spotlight: Red Electrick, Arguably Malta's Biggest Rock Act Of The 21st Century . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211206204753/https://lovinmalta.com/lifestyle/music/lma-performance-spotlight-red-electrick-arguably-maltas-biggest-pop-rock-act-of-the-21st-century/ . 6 December 2021 . 13 October 2022 . Lovin Malta.
  2. Web site: 21 January 2018 . New main singer for Red Electrick . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221013183553/https://tvmnews.mt/en/news/new-main-singer-for-red-electrick/ . 13 October 2022 . 13 October 2022 . TVM News.
  3. Web site: Red Electric . About . live . https://conifer.rhizome.org/brendajanef/wikipedia/20221016113922/https://open.spotify.com/artist/1TENOdi31Xfqx1uKK01NcC . 16 October 2022 . 13 October 2022 . Spotify.
  4. Web site: Red Electric . 16 March 2015 . WHO THE HECK IS ROBERT?! . 13 October 2022 . Facebook.
  5. Web site: Red Electrick . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221015181843/https://gethitched.com.mt/Profiles/-red-electrick/ . 15 October 2022 . 2022-08-19 . gethitched.com.mt.
  6. Web site: 3 March 2021 . Red Electrick release song with Destiny . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221010213157/https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/red-electrick-release-song-with-destiny.855340 . 10 October 2022 . 2022-10-10 . . en-gb.
  7. Web site: 15 September 2013 . Red Electrick face the music . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221013203151/https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/Red-Electrick-face-the-music.486454 . 13 October 2022 . 2022-10-10 . . en-gb.
  8. Web site: 17 December 2020 . Luke Chappell in new song with Red Electrick . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221013205311/https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/luke-chappell-in-new-song-with-red-electrick.839330 . 13 October 2022 . 2022-10-10 . . en-gb.
  9. Web site: Chucky . 21 January 2018 . Joe Roscoe Named New Red Electrick Frontman After Matthew Borg Calls It Quits . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221013183905/https://lovinmalta.com/lifestyle/joe-roscoe-named-new-red-electrick-frontman-after-matthew-borg-calls-it-quits/ . 13 October 2022 . 13 October 2022 . Lovin Malta.
  10. Web site: Red Electric . 10 August 2022 . Hello! Here's our brand new logo. . 13 August 2022 . Facebook.
  11. Web site: Red Electric release new song . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220819071914/https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/red-electric-release-new-song.969574 . 19 August 2022 . 2022-08-19 . . 21 July 2022 . en-gb.
  12. Web site: 31 August 2010 . Red Electrick in Denmark . 16 October 2022 . Times of Malta.
  13. Web site: 31 August 2010 . Red Elektrik touring Copenhagen . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221016120947/https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/arts/music/4188/red-elektrik-touring-copenhagen . 16 October 2022 . 16 October 2022 . Malta Today.
  14. Web site: Bugeja . Michael . 23 October 2011 . Red Electrick on iTunes Malta . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221016121331/https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/Red-Electrick-on-iTunes-Malta.390614 . 16 October 2022 . 16 October 2022 . Times of Malta.
  15. Web site: 30 May 2009 . Red Electrick Sign with Los Angeles label . 16 October 2022 . The Malta Independent.
  16. Web site: Muscat . Dean . 27 October 2010 . The Red Electrick experience . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221016120231/https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/the-red-electrick-experience.333351 . 16 October 2022 . 16 October 2022 . Times of Malta.
  17. Web site: 28 August 2012 . The Unplugged Sessions . 16 October 2022 . Amazon.com.
  18. Web site: 19 November 2019 . Red Electrick release their fourth album . 16 October 2022 . Times of Malta.
  19. Web site: 28 February 2016 . REK is back . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221015184830/https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/REK-is-back.604062 . 15 October 2022 . 13 October 2022 . Times of Malta.
  20. Web site: 1 March 2021 . Watch: Red Electrick and Destiny join forces for 'Mistake' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221013194640/https://newsbook.com.mt/en/watch-red-electrick-and-destiny-join-forces-for-mistake/ . 13 October 2022 . 13 October 2022 . Newsbook.com.mt.
  21. Web site: 13 December 2014 . Red Electrick launches nostalgic music video 'Young Again' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221013194643/https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2014-12-10/local-news/Red-Electrick-launches-nostalgic-music-video-Young-Again-6736127132 . 13 October 2022 . 13 October 2022 . The Malta Independent.
  22. Web site: Borg . Coryse . 5 March 2019 . Red Electrick and The Travellers join forces for unique event . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221013194639/https://newsbook.com.mt/en/red-electrick-and-the-travellers-join-forces-for-unique-event/ . 13 October 2022 . 13 October 2022 . Newsbook.com.mt.
  23. Web site: Vassallo . Alvin . 10 April 2019 . WATCH: The Travellers and Red Electrick to join forces for first concert of its type . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221015185502/https://tvmnews.mt/en/news/watch-the-travellers-and-red-electrick-to-join-forces-for-first-concert-of-its-type/ . 15 October 2022 . 13 October 2022 . TVM News.
  24. Web site: 12 September 2022 . Reasons why you shouldn't miss out on The Travellers & Red Electric's ONE concert . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221014065502/https://maltadaily.mt/reasons-why-you-shouldnt-miss-out-on-the-travellers-red-electrics-one-concert/ . 14 October 2022 . 13 October 2022 . Malta Daily.
  25. Web site: 27 September 2022 . RED ELECTRIC AND THE TRAVELLERS TO JOIN FORCES THIS FRIDAY . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221014063439/https://ohmymalta.com.mt/2022/09/27/red-electric-and-the-travellers-to-join-forces-this-friday/ . 14 October 2022 . 13 October 2022 . Oh My Malta.
  26. Web site: 12 September 2022 . What to expect from the ONE concert by Red Electric & The Travellers . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221013194640/https://maltadaily.mt/what-to-expect-from-the-one-concert-by-red-electric-the-travellers/ . 13 October 2022 . 13 October 2022 . Malta Daily.
  27. Web site: 20 December 2009 . Bay Music Awards – Rise to our frequency . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221016111910/https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2009-12-20/local-news/Bay-Music-Awards-%E2%80%93-Rise-to-our-frequency-267851 . 16 October 2022 . 15 October 2022 . The Malta Independent.
  28. Web site: BAYMUSICAWARDS (YouTube channel) . 7 January 2010 . BMA 09 - Best Newcomer Awards 2009 - Red Electrick. . 15 October 2022 . . mt, en . Video.
  29. Web site: 6 December 2009 . Tribali dominate Malta Music Awards . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221016112505/https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/tribali-dominate-malta-music-awards.284718 . 16 October 2022 . 15 October 2022 . Times of Malta.
  30. Web site: 28 November 2010 . Winter Moods triumph at Malta Music Awards . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221016112639/https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/winter-moods-triumph-at-malta-music-awards.338354 . 16 October 2022 . 15 October 2022 . Times of Malta.
  31. Web site: 18 December 2012 . Red Electrick bring home 'Best Band' accolade from Bay Music Awards . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221015191541/https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2012-12-18/music/red-electrick-bring-home-best-band-accolade-from-bay-music-awards-552468481/cookie-declaration . 15 October 2022 . 15 October 2022 . The Malta Independent.
  32. Web site: BAYMUSICAWARDS [YouTube Channel] . 10 September 2013 . BMA 2012 - Best Band (Red Electrick) . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221015192759/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F55jjvd3gKo . 15 October 2022 . 15 October 2022 . . mt, en . Video.
  33. Web site: 4 February 2013 . Malta Music Awards - The results . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221016112959/https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/malta-music-awards-the-results.456245 . 16 October 2022 . 15 October 2022 . Times of Malta.
  34. Web site: 10 February 2014 . Ira Losco dominates Malta Music Awards . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221016113333/https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2014-02-10/local-news/Ira-Losco-dominates-Malta-Music-Awards-3919839232 . 16 October 2022 . 15 October 2022 . The Malta Independent.
  35. Web site: 11 February 2014 . Ira's electric at awards . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221016114450/https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/Ira-s-electric-at-awards.506277 . 16 October 2022 . 15 October 2022 . Times of Malta.
  36. Web site: 13 February 2020 . Nominations announced for Malta Music Awards . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221016114600/https://tvmnews.mt/en/news/nominations-announced-for-malta-music-awards/ . 16 October 2022 . 15 October 2022 . TVM News.
  37. Web site: Rossitto . Andrea . 7 March 2022 . Malta Music Awards successful return – winners announced . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220706173812/https://tvmnews.mt/en/news/malta-music-awards-successful-return-winners-announced/ . 6 July 2022 . 15 October 2022 . TVM News.
  38. Web site: 9 March 2020 . MMA 2020 – LIST OF WINNERS . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220706184122/https://maltamusicawards.mt/winners/ . 6 July 2022 . 15 October 2022 . Malta Music Awards.