Grade 2 (band)

Grade 2 is an English band from Ryde on the Isle of Wight. Their music is described as a classic punk sound,[1] and features lyrics about everyday problems.[2][3] Louder Than War described their album Graveyard Island as "Upbeat stripped back punk’n’roll with a bit of yobbo thrown in.".[4]

Grade 2
Grade 2 playing live in Newport, Isle of Wight, 2019
Background information
OriginRyde, Isle of Wight, England
Genrespunk rock, Oi!
Years active2013–present
LabelsHellcat Records
Websitegrade2official.co.uk
MembersJack Chatfield
Jacob Hull
Sid Ryan

History

Formation and early history

The band was formed in May 2013,[3] initially playing covers from the punk era by The Stranglers and The Jam, as well as Oi! music by Booze and Glory and Lion’s Law.[5] They began to write original songs and performed regularly in local pubs and clubs, and gained exposure by successfully supporting established bands.[6]

Grade 2 playing live in Ryde, Isle of Wight, 2017

Contra Records

From November 2013 until 2019 the band was signed to German record label Contra Records.[7]

Hellcat Records

In summer 2019 Grade 2 signed with US-based Hellcat Records.[8]

Live performance

Since 2013 the band have played regularly across Europe with performances in countries including Germany, Switzerland, Spain, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, Sweden, Greece, Italy, Ireland, the Czech Republic, Austria, Slovakia, Serbia, the UK, and the Isle of Man.[3] From 2018 the band have also toured in the USA and Canada.[9]

During 2016 for some European live dates drummer Jacob Hull was substituted by Ryde drummer Toby Jenkins.

In autumn 2018 Grade 2 was support for The Interrupters UK tour, and in spring 2019 the band toured as support for the Dropkick Murphys.[10]

Discography
  • Early demos were recorded in October 2013,[11]
  • A debut EP of original music, "Broken Youth", was released on Contra Records. June 2014
  • 7" 4-track split with Saints and Sinners "Die With Out Boots On". June 2015[12]
  • Grade 2 contributed a track to the ongoing compilation series Oi! This Is Streetpunk Vol.5. May 2015
  • The 14-track album 'Mainstream View' was released on CD and vinyl. 16 February 2016.[13]
  • 7" 4-track EP "Heard it All Before". 15 December 2016
  • The album 'Break the Routine' was released in August, 2017.[14]
  • The album 'Graveyard Island' was released in 2019 on Hellcat Records.[15]

References
  1. "Album Review: Grade 2 – Break the Routine". New Noise Magazine. New Noise Magazine. Retrieved 3 March 2019.
  2. "Hard & Smart Alternative Fashion Blog". Hard & Smart Alternative Fashion Blog. HardandSmart. Archived from the original on 22 August 2016. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
  3. Frost, Paula (November 2017). "Down on the Street introducing... Grade 2". Vive le Rock! (49). Big Cheese Publishing.
  4. Brown, Nathan. "Grade 2: Graveyard Island – album review". Louder Than War. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  5. Neville, Martin (22 November 2013). "Oi! boys graded as good". Isle of Wight County Press. Isle of Wight County Press.
  6. Scotcher, Emily. "Island band makes the grade for record label". Yoppul. Isle of Wight County Press. Archived from the original on 11 August 2017. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
  7. "Contra Records & Textildruck - News vom 03.11.2013". Contra Records. Archived from the original on 16 April 2014. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
  8. "Grade 2 sign with Hellcat Records and announce new album". Punk Rock Theory. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
  9. "Grade 2 Instagram, 7 Dec 2018". Instagram. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
  10. "GIG REVIEW: DROPKICK MURPHYS / THE DEVIL MAKES THREE / GRADE2 – O2 ACADEMY, GLASGOW (22ND APRIL 2019)". The Moshville Times. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
  11. "Grade 2 – demo review". oioimusic.com. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
  12. "Grade 2 / Saints & Sinners (5) – Die With Out Boots On". Discogs. Retrieved 17 December 2017.
  13. "Mainstream View". Grade 2 Official website. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  14. "Discogs: Grade 2 – Break The Routine". Discogs.
  15. "Discogs: Grade 2 – Graveyard Island". Discogs.
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