What's What

You Can't Beat Coldplay

Going for a walk with Coldplay on your iPod will fix almost any bad day.

Some info on my favorite band:

Coldplay is a post-Britpop/alternative rock band from London, England known for their smooth melodies and introspective lyrics.
The band currently consists of:

Chris Martin: lead vocals, piano/keyboard, guitar
Jon Buckland: guitar, harmonica, backing vocals
Will Champion: drums/percussion, piano backing vocals.
Guy Berryman: bass guitar, synthesizer, harmonica, backing vocals

Coldplay's early material was seen as reminiscent of artists such as Jeff Buckley, Oasis, The Verve, and Travis, with Martin claiming U2, Radiohead and Echo and the Bunnymen as among the band's greatest influences. Other influences include Pink Floyd, The Beatles, a-ha, R.E.M, Bob Marley, Bob Dylan, Kraftwerk, The Flaming Lips and, more recently, Kate Bush and Johnny Cash.

Despite Coldplay's surge in popularity, the band has remained very protective of how their music is used in the media. The band allows their music to be used in film, television, and promotional spots such as the movie trailer to Peter Pan and for a PBS television self-promotional spot. They also are permitting charity Cancer Research UK to use "Fix You" on a forthcoming campaign. However, Coldplay have been adamantly against the use of their music in actual product endorsement. The band turned down multi-million dollar contracts from Gatorade, Diet Coke, and The Gap, who wanted to use the songs "Yellow", "Trouble", and "Don't Panic" respectively. According to Martin, "We wouldn't be able to live with ourselves if we sold the songs' meanings like that."

Since the release of A Rush of Blood to the Head, Coldplay have also been active supporters of various social and political causes. They have been advocates for Oxfam's Make Trade Fair campaign and Amnesty International. The group has also performed at various charity projects such as Band Aid 20, Live 8, and the Teenage Cancer Trust.[2] Martin was outspoken against the 2003 invasion of Iraq, and he endorsed Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry in 2004. Bassist Guy Berryman says, "You can make people aware of issues. It isn't very much effort for us at all, but if it can help people, then we want to do it".

posted by AshleyAlissa @ 5:28 PM