Laeto

Laeto is a rock band from Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom.

Personnel

Andrew Smith - Guitar, Also played guitar in the original line-up of Glasgow's Foxface with Michael Angus (ex-Peeps into Fairyland)
Kevin Black - Bass, Also played with Asuka
Robbie Cooper - Drums, Also played with Neurola and in the original line-up of Magnetic North Pole
Fraser Simpson - Guitar, Vocals Also played guitar on Snow Patrol's debut album 'Songs for Polar Bears and played drums for Megadeth

History

Laeto formed in late 1997 in Dundee, Scotland while all members of the band were attending the University of Dundee. The first show was played on Valentine's Day, February 1998, with Snow Patrol. Kevin Black (Bass) left the band less than a month later, but rejoined within 4 months.

Laeto has played frequently around the UK alongside bands including Snow Patrol, Fugazi, Bluetip, At the Drive-In, Oxes, Les Savy Fav, June of 44, Dianogah, Degrassi, Macrocosmica, Stapleton, Idlewild. Laeto has appeared at Scotland's T-In-The-Park music festival twice. Laeto toured the UK with Idlewild in Sept/Oct 1999 and immediately afterwards recorded a debut album with engineer Michael Brennan (Elastica, SUPER Furry Animals, Mogwai, Snow Patrol) for release on notable UK independent label (and John Peel favourite) Guided Missile Records. The debut album 'Make us Mild' was released in May 2000 to mostly favourable reviews.

Laeto recorded two sessions for BBC Radio 1's 'Session is Scotland' show and 1 live studio performance on BBC Radio Scotland.

The follow-up album 'Zwoa' was recorded over the space of 18 months by Robin Sutherland in Dundee and was released on Glasgow independent 'Too Many Fireworks Records' in August 2004 and illustrated the progression that Laeto had made in the 4 year interim, with a more rock approach as opposed to their mainly instrumental 'post-rock' beginnings. Laeto toured with Snow Patrol in 2004 in support of 'Zwoa'.

Laeto is currently recording a 3rd album, for release in 2007.

Discography

  • Fieldsettings b/w 'Car/Low' - 7" single, EVOL records (cat Evol08) March 2000.
  • Make us Mild, CD Album, Guided Missile Records (cat Guide39) May 2000.
  • Zwoa, CD Album, Too Many Fireworks Records (cat 2mf007cd) Aug 2004.

Compilations

  • 4 track with, on We Started with over 100 Members CD Compilation, North Pole Recordings, 2001.
  • Street Cred and White Saturn, on Predestination Vol 1 CD Compilation, Predestination Records, 2005.