Razorlight formed in London in 2002 around vocalist/guitarist Johnny Borrell and guitarist/vocalist and Swedish ex-pat Björn Ågnen. Joined by bassist Carl Dalemo and drummer Christian Smith-Pancorvo, the combo recorded some early demos at London's Toe Rag studios, and those songs led to radio exposure and the initial stirrings of hype. Mercury Records signed Razorlight in 2003, and the group began recording their debut in between a series of hectic -- and increasingly buzzed about -- club gigs, working with no less an authority than Steve Lillywhite. Lillywhite soon left the project, but Razorlight continued to write and record their album while still wowing audiences with a spate of live dates, including a strong showing at the 2004 South by Southwest industry fest. At this point drummer Smith-Pancorvo left the group, but he was soon replaced by Andy Burrows. Thus reconfigured, Razorlight made their official album debut in August 2004 with Up All Night. The release was hailed for its stylish, fizzy mix of Strokes sensibilities and post-Britpop cool. Additional show dates opening for the likes of Queen/Paul Rodgers and Oasis gave Razorlight some of their biggest audiences in 2005, adding to the band's growing appeal in their native U.K. The band's second offering, a self-titled effort produced by Chris Thomas (INXS, the Pretenders), arrived in summer 2006. ~ Johnny Loftus, All Music Guide
