Nate Ruess, Andrew Dost and Jack Antonoff make up the band fun.
Nate Ruess, Andrew Dost and Jack Antonoff, better known as the New York City indie band fun., were music’s standout rock act last year, plus they gained a footnote in chart history.
Their three hit songs, “We Are Young,” “Some Nights,” and “Carry On,” not only sounded great on the radio, but totally unlike anything else. No surprise the Grammys took notice.
They won for Best New Artist and Song of the Year. They also performed in a man-made rain storm. Ruess tossed his luxurious mane over and over. They were up for four other Grammy-nods as well.
Normally, the Best New Artist award is the kiss of death. Ever hear of the Starland Vocal Band after they won theirs? But I think fun. will stick around. The band is flash-in-the-pan success. It’s been around since 2008 and it shows in their polished sound.
Their two albums, 2009 debut Aim and Ignite and last year’s sophomore outing Some Nights, were both strong and have won critical praise.
Last week, fun.’s breakout single “We Are Young” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. They became the first multi-member rock band to have a No. 1 Hot 100 debut since Nickelback’s “How You Remind Me” in December 2001.
“We Are Young” also made digital sales history. While the song ruled at No. 1 on the Hot 100 for a sixth consecutive week, it became the first, and only, tune that has ever gained more than 300,000 downloads a week for seven weeks straight, topping 3 million downloads in all.
Their music is a synthesis of rock and pop with a New York City street vibe. They bring a certain city-swagger to every track. Ruess’ singing is part Anthony Newley, part Freddie Mercury and just a dash of David Bowie. And, it’s damn infectious.
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Dave Novik, Adam Pollack, Randy Alexander, Luke Fonteau, Brett Winterble, Brandon Damore, Rod West, Tom Cuddy, Lisa Richie, Dina Pitenis, William Schill, Jennie Hess, Debbie Gibson, Heather Moore, Vito Bruno, Joel Denver, Glenn Friscia, Shep Pettibone, Julian Sundby, Jordan Frazes, Chelsea Northern.