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| Charlie Simpson | |
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| Image:IMG 0256.jpg |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Charles Robert Simpson |
| Born | June 7 1985 |
| Origin |  Woodbridge, England |
| Genre(s) | Pop rock Pop punk Alternative metal |
| Instrument(s) | Guitar, Piano, Vocals, Bass, Drums |
| Years active | 2001(2002 in public eye) - 2005 (with Busted) 2003 - present (with Fightstar) |
Charles Robert Simpson (born 7 June, 1985 in Woodbridge, Suffolk, England), was the youngest member of the highly successful punk pop group Busted, and is now the vocalist and guitarist in alternative metal band Fightstar. He has two older brothers, Will and Edd - Will is the vocalist and guitarist in Brigade and Edd plays in a band called Prego. Simpson has a very musical family dating back to Sir William Sterndale-Bennett (mother's maiden name) in 1826 who was a British pianist, conductor, and composer, a notable figure in the musical life of his time. Simpson attended public school Uppingham to which he obtained a drama scholarship. He left school after his GCSE exams. He achieved an A* for his GCSE music and, for his performance in the exam, he chose to play 'Miss you love' from Silverchair's 'Neon Ballroom' album. The public school was also attended by Harry Judd (McFly), Stephen Fry and Johnny Vaughan. He was selected as the third member of Busted, after responding to an advertisement placed by Matt and James in NME magazine in 2001. He plays guitar, piano, drums and bass, and sings vocals. On 14 January, 2005, Simpson decided to leave Busted after deciding to concentrate on his newer band, Fightstar.
Music
Simpson has been the focus of mixed opinions from the media and fans alike, ranging from heavy criticism to high praise and respect. A lot of his support has come from the UK's biggest selling weekly rock magazine Kerrang!, in which the editor Paul Brannigan wrote "'Grand Unification' is one of the best British rock albums of the last decade". Fightstar were also nominated two years running at the Kerrang! awards for 'Best British Newcomer' and 'Best British Band'. Simpson has been with Fightstar since 2003 and have released a five track EP (They Liked You Better When You Were Dead) and two full length albums, (Grand Unification) and (One Day Son, This Will All Be Yours). Simpson has been doing extensive touring with Fightstar over the past three years and has just signed to Gut Records in the UK and Trustkill Records in the US. Fightstar also headlined the second stage at Give It A Name 07' in April. Charlie funded and put together a compilation cd called 'The Suffolk Explosion' which was released through the bands' label Sandwich Leg Records. It showcased a number of unsigned bands from Charlie's home county of Suffolk as well as a solo acoustic track called 'Carry Her'. The second full length Fightstar album 'One Day Son, This Will All Be Yours' was released on the 24th September via Gut/Institute records. Simpson has also featured as guest vocals in both albums for British metal band This Is Menace and for charity event Band Aid 20. Fightstar have been confirmed to perform at Download in 2008.
Miscellaneous
Charlie was asked to appear on the Second full lengh LP for the band 'This is Menace', in which he wrote and performed the vocals on the track named 'avenue of heros'. The song was due to be made the lead single off the record but was later pulled due to Fightstar's second album commitments. Charlie featured on the Band Aid 20 record 'Do They Know It's Christmas' singing and playing a small rhythm guitar part with his previous band, alongside the likes of Coldplay, Snowpatrol and Bono shortly before splitting. Simpson is an official patron of disabled children's charity Out & About (http://www.out-and-about.org.uk), which supports disabled children in leisure activities in Norfolk and Suffolk (Charlie's home county). Simpson said, “Growing up in Suffolk, I took part in all sorts of leisure activities and that should be how it is for all young people, whether they’re disabled or not. I’m looking forward to supporting Out & About and getting more involved.”He is now currently working at Osmington bay in Dorset at a PGL center.
