Formation as Fear of Flying:
Bassist Charles Cave and drummer Jack Lawrence-Brown first began playing together as school mates. After a couple of years guitar player and vocalist Harry McVeigh joined them. The trio began performing as Fear of Flying. They toured the UK as a supporting act and released two singles in 2006. However, the trio soon became interested in recording music that they felt did not fit Fear of Flying.
Shift to White Lies:
In October 2007, a message appeared on MySpace stating, ""Fear of Flying is DEAD ... White Lies is alive!" The trio that had been Fear of Flying decided to shift their style of music to a darker, more mature, sound and felt that it worked best under a new name and identity. White Lies played their first live gig in February 2008. The band explained the choice of new name due to the fact that, "white lies are quite dark...that's how we see ourselves." The band's first single, "Unfinished Business," appeared in April 2008.
Press Anticipation:
The buzz around White Lies grew stronger and stronger throughout 2008. In February 2008 the band's song "Death" was played on BBC Radio 1 before any official release. White Lies headlined the BBC Introducing stage at Radio 1's Big Weekend show in May 2008. The group's TV debut occurred later in May with an appearance on Later...With Jools Holland. White Lies appeared at a number of festivals in the summer of 2008 and took part in the CMJ Music Festival in New York in October 2008. In early 2009 the band were listed as an artist to watch for 2009.
To Lose My Life...:
The first White Lies album To Lose My Life... hit stores in January 2009. It debuted at #1 on the UK charts, and White Lies made their first US TV appearance performing on the Late Show with David Letterman. The album was released in the US in March 2009. To Lose My Life... generated two UK top 40 hit singles including "Farewell to the Fairground" and the album's title song. In the fall of 2009 White Lies headed to the US as opening act on Kings of Leon's concert tour.
