Bloc Party

Established in 1952 U.K. music magazine the New Musical Express has built up and broken down its share of indie rock bands over the years, praising - then lambasting - new artists at increasing velocity. In the case of Bloc Party, the NME helped form the band - it was a "Musicians Wanted" ad placed in its pages by band leader Kele Okereke that alerted bassist Gordon Moakes to the gig. And while the mag was a big supporter of Bloc Party's 2005 debut Silent Alarm it was rather less favourable towards their most recent effort Four. Sam Wicks talks to Bloc Party's Gordon Moakes and drummer Matt Tong about outliving the NME spotlight.