DURING a time where generic indie bands were flooding the charts, a post-punk group from Reading stepped in to shake things up.
After a critically acclaimed debut album titled Silent Alarm in 2004, they returned with a more downbeat but equally progressive sophomore release.
Then came a sharp turn: a fusion of rock guitars and electronic beats in the adrenaline-fuelled single Flux, before their latest album Intimacy carried on the successful marriage of old and new.
Now one of the country's most diverse and exciting groups is coming to Llandudno - get ready for Bloc Party.
The Pioneer spoke to the band's bassist Gordon Moakes ahead of their Bloctober Tour to talk about their love of stepping beyond the comfort zone and the importance of Pot Noodles.
"We've been doing festivals all summer so this is a return to a more intimate, in your face show. Kind of immediate and some energy!" said Gordon describing what audiences can expect when they play at Venue Cymru on October 18.
From the Skive Festival in Denmark to the UK's own Glastonbury, it's been a frantic year of international shows and outdoor events for the band.
But a forthcoming Gordon stressed the importance of their globe-trotting schedule.
"I think the whole group recognise the importance of touring and the benefits of getting infront of an audience. In these times with a question mark over record sales, the way a band can prove its worth and ability is to play.
"The good thing is the [new] record is embedded and people know the songs pretty well. We can mix it up with old and new."
Leaping from genre to genre with each new release could alienate some die hard fans ("That kind of think thing doesn't worry us"), but not in the case of Bloc Party who continue to push their boundaries for musical growth rather than commercial appreciation.
"We've been conscious of that from when we were demo-ing," said Gordon. "We come from a place of not wanting to do what we've done before - we've been talking about from day one. You might say we are no longer a post-punk band - but why do what we've already done? That's how we've ended up where we are currently."
Where they are currently is ingrained in the British musical landscape, complete with platinum selling albums and a stream of award nominations over their career.
But despite their strong position, for the accomplished bassist it is no time to rest on their laurels.
"I think in a way we've gone out of our way in how we approach our recording and how we then interpret that for the live stage," he confirmed. "One of the most important things is how we play that music instead of pre-combining it into a hard drive.
"I know for me it meant a lot for me to be honest about how we replicated tracks, I didn't just want to let the backing track go, I wanted to find an actual way of going that. That has been an interesting journey. I have learned a lot - learned to play some instruments better. It's a bit of a non-sequiter, but someone said if you're not learning you should quit. That's a nice analogy to put into music."
While Bloc Party will be enjoying their first break since 2004 after their Bloctober Tour ("As soon as you say you're taking time off people assume you're splitting up - for us it just can't sustain itself indefinitely, we need to get some perspective, take some time"), the band will continue with their touring habits and pre-show rituals when they come to North Wales.
"We don't have any luxury items, we tend to go the opposite. We always carry Pot Noodles," laughed Gordon. "[When on tour] the service stations are not always have that much on offer, so Pot Noodles.
"Before going on stage I suppose we all approach it in a different way. Kele's warm up takes 30 minutes, and that's my cue to have the first drink."
- Bloc Party will be performing live at Venue Cymru in Llandudno on October 18. For more information or to book tickets contact the Box Office on 01492 872000 or visit the website at www.venuecymru.co.uk