Biography
Named after Skip James's "22-20 Blues," the 22-20s originated in Lincolnshire, England, where the quartet wove blues, rock, folk, and country threads into an early sound that drew swift industry notice. Martin Trimble, handling vocals and guitar, joined bassist Glen Bartup—after several years sharing stages in regional acts—to launch the group in mid-2002 while both were still in their early twenties. Charly Coombes on keyboards and a rotating cast of drummers filled the first lineup until James Irving locked in as the permanent percussionist.
Steady live work quickly reached Heavenly Records, which inked the band late in 2002; months later the 22-20s issued their debut single "Such a Fool" as a limited 7". Their first American showing followed at the 2003 Coachella Festival, and a U.K. spring tour yielded the concert-preview EP 05-03. Support dates alongside Jet and Kings of Leon returned the quartet to the States, where festival slots at Glastonbury, Germany's Southside and Hurricane events, plus another U.K. run that autumn, coincided with the single "22 Days." A second limited pressing of 05-03 also surfaced then and marked the band's initial U.S. release.
After pausing gigs to complete their self-titled debut, the 22-20s resumed in 2004 with appearances at T in the Park, Glastonbury, Reading, and Japan's Fuji Rock Festival. Singles "Why Don't You Do It for Me?" and "Shoot Your Gun" preceded the U.K. arrival of The 22-20s that autumn, backed by further touring. Australian dates closed the year, accompanied by news that Astralwerks would issue the album stateside in early 2005. Later that year, however, several shows—including a planned V Festival set—were scrapped; by early 2006 the group had disbanded while recording a follow-up.
Post-split, Irving performed with Marner Brown and Fuzzbox Music. Coombes added second guitar and backing vocals to Supergrass alongside his brothers Gaz and Rob, worked with Missing Pieces, and started Charly Coombes & the New Breed. Trimble and Bartup began writing together, though little emerged publicly. In 2008 the 22-20s reconvened for the Heavenly Festival, with guitarist Dan Hare joining Trimble, Bartup, and Irving for the occasion. Despite appearing to be a one-off, the members quietly developed new songs and toured England in 2009 as the Bitter Pills. "Latest Heartbreak" surfaced that December, followed by a live EP in March 2010. Shake/Shiver/Moan arrived in Japan that May and reached the U.S. and U.K. in June; late that year the band disclosed plans to relocate to Minneapolis. Their third album, Got It If You Want It, appeared in 2012, after which Hare's departure was confirmed. The 22-20s formally announced their dissolution via Facebook in 2014.
Steady live work quickly reached Heavenly Records, which inked the band late in 2002; months later the 22-20s issued their debut single "Such a Fool" as a limited 7". Their first American showing followed at the 2003 Coachella Festival, and a U.K. spring tour yielded the concert-preview EP 05-03. Support dates alongside Jet and Kings of Leon returned the quartet to the States, where festival slots at Glastonbury, Germany's Southside and Hurricane events, plus another U.K. run that autumn, coincided with the single "22 Days." A second limited pressing of 05-03 also surfaced then and marked the band's initial U.S. release.
After pausing gigs to complete their self-titled debut, the 22-20s resumed in 2004 with appearances at T in the Park, Glastonbury, Reading, and Japan's Fuji Rock Festival. Singles "Why Don't You Do It for Me?" and "Shoot Your Gun" preceded the U.K. arrival of The 22-20s that autumn, backed by further touring. Australian dates closed the year, accompanied by news that Astralwerks would issue the album stateside in early 2005. Later that year, however, several shows—including a planned V Festival set—were scrapped; by early 2006 the group had disbanded while recording a follow-up.
Post-split, Irving performed with Marner Brown and Fuzzbox Music. Coombes added second guitar and backing vocals to Supergrass alongside his brothers Gaz and Rob, worked with Missing Pieces, and started Charly Coombes & the New Breed. Trimble and Bartup began writing together, though little emerged publicly. In 2008 the 22-20s reconvened for the Heavenly Festival, with guitarist Dan Hare joining Trimble, Bartup, and Irving for the occasion. Despite appearing to be a one-off, the members quietly developed new songs and toured England in 2009 as the Bitter Pills. "Latest Heartbreak" surfaced that December, followed by a live EP in March 2010. Shake/Shiver/Moan arrived in Japan that May and reached the U.S. and U.K. in June; late that year the band disclosed plans to relocate to Minneapolis. Their third album, Got It If You Want It, appeared in 2012, after which Hare's departure was confirmed. The 22-20s formally announced their dissolution via Facebook in 2014.
Albums
Singles
Live
