Biography
Formed in 2002, Alterkicks merged melodic pop with the raw edges of indie rock and Brit-pop through the efforts of singer Martin Stilwell, guitarists Mike Oates and Gareth Padfield, bassist Mark Yari-Gerrard, and drummer Oliver Hughes. The members first connected via classified ads in music shops, then devoted nearly all of their opening year to crafting songs and developing cohesion as a unit. Their initial breakthrough came in 2004 when BBC Radio One disc jockey Zane Lowe began featuring material from the band’s demo on his program. Interest from the independent label Fierce Panda soon followed, resulting in the spring 2005 release of the debut single “Do Everything I Taught You” b/w “The Cannibal Hiking Disaster.” Strong reviews and airplay exhausted the limited pressing, after which Moshi Moshi Records issued a second single pairing “Oh Honey” with “Citalopram” and “Dragon.” Consistent live work, a warmly received BBC Radio Two studio session, and headline status at the recurring Liverpool club night Little Big Man kept the group in view. In 2006 Alterkicks entered a long-term agreement with B*Unique Recordings, issuing the single “On a Holiday” and scheduling a Stephen Street-produced album for 2007.