Captain Soul

Formed from the title of a track on the Byrds’ Fifth Dimension, Captain Soul consisted of bassist and vocalist Neil Barrow, drummer and vocalist John Garner, vocalist and guitarist Adam Howorth, and guitarist Martin Welsh. Previously operating under the name Hooverdam, the group remained contractually bound to Sire for three years without issuing any material. Revived under the Captain Soul moniker in 2000, the quartet was signed by Alan McGee to his Poptones imprint. Their first release, the single T-Shirt 69, appeared that year and drew favorable notices likening the band to the Zombies, Flying Burrito Brothers, Hollies, Big Star, and Nirvana. Regular appearances at McGee’s Radio 4 nights in Notting Hill further increased their visibility. March 2001 brought the well-received debut album Beat Your Crazy Head Against the Sky, followed a month later by another single. Impressed by those initial recordings, the Beach Boys’ Bruce Johnston and veteran producer Terry Melcher volunteered to produce the band’s sophomore album at no cost.