Cast

Cast emerged during the mid-'90s Brit-pop wave as one of its most tradition-minded guitar groups, remaining devoted to the core principles of mid-'60s guitar music through their emphasis on bright hooks, ringing guitars, and sweet melodies. Fronted by vocalist and guitarist John Power, who had previously played bass in the influential 1980s indie band the La's, the group infused their robust jangle with a mystical, slightly hippie-tinged perspective that secured their place near the summit of the U.K. charts for much of the late '90s. Over three years they amassed seven Top Ten singles, among them "Sandstorm," "Walkaway," "Flying," "Free Me," and "Beat Mama." The band dissolved following the 2001 release of Beetroot, remained apart for a decade, and then regrouped in 2011 to issue Troubled Times. From that point they functioned as an active unit, maintaining a steady schedule of tours and occasional recordings that included the 2024 album Love Is the Call.

Cast carried forward the approach first established by the La's, the Liverpudlian outfit led by Lee Mavers whose solitary album played a decisive role in the development of Brit-pop during the '90s. John Power entered the lineup in 1986 and remained through the appearance of their self-titled debut in 1990. That record, propelled by the single "There She Goes," became a notable success and allowed the La's to reach the U.S. chart, an uncommon achievement for a British guitar-pop act of the early '90s. Mavers, however, failed to build on the momentum; rather than prepare fresh material, he grew directionless, prompting Power to exit in 1992 and start his own project.

After a year of auditioning players, Power extricated himself from an earlier agreement with Go! Records, the label that had kept him under contract after his departure from the La's, and spent 1993 forming the configuration that would become Cast. With Power joined by guitarist Liam "Skin" Tyson, drummer Keith O'Neill, and bassist Peter Wilkinson, the band played its initial shows early in 1994. Within months Elvis Costello booked them as an opening act, and Oasis later extended the same opportunity that year. By late 1994 Cast had secured a deal with Polydor Records and entered the studio with producer John Leckie, whose credits included XTC and the Stone Roses. Their first single, "Finetime," climbed to number 17 in the spring, while the follow-up "Alright" also charted during the summer. The debut album All Change arrived in October 1995, entered the British Top Ten, and carried both "Sandstorm" and "Walkaway" into the same region.

Audience interest expanded throughout 1996 as All Change approached platinum certification and the band completed several U.S. tours that cultivated a dedicated following. That autumn they issued the new single "Flying," which debuted at number four. Their second album, Mother Nature Calls, followed in spring 1997, reached number three on the U.K. album chart, and yielded three further Top Ten singles: "Free Me," "Guiding Star," and "Live the Dream." Two years later the group enlisted Pixies producer Gil Norton for Magic Hour, whose opening track "Beat Mama" marked their last Top Ten hit. During the sessions for Beetroot tensions surfaced while Power and co-producer Tristin Norwell integrated drum loops, samples, and additional electronics; the band split a month after the album's July 2001 release.

Following the breakup Power issued several solo albums and later rejoined Lee Mavers for concerts under the La's name. Tyson performed with Robert Plant's Strange Sensation, Wilkinson joined Echo & the Bunnymen, and O'Neill moved into behind-the-scenes music work. The four original members reconvened in 2010 to mark the fifteenth anniversary of All Change with live dates, then recorded Troubled Times once more with John Leckie; drummer Steve Pilgrim substituted for O'Neill on those sessions because of the latter's other obligations. The album surfaced in early 2012 and restored Cast to consistent activity, prompting worldwide touring.

Mid-decade friction led to Wilkinson's departure; he was succeeded by Jay Lewis, previously a guitarist with both the La's and the Zutons. After Lewis joined, the band finished its sixth album and released Kicking Up the Dust in April 2017. The 2018 compilation Singles 1995-2017 preceded a Greatest Hits tour, and in 2020 they returned to the road to observe the twenty-fifth anniversary of All Change. By the time they entered the studio with producer Youth for Love Is the Call, Jay Lewis had exited and Power handled bass duties. The album appeared in February 2024, after which the group supported Liam Gallagher on dates commemorating the thirtieth anniversary of Oasis' debut album Definitely Maybe.