Mohair

Hailing from Watford, England, Mohair comprises Pete Baker on drums and brass, Tom Billington on guitar and vocals, Alex Richards on keyboards and vocals, and Tim Slade on bass and vocals. These four musicians had already performed together in assorted groups from their early teenage years, most memorably in a cover band devoted to The Commitments. The childhood friends launched Mohair by 2000, determined to turn their rock-and-roll aspirations into a tangible career. A 2002 agreement with M1 Records placed the quartet on festival bills across the United Kingdom throughout summer 2004, yet the arrangement ultimately proved unsuitable. In 2005 the band established its own Ear Candy label, issuing the singles “End of the Line” and “Stranded (In the Middle of Nowhere)” before December arrived. Mohair’s first U.S. appearance took place in spring 2006 during the annual South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas. Their album Small Talk was scheduled for release the following September through Grunion.