Biography
Formed in Warwickshire, England, the modern soul outfit drew early inspiration from Stax Records, the Spencer Davis Group, and the Style Council. They issued a consistent stream of recordings across more than ten years until Paul Weller stepped in to helm production on their 2017 release Street Rituals. Both that album and the 2018 successor Everybody, Anyone marked the group’s initial entries into the U.K. Top 30, opening the door for the late-2020 set Is Love Enough?
The project’s roots trace back to the early ’90s, when bassist Neil Sheasby and singer Neil Jones were still active in different local groups. Although each had grown up in Warwickshire, the two first crossed paths at a London venue where their bands shared a bill. Shortly afterward both ensembles disbanded, prompting the pair to begin writing material together. Initial experiments featured shifting personnel and varied sonic approaches, yielding the three early albums In Our Time in 2005, Small Town Soul in 2008, and Away from the Grain in 2010. Their first substantial opportunity arrived in 2011 when John Bradbury, drummer with ska outfit the Specials, attended a show at London’s Fiddler’s Elbow and subsequently booked the band as support on a U.K. arena run.
A second pivotal year came in 2014. The album To Find the Spirit, which included vocal contributions from Carleen Anderson and Nolan Porter, reached the U.K. Top 75 and earned the group an invitation to tour Japan under the Visit Britain campaign, culminating in a 4,000-capacity set at the Fuji Rock Festival. The 2015 follow-up A Life Unlimited drew additional high-profile guests, among them Graham Parker. Continued visibility attracted Weller’s notice; already an admirer of the track “Beverly,” he produced and performed on Street Rituals. A live document captured at London’s Islington Assembly Hall, featuring appearances by Weller, Dr. Robert, and Danny Wilson, was issued as Live Rituals. Like its predecessor, the next two studio efforts—Everybody, Anyone and Is Love Enough?—were tracked at Weller’s Black Barn Studios in Woking, Surrey.
The project’s roots trace back to the early ’90s, when bassist Neil Sheasby and singer Neil Jones were still active in different local groups. Although each had grown up in Warwickshire, the two first crossed paths at a London venue where their bands shared a bill. Shortly afterward both ensembles disbanded, prompting the pair to begin writing material together. Initial experiments featured shifting personnel and varied sonic approaches, yielding the three early albums In Our Time in 2005, Small Town Soul in 2008, and Away from the Grain in 2010. Their first substantial opportunity arrived in 2011 when John Bradbury, drummer with ska outfit the Specials, attended a show at London’s Fiddler’s Elbow and subsequently booked the band as support on a U.K. arena run.
A second pivotal year came in 2014. The album To Find the Spirit, which included vocal contributions from Carleen Anderson and Nolan Porter, reached the U.K. Top 75 and earned the group an invitation to tour Japan under the Visit Britain campaign, culminating in a 4,000-capacity set at the Fuji Rock Festival. The 2015 follow-up A Life Unlimited drew additional high-profile guests, among them Graham Parker. Continued visibility attracted Weller’s notice; already an admirer of the track “Beverly,” he produced and performed on Street Rituals. A live document captured at London’s Islington Assembly Hall, featuring appearances by Weller, Dr. Robert, and Danny Wilson, was issued as Live Rituals. Like its predecessor, the next two studio efforts—Everybody, Anyone and Is Love Enough?—were tracked at Weller’s Black Barn Studios in Woking, Surrey.
Albums
Singles
