The Diggers

The Diggers emerged in the early 1990s as a Scottish power-pop outfit rooted in post-Brit-pop, setting themselves apart through an understated style that contrasted sharply with the loose, high-energy approach of their peers. This softer, more restrained sound ultimately narrowed the reach of their first full-length release, Mount Everest, which arrived in 1997.

Chris Miezitis on vocals and guitar, Alan Moffat on vocals and bass, John Eslick on guitar, and Hank Ross on drums made up the lineup. Miezitis and Moffat, who had known each other since their school days in Methill, initially teamed up as an acoustic duo and performed across Scotland. At age eighteen in 1991 they relocated to Glasgow, where they set out to assemble a full band and soon brought in Eslick and Ross. For the next five years the group maintained a steady schedule of rehearsals and shows yet struggled to gain significant traction. In 1993 progress stalled when Eslick spent time recovering from a car accident that involved a herd of cows; once the band resumed activity they started attracting supporters, among them Martin Carr of the Boo Radleys. With Carr’s assistance the Diggers secured a contract with Creation early in 1996. Over the ensuing months they toured extensively while shaping their debut album, and their profile rose notably after they supported Super Furry Animals on the road that summer. Mount Everest appeared in February 1997, receiving mixed notices and modest commercial returns.