The Hours

London band the Hours built its foundation around two musicians whose résumés already included stints in prominent 1990s Britpop acts. Antony Genn handled guitar and vocals for Pulp and joined Elastica on tour, while keyboardist Martin Slattery spent time on the road with Black Grape; both also collaborated with Joe Strummer & the Mescaleros. Genn’s excesses had meanwhile spawned a severe drug dependency that steadily eroded his well-being, bringing him to a low point by 2001. After overcoming the addiction he crossed paths with Slattery during a session alongside Robbie Williams. Eager to launch their own venture, the pair established the Hours in 2004. Their first full-length release, Narcissus Road, reached listeners in February 2007, and the group’s expansive rock anthems drew endorsement from Pulp’s Jarvis Cocker.