The Moons

The Moons, an English indie rock outfit, fuse psychedelia and garage rock with generous servings of infectious pop. Vocalist Andy Crofts had already appeared in Paul Weller's backing group by the time Weller added parts to the band's debut LP, Life on Earth, issued in 2010. Edwyn Collins later participated in the making of Fables of History, which arrived in 2012. After a third album and a short break from the studio, the Moons resurfaced in 2020 with Pocket Melodies.

Vocalist/guitarist Andy Crofts launched the Moons in Northampton in 2008 from the remains of his earlier group, the On Offs. Their initial demo, The Lunar Sessions, featured Crofts handling nearly every instrument except drums, which were supplied by former On Offs member Danny Connors. Once those recordings were complete, the lineup expanded to include Ben Gordelier on drums, Adam Leeds on bass, and Chris Ketley on guitar. Leeds and Ketley departed shortly afterward and were succeeded by James Bagshaw and Tom Warmsley. The resulting debut album, Life on Earth, was tracked at Paul Weller's studio—where Crofts and Weller maintained a close working relationship, the former serving in the latter's band—and Weller played piano on "Wondering" plus lead guitar on "Last Night on Earth"; the record appeared on Acid Jazz in 2010.

The Moons commenced sessions with Edwyn Collins for a follow-up in 2011. Fables of History emerged in 2012 once the band had joined Schnitzel Records, marking the first release to feature keyboardist Tom Van Heel. Following another Schnitzel LP, 2014's Mindwaves, the group stepped away from recording while continuing to perform live on occasion. Activity resumed in 2020 when, still drawn to the rock of the '60s, they issued their fourth album, Pocket Melodies, through Crofts' own Colorama Records.