Unamerican

Hailing from London, the alt country and roots rock outfit UnAmerican comprises singer/songwriter Steve McEwan, bassist Peter Clarke, guitarist Matthew Crozer, and drummer Tim Bye. Although born in Hull, England, McEwan passed the bulk of his formative years in Scotland before relocating during his early adulthood to both Africa and Australia. These travels allowed him to receive piano instruction from Sister Ignatius and to work alongside Miriam Makeba. Upon settling back in London as a working guitarist and vocalist, McEwan performed for a period with World Party and developed songs alongside former World Party member Guy Chambers, who soon departed to join ex-Take That frontman Robbie Williams on the latter’s solo endeavors. McEwan subsequently brought Crozer aboard from the band Ugli, while Clarke and Bye exited Bugs, and the four musicians established UnAmerican. The group secured a deal with Estupendo Records, a Universal Music Group imprint, after only a handful of live appearances; the label issued the band’s self-titled debut album in early 2000, with simultaneous U.S. distribution handled by Uptown Records.