Formed of longstanding childhood friends Roy Stride (vocals, guitar, keyboard), Greg Churchouse (bass, backing vocals), and Pete Ellard (drums, backing vocals), Stride and Churchouse began playing gigs together at the age of 15. During their time at university, the pair formed the band Cape, before playing shows as Scouting for Girls in a room above a pub in Harrow, London. Scouting for Girls significantly raised their local profile during this time, later utilising MySpace and Pulse Rated to appeal to a national audience.
After hearing the group’s demo CD featuring the single “Heartbeat”, Epic Records signed Scouting for Girls in 2007. Soon after inking the deal the band headed to East Sussex to record their debut. Prior to a full-length LP Scouting for Girls released the EP “It’s Not About You” in June 2007, which became the highest-charting limited edition EP in chart history. Subsequently released in September 2007, the group’s debut, self-titled album topped the UK Albums Chart for two weeks, selling close to a million copies. The record’s success was strongly aided by the radio-friendly singles “It’s Not About You”, “She’s so Lovely”, “Elvis Ain’t Dead”, and “Heartbeat”, all of which charted within the UK Top 20.
In support of the record, Scouting for Girls embarked on an extensive UK tour, including a host of sold-out shows, and ending with two sold-out nights at London’s Hammersmith Apollo. In 2008 the band performed shows in Europe, Japan, and Australia, before heading to the U.S. to play the year’s SXSW Festival and New York’s CMJ Festival.
The band released their sophomore album “Everybody Wants To Be On TV” in April 2010, led by the No. 1 single “This Ain’t a Love Song”. The singles “Famous”, “Don’t Want To Leave You”, and “Take a Chance On Us” were subsequently release, following which the band undertook a full UK tour in April. Scouting for Girls’ third full-length “The Light Between Us” arrived in August 2012. Spawning the singles “Summertime in the City”, “Rains in La”, “Without You”, “The Light Between Us”, and “Snakes and Ladders”, the record peaked at No. 10 on the UK Albums Chart.
Frank Turner has an innovative way of blending the genres of folk, punk and rock with his intelligent lyrics to create quietly anthemic music. Often described as a social commentator, the Bahrain born, Meonstoke raised songwriter released his first album 'Sleep Is for the Week' in 2007 which was received well critically. 'Love Ire & Song' came in the following year and made Turner's first dent in the UK album charts, his reputation was growing quickly as his tours began to sell out by his loyal fan base. He supported The Offspring and The Gaslight Anthem on tours which developed his reputation further.
The next album 'Poetry of the Deed' debuted within the UK top 40 thanks to support from the likes of Kerrang and Q Magazine. This album gained him a nomination for an NME Award in the Best Solo Artist category. He became a regular on the festival circuit, playing Two Thousand Trees, Reading & Leeds and Cambridge Folk to support the release of 2011 album 'England Keep My Bones'. He won two AIM awards in the same year for Best Live Act and Hardest Working Artist.
In 2012 Frank and his support band The Sleeping Souls were personally invited as the warm up act to the London 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony where they played 'Sailor's Boots' 'Wessex Boy' and 'I Still Believe'. His biggest commercial album to date was released in 2013 and was titled 'Tape Deck Heart', it debuted in the UK at #2 and holds a MetaCritic score of 78/100. It also featured a hit single of sorts in 'The Way I Tend To Be' which became Turner's second ever appearance on the UK singles chart.
Hurtling out of the same Sheffield indie rock scene that brought the world Arctic Monkeys, Reverend And The Makers were formed in 2005 by Jon McClure, one of the true movers and shakers of the whole scene and a truly gifted musician and songwriter in his own right. After the aforementioned Monkeys became the biggest band in Britain for all intents and purposes after the release of their debut single, many record labels pounced upon McClure to produce a similar sounding record as McClure and Alex Turner were close friends. However, each of them underestimated McClure and his drive to do things his own way. In his defence, his way was working out incredibly well for him, as shortly after the band self-released their debut single they sold out two nights at Sheffield's 1000 capacity Plug venue without a record deal to speak of.
In fact, it wasn't until 2006 that the band signed to Wall Of Sound Records after the head of the label, Mark Jones saw them perform live and decided that they were the “best band in the world”. In April 2006, the band supported the all-conquering Monkeys, on their first tour of the U.K, and all seemed set for the band to follow in their friends' footsteps and become one of the biggest bands in the country. As it turns out that wasn't to happen, but what would happen would mean that Reverend And The Makers became a far more interesting band than the alternative possibility. It started out promisingly, with their debut single release “Heavyweight Champion Of The World” storming into the UK charts at number eight on its first week of release in May 2007, but the band, and McClure especially, had far too much personality to fit into the mainstream.
Their debut album “The State Of Things” was a top five hit on the album charts on its release in September 2007, and thanks to McClure's wit, wisdom and commitment to his fans, the band have gone on to become one of the most enduring groups of the mid-2000's indie rock revival. With a further three top twenty albums to their name, support slots with the likes of Kasabian and Oasis, and one of the most accomplished live shows in indie rock, Reverend And The Makers come highly recommended.
Obviously love this band. Nowt more to say than brilliant .. favourite flavour top top tune..watched them at highestpoint in Lancaster...one of best acts we watched...Will be definitely going to their gigs
After winning the title of Best British Breakthrough of 2009 at the Brit Awards, Scouting For Girls made their mark in the indie rock charts with their second album Everybody Wants to be on TV. Whilst I have always enjoyed their music, it wasn't until I saw them live, initially as a support act, that I really became a true fan. I knew the music, but not inside out, but it materialised that that didn't matter at all. Their performance was full of enthusiasm, fun, and life, and I found myself singing and dancing along regardless of my knowledge of their material.
After becoming enthused by their live show, I booked tickets to see them headline, and was not disappointed. The entire set was a theatrical performance with fantastic lighting, great sound and acoustics. The band worked together blending their harmonies, whilst maintaining their intense dancing and performances.
The vibe was absolutely fantastic, even people who seemed unsure initially, seemed to be their biggest fans by the end of the show - that just seems to be the effect that they have on you! I'd really advise that you take the opportunity to see them (in a standing venue - because you'll want to dance!) before you miss your chance.
These guys still rock like nobody's business. You've got to bring 'em back! Rabbi Levinsky may just be the coolest rabbi, like, EVER. But can we all just hate Kenny Kurson for still fitting into the skinny pants he wore on stage 25 years ago?
The truly unique feeling about a Frank Turner gig is the feeling of community that comes with every single one of them. Frank's mission statement is to make his every show a place where everyone is an equal, where he himself is on the same footing as everyone in the audience, both united in their love of rock & roll and singing it at the top of their lungs.
He's also confident that at least half of the multitude of people who come to see him play the O2 Arena, or Wembley Arena or any of the enormodomes he currently slays on his home turf, have also seen him play in a room that holds under a hundred people.
At least half of them care enough about his music and what he represents to see him in any and every environment they can, be it the back room of a pub, a cavernous arena, a sodden festival field and everything in between. And at 1577 shows and counting Frank knows how to utterly slay any audience in he finds himself in front of.
Frank may not be reinventing the wheel with his brand of quintessentially British folk rock but it's nothing if not passionate, intelligent and emotionally honest. That passion is reflected in everything about his concerts from Frank and his backing band the Sleeping Souls to the love that comes from his audience, and for that reason a Frank Turner concert is a truly inspiring, humbling and life-affirming thing to be a part of.
A Reverend and the Makers show is like being in an intimate rock club, no matter the size of the venue.
One of the best bands to come out of England in a long while, they combine the songwriting skills of greats such as the Beatles with the high energy crowd pleasing of the Kaiser Chiefs. All while cranking out some fantastic rock and roll reminiscent of the best that the Eighties had to offer.
Front man Jon McClure, the Reverend of the band’s name, with his signature compelling vocal style help to make a night with Reverend and the Makers a truly special treat. He knows how to get a crowd pumped and moving. The band’s quasi electro pop sound melds seamlessly with the light show and provides an experience for the eyes as well as the ears. All complemented by McClure’s wife Laura on keyboard.
If you go to see Reverend and the Makers, wear comfortable shoes because you will be moving and moving a lot. The band seems to feed the crowd with energy, causing mass bopping, dancing and waving of arms. If you get the chance, do not miss this show. You will most likely become a fan for life.