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.
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.
yazhow
On 15th May 2014 I saw The Hoosiers for the first time at Newcastle’s Think Tank venue. The intimate gig was an interesting way to see the indie pop group. I remember the band’s peak of popularity a few years back and, associating it with my school days, I thought I’d missed the boat with seeing them live. So, I was pretty excited when I heard that the Hoosiers were touring near my university town.
The Hoosiers opened with tracks from their new album, ‘The News from Nowhere.’ Unfortunately, ‘Handsome Girls and Pretty Boys’ and ‘Make or Break’ were met by a fairly lacklustre response from the audience. While I enjoyed the danceable drumbeat of the latter, I could see how the songs’ unfamiliarity disappointed the mainly twenty-something crowd hoping to hear the anthems from their teen years.
When The Hoosiers did deliver theirs hits, they did so in style. Front man Irwin Sparkes took full advantage of the intimate venue. During the encore the singer made his way into the crowd, impressively rousing the audience into enthusiastic participation in old favourites, ‘Choices’ and ‘Goodbye Mr A.’ Treating my neighbours to a particularly out of tune refrain of ‘stop giving me choices’ I imagined how a teenage version of myself would feel to know that one day I’d essentially be joining Irwin Sparkes in a sing along.
The Hoosiers adapted their style to the intimate venue, so I’d encourage you to see what they do in their upcoming gigs.
Han93
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