The Crookes

History The band formed in 2008, naming themselves after the suburb Crookes in Sheffield where the guitarists Alex Saunders and Daniel Hopewell met before later recruiting George Waite on vocals and Russell Bates on drums. NME Magazine has championed the band, describing how "a band this good are unlikely to remain obscure for long."[1] The Crookes were named as The Guardian Band of The Day in September 2009 being described as having "hints of the winsome, lose-some C86 brigade, The Smiths(say, circa The Boy With the Thorn in His Side), the plaintive jangle of the Housemartins, even Belle and Sebastian."[2] In 2009 the band recorded a live session for Steve Lamacq on BBC Radio 1 with Lamacq describing the band as having "ambition and flare and a singer with a beautiful voice; one of those special, poetic voices which dips and soars above their jangling guitars."[3] The Crookes have also been named as BBC 6 Music's favourite new band[4] with Lamacq later describing them as his "favourite British band of the year" on BBC Radio 2.[5] The band's strong Sheffield roots have seen them embraced by the city's established acts with Jon McClure promoting the band as "Sheffield's next set of musical geniusus" and Richard Hawley describing them as 'absolutely superb' when interviewed on Shaun Keaveny's breakfast show on 6music.[6] And recording a live session of Jarvis Cocker's 6music show[7]. Moreover, The Crookes were chosen to represent Sheffield for MTV Canada's guide to Breaking Bands in the UK, alongside representitives from other cities such as Glasvegas (Glasgow) and Mumford and Sons (London).[8] The Crookes have recorded multiple live radio sessions for BBC Radio 1,2,4,5 and 6. The Crookes' debut single 'A Collier's Wife/ By The Seine' was released on September the 14th through the Too Pure Singles Club as part of the Beggars Group. It was the fastest selling single through Too Pure, selling out on pre-orders. [edit] Style The band's style has been described as a fusion of 'heartbreaking melodies' [9] inspired by 1950s and 60s pop-music and Kitchen sink realism.[10] Lamacq has highlighted the eclectic comparisons which span bands such as The Smiths, Orange Juice and The Everly Brothers [11] whilst also encapsualting the Romanticism of the band on his website. "They are kings of romance (an important part of the New Pop brewing around the UK)... There is something almost subversive about their odd mix of influences (The Smiths/’60s girl groups/’50s rock and roll)... It’s the romance of the Seine, of walking in the Peaks; or lying on your back reading and daydreaming."[12] As former students of English Literature the band are known for their "wry lyrical turns", [13] further reinforcing their ties with Sheffield's musical legacy. Noel Gallagher said of the band, "they've got good lyrics. All bands from Sheffield have good lyrics".[14]. Whilst publications have picked-up on the narrative quality of the songs, describing early recordings as sounding like novels by Angry Young Men. [edit] Collaborations To celebrate a one-off special return of The Evening Session [15] with Steve Lamacq and Jo Wiley, The Crookes collaborated live in session with Richard Hawley. Together they performed cover versions of The Jesus and Mary Chain's 'Some Candy Talking' and also a version of The Longpigs' (Hawley's former band) 'Lost Myself.'