THE FANCLUB, Brunel/Warwick

Last Updated: 18 January 2010 915 views No Comment Posted by: B-Side Empire

Name: THE FANCLUB ; Josh Todd (vocals/guitar), Lewis Tobia (bass, lyrics), Ben Morse (drums)

University: Brunel University, University of Warwick

Management: Underdogs

“Underdogs Music’s love affair with The Fanclub began back in May, when top Underdog Faye Hunter came to be on the panel of JD Unsigned. The Fanclub made it all the way to the finals, by which point Faye was utterly hooked on the band’s sound, and determined to be involved in seeing the Bournemouth 3 piece’s potential unveiled.

Now, after months of planning, a creative meeting of minds between the band and producer Greg Haver (Manic Street Preachers, Super Furry Animals etc) and an intense recording stint in the Cotswolds, the band are ready to present their debut, self-titled EP.

Lead track ‘Madman’ builds out from a fairly rudimentary indie intro (think early Radiohead), through stop/start tempos, impressive harmonies, swelling production and an unforgettably huge chorus, through to an unexpected climax. It’s a perfect showcase of the band’s ambitious musicianship. ‘Poets Die Too’ offers the kind of maturity in the songwriting that will make The Fanclub impossible to pigeon-hole with ‘Bitter Boys and Graceless Girl’ rounding things off with melancholic, orchestra-laden song with bittersweet lyrics and sombre atmosphere.”