ABOUT
Josh Todd – Vocals and Guitars
Lewis Tobia – Bass and Lyrics
Colin Burstow – Drums
Helen Bower - Violin
One of Dermot O’Leary’s ‘Ones To Watch for 2011’ – as featured on his BBC Radio2 programme
“The Fanclub are clearly a name to listen out for in future” - God Is In The TV
“The band are two for two on the singles front; our anticipation for further new material has just sky-rocketed.”- Music Fan’s Mic
“A wondrous pairing of the dark, lingering tones of Morrissey and the effervescent, epic and other worldly soul of Jeff Buckley – Indie with soul, now that’s what we like!”- Subba Cultcha
There are very few bands that can pull off comparisons to the likes of Jeff Buckley, Elbow and Manic Street Preachers without being seen as attempted carbon copies of any of them. Where the true magic lies is in the ability of a band to straddle such lofty heights and find their own character in amongst the hyperbole. Even in their short lifespan, The Fanclub have already proven to be that rare type of act. Whilst their start, like many others, may seem modest, their sound belies any ideals of hype having come to fruition through the band’s core songwriting duo of vocalist/guitarist Josh Todd and bassist/lyricist Lewis Tobia childhood friendship.
JOSH: “Lewis and I went to the same school and have been friends since we were quite young. We only started writing songs together towards the end of our school days, though. We had been involved with separate musical projects throughout our teenage years, but Lewis and I started sending ideas over to each other one day and soon after The Fanclub was born..“
Forming as a three piece in Bournemouth the band eventually ended up at the JD Unsigned Competition – not only winning a finalist place, but more importantly meeting the director of Underdogs Management Limited – the team that would help develop and open up the opportunities they had been looking for.
This was never truer than when they were offered the chance to work with an idol - producer Greg Haver (Manic Street Preachers, Super Furry Animals). A creative meeting of minds between the band and the producer ensued in which the band saw the sound they had always strived for begin to appear. An intense recording stint in the Cotswolds delivered their debut singles in the form of ‘Madman’ and ‘Poets Die Too’ - also founding the strings as a core part of the band and bringing their 4th and 5th members to the group.
The singles were released to great critical acclaim and spurred the recording of the debut album. The band returned to Greg Haver to create a work of startling maturity and anthemic beauty, with Haver’s production work bringing a grand, life-affirming sweep to the band’s natural talents.
LEWIS: “We’d heard about his work with the Manics and were pretty determined to work with him from pretty early on (being massive Manics fans ourselves).” He worked us hard, but it was such a good experience. I don’t think the album would be anywhere near as big without them. We’ve been itching to record an album for years but we’re really glad we waited.”
Added to this, The Fanclub’s live show is fast becoming legendary with their unique string section led by Emily Rice and Helen Bower. To accompany Josh and Lewis - Colin Burstow’s thrashing, driving drums completes the set up that is making a stir both with the recent support slots with Toploader and their packed out London showcases at The Bowery and WaterRats where more and more of the crowd seem to be singing along word for word.
THE FANCLUB – BEST BITS
Favourite gig so far: The Bowery Showcase, New Oxford Street, June 2011. Amazing crowd singalong.
Favourite Tour moment: Sitting in the tour bus listening to our “Poets Die Too” play on Radio 2.
Biggest Surprise: Chris de Burgh saying he liked our Christmas cover of ‘A Spaceman Came Travelling.
Strangest quote: When Josh’s guitar solo was described as ‘Cock Rock’!
