GoodBooks

Originating from Sevenoaks, Kent, England, childhood friends Max Cooke (vocals/guitar) and Leo von Bülow-Quirk (drums) were joined by Christopher Porter (bass/vocals) to form the Fingerprints in 2001. JP Duncan (keyboards) joined later on, and when former member Ollie Butler left in 2005 they renamed themselves GoodBooks. They self-released the EP Valves & Robots in June 2005, and before the end of the year had signed a short-term recording contract with the independent label Transgressive Records. Following the release of debut single "Walk With Me" in early 2006, they were quickly tracked and signed by Columbia Records. The quartet's reputation as one of the country's most promising young bands spread fast owing to healthy media exposure. Control was released in July 2007 to a favourable response from the music press, with the blend of clever, thoughtful lyrics, stirring melodies, epic choruses and electronic touches drawing comparisons to bands such as Bloc Party, Blur, R.E.M. and even Kraftwerk. Towards the end of 2007 the band released Control Freaks, featuring remixed versions of songs from their debut.