Little Man Tate

Like many bands on the UK indie rock scene of the early 00s the members of this Sheffield-based band grew up together, although football was their first love. As they grew into their teens football was replaced by music, in particular Blur, Pulp, the Sex Pistols and the Stone Roses. Jon Windle (vocals), Maz Marriot (b. Edward Marriot; guitar), Charlie Waites (guitar), Ben Surtees (bass) and Dan Fields (drums) were originally known as the Moon and Lazy Eye, before the departure of Waites prompted another name change. The decision to name themselves after a schmaltzy Jodie Foster movie was completely at odds with their spiky mix of power pop and indie rock. The band formed the Yellow Van Records label in early 2006 and released the 7-inch single "The Agent" in February. After receiving plenty of good reviews, the quartet forged a partnership with major label V2 Records and secured a number of prime support slots. After more successful single releases in 2006, some of which entered the UK's Top 40, the band finished the recording of their debut album with producer Elliot James. Released at the start of 2007, About What You Know stayed true to the quartet's preference for snappy, melodic indie rock, while Windle's swaggering lyrics about everyday modern life in England gained comparison to Sheffield compatriots the Arctic Monkeys.