Formed in 2007 around the songs of singer/songwriter Matthew Chipchase, the band quickly gained traction for their gritty, honest sound, which took inspiration from American icons like Bruce Springsteen and Johnny Cash, '90s Brit-pop, and socially conscious bands like the Clash and the Pogues. They spent their first few years steadily releasing singles and touring the U.K. and Europe, where they found unexpected success in Germany. In 2011, they signed with British label Ignition Records (Oasis, Primal Scream), who issued the band's debut album Curse Our Love. More widespread touring followed the release and in 2013 they set up camp in Glasgow at producer Paul Savage's (Mogwai, Franz Ferdinand) Chem19 Studios to record their follow-up album. Released in September 2014, Crocodile deepened the band's personal, earthy aesthetic with a more cohesive, full-band approach. ~ Timothy Monger