The Moons
Encyclopedia
The Moons are a British indie rock band who formed in Northampton in 2007 and comprise singer/guitarist/songwriter Andy Crofts, drummer Ben Gordelier, guitarist and backing vocalist James Edward Bagshaw, bassist Adam Leeds and keyboardist Tom Warmsley. The Moons currently have one studio album released on Acid Jazz Records called Life On Earth.
at Acid Jazz Records
. Andy started performing these songs live, with help from friends. Andy decided he wanted a full time line-up with members Ben Gordelier (Drums), Adam Leeds (Bass) and Chris Ketley (Guitar).
, Monday 15 March 2010) and was recorded in Paul Weller
's studio. The album featured new versions of the Lunar Session tracks (except intermission rag, which was used as The Moons' intro song to their live shows). Life On Earth features Paul Weller
playing piano on "Wondering" and lead guitar on "Last Night On Earth". The first track, "Don't Go Changing" was recorded at Dulcitone Studios with Lee Russell
. The album was mixed and produced at Dulcitone by The Moons and Lee Russell
. With new members James Edward Bagshaw on Guitar and Tom Warmsley on Hammond and Piano, The Moons toured extensively playing headline shows and supporting Ocean Colour Scene
and The Rifles
. Four tracks from Life On Earth were released as singles and the album made it into the top 30 of the Indie charts with amazing reviews all round.
and Mark Lamarr
and played In-Store shows at Oxford Street HMV
and Carnaby Street Merc Clothing
. A highlight of the year was their support slot for Ocean Colour Scene
at the Royal Albert Hall
in October. The Moons spent the rest of the year demo-ing and recording their second album with Edwyn Collins
and Seb Lewsley at Westheath Yard studios.
.
The Moons were featured as part of the Channel 4 JD Set Chosen by The Stone Roses' Mani to pay tribute to The Smiths, The Moons performed cover versions of The Smiths songs along Kid British, Little Barrie and Tom Clarke. The band performed There Is A Light That Will Never Go Out at Manchester's Band On The Wall venue on May 12th 2011.
In June The Moons embarked on the Tales of The Unexpected UK tour to promote songs from their forthcoming album. The tour ended with a sell-out gig at The Borderline, London.
On June 22 and 23 The Moons supported The Coral at two exclusive gigs in the run up to their Glastonbury 2011 appearance.
In October they supported Beady Eye
on their European Tour.
Early days (2006-2007)
At the end of 2006, Andy's former band The On Offs decided to go their separate ways. Shortly after this Andy and Ben worked together for the first time, recording bass and drums for ex On Offs frontman Danny Connors on one of his many albums. As a solo artist, Andy had built up a healthy collection of demos over The On Offs period, and in 2007 he made a Myspace page (under band name 'The Moons') and uploaded a few songs to gain feedback. Songs uploaded were: "English Summer", "Wondering", "Sleep Two Day", "Serve the Sun" and instrumental track "Intermission Rag". Within days Mojo magazine had picked up on Andy's songs and put "Intermission Rag" in their current top 10.The Lunar Sessions (2007)
Andy eagerly headed to the studio to record an official batch of demos entitled The Lunar Sessions. All instruments on these recordings were played by Andy, except the drums, which were played by Danny Connors. Songs featured on The Lunar Sessions CD were: "Chinese Whispers", "Don't Go Changin", "Torn Between Two", "Let it go" and "Intermission Rag". Andy then released "Don't Go Changin" on his own label Colorama Records on a limited white 7" vinyl. The B side of the single was "Torn Between Two" which is the song that attracted attention from Eddie PillerEddie Piller
Eddie Piller is an English DJ and record label entrepreneur.Starting his career in the 1980s as a part of the English mod revival, Piller launched the underground fanzine Extraordinary Sensations and operated as a DJ and concert promoter. In 1985, he started the Countdown Records label, through...
at Acid Jazz Records
Acid Jazz Records
Acid Jazz is a record label based in east London. It takes its name from acid jazz, a genre of jazz music. Alternative version states that the genre itself was named after the record label...
. Andy started performing these songs live, with help from friends. Andy decided he wanted a full time line-up with members Ben Gordelier (Drums), Adam Leeds (Bass) and Chris Ketley (Guitar).
Life On Earth (Late 2008-2009)
Whilst preparing for Christmas The Moons recorded their debut album Life On Earth (released on Acid Jazz RecordsAcid Jazz Records
Acid Jazz is a record label based in east London. It takes its name from acid jazz, a genre of jazz music. Alternative version states that the genre itself was named after the record label...
, Monday 15 March 2010) and was recorded in Paul Weller
Paul Weller
Paul Weller is an English singer-songwriter. Starting with the band The Jam , Weller then went on to branch out musically to a more soulful style with The Style Council...
's studio. The album featured new versions of the Lunar Session tracks (except intermission rag, which was used as The Moons' intro song to their live shows). Life On Earth features Paul Weller
Paul Weller
Paul Weller is an English singer-songwriter. Starting with the band The Jam , Weller then went on to branch out musically to a more soulful style with The Style Council...
playing piano on "Wondering" and lead guitar on "Last Night On Earth". The first track, "Don't Go Changing" was recorded at Dulcitone Studios with Lee Russell
Lee Russell (Producer & Musician)
Lee Russell is an English record producer and musician.Lee has produced records for artists including: Kate Walsh, Ezio, Melanie Blatt, Paul Carrack, Dirk Darmstaedter & John Butler . Lee currently works mostly from his private recording studio .-External links:*...
. The album was mixed and produced at Dulcitone by The Moons and Lee Russell
Lee Russell (Producer & Musician)
Lee Russell is an English record producer and musician.Lee has produced records for artists including: Kate Walsh, Ezio, Melanie Blatt, Paul Carrack, Dirk Darmstaedter & John Butler . Lee currently works mostly from his private recording studio .-External links:*...
. With new members James Edward Bagshaw on Guitar and Tom Warmsley on Hammond and Piano, The Moons toured extensively playing headline shows and supporting Ocean Colour Scene
Ocean Colour Scene
Ocean Colour Scene are an English Britpop band formed in Moseley, Birmingham in 1989. They have had five Top 10 albums and six Top 10 singles to date.-Early days :...
and The Rifles
The Rifles
The Rifles is the largest regiment of the British Army. Formed in 2007, it consists of five regular and two territorial battalions, plus a number of companies in other TA battalions, Each battalion of the Rifles was formerly an individual battalion of one of the two large regiments of the Light...
. Four tracks from Life On Earth were released as singles and the album made it into the top 30 of the Indie charts with amazing reviews all round.
2010
In between shows and tours, The Moons played live Radio shows for the BBC with Janice LongJanice Long
Janice Long is an English radio broadcaster currently working on BBC Radio 2. Her show is on Sunday to Thursday nights from midnight to 02:00. She is the older sister of TV and radio personality Keith Chegwin.-Early career:...
and Mark Lamarr
Mark Lamarr
Mark Lamarr is an English comedian, radio DJ and television presenter.-Early life:Lamarr was born in the Park South area of Swindon and has three elder sisters. His father is Irish...
and played In-Store shows at Oxford Street HMV
HMV
His Master's Voice is a trademark in the music business, and for many years was the name of a large record label. The name was coined in 1899 as the title of a painting of the dog Nipper listening to a wind-up gramophone...
and Carnaby Street Merc Clothing
Merc Clothing
Merc Clothing is a British based clothing company, which specialises in the production of shirts, suits, parkas, harrington jackets shoes and accessories, for both men and women's wear,...
. A highlight of the year was their support slot for Ocean Colour Scene
Ocean Colour Scene
Ocean Colour Scene are an English Britpop band formed in Moseley, Birmingham in 1989. They have had five Top 10 albums and six Top 10 singles to date.-Early days :...
at the Royal Albert Hall
Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall situated on the northern edge of the South Kensington area, in the City of Westminster, London, England, best known for holding the annual summer Proms concerts since 1941....
in October. The Moons spent the rest of the year demo-ing and recording their second album with Edwyn Collins
Edwyn Collins
Edwyn Stephen Collins is an Ivor Novello Award winning Scottish musician, playing mostly electric guitar-driven pop. Collins formed the musical group Nu-Sonics in 1976, which later became Orange Juice...
and Seb Lewsley at Westheath Yard studios.
2011
While taking time out to record their second album with Edwyn Collins, The Moons returned to the live circuit in 2011 with a showcase of new album material at The Gibson Lounge London, part of the MERC Live gig series in conjunction with Gibson Guitars and Clash Magazine.
The Moons were featured as part of the Channel 4 JD Set Chosen by The Stone Roses' Mani to pay tribute to The Smiths, The Moons performed cover versions of The Smiths songs along Kid British, Little Barrie and Tom Clarke. The band performed There Is A Light That Will Never Go Out at Manchester's Band On The Wall venue on May 12th 2011.
In June The Moons embarked on the Tales of The Unexpected UK tour to promote songs from their forthcoming album. The tour ended with a sell-out gig at The Borderline, London.
On June 22 and 23 The Moons supported The Coral at two exclusive gigs in the run up to their Glastonbury 2011 appearance.
In October they supported Beady Eye
Beady Eye
Beady Eye are an English rock band formed in 2009. The band consists of vocalist Liam Gallagher, guitarist Gem Archer and guitarist Andy Bell, all former members of Oasis, rounded by drummer and percussionist Chris Sharrock who substituted for Oasis during their last tour in 2008/2009, before Oasis...
on their European Tour.