Formed of longstanding childhood friends Roy Stride (vocals, guitar, keyboard), Greg Churchouse (bass, backing vocals), and Pete Ellard (drums, backing vocals), Stride and Churchouse began playing gigs together at the age of 15. During their time at university, the pair formed the band Cape, before playing shows as Scouting for Girls in a room above a pub in Harrow, London. Scouting for Girls significantly raised their local profile during this time, later utilising MySpace and Pulse Rated to appeal to a national audience.
After hearing the group’s demo CD featuring the single “Heartbeat”, Epic Records signed Scouting for Girls in 2007. Soon after inking the deal the band headed to East Sussex to record their debut. Prior to a full-length LP Scouting for Girls released the EP “It’s Not About You” in June 2007, which became the highest-charting limited edition EP in chart history. Subsequently released in September 2007, the group’s debut, self-titled album topped the UK Albums Chart for two weeks, selling close to a million copies. The record’s success was strongly aided by the radio-friendly singles “It’s Not About You”, “She’s so Lovely”, “Elvis Ain’t Dead”, and “Heartbeat”, all of which charted within the UK Top 20.
In support of the record, Scouting for Girls embarked on an extensive UK tour, including a host of sold-out shows, and ending with two sold-out nights at London’s Hammersmith Apollo. In 2008 the band performed shows in Europe, Japan, and Australia, before heading to the U.S. to play the year’s SXSW Festival and New York’s CMJ Festival.
The band released their sophomore album “Everybody Wants To Be On TV” in April 2010, led by the No. 1 single “This Ain’t a Love Song”. The singles “Famous”, “Don’t Want To Leave You”, and “Take a Chance On Us” were subsequently release, following which the band undertook a full UK tour in April. Scouting for Girls’ third full-length “The Light Between Us” arrived in August 2012. Spawning the singles “Summertime in the City”, “Rains in La”, “Without You”, “The Light Between Us”, and “Snakes and Ladders”, the record peaked at No. 10 on the UK Albums Chart.
After winning the title of Best British Breakthrough of 2009 at the Brit Awards, Scouting For Girls made their mark in the indie rock charts with their second album Everybody Wants to be on TV. Whilst I have always enjoyed their music, it wasn't until I saw them live, initially as a support act, that I really became a true fan. I knew the music, but not inside out, but it materialised that that didn't matter at all. Their performance was full of enthusiasm, fun, and life, and I found myself singing and dancing along regardless of my knowledge of their material.
After becoming enthused by their live show, I booked tickets to see them headline, and was not disappointed. The entire set was a theatrical performance with fantastic lighting, great sound and acoustics. The band worked together blending their harmonies, whilst maintaining their intense dancing and performances.
The vibe was absolutely fantastic, even people who seemed unsure initially, seemed to be their biggest fans by the end of the show - that just seems to be the effect that they have on you! I'd really advise that you take the opportunity to see them (in a standing venue - because you'll want to dance!) before you miss your chance.
Saw the Hoosiers at Kiln Farm MK11. The venue is amazing- well decorated with vinyls on the ceiling at the bar and comic book covers on the walls. There's no seating near the stage but the standing area is big enough for a small crowd of maybe 200 people, making shows here quite intimate and fun. Having never been to a concert in such a small venue before, I wasn't sure what to expect, but the show was better than I could have imagined. The lead singer went out into the crowd for a guitar solo and even gave people hi-fives. The best part was at the end when the band stayed by the door, having said they "wanted to shake the hand of every member of this wonderful audience", and let people take photos with them. As for the music, they played all their most popular songs as well as some newer stuff from their latest album.
The support acts, Betraying Franklin and the Sons were also great and I think the Sons did an excellent job of warming up the crowd.
My advice would be to get a spot near the front in this venue while the support acts are still on so you can get a good view of the stage and if you have to go anywhere, do so in the breaks and get your friend to hold your spot- but the same advice applies for pretty much any standing concert.
Overall a good night, a friendly band (even the drummer talks!) and at a reasonable price for tickets and drinks.