The Cribs

The Cribs (2001)

The Cribs are an English indie rock trio from Wakefield, West Yorkshire. The band's members include twins Gary Jarman (bassist, singer) and Ryan Jarman (guitarist, singer) and their younger brother Ross Jarman (drummer). Ex-The Smiths and Modest Mouse guitarist Johnny Marr was also a member of the band from 2008 until April 2011. Their three albums prior to 2015 have charted in the UK top 10, however the band's best known singles are Men's Needs and Another Number. 

Formation: The three brothers founded The Cribs in 2001 as a recording project. Following a demo they recorded being released to provoke label interest, the band started playing gigs at venues like the Brudenell Social Club in Leeds. As their support slots built up to more popular acts, The Cribs eventually signed to Wichita Recordings in 2003. 

Musical Career: The band completely finished their self-titled debut album in seven days, and launched it on the 8th March 2004. Naturally the gritty and unrefined 'lo-fi' nature of the record was a musical quality attributed to The Cribs for years to come. For the next two years they toured extensively as headliners and supporting acts for bands like The Libertines and Death Cab for Cutie. They also made their first of a number of appearances at Reading and Leeds Festivals. 

Despite being told to start writing their next record after their first tour had ended, the band had different intentions. Each of the three posted their contact details online stating they'd be willing to play anywhere in exchange for petrol money and beer. The intimate connection this established between The Cribs and their fans helped build a sustainable fan base that has lasted for over a decade. 

The band's second album, The New Fellas, came out in June 2005 following the release of the single 'Hey Scenesters' which kickstarted the band's run of seven consecutive Top 40 singles. Despite being leaked prior to the release date the record was still certified Silver by the BPI. The trio then went on to tour the USA with Death Cab for Cutie and Franz Ferdinand. The year-end issue of NME crowned the The New Fellas as the No. 11 album of the year, and Hey Scenesters as single of the year.

By 2007 the band made a turning point and signed a major deal with label Warner Bros. Records, whilst still retaining their connection with Wichita in the UK. Recorded in Vancouver, BC, Canada and produced Alex Kapranos of Franz Ferdinand, The Cribs had progressed away from their unpolished sound origins. Launched in May 2007, their next album Men's Needs, Women's Needs, Whatever entered the UK album charts at number thirteen. Touring then began in March at the Royal Albert Hall for Teenage Cancer Trust. December saw the trio return to their Yorkshire roots and play three shows covering all three of their albums at Brudenell Social Club in aid of Cystic Fibrosis. The following year the Cribs were nominated for 4 awards at the annual NME awards ceremony (Best British Band, Best Live Band, Best Track and Hero of the Year for Ryan Jarman). Alongside Johnny Marr the band were then asked to headline the annual NME Awards Tour. 

After the band Modest Mouse had finished touring, Johnny Marr and the Cribs began playing together, and later announced that Johnny had become a full-time member of the group and would be working with The Cribs on their new album. Writing took up the rest of 2008 as Ross Jarman struggled recording the drum tracks after a skateboard accident that left him with a broken wrist. The album Ignore the Ignorant was released in September 2009 and received credit from various sources: it was selected as number 11 on Mojo magazine's "Albums of the Year", and at number 7 in The Fly's "Albums of the Year. The band toured USA and Canada in 2010 before playing going on to play shows in Australia and New Zealand. 

Marr left the Cribs officially on the 11th April 2011, and the band then started work on their next album. Recorded at Tarbox Road studio in New York with David Fridmann, London's Abbey Road and Chicago's EAR studio with engineer Steve Albini, In the Belly of the Brazen Bull was released in May 2012 and charted at number 9 in the UK Albums Chart. The band later destroyed their instruments and set at the climactic end of their 2012 Reading Festival performance. The Cribs' 10th anniversary year was also marked by the Spirit of Independence award which was given to the band at the annual Q Awards, and later received the Outstanding Contribution to Music award at the annual NME Awards. The Cribs' third consecutive UK Top 10 Album, For All My Sisters, launched March 2014.