The Novellos are an English, four-piece Indie group formed in Stoke on Trent taking large influences from 60’s music, soul and post punk. The group has earned a reputation for their frantic live performances and their sporadic yet sensational single releases. They first rose to prominence in March 2008 with their first single release ‘The Lady Is Not For Turning’ written by Mike Thomas, arranged and produced by founder of SONS Ltd, Seb Clarke of This Is Seb Clarke, the song cites the ever present echoes of Margaret Thatcher in their hometown of Stoke on Trent and was nationally championed across BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 2, BBC 6 Music and XFM.
Formation and SONS Ltd.
The original incarnation of The Novellos first met at Newcastle under Lyme School, the line-up saw Mike Thomas on guitar and vocal duties, Adam Steele on bass, Richard Dodd on guitar and keys and Daniel Ellwood on Drums. The band practiced on weekends and at school, trying to find time between exams, revision and course work for their musical musings. In early 2007 the band preformed their first gig in The Sugarmill, Hanley, Staffordshire - their performance earning them a warm reception and in turn catching the attention of Sebastian Clarke. After a number of meetings and conversations between Clarke and the band, as well as some convincing on the behalf of Mike Thomas, The Novellos agreed to a one release deal with Clarke's label SONS Ltd. After moving their equipment into the SONS studio in Hanley, Stoke on Trent the band began work on their first release ‘The Lady Is Not For Turning’.
Upon entering the basement recording studio complex at SONS, it was noted that the drummer Ellwood found studio work difficult and as he had already committed to attend university in September, was replaced by Eddy Gillespie from Leek based band Silent Call. The track ‘The Lady Is Not For Turning’ has two drum takes on the mix, both Gillespie's and Ellwood's. The aforementioned Silent Call were friends of The Novellos via their shared association with SONS Ltd - The call for Ellwood to leave and for Gillespie to join sparked a shift in both of the bands. The Novellos shed both Ellwood and Dodd, subsequently replacing them with the Gillespie brothers - Eddy on Drums, with Phil on Vocals and Guitar. Sam Walker, also of Silent Call, joined on Hammond Organ and Trombone duties.
The Gillespie brothers & SONS showcases.
2008 was a prolific year for The Novellos, kicking off with a live session on BBC Radio Stoke to promote their debut single, ‘The Lady Is Not For Turning’ - which reached number three in the UK Indie charts. Successive performances across the UK and at three Showcase events followed. During this time both the musical and professional partnership with Seb Clarke grew; Clarke's band - This Is Seb Clarke and The Novellos enjoyed chart success, due to the simultaneous releases of their singles via SONS Ltd. This profuse year culminated in a Radio 1 session at Maida Vale Studios backed by the support of Steve Lamacq on his ‘In New Music We Trust ‘ show and the extension of their contract with SONS Ltd.
Around this time - mid 2008 - uneasiness and egos began to swamp the band, manifested with a split between Phil and Mike about the direction of the band’s career. Stoke-on-Trent promoter Anthony Price, then owner of the Sugarmill venue, had secretly approached the band, asking them to leave SONS Ltd to sign to his promotions company, under the management of Sheffield based Karen Johnson. Phil Gillespie wanted to leave SONS Ltd, Thomas and Steele both vowed to stay. Phil subsequently left The Novellos on the 20th April, the day after their second Showcase. Walker and Eddy Gillespie remained in the ranks of the band – the following year saw the reformation of Phil’s band Silent Call – which included his brother Eddy Gillespie on drums and Sam Walker on keys whilst both still remained in the Novellos – this split in commitment would profoundly affect both bands over the following year.
Writing and recording.
Early 2009 was a slow starting year for the band, honing their technique into coherence with the SONS Sound. They spend the latter end of the year practicing, proving and polishing said sound, and at this time the band began to engage themselves in writing new material. Still under a conflict of loyalties the band managed to record seven tracks, concentrating on building up a catalogue of material due for release after issues had been resolved. Their second release, ‘Not So Sure’, was intended for release late 2009 although wasn’t released until February 8th 2010 reaching number 12 in the UK Indie Chart. The third single ‘All You Need’ was intended for release in April 2010, however due to band related complications and time constraints the release was delayed. During this time the band where offered a Glastonbury Festival slot, but struggling to find the time to complete the recordings, SONS Ltd were forced to cancel the performance.
‘All You Need’ is now completed and set for release on October 25th 2010.
'Not So Sure'
OUT NOW
Available to order at:
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Record Store
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'All You Need'
COMING SOON
'The Lady Is Not For Turning'
'A great little record that later on down the years is going to be a
collectors item.'
-Steve Lamacq
Available to order at:
iTunes
All songs and lyrics © SONS LTD 2010.
