| Alfie | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Manchester, England |
| Genres | Indie rock, folk rock |
| Years active | 1999–2005 |
| Labels | Twisted Nerve Records Regal Zonophone Records |
| Associated acts | The Beep Seals |
| Past members | |
| Lee Gorton Ian Smith Matt McGeever Sam Morris Sean Kelly |
|
Alfie were an English indie rock band from Manchester. They were originally signed to Twisted Nerve Records before moving to EMI sub-label Regal Zonophone Records.
Contents |
The band signed to the Twisted Nerve label in 1999, and were recruited by label co-founder Damon Gough (aka Badly Drawn Boy) to be his support act and backing band.[1]
After three vinyl-only EP releases, they released the album, If You Happy with You Need Do Nothing, a compilation of the latter two of these. In 2002, there followed the first album proper, A Word in Your Ear, and their first US tour. At this time, they were close to fellow Manchester bands Doves, I Am Kloot and Elbow, with whom they shared a rehearsal complex.[1] However, while these bands and labelmate, Badly Drawn Boy, all won or were nominated for the Mercury Prize, similar recognition eluded Alfie.
Later in 2002, the band signed to Parlophone, for whom they recorded third album, Do You Imagine Things? with Coldplay producer Ken Nelson. The album was praised as being 'a great leap forward'[2] and 'a warm record [that is] above the indie quagmire'.[2] Despite the favourable reviews, the album failed to break the UK Top 40.[3]
The fourth album, Crying at Teatime was released in 2005, and heralded in advance by Gorton as full of 'triumphant moments' and a 'bigger sound' than previous albums.[4] Again, reviews were favourable, claiming they had 'finally found the missing piece of their jigsaw'.[5]
However, with no further chart progress made, on 27 October 2005, they announced they were breaking up, with Gorton stating that 'it's hard to keep faith when it feels like no-one's listening'.[6]
After the band split up, guitar Ian Smith and bassist Sam Morris played in The Beep Seals who were active between 2006 and 2009. Singer Lee Gorton has not released any new material, but has focused on organising gigs in Manchester and London.[7]
Their song "Indoor League", from the album Do You Imagine Things? was used for an advertisement on Channel 4 for Channel 4 Radio.
According to Gorton, the name Alfie "was just plucked out of the air" but being one of the first bands alphabetically had helped them. For example, when "we played All Tomorrow's Parties, it looked like we were headlining".[1]