Missing Andy

Missing Andy are a British mod influenced band based in Essex. The group comprises Alex Greaves, Jonathan Sharpe, Rob Jones, Steve Rolls and Elliot Richardson. The band's debut single "The Way We're Made (Made In England)" reached number 38 on the UK Singles Chart and number 7 on the UK Indie Chart in September 2010, after their status was confirmed as runners-up in Sky1's television talent competition, Must Be The Music. Their debut digital only single The Greatest Show On Earth - Act I was released on 4 October 2010, with four tracks. It is said to be part of a compilation of an unspecified number of singles. Missing Andy have released 3 full studio albums (Generation Silenced, Guerrilla Invasion Pt. 1 and Guerrilla Invasion Pt. 2).

History

2008–11: Early years

Missing Andy coke

Missing Andy were good friends when they formed to make a band in 2008. They played in local pubs and clubs in Essex, and gained some popularity on the internet, both through Facebook popularity, and on YouTube.

2011–2012: Must Be The Music and Album

The band auditioned for Must be the Music in the summer of 2010, wowing the crowd at their first audition. They got through to the semi-finals by decision of the judges, and thanks to the public phone votes they reached the final, ultimately reaching the final three. Missing Andy lost out to Emma's Imagination, who won the competition outright, making Missing Andy runners-up along with 5 piece band The Pictures. In October 2010 band released the first part of a download-only digital single series containing four tracks and in October 2011 they released their debut full album Generation Silenced as a download-only digital format.

Having reflected upon being on the show, the band have since said of the positive and negative qualities of it with Greaves saying, "The TV show kind of damaged us a bit, but good things have come of it,"

2012-present: Acoustic EP & Guerrilla Invasion

In 2012, Missing Andy began work on a follow-up to Generation Silenced. In January 2013, the band released an Acoustic EP showcasing acoustic versions of new songs that would feature on their new album. The EP consisted of four songs, 'It's Over (Acoustic)', 'Young Disciple (Acoustic)', 'Mr. Policeman (Acoustic)' and 'Slip Away (Acoustic)'. The EP gained positive reviews and charted highly in the iTunes rock chart.

The band announced via the internet that their second album is to be called 'Guerrilla Invasion' and the first single taken from it will be 'Feel Like This'. A video for Feel Like This was released on YouTube on 23 February. The single was released on 11 March 2013.

Missing Andy announced via their Twitter page on 29 January, that they would hold an album launch party for Guerrilla Invasion at London's KOKO on 29 March 2013. Attendees would be able to hear the brand new songs before release and could purchase the album and new merchandise before the album was released.

Guerrilla Invasion was released on 1 April 2013 as 2 parts. The parts are available to download from iTunes, Amazon and Play. CD formats are also available from Missing Andy's official website.

In support of the double-album, Missing Andy will embark on their Guerrilla Invasion Tour. The tour will feature dates up and down the UK including dates in Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow and Birmingham. The tour will start in March 2013 (at London's KOKO) and runs through the summer into October 2013.

Members

Missing Andy consists of five members: Alex Greaves; Jonathan Sharpe; Rob Jones; Steve Rolls and Elliot Richardson.

Alex Greaves

Alexander "Alex" Greaves is the band's vocalist and frontman.

Jonathan Sharpe

Jonathan "Jon" Sharpe is the band's synth/keyboard player, who additionally plays electronic and technical gadget instruments.

Rob Jones

Rob "Master General" Jones plays the bass guitar, sings backing vocals and contributes heavily in the song-writing for Missing Andy.

Steve Rolls

Steve "DAVE" Rolls plays the lead guitar and backing vocalist for Missing Andy.

Elliot Richardson

Elliot Richardson is the band's Drummer and also plays Piano.

Gareth Babet

Gareth "G-Man" Babet Plays it all but mainly focused on the band's synth/keyboard player, who additionally plays electronic and technical gadget instruments. Gareth left the band after a dispute about being the best looking member and after being offered additional modelling work, had an argument with Rob about who was the bands best looking man. He is now found working part-time in a local bar in the Braintree Area.

Albums

Singles

References

• Underclassed Idle Ideas