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The South London foursome Athlete was comprised of childhood friends Carey Willets (bass), Joel Pott (vocals, guitar), Steve Roberts (drums), and Tim Wanstall (keyboards). Athlete formed in early 2000 after several Oasis-tailored incarnations and arrived at an experimental indie rock kind of style. Athlete spent the next year writing and recording, and their self-titled EP appeared on Regal Recordings in 2002. BBC Radio 1's Jo Whiley praised Athlete's first single, "Westside," as the Record of the Week. Several months later, "You Got Style" went Top 40 and opening dates with the likes of Mansun, the Polyphonic Spree, Electric Soft Parade, and Simian followed into the next year. Such critical success also led the band to sign with Parlophone. Athlete entered the studio with producer Victor Van Vugt (Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, Beth Orton) in late 2002 to record their studio full-length. Vehicles & Animals marked the band's debut in mid-2003. Athlete gigged heavily in support of the album, and saw it nominated for a Mercury prize. Van Vugt and producer John Cornfield were on board for Tourist, the band's ambitious spring 2005 follow-up. ~ MacKenzie Wilson, All Music Guide |
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