indie pop

The origins of the Motorcycle Boy go back to Scotland 1985 when a band named after a Fire Engines b-side were formed - Meat Whiplash. They signed to Creation Records releasing one single for that label (which was produced by The Jesus & Mary Chain). In 1987 the band recruited vocalist Alex Taylor from The Shop Assistants and changed their name to The Motorcycle Boy (from a character in the movie Rumblefish).

There are at least two bands using the name The Penelopes: From Japan 1) The Japanese twee-pop outfit the Penelopes was essentially the work of singer/songwriter Tatsuhiko Watanabe; the group debuted in 1992 with the album In a Big Golden Cage, followed a year later by Touch the Ground. Although by this time the band was primarily a Watanabe solo project, he maintained the Penelopes' name for 1997's Kiss of Life; A Place in the Sun, issued that same year, was the first LP issued on Watanabe's own Vaudeville Park label.

The Submarines are composed of John Dragonetti, who previously performed as Jack Drag, and Blake Hazard, great-granddaughter of F.Scott Fitzgerald. The romantically involved couple collaborated on Hazard's 2002 album "Little Airplane." Following their breakup, the album "Declare a New State!" was created in 2006, with many songs written separately while they were apart, as well as a new band. They are now married.

Henry's Phonograph are a post-punk/new wave/psychedelic-indie group from the minster town of Wimborne in Dorset, UK, now based in London. HP formed in 2003, initially indulging in making hissy pop on four-track tape machines, but were soon blazing audiences with energetic, no-frills performances under a variety of different line-ups. The band's sound has fluctuated over the years incorporating over 30 different members, with the core songwriting duo of Angus and Fred remaining consistent.