Artist description "gorgeous is no overstatement." Q Magazine “It’s wonderful.” – Mojo The Sunday Times (London) pick of the week “. . . so ambitious, refreshing and – hell, yes – beautiful that you’ll reel in happy disbelief.” – Uncut. All from reviews of the Bahama LP (2001) Arnold began as a three piece in 1997, catching the attention of Creation Records impresario Alan McGee. At the time, McGee was enjoying the celebrity of having discovered Oasis, Primal Scream and My Bloody Valentine, among others. McGee gave the members of Arnold one thousand pounds to record a demo, which he released as delivered on the Creation label. The Barn Tapes stirred a lot of critical interest, the band went on tour with Neil Finn and things started in earnest. The first full album, Hillside, showed clearly the band’s knack for diversity. Rolling Stone described the album as “a record rich in . . . pastoral English psychedelia, the sweet hurt of Big Star and John Martyn, [and] a touch of unplugged Radiohead.” The album was released by Sony in the US and the band completed a single US tour to great success and the promise of a larger, looming future. Unfortunately, McGee folded Creation’s tent at this point, which voided all of the associated licensing deals, leaving Arnold with neither tour support nor label. Despite these problems the band continued to drum forward. Ariss and Hill, who had served to that point only as live members, were promoted as full time additions and the quintet continued to write and record songs for what would become 2001’s Bahama LP. The release marked a re-pairing with McGee at his new label Poptones. The record was released at the end of the year to exceptional praise from the British press and more promises of great things. Amazingly, Poptones followed Creation down the tubes, leaving Arnold without a home once again. And once again, the band quietly began recording. Currently, Arnold is in top form, consistently writing songs with depth, maturity and punch. In July, Arnold will come to the U.S. for dates in select cities, including a number of SoCal stops.

Music Style Alt - Brit Pop, Country, Rock,

Musical Influences Rolling Stones, Beach Boys, Big Star,

Similar Artists Radiohead, Coldplay, blur, Stone Roses, Pink Floyd, Crosby Stills & Nash, Rolling Stones, Beach Boys

Artist History 96 - Barn Tapes EP Creation Records 98 - Hillside LP Creation/Sony 01 - Bahama LP Poptones - UK

Group Members Phil Morris, Mark Saxby, Phil Payne, Dave Hill, Rob Ariss

Press Reviews "London-based former Creation underlings battle on with life-affirming third album." Q "Surprisingly special. 4/5" Esquire - UK "Recorded for a pittance, yet symphonic in its scope" Mojo

Location London, UK - United Kingdom

Copyright notice. All material on MP3.com is protected by copyright law and by international treaties. You may download this material and make reasonable number of copies of this material only for your own personal use. You may not otherwise reproduce, distribute, publicly perform, publicly display, or create derivative works of this material, unless authorized by the appropriate copyright owner(s).