The Zutons' Can Do comeback

7 months ago 03rd May 08:15

Crashing into the chart in 2004, The Zutons have enjoyed success with eight top 40 singles. Two years since their last release, the band are now hoping latest single ?Always Right Behind You? will repeat the success of their biggest hit, 2006's 'Valerie' when it is released on May 19.

Formed in Liverpool in 2001, singer Dave McCabe, bassist Russell Pritchard, guitarist Boyan Chowdhury and drummer Sean Payne met after appearing in various local bands in the city. Sean?s girlfriend, Abi Harding was soon drafted in to play saxophone, adding a different dimension to their 'psychedelic punk' sound.

Their debut album, 'Who Killed' The Zutons' was an instant success, debuting in the UK album chart at number 13 in April 2004, eventually climbing to number nine and earning the band nominations for the Mercury Music Prize and Best Breakthrough Act at the BRIT Awards.

The follow up, 'Tired of Hanging Around', was released in 2006 and built on their early success, peaking at number two in the UK and spawning The Zutons' first top 10 singles with 'Why Won't You Give Me Your Love' and 'Valerie'. A third single, 'Oh Stacey (Look What You've Done)', though a hit on the radio radio, failed to set the chart alight, reaching number 24, while the final single from the album, 'It's The Little Things We Do' didn?t even make the chart.

When the supporting tour ended, the band retreated to the studio to start work on their next album. However, the success of Amy Winehouse and Mark Ronson's reworked version of 'Valerie', which was released in October last year, has ensured they haven't been forgotten during their absence.

Since their last release, the band have said goodbye to Boyan, who left last July due to 'musical differences' and has since formed a new band, The Gravity Trap. Opting to stay as a four-piece, rather than bringing in a replacement, The Zutons are now set to release their third album, 'You Can Do Anything' on June 2.

Here, singer/songwriter Dave McCabe and saxophonist Abi Harding discuss Glastonbury, befriending Ringo Starr and going up against Coldplay in the album charts

More about The Zutons' Can Do comeback on page 2