Introducing: Will And The People

27 November 2008

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At Will and The People gigs everyone gets involved in the party, even notoriously uptight London crowds find themselves letting go when faced with their infectious, genre-blending ska-rock-pop.

“We are on a mission to bring the pogo back!” says Will Rendle, their 22 year old frontman. “I can’t understand bands that don’t engage the audience. At our gigs they become part of the show.”

Support slots with their musical heroes The Police at Hyde Park Calling and with The Hoosiers on theirrecent tour prove that Will and The People retain their ability to connect when playing a bigger stage.

Following their three dates on The Hoosiers tour the band’s myspace page received over 19,000 plays in6 days - an incredible strike rate.

Growing up in a sleepy town on the south coast, the smart but easily bored Will was in and out of trouble until he found an outlet for his wayward energy. Inspired by his love of Bob Marley & TheWailers, The Specials, and Californian ska-punk pioneers Sublime (“My favourite band ever”), Will started playing the guitar and writing songs. “It immediately became everything to me,” says Will. “It’s all I’ve ever wanted to do since.”

At 18 Will blew out a place at University and moved to Brighton, throwing himself into the local live music scene. The next couple of years were spent in local bands until, frustrated by their lack of focus, Will decided to put his own band together. But it wasn’t easy. “I wanted to live with my band and do everything with them,” he says now, “but I found it impossible to find people who were up for it as much as me, who wanted it as much as me.”

Nevertheless, with persistence The People were found - Dan Lundholm (bass), Simon Hanson (drums), John Tilley (keyboards), and Alison Brown (backing vocals) – an incredibly loose and fluid unit that crosses over indie, ska, reggae, blues and rock.

Their ability to turn their gigs into happenings soon got the band noticed. As the buzz about them spread, Will & The People landed themselves a recording deal within a few months of trying. After signing to RCA Label Group the band relocated to London where they are currently working on their debut album with producer Johnny Douglas.

“I get so angry when I listen to albums and there are only three or four great songs and the rest is filler,” says Will, his eyes ablaze. “Even one bad song is too much filler. I want every song on our record to be brilliant so people want the whole album.”

Few who know Will would bet against him realising this ambition. Will & The People’s debut album will be released in Summer 2009.