Hometown: Camden.
The lineup: Johnny Lloyd (vocals, guitar), Jim Cratchley (bass), Miguel Demelo (drums), Dan White (guitar).
I do not know a band that define Camden and its current scene in a more up to date, upfront way than Tribes. Taking their cues from Elliot Smith, The Pixies and Nirvana these boys know how to play a true rock and roll gig.
They are clearly inspired by American early 90’s influences – you can hear the REM and Pavement shine through the tracks — but they are fundamentally a Brit band, a Camden band, they know their roots and they also know where they are going, as do I – worldwide.
I absolutely adore this video, filmed in Camden on a shoestring it sums up what people in the area and the rest of the London feel like when they play. Bring back the euphoria I say, theseboys are ready to rock!
I also love that that the NME in the UK published the following facts about the band:
• Dan and Miguel met five years ago after Miguel caught Dan stealing his wallet at his own birthday party
• Jimmy was arrested for fraud at the age of 12 for selling stolen videos
• Johnny once got drunk with Juliette Lewis in Texas and woke up with the cosmos tattooed on his arm.
–Izzy Lawrence
( Love From London is an ongoing series where correspondents Alex Kenning and Izzy Lawrence introduce us to bands generating excitement across the pond.)